GlobalThe University’s Education Abroad policy policy requires students including undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree; medical residents; fellows; and graduate assistants traveling abroad for University purposes1 to register their travel. This includes international students traveling for University purposes to their home country.
How to Register
1. Prepare required information
Before starting a travel registration, be sure you have all of the required information:
- Program or activity details including dates*
- Location(s) of travel, including city and country
- Dates of travel
- Personal emergency contact in the U.S., including name, email, and phone
- University emergency contact in the U.S., including name, email, and phone (see responsibilities)
- EFS number and name of finance contact (if your unit has agreed to pay for your insurance coverage) — In very limited situations, students may opt out of the mandatory insurance coverage. Review guidelines to ensure you are eligible to opt out.
* Note that the University's required insurance coverage (if applicable) is provided for the duration of the program or activity dates, plus an allowance before and after to cover travel. The University's insurance policy does not cover personal or non-University travel.
2. Submit your travel registry
Choose the correct registration link below depending on the type of program or activity you are participating in.
3. Complete the remaining policy requirements
After submitting your registration you will receive an email with information on how to complete the remaining policy requirements:
- Complete the online health and safety orientation
- Upload the student release and waiver to the education abroad system
- Provide a copy of your U.S. health insurance card (if applicable)
Select One:
Questions about Registering My Travel
I am a fellow, graduate assistant, resident, or teaching assistant. Which travel registry should I use?
You must register your travel using the Student International Travel Registry (see links above on this page). Post-docs should register in the Faculty/Staff Registry.
Why am I required to register my travel and complete the Canvas course?
You must register your travel and complete the Canvas course to meet the requirements of University policy. Registering will allow you to obtain the required CISI Insurance, and the Canvas course will better prepare you for a safe trip abroad.
Why is my checklist showing up as incomplete?
Your Canvas Course completion and Release & Waiver upload are reviewed during normal business hours (M-F, 8:00-4:30 p.m. CST). Your checklist items will be marked as complete at that time.
Who should I select as a UMN Emergency Contact?
You should choose someone employed by the University of Minnesota who knows you and knows about your travel plans, such as a professor or a department supervisor. Remember to ask this person for approval. See more about serving as an emergency contact.
Why am I getting an error message when uploading my Release & Waiver?
We are aware of an occasional issue where a false error message is displayed. If you receive an error message, please contact travelrg@umn.edu to confirm your Release & Waiver was successfully uploaded.
What if I want to travel to a Level 3 or 4 travel advisory location?
University policy requires special permission from the University’s International Travel Risk Assessment and Advisory Committee (ITRAAC) prior to student travel to countries or regions designated a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4 (see current list of advisories).
Students should begin by contacting the education abroad office on their campus. If you are not working with an education abroad office, contact Kevin Dostal Dauer.
What is the UMN International Emergency Number?
UMN travelers abroad may contact the 24/7 International Emergency Number at 612-301-2255 (612-301-CALL). Collect calls will be accepted.
Questions about Insurance
If I have UMN insurance, do I need to purchase the mandatory international insurance coverage?
All students must purchase the mandatory international insurance coverage except for international students traveling to their home country of citizenship*.
*CISI is unable to provide insurance for international students who are traveling in their home country of citizenship. We recommend these travelers secure other insurance options such as personal family coverage, possible home country national insurance plans for which the student remains eligible, or independent coverage.
How much does the mandatory international insurance coverage cost?
Cost per person:
- 0-7 days $13.00
- 8-14 days $26.00
- 15-21 day $39.00
- 22+ days = monthly rate $50.00
After 22 days, coverage can only be enrolled and billed by the month. Weekly and monthly rates cannot be combined. For example, 36 days of coverage will be billed as two months ($100).
Due to high costs, travel that includes the United Arab Emirates will be billed at a higher weekly/monthly insurance rate.
What method of payment is accepted for the mandatory international insurance coverage?
The mandatory international insurance coverage is billed to your student account. It can be charged to an EFS account string, if your department is sponsoring your travel (approval is needed).
When will I get my insurance card?
Insurance enrollments are completed on Tuesdays and Fridays. Travel registrations that are incomplete or have issues may face delays in insurance enrollment.
Can I purchase supplemental insurance for personal travel before or after my University-purpose travel?
It is our standard practice to enroll travelers in the mandatory international insurance coverage for a maximum of three days before the start of their University-purpose program/activity and up to two days after the end of their program/activity to ensure coverage during travel to or from the host country.
Students who wish to purchase a supplementary insurance plan for additional personal travel days before or after the University-enrolled days can do so through the CISI web portal after receiving enrollment confirmation materials from CISI. Supplementary coverage is recommended for such travel, but is not provided by the University. Students can purchase such a plan comparable to the University coverage using a credit card.
Note: CISI is unable to provide insurance for international students who are traveling in their home country of citizenship. We recommend these travelers secure other insurance options such as personal family coverage, possible home country national insurance plans for which the student remains eligible, or independent coverage.
Where can I find information about insurance and COVID-19?
Please review Frequently Asked Questions about CISI Coverage and COVID-19.
1The term “University purposes” refers to travel that is affiliated with the University in any way. This includes, but is not limited to, travel funded by the University or where credit is awarded or degree requirements are fulfilled (e.g., work, internships, field study, research, etc. including non-credit degree requirements), volunteering, conference or workshop attendance, athletic events, and Campus Life Program activities abroad. Travel with a Registered Student Organization (RSO), that is not otherwise funded or supported by the University, and personal travel such as a vacation is NOT for University purposes.