Eligibility

01. Who's Covered & For What02. Exclusions to Coverage03. Check Your Eligibility

International SOS University Membership

In general, students, faculty, and staff traveling internationally with Harvard sponsorship, on behalf of Harvard, or as part of a Harvard-related trip are covered by the University's International SOS membership.

Who's Covered & For What

The following students are eligible for International SOS:

  • Harvard degree-seeking students actively registered at one of the Harvard schools listed below, excluding personal travel or travel for primarily social purposes.
    • Harvard Business School (HBS)
    • Harvard College
    • Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD)
    • Harvard Divinity School (HDS)
    • Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE)
    • Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
    • Harvard Kennedy School of Government (HKS)
    • Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS)
    • Harvard Law School (HLS)
    • Harvard Medical School (HMS)
    • Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM)
    • Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
    • A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theater Training
  • Harvard Summer School students traveling as part of their academic program
  • Harvard Extension School admitted degree candidates traveling as part of their academic program

While traveling on University business, current employees and fellows—including faculty, staff, and other paid appointments—with an active Harvard University appointment are covered.

Note: HMS off-quad appointed faculty who are employed by an affiliated institution (e.g. a hospital) are typically not eligible travelers unless traveling for Harvard University business or meeting other criteria below.

The following individuals are covered, but given the nature of their affiliation with the University, their information must be entered in MyTrips. See how to register individuals without a Harvard email address.

  • Spouses, domestic partners, and dependent children traveling with a covered employee or student
  • Scholars and fellows—including post-baccalaureate and post-graduate fellows—with active Harvard appointments, including those who are unpaid, traveling with Harvard sponsorship
  • Certain other individuals participating in Harvard-related programs: contact us for guidance
Exclusions to Coverage

In cases when exclusions apply, International SOS and the associated vendors ordinarily will still facilitate services to the best of their ability, but the traveler will be charged for services. The following list isn't exhaustive, but it covers the most commonly applicable exclusions.

  • Personal travel
  • Travel within the U.S. or U.S. territories by U.S.-based Harvard affiliates
  • Travel within your home country
    • For employees, home country is defined as the location of your employment.
    • For students enrolled in a degree program, the U.S. is considered your home country. For students enrolled primarily online, contact us.
  • Continuous travel longer than 365 days
  • Service in armed forces
  • Incarceration post-conviction
  • Travel to obtain medical treatment
  • Travel against advice of a physician
  • Travel in violation of government sanctions
  • Acting or training as aircraft pilot or crew member
  • Air travel other than routine commercial and charter flights
  • Certain non-commercial, specialized, or self-piloted aviation
  • Evacuation or medical care not approved by International SOS service providers
Check Your Eligibility

Eligibility for Harvard University's International SOS membership depends on your Harvard affiliation and the reason for your travel. In addition to the eligibility criteria outlined above and in the FAQs, you can use the questionnaire below to help you determine your eligibility on a per-trip basis. If you're unsure about any of the criteria or have questions, contact us at globalsupport@harvard.edu or +1-617-495-1111.

Harvard Affiliation
Are you enrolled in a degree program?
Are you an executive education or non-degree program student?
This includes course takers, certificate programs, and non-credit professional development courses and programs.
Do you have an Emeritus faculty or non-quad faculty appointment?
Are you a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) affiliate?
Do you have an active and/or paid Harvard University appointment?
Is your trip Harvard-sponsored?
Harvard-sponsored travel is funded, paid, organized, or led by Harvard University, or involves academic work qualifying for credit.
Is your trip related to your Harvard University role?
This includes Harvard-related travel for research, study abroad, attendance at a conference, academic study, travel with a student organization or trek, or a summer or January internship (or similar volunteer or work experience) if registered at Harvard the following term. Harvard-related travel does not include personal travel or travel for primarily social purposes, even when traveling with a group consisting of Harvard affiliates.
Is this trip taking place within seven days of an eligible trip?