Student Pre-departure Requirements
Undergraduate & Graduate Student Pre-departure Requirements
It's your responsibility to understand and complete all pre-departure requirements in a timely manner for Harvard-sponsored travel. Questions? We're here to help.
Read carefully. Some requirements pertain to all students; other requirements are location or School specific. Your School or funding department may have additional requirements, which you should confirm with the appropriate staff or faculty member.
Adhere to the applicable student travel policy.
Harvard College International Travel Policy
Graduate and Professional Student International Travel Policy
The travel risk rating for your destination influences your pre-departure requirements and planning. These Harvard GSS travel risk ratings correlate with the student travel policies.
Register your itinerary and contact information with International SOS. Do this even if you haven't purchased your flight but you know your tentative dates and location (city, country). Then update your itinerary once you book your flight and lodging.
Read and sign a travel waiver and release form. Then submit the signed form to the Harvard office or trip leader overseeing your international activity (i.e., awarding funding or academic credit).
Harvard College students and Harvard Summer School study abroad program students only:
Complete the health clearance process 30-90 days before departure, or by the deadline set by your program.
Undergraduate students in Harvard College and Harvard Summer School (HSS) study abroad programs, and graduate and professional students in the Harvard Graduate School of Design (GSD), Harvard Divinity School (HDS), Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE), Harvard Kennedy School (HKS), Harvard Law School (HLS), and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (HSPH) only:
Undergraduate students traveling to elevated-risk locations:
Attend a group orientation. All undergraduate students are strongly encouraged to attend an elevated-risk orientation regardless of destination. OIE and GSS share a schedule of upcoming orientations each fall and spring.
Graduate and professional students traveling to high-risk locations:
Attend a group orientation. Check with your program or group leader for scheduling with us.
Undergraduate students traveling to elevated-risk locations and graduate and professional students traveling to high-risk locations:
Submit a travel safety questionnaire at least 30 days before departure. The questionnaire addresses the security measures for your trip.
Undergraduate students traveling to elevated-risk locations and graduate and professional students traveling to high-risk locations:
After reviewing your travel safety questionnaire, we'll email you to let you know whether or not you're required to have an individual consultation with us.
Even if not required, all students are welcome to submit a travel safety questionnaire and then schedule an individual consultation with us before Harvard-sponsored travel.