Students should register non-credit travel information and itinerary in the NC State International Travel Gateway at least one month before departure. Important note: Students participating in credit-bearing study abroad programs do not need to register and will instead follow the separate guidance provided by the NC State Study Abroad Office.

All students are required to enroll in the UNC system travel abroad health insurance plan. This plan provides coverage for medical care abroad, evacuation for medical emergencies and political or natural disasters and repatriation of remains. The Study Abroad Office will enroll students in this plan once their study abroad plans or International Travel Gateway registration are confirmed. Be sure to keep a copy of your insurance card with you at all times during travel.

The U.S. Department of State maintains a list of country-specific Travel Advisories. Stay informed about your travel destination and pay particular attention to restricted travel areas with Level 3 or Level 4 Travel Advisories; these are considered restricted travel locations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides Travel Health Notices that include country-specific health risks, including communicable disease outbreaks and recommended precautions.

Remember to update your personal emergency contacts in the MyPack portal and program key numbers into your mobile phone ahead of travel. Examples include the equivalent of “911” in your host country (U.S. State Department list), medical facilities in your host location and U.S. Department of State Overseas Citizen Services (In U.S. or Canada: +1 888-407-4747 | Outside U.S. or Canada: +1 202-501-4444).

Some destinations may have public health entry or exit requirements, including proof of certain vaccinations or negative test results, a mandatory quarantine period, completion of a health app, or other items. Please review the U.S. CDC’s Travelers’ Health pages for your destination and the official U.S. Embassy website for your destination.

In addition, travelers should carefully consider personal health needs when traveling abroad, especially when they will be immersed in an unfamiliar culture and away from their everyday support systems. The NC State Travel Clinic provides personalized recommendations, medications and vaccinations based on your itinerary.

Ensure that  your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip. For U.S. citizens, the closest passport office to NC State is the Wake County Register of Deeds. NC State also offers U.S. Passport Fairs each semester. Consult the U.S. Department of State Passports page for application and cost details.

Determine if you need a visa to enter your host country. Visa and other entry requirements can vary by destination, where you’re coming from, and/or your country of citizenship. Consult the official embassy website of your host country for entry requirements. The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories website provides an overview of visa requirements by country (scroll to bottom of page and select “Learn about your destination”).

NC State travelers must comply with all federal export control policies. The Export Controls Office provides further guidance on navigating these regulations.

Check sponsor guidelines for any travel related to federally funded research. Examples include compliance with the Fly America Act and completion of the NC State Fly America Act Certification checklist. Additional details are available from Research Administration and Compliance Travel, Conducting Research Outside the United States and Countries Presenting Added Risk.

Take proactive steps to secure your electronic devices and protect your data. Back up important travel documents and ensure that all mobile devices and computers are locked and password protected. Review OIT’s Technology for Travel for additional guidance.

Stay informed of local politics, weather events, and other conditions that could affect your safety and security. In the event of civil unrest, avoid large gatherings and protests. The U.S. Department of State offers International Travel Guidance that includes transportation safety, lodging safety and laws abroad. Travelers may also subscribe to email updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

In the event of an emergency abroad, the Study Abroad Office is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to assist students. During office hours (8:00am – 5:00pm EST, Monday through Friday), please contact the Study Abroad Office at +1 919-515-2087. Outside of regular business hours, please contact the NC State University Police at +1 919-515-3000 and they will connect you with the Study Abroad Emergency Response Team. The smartphone app which all students are required to download prior to departure, AlertTraveler, can also connect students to local emergency services and the Study Abroad Office if needed.

Please be aware that the U.S. Department of State and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials may ask to inspect your electronic devices when entering the United States. Searches may include files, photos and/or social media accounts linked to your devices. 

International students on F-1 or J-1 visas who plan to leave and reenter the U.S. during their course of study at NC State should carefully review the immigration guidelines and travel resources provided by the Office of International Services.

International student interns on J-1 visas who plan to leave and re-enter the U.S. during their visit period at NC State should carefully review the immigration guidelines and travel resources provided by the Office of International Services.