Travel Guidance

Current Travel Advisories

CENTRAL AND EAST AFRICA: Due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak, travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan is prohibited until further notice. Travel to surrounding countries, including Rwanda and Uganda, can proceed with proper precautions. If your work in Uganda involves clinical care, please follow all recommended infection prevention and control practices. Travelers should continue to follow current CDC guidelines. Travel should be registered with UC Away for monitoring purposes and to ensure access to travel insurance. Protocols to return to the United States and return to UCSF’s campus (enhanced screening 21 days following return) should be closely followed to avoid safety risks, delays, and noncompliance.

UKRAINE UPDATE: UC Office of the President Travel Advisory: The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 — Do Not Travel Warning for Ukraine due to the conflict. As a result, and out of concern for the well-being and safety of the UC community, we are directing all members of the UC community to avoid all travel to Ukraine at this time. Additionally, travel to neighboring countries should be carefully evaluated.  

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA: UC Office of the President Travel Advisory (updated March 2, 2026): In response to the recent escalation of military activity in the Middle East, the University of California is advising all members of the UC community to discontinue travel to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region until further notice. Travelers in need of immediate support can contact Chubb-AXA Global Travel Assistance. Risks in the region may be seen in countries not directly related to the current cross-border conflict. Anti-Israeli and anti-American sentiment may be present in areas across MENA, and rallies encouraging de-escalation are likely to occur. Review this Advice Sheet for guidance on reducing your vulnerability during civil unrest, riots, and demonstrations. Travelers are encouraged to consult the full UCOP announcement and related FAQ for additional details. Risk Advisory and Insurance Services remains available to provide support and guidance.

 

International Travel Requirements for Students
  • International UCSF-sponsored travel requires approval. Travel to other states and U.S. territories does not.
  • Allowable Travel Defined: Travel for UCSF-sponsored clinical work, research or conferences that are approved by the designated individual at UCSF's Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS), School of Dentistry, School of Medicine; School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, or the Graduate Division.
  • Approvers for Students: Approvers are listed on each of the two Student International Travel Approval forms, which are used for low-risk or high-risk travel. 
    • Low-Risk Destinations are defined as those with a U.S. Department of State Security Rating of 1 or 2, and Crisis24 Horizon Overall Rating of 1-3.25. High-Risk Destinations are defined as those with a U.S. Department of State Security Rating of 3 or 4, and/or a Crisis24 Horizon Overall Rating of 3.5-5.
    • If a destination is considered high-risk according to travel risk ratings of the governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and/or the United Kingdom, a high-risk travel form and related processes may be required by the approver, even if the US DOS and Crisis24 Horizon ratings are low-risk.
    • High-risk destinations will continue to require approval at the dean/designate level. Note: high-risk destinations are rarely approved.
    • Low-risk destinations will require approval by defined individuals selected by each of UCSF's four schools, the Graduate Division or IGHS, according to program involvement by the student
Required Travel Approval Process for Students
  • The student should complete the appropriate form according to the risk rating of their destination: the Student International Travel Approval Form – Low Risk or the Student International Travel Approval Form – High Risk. ​If you have not heard about your approval within 10 days after your request, notify Travis Pentz, and include these details: Dates of trip, location of trip, your designation (Student), and to whom the Travel Request was submitted.  
  • The student must attach and email the form to the correct approver listed on the Student International Travel Approval Forms. Broader approval may be granted for multiple travel events for an individual traveler in one identified country at the discretion of the Approver and within a clearly defined period of time, and according to the laws and regulations of that country. 
  • The Approver receives and reviews the Request. Based on the travel itinerary and justification, the Approver accepts or does not accept the Request, and signs and dates the form. For high-risk destinations, approvers may require an additional risk evaluation before making a decision, and they will notify the Program Director for Global Engagement, Risk, and Education, who will contact the student for a brief Travel Risk Review.  
  • Each approver must keep a copy of all requests (whether approved or not) in case of emergency. A copy of all High-Risk forms, both approved and denied, should be emailed to Travis Pentz.
  • The approver sends a signed, approved copy back to the student, who takes the document abroad to use the links in case of emergency. The approver must also email an unapproved copy back to the student without a signature and with an explanation.
  • If the approval form is returned to the student without a signature and without an explanation, the student should reach out to the approver to understand the issue. 

For additional guidance and resources related to health, safety, insurance, and emergency response, review the Health, Safety, and Security page and Risk Advisory and Insurance Services' Travel Resources page.

International Travel Requirements for Residents and Clinical Fellows
  • International UCSF-sponsored Resident and Clinical Fellow travel to high-risk locations requires approval. Low-risk travel and travel to other states and U.S. territories do not.
  • Allowable Travel Defined: Travel for UCSF-sponsored clinical work, research, or conferences that are approved by the designated individual at UCSF's Institute for Global Health Sciences (IGHS), School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, or the Graduate Division.
  • Approver for Residents and Clinical Fellows: The approver for Residents and Clinical Fellows is the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education.
  • Low-Risk Destinations are defined as those with a U.S. Department of State Security Rating of 1 or 2, and Crisis24 Horizon Overall Rating of 1-3.25. High-Risk Destinations are defined as those with a U.S. Department of State Security Rating of 3 or 4, and/or a Crisis24 Horizon Overall Rating of 3.5-5.
  • If a destination is considered high-risk according to the travel risk ratings of the governments of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and/or the United Kingdom, the approver may require a high-risk travel form and related processes, even if the US DOS and Crisis24 Horizon ratings are low-risk.
Required Travel Approval Process for Residents and Clinical Fellows
  • Residents and Clinical Fellows traveling to high-risk destinations should complete the  International Travel Approval Form – High Risk. ​If you have not heard about your approval within 10 days after your request, notify Travis Pentz, and include these details: Dates of trip, location of trip, your designation (Resident), and to whom the Travel Request was submitted.  
  • The traveler must attach and email the form to Travis Pentz, who will follow up to schedule a brief Travel Risk Review.  
  • Broader approval may be granted for multiple travel events for an individual traveler in one identified country at the discretion of the Approver and within a clearly defined period of time, and according to the laws and regulations of that country. 
  • The approver must keep a copy of all requests (whether approved or not) in case of an emergency. A copy of all High-Risk forms, both approved and denied, should be emailed to Travis Pentz.
  • The signed, approved copy will be returned to the traveler, who takes the document abroad to use the included information in case of emergency. The approver must also email an unapproved copy back to the Resident without a signature and with an explanation.
  • If the approval form is returned to the traveler without a signature and without an explanation, the Resident should reach out to the approver to understand the issue. 

For additional guidance and resources related to health, safety, insurance, and emergency response, review the Health, Safety, and Security page and Risk Advisory and Insurance Services' Travel Resources page.

Travel Assistance

UC students and employees traveling on UC-affiliated business are eligible for 24/7 emergency travel assistance when they are 100+ miles from home. This is offered as a non-insurance benefit that is included with the UC travel insurance policy. These services are most helpful when you are traveling internationally and not familiar with the health system or local hospital services.

Do you need of assistance now? Call to reach someone immediately*. Emails may take up to 24 hours for a response and should be used for less serious conditions.

Chubb-AXA Global Travel Assistance

  • +1-855-327-1420 – Toll free in the US
  • +1-630-694-9804 – Outside the US
  • Email at: [email protected] – Include your full name, UC campus, UC affiliation (ex. UC student or UC employee), current location, details of the assistance needed, and how they should get in touch with you. If possible, provide the relevant policy number from the insurance contact card linked from the email you received after registering your travel.

*Please note that if you are having a medical emergency you should call 911 or the local equivalent if you are overseas, or go to the nearest emergency room. If you need additional assistance, you can call Chubb-AXA Global Travel Assistance once help is on the way.