International Travel

The University of Maryland encourages international collaboration and international travel as a key part of the research process. While many international trips pose minimal risk, others may be more complex and may pose legal or safety risks. This page is meant as an introduction to travelling internationally for professional reasons; our staff is here to assist and guide in more detail.

NEW as of August 2026: University of Maryland International Professional Travel Procedures

New professional travel procedures are now in place to enhance the safety and security of university employees and graduate students on international professional travel. These procedures fully implement the University System of Maryland (USM) policy and align with federal funding agency requirements as set forth by the U.S. Office of Science and Technology Policy.

• USM policy: Per University System of Maryland policy VIII-11.00, all out-of-state work-related travel, including international travel, must be pre-approved.  
• Federal requirements: Institutions must have an organizational record of international professional travel, and must require training for those travelling internationally.
• UMD uses Concur as the university’s travel registry and system of record.

The key elements include:

• All university employees and graduate students are required to register all international professional travel in Concur, regardless of the funding source, at least two weeks prior to travel.  
  • Professional travel is any travel that is related to the mission of the University where an individual is representing the university or presenting themself as a University of Maryland employee or graduate student. It includes travel sponsored or supervised by the university, as well as travel sponsored by external entities.
• Personal travel does not typically need to be registered in Concur or approved. 
  • However, if an employee or graduate student is representing UMD or uses their affiliation in any way during the trip, that portion of the trip is deemed professional travel and must comply with the procedures. 
• All employees and graduate students must complete UMD’s Global Safety and Security Training  before international professional travel will be approved. 
  • The link for this training will also be available in Concur during the travel request process. 
• Additional steps will be required for those traveling to Restricted, Sanctioned, or State Department Level 4 countries.**

Traveler Benefits:  There are multiple benefits to travelers when travel is submitted and approved in Concur.

• Insurance coverage and risk management services for international professional travel is provided.
• The university has international medical and security assistance providers ready to help travelers facing issues due to political unrest, natural disasters, or other emergent situations.
• Support to university travelers includes travel safety consultations through the Office of International Affairs, Field Research Safety tools and resources from the Department of Environmental Safety, Sustainability & Risk, and the Health Center's International Travel Clinic.

The University of Maryland International Professional Travel Procedures were approved by the Provost on July 21, 2026.

Concur Request

Our strong recommendation: Submit your Concur travel approval request as early as possible. This gives the full travel approval process (travel request submission, Concur approval stream, insurance enrollment, etc.) time to complete without creating pressure on your travel planning.  UMD travel policies note that “pre-approval is obtained by having a fully approved request in Concur and must be done prior to book travel or making reservations.  This is the official documentation that you are allowed to travel on behalf of UMD.”

This quick step-by-step sheet will assist you in completing the Global Safety and Security portion of your Concur request. 

Global Safety and Security Training

When you are preparing your Concur request, you will receive an alert that you need to complete a short Global Safety and Security Training. Once you complete this training, enter the date of the completion in the appropriate Concur field and your request will continue moving forward. 

This training is valid for one year from the date of completion. 

**Travel to Restricted, Sanctioned, or Level 4 Countries

If you plan to travel to one of the countries listed below, you are required to schedule a briefing with International Travel Security (ITS).  Notice of this requirement appears as an “error” when you submit your Concur request. ITS will contact you within one business day of your Concur request submission to schedule. It is also highly recommended that you contact the RSO prior to accepting an invitation to a conference or seminar in one of these countries:

• A country subject to comprehensive OFAC sanctions: Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, the Crimea, Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine
• A Foreign Country of Concern as defined in the CHIPS and Science Act (Public Law 117-167):  China (inc. Hong Kong and Macau), Russia, Iran, North Korea
• A country subject to targeted OFAC sanctions: Afghanistan, Balkans (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo), Belarus, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Venezuela, Yemen
• A country that has been given a Level 4 Travel Advisory by the U.S. State Department: 
  • Please note that regions within countries that have Levels 1 through 3 advisory levels can be designated as Level 4.  

Additional Travel Considerations

Consider the following as you plan your international travel:

• Sponsored project considerations: Your sponsors may require prior approval before you travel abroad. Review the terms of your awards to identify and comply with all applicable travel pre-approvals or restrictions.
• Disclosure of outside professional activities: University employees and some graduate students are required to disclose all international and/or outside professional activities through inTERP, in accordance with the University of Maryland Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment (II-3.10[A]).
• UMD Travel Policies, Procedures, and Guidance

Additional Resources

By clicking the buttons below, you will find additional, specific information and resources which you should review as soon as you learn of potential international travel.  

The Frequently Asked Questions document is available for download here: 

Contact for the International Travel Security team:  intltravelsecurity@umd.edu