International Travel

Global Programs is here to support your research, work and travel abroad.

An important first step is to familiarize yourself with BU’s International Travel Risk Policy. The Policy outlines BU’s guidelines and requirements for University-sponsored international activity, put in place to help ensure safe and successful work abroad for all BU travelers, including students, faculty, and staff.

Key elements of the International Travel Risk Policy for University-sponsored international activities include:

  • Registration of Travel: All student travel and staff business travel overseas must be registered through the International Travel Registry. The Policy strongly encourages faculty members to register their travel as well. This will allow us to reach you in an emergency.
  • Insurance:  Starting January 1, 2025, BU will carry international medical and evacuation insurance that meets or exceeds the minimum coverage requirements in the Policy for all BU faculty, staff and students traveling internationally on university sponsored travel. If you are departing prior to January 1, 2025, you may need to purchase additional insurance coverage prior to your trip. Many U.S.-based health insurance plans do not include any or have very limited international medical and evacuation coverage. See the Health & Insurance page for more information.
  • Travel to High-Risk Destinations: Global Programs is happy to work with you to assess and manage risk at all destinations. More information about high-risk destinations.
  • Waivers of Liability: Undergraduate students must provide a completed Waiver of Liability to their sponsoring school/college/center/activity prior to leaving on university-sponsored international travel. Graduate students must only provide a completed Waiver of Liability to their sponsoring school/college/center/activity prior to leaving on university-sponsored international travel if their destination is high-risk. The Waiver of Liability – International Field Trip can be found on the BU Risk Management website.

Global Programs can guide BU schools and colleges on many aspects of international activity, including program development, risk assessment and management, operational logistics, and emergency response. Please contact Kevin Kugel, Associate Director, Health, Safety and Security kkugel@bu.edu, with any questions.