International Travel

Procurement Service Center Travel Office

Travel expenses paid by the university must be incurred for official university business and must comply with the PSC Procedural Statement: Travel as well as with any other applicable rules and regulations. For more information on the travel process and approval, please visit PSC Travel website. Included in the international travel approval process is an additional pre-approval which is required by each campus for identified high-risk countries.  For detailed information, see PSC International Travel for Employees.

Campus, Departments and Units

The university and its campuses have various policies and procedures addressing international travel.

Each campus has an office with responsibility for coordination of academic travel and international education, which is an excellent resource for specific international travel questions and safety concerns. They provide international travel orientation and other health and safety information for both students and faculty. Faculty planning to lead trips abroad can contact these offices for support and guidance.  You may want to review your campus website for more information or for contact information go to Campus Contacts tab.

International Risk Management Committees

Campus International Risk Management Committees assess the university’s international risk, recommend policies to enhance university international risk management and risk mitigation, develop international risk management services and protocols, and provide oversight and review of international risk. They develop and maintain the campus international crisis response plans and assist departments with emergency response and business continuity plans for international emergencies.

Campus committees may consist of representatives from global education, international affairs offices and University Risk Management. Representatives from various colleges and disciplines including communications, student affairs, legal, faculty, finance, public safety and others may be invited to participate as needed.

Regulatory Compliance / Export Control

The University of Colorado is a public research university with multiple campuses serving Colorado. As the university fulfills its mission of education, research, and disseminating knowledge, it will also fulfill its responsibility to comply with all U.S. export control laws and regulations.

Export control laws may include working with foreign national collaborators, institutions, or students, government sanctioned nations and individuals, animal and human subject research and technology transfer issues.

Each international traveler is encouraged to contact their campus regulatory compliance or export control office for guidance early in the travel planning process, as these measures may take time to implement.

For contact information go to Campus Contacts tab.

University Employees and Authorized Volunteers

Faculty, staff, student employees and authorized volunteers of the university are expected to comply with university policies, rules and regulations when planning for and traveling abroad on official university business.

Faculty planning to lead trips abroad can contact campus international education abroad offices for information. You may want to review your campus website for more information or for contact information go to the Campus Contacts tab.

Students and Participants

In the interest of individual and group safety and overall positive learning experience, students who are traveling abroad as part of an education abroad, international education or other university-sponsored program should follow their campus-specific policies and educational programs that include orientation, health insurance information, travel advisory websites and return transition/debriefing.

Students and participants traveling as part of a university-sponsored program are responsible for knowing and complying with all university policies and codes of conduct.

University Risk Management

University Risk Management (URM) provides information regarding international travel insurance and travel assistance programs provided by the university. URM representatives serve on campus international risk management committees, assist travelers with questions regarding international travel and provide various resources for risk identification and mitigation.

Official University Programs

Any activity that carries out the university's mission of instruction, research and service or that provides support to the university's instruction, research, and service activities.

University-sponsored Programs

University-sponsored programs are programs organized, financed, operated, and/or maintained by the university with minimal or no third party (vendors, contractors, travel agencies, etc.) assistance. These programs follow all university and campus policies and work with campus offices and URM.

Third-Party Programs

The university or its campuses may outsource certain international programs by contracting with third parties. Travelers follow all university and campus international policies and the third-party requirements. Appropriate university contracting procedures must be followed.

Elective Travel (non-sponsored)

This travel is not endorsed or under the auspices of the university. The university does not offer academic credit, coordinate travel or fund these activities. Travelers are encouraged to review general travel information that is available from campus international programs or URM regarding safety and health information.

University employees on university-sponsored international travel are eligible for the applicable university insurance program. Additional insurance programs also include those listed below.

International Medical and Evacuation Insurance

CU provides employees (faculty/staff/residents/fellows, not students—unless employed by the university and traveling as part of their employment) with international medical and evacuation insurance that covers medical emergencies, security emergencies, or natural disasters through GeoBlue.  

Faculty/staff family members on approved travel can purchase coverage for dependents through GeoBlue, by contacting them directly.  CU Faculty, staff and students traveling on an education abroad program must coordinate their coverage by contacting their campus international/global education abroad office managing the program. 

For non-employees, the university strongly recommends purchasing international medical and evacuation insurance for your trip. Personal health insurance plans may not cover foreign medical treatment, co-payments, co-insurance, certain evacuation needs or out-of-network charges.

Foreign Automobile Lease or Rental Coverage

Auto Coverage: You must purchase country specific compulsory auto insurance if you lease or rent a vehicle. Regulations and laws vary from country to country, making private automobile use and driving a high-risk choice in many countries.  Please consider both liability exposure and potential physical damage to the vehicle when purchasing coverage.

URM recommends travelers consider the various transportation options for their destination.

Preparing for travel and potential emergency situations in international locations may be very different than in the United States. Circumstances may occur that are not covered by international medical and evacuation insurance. The University has a membership with a travel assistance provider, International SOS, to assist you in preparing for your international travel activities as well to provide information during your travels. You can access the provider hosted website at www.internationalsos.com using the university membership number 11BCAS000006 (Member Log In). Services other than what is listed may be engaged by the traveler or department on a fee for service basis.

• Pre-travel country specific information: provides information on medical, security and travel to prepare for safe travel. The travel guidance is accessible on the hosted website and/or is emailed to travelers booked through the university travel agency or who manually register their reservation.
• Database of university travelers: traveler reservations booked through the university travel agency are uploaded to assist in responding to emergencies. Travelers can manually enter travel reservations.
• 24/7 travel assistance: travelers can call for pre-travel and during-travel inquiries.
• Real time global intelligence reports (email or mobile app):  changes in medical or travel conditions will trigger alerts to travelers.

Risk/Waiver templates are used to advise participants (students, volunteers, non-employees) of the anticipated hazards for the specific trip; of their responsibility while participating in the activity; advise the university does not provide medical insurance; obtain their written consent and document emergency contact information.

Please visit Procurement Service Center Travel Office website for a guide on approval and travel information.

For the university's Travel Authorization Policy click here: APS 4024 - Travel Authorization.

International medical and evacuation insurance may provide the following coverage and services. Review the insurance plan that covers you for additional coverage information.

- arrange payment of medical treatment
- arrange and pay for medical evacuation and repatriation
- arrange and pay for political and natural disaster evacuations
- research in-country medical facilities
- arrange access to doctors and hospitals
- arrange appointments and assist with patient admittance
- communicate and coordinate with in-country medical facilities

Yes. University employees including faculty, staff, residents, fellows traveling on university-sponsored international activities are covered through GeoBlue. University travelers can register for an identification card by visiting GeoBlue's website and using the CU access code: QHG99999UCBT. This ID card will contain the contacts needed in case of a medical emergency, political unrest or a natural disaster emergency.  Download the GeoBlue app. The GeoBlue app provides you with access to your ID card and GeoBlue's self-service tools.  GeoBlue Traveler Plan Member Questions.

International/Global Education program participants (students, faculty, staff) must contact their campus International/Global Education office for information on their international medical and evacuation insurance coverage.  For contact information go to the Campus Contacts tab.

Not through the university’s program. However, it can be purchased through GeoBlue. Register and access the “Plan Benefits Information” section. This is where you can find the “Dependent Enrollment Form” with the rates.

Information is available at www.geo-blue.com. Register for access to the member guide, faculty and staff plan and additional information using CU Access code: QHG99999UCBT.

GeoBlue Traveler Plan Member Questions

We recommend you speak to GeoBlue for determination and they can guide you to purchase additional coverage as needed. Information is available at www.geo-blue.com or call GeoBlue directly. Register for access to the member guide, faculty and staff plan and additional information using CU Access code: QHG99999UCBT.​ 

GeoBlue Traveler Plan Member Questions

University Employees

• Your international medical and evacuation insurance carrier should be your first contact, they will provide guidance, treatment locations and assist with payment arrangements.

For general questions

• Campus International Travel resources for faculty and staff, information is located under the Campus Contacts tab.
• Procurement Service Center Travel Office:
  • PSC Travel website
  • (303) 837-2161
• University Risk Management to report the incident, if work related.

International/Global Education Program Participants

• Your international medical and evacuation insurance carrier and your campus international/global education abroad office is your first contact.  They will provide guidance, treatment locations and assist with payment arrangements.
• Find your campus international/global education abroad office under the Campus Contacts tab.

University Employees

University employees including faculty, staff, residents, fellows traveling on university-sponsored international activities are covered through GeoBlue. Information is available at www.geo-blue.com.  Register for access to the member guide, faculty and staff plan and additional information using CU Access code: QHG99999UCBT.

• To find a contracted doctor or facility, call GeoBlue or visit the “Find International Doctors and Hospitals” section in the Member Hub on GeoBlue website or in the GeoBlue member app. In order to avoid paying upfront for your medical care and having to submit a claim for reimbursement, schedule your appointment through GeoBlue using one of these methods:
  • Select “Schedule an appointment with this Provider” in the Member Hub or through the GeoBlue app.
  • Contact GeoBlue to request an appointment.

International/Global Education Abroad Program Participants

• International/Global Education Abroad program participants must contact their campus International/Global Education Abroad office for information on their international medical and evacuation insurance coverage.  Find your campus international/global education abroad office under the Campus Contacts tab.

Workers’ compensation benefits apply to employees of the University that suffer a work related injuries and illnesses arising out of the course and scope of university employment. Workers’ compensation covers university employees including faculty, staff, paid student workers, residents, fellows, students in internships, clinical rotations or practicum. Workers’ compensation does not cover volunteers, family members, and other travelers that are not considered employees. Report claims to Risk Management on the file a claim page.

International destinations might not have access to medical care similar to care in the U.S. CDC and the university recommend visiting a travel medicine specialist or a doctor familiar with travel medicine to answer questions and make recommendations at least four to six weeks before your trip.

Travel clinics can provide information on health conditions, pre-existing conditions that might require management while you are abroad, and can prescribe prophylactic medications and vaccines where indicated. University of Colorado Hospital, Rose Medical Center, Denver Health Medical Center, Porter Hospital, Wardenburg Health Center, and Passport Health all have travel medicine specialists available.

The university program does not include country-specific compulsory auto insurance. You must purchase country-specific compulsory auto insurance including liability and physical damage if you rent a vehicle. If renting a vehicle is necessary, contact the Procurement Service Center for further information.

• PSC phone number: 303-837-2161
• PSC webpage: Renting a Car

Only property that is owned/leased by the university is covered by the university's insurance program.  A deductible may apply to theft losses of university owned/leased property.  Review security measures that apply to your travel destination. Contact your personal homeowners/renters insurance company for questions regarding your personal property coverage while traveling abroad. 

If traveling with university property, contact your campus Export Control office. For contact information go to the Campus Contacts tab.