International Travel Policies

Graduate School of Journalism students traveling abroad for class trips or to do project/thesis reporting are required to do the following prior to departure:

Required

• Register travel itinerary, personal contact information and emergency contacts using the International SOS MyTrips travel registry. You must register using your Columbia University email.
   
• Submit the travel registration form

International SOS Travel Assistance Program

With well­-being of travelers as a top priority, Columbia University has retained International SOS (I­-SOS) to provide worldwide travel assistance services for all faculty, staff and students. International SOS provides 24­-hour, worldwide emergency medical care and security evacuation services when traveling abroad. Personal travel, including vacations or travel home to visit family is not covered.

For general guidelines on I­-SOS for Columbia students please refer to the Columbia International SOS Travel Assistant Program website.

Journalism students need to do the following well before their scheduled departure:

• Print an I­-SOS card to have with you during the trip.
   
• Register your travel itinerary, personal contact information and emergency contacts using the ISOS MyTrips travel registry. You must also update your travel information (flight, hotel, country, etc.) in ISOS MyTrips if it changes during your trip. If this is not possible, you should notify the Journalism School’s Dean of Students Office of any change of plans. This allows us and ISOS to reach you in case of an emergency and to reach out to your emergency contacts.

Health Insurance

All Columbia University affiliates traveling internationally on Columbia Travel have health insurance for emergent illness and injury while abroad. This insurance is provided at no cost to the traveler and  includes primary coverage for all urgent and emergent medical expenses, medical and security evacuations, and repatriations.

For more information about this coverage, visit Global Travel: Health Insurance

Visa Requirements

Check and verify visa requirements for each destination country and plan ahead as visa procurement can take several weeks. Visit the host country’s Office of the Consulate General website for information on visa requirements. U.S. citizens may refer to the U.S. State Department’s general visa information service website.

International students must verify with the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) that travel meets the condition of their student visa. Please visit the Columbia University International Programs and Services website.

Reporting Grants

If you were approved for a reporting grant (M.A. Thesis/M.S. Stabile), you may not submit receipts for reimbursement or otherwise receive funding unless you have registered with I­-SOS per the instructions in this document.

Other Useful Resources

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides helpful tips for travelers as well as health information specific to the country you will be visiting.

For background information on your destination(s) visit International SOS (ISOS)  and the U.S. State Department. Keep the U.S. or your home country’s in­-country embassy address and contact information with you when you travel.

The International SOS/Columbia University portal also houses helpful pre­-travel information in the form of Country Guides and E­mail Alerts.

For additional resources on Health & Safety and General Travel, please consult Columbia Global Travel. Get more information about computer and data security.