International Travel Information

Travelers leaving the US may reference the U.S. Department of State - International Travel  page and the CDC Traveler Health page for specific details about entry requirements and restrictions for arriving travelers for their destination and travel advisories. Travelers are advised to review state and local travel requirements as some areas have further restrictions and requirements in place.

Getting Approval for International Travel

For all faculty, staff and students: Please complete the following steps to get pre-approval through Emburse Enterprise for international travel and to prevent your travel from being delayed.  In addition, helpful links are provided below regarding travel warnings and emergencies. 

Helpful Links:

• Department of State-Help Abroad
• Department of State-Travel Advisories

Texas Tech University encourages all international travelers to enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program which allows travelers to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate during their travels. In the event of any kind of emergency, this will help the U.S. Embassy contact you and provide assistance.

Quick Check List

• International travel is defined as any travel outside of the United States where TTU personnel are representing TTU.
• Complete International Travel Pre-Approval (Emburse Enterprise)  30 days before travel.
• International Travel Applications will be approved within 3-5 business days.
• Export Control Screening is required for all international travel regardless of who pays for the travel. This is completed through the Emburse Enterprise Pre-Approval process.
• Visit the TTU Cybersecurity website.
• Be wary of using USB drives given as gifts-they could contain malware.
• Be careful and selective when connecting to wired or Wi-Fi networks. Turn off network connections when not in use.
• If applicable, leave research data stateside.
• When possible, only meet with individuals/entities screened by the university.
• Visit TTU OP 79.05 for more information on international travel.
• Visit the IT website for more detailed information regarding IT issues and international travel including:
  • Loaner laptops
  • Data storage options
  • Credential management options
  • TTU infotech.

Steps for Completing the International Travel Pre-Approval: 

(The steps below do not apply to the faculty, staff or students going abroad through a study abroad program organized by the TTU Study Abroad Office.)

STEP1. Those applying for International Travel Pre-Approval ("preparers") are encouraged to take the training offered by TTU's Travel Office on submitting the forms online.

STEP 2. Preparer should complete International Travel Pre-Approval through Emburse Enterprise at least 30 days before the departure date.

STEP 3. Once pre-approal request is submitted online, the system will automatically send the request to International Affairs(IA) for review. 

For Students only:

The procedures below apply to all STUDENTS TRAVELLING ABROAD for any TTU related reason (e.g., conference, research, competition, etc.), in any status (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, supported by scholarships or assistantships, etc.) and with any citizenship (i.e., U.S. or international):

STEP 4. After completing step 2 (specifying clearly under the "Business Purpose" section that the traveler is a STUDENT and distinguishing U.S./permanent resident student from INTERNATIONAL student); please complete ELECTRONICALLY the 2 forms below and also attach to the ITA.

• Emergency Contact Information Release form: signed by the student
• Release and Indemnification Agreement form: completed by the preparer electronically, printed, and signed and NOTARIZED by the student.
• For liability and insurance purposes, all students are required to complete the two forms cited above before their departure on any international travel. Forms will be included in the email you receive upon approval of your travel. Please send the three signed/notarized documents together to:  travel.oia@ttu.edu
  • International Travel Pre-Approval (Emburse Enterprise)
  • Emergency Contact Information Release form (signed)
  • Release & Indemnification Agreement form (signed/notarized)

STEP 5. Upon receipt of the above documents, International Affairs will review and process the Pre-Approval as expeditiously as possible.  The preparer will receive an email through the travel system once approved. The student will receive insurance information regarding her/his international trip to the email he/she provided on the Emergency Contact Information Release form.

TTU Employee International Travel Insurance:

We are pleased to announce that Texas Tech University launched a new comprehensive travel risk management program partnered with On Call International to provide you emergency and non-emergency services and benefits. The Global Assistance Program will provide services ranging from pre-trip planning, to telephone advice, to full-scale medical and security evacuations.

Key features of the new program:

• Medical, travel, and security assistance including insured evacuation and repatriation services
• Coordination of medical care
• Coordination and payment of travel arrangements for you or a person you designate for certain emergency circumstances

Before you travel…

We suggest adding On Call International to the mobile phone you'll be using abroad so you know how to contact us any time you need us. Simply follow the instructions in the Aerogami Download Guide TTUS link to easily add a digital content card right into your phone contacts in just a few taps. It is not an app to download, just an easy way to make sure you have contact information available in case you need help while away from home. Regular text messaging rates may apply. 

While traveling…

You can make a collect call, send an email, or text On Call from anywhere in the world 24 hours day to request assistance. If you need medical care, encounter a travel problem, suffer a medical emergency, or are impacted by security crisis anywhere in the world, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of services available through On Call.

Please note that you do not need to enroll in this plan. All employees are covered by this plan when outside their home country on Texas Tech University related travel or assignment, programs, or business. If proof of coverage has been requested by your consulate, please email the request to International Travel at TTU International Affairs and we will provide you with a Proof of Coverage letter.

• TTUS On Call ID Card and Program Summary
• Aerogami Download Guide TTUS
• On call full program summary

If you have any questions relating to international travel, please contact International Affairs at travel.oia@ttu.edu or phone: 806-742-3667.

If you have any questions relating to insurance, please contact the Office of Risk Management at ttusrm@ttu.edu or phone: 806-742-0212.