1. The University of Mississippi

Global Engagement

University of Mississippi

Vaccination and Boosters for International Travel

UM and the CDC recommend being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in general, but especially if you plan to travel internationally.  In fact, the CDC says not to travel internationally at all unless the traveler is fully vaccinated.  Individuals considering international travel during a pandemic should consider the risks associated with international travel and practice preventative measures to protect themselves and others, including being vaccinated against COVID-19, getting a booster shot when eligible (6 months after the last dose), and wearing a mask.

It may be necessary to demonstrate full vaccination against COVID-19 to enter a country or access various sites and services while in another country. It is the traveler’s responsibility to research and know the vaccination and testing requirements of their destination(s). In the current environment, country entry requirements continue to change quickly and sometimes without notice.

UM strongly recommends being vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 for all individuals traveling abroad. If a traveler is not permitted to enter the host country or fully participate in a program, conference, research project, etc. due to failure to comply with COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or documentation requirements, any resultant costs or academic consequences will be the traveler’s sole responsibility.  By traveling internationally, individuals understand that the host countries, airlines, providers, institutions, buildings and physical spaces, experiences, housing, or any other location or service may require proof of vaccination status at any time.

There are also risks to consider when returning to the United States.  Carefully consider the following:

  • You could have difficulty accessing a COVID test. Testing availability and turnaround times vary widely around the world. Check the U.S. Embassy website for your planned destination(s) for information about testing options. What plan do you have to ensure you can get a test that meets the requirement in order to come home on time?
  • You could test positive and have to stay abroad. Many individuals infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 are asymptomatic and unaware they carry the virus. If you test positive, you will not be able to return home as planned. What plan do you have in case you cannot come home for several weeks? Where will you stay? How will you finance your stay?
  • You could have difficulty accessing or financing medical care. Travelers should be aware that the availability and quality of healthcare varies around the world, and that private health insurance may not cover expenses incurred abroad. Will your health insurance cover your hospitalization or other medical expenses abroad? Do you have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation to the United States, and does it include COVID-19 as a covered item?

If desired, OGE can provide an analysis of a country, make a recommendation to you and to UM, and you can then make an informed decision on whether to travel.  We encourage travelers to check various sources for information on the spread of COVID-19 at the destination, entry/exit requirements, availability of COVID-19 PCR tests to return to the US, and the in-country limitations on mobility that will affect activities and the experience, such as curfews, limits on inter-city travel, museum and public building closures, etc.  Please note and be prepared for any changes: authorities could tighten, reimpose, extend, ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity.

Resources:

CDC Information for Travelers

US Department of State

  • All US Embassy websites for your destination have COVID-19 resource pages

Global Epidemics from Brown School of Public Health, Harvard University

Destination Country Ministries of Health

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (see below)

International Insurance Coverage (see below)

Traveler Requirements

The CDC has a helpful interactive travel assessment resource to find out what is needed to board a flight to the United States.  Requirements vary by citizenship, age, and possible exceptions.

There is also a helpful flowchart from the CDC on whether you can enter the United States by air and the requirements to enter.

For entry into the United States, applicable to all travelers regardless of citizenship:

The negative COVID test requirement to enter the United States has been lifted as of Sunday, June 12, 2022.

For entry into the United States, for non-US-citizens:

Who does this affect at UM?

Any non-US-citizen on a nonimmigrant visa, such as an F, J, or H-1b visa, who departs the United States must show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted vaccine to re-enter the United States.  Traveling over the winter break?  You’ll need to show proof of being fully vaccinated to return for the spring semester.  Recovery from a previous COVID-19 infection or quarantine DOES NOT replace this requirement.

New F, J, or H-1b students or employees must show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted vaccine before entering the country, unless they fall under a limited exception.

 

Entry/Exit Requirements outside the United States:

Airlines and destination countries have varied requirements to exit the United States and enter another country.  Travelers are responsible for knowing what COVID tests, if any, are required to board a flight or enter another country.  Many international travelers will need at least a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of their departure flight; however, requirements vary.

If you need a different test to travel, please check the link below for other clinics and options.  Not all clinics offer all tests, so make sure to research the best location for you well in advance of your departure.

https://coronavirus.olemiss.edu/where-can-i-get-tested-in-oxford/

Many major airports are offering COVID testing on site, though not same-day testing.  Check your departure airport’s website and/or airline for guidance.

Viral RT-PCR tests available in Memphis, Tennessee:

For additional entry/exit requirements, see the United States Department of State’s country information pages on its website.

Travel restrictions may tighten globally in response to the emerging variants and changes in infection rates.  Travelers should research their destination requirements and restrictions prior to departure and regularly check for changes in entry and exit requirements.

 

International Health and Safety Insurance

The University of Mississippi highly recommends that any UM faculty, staff, or student enroll in UM’s international health and safety insurance when traveling outside of the United States unless automatically enrolled due to participation in study abroad programs.  To enroll, please submit this Qualtrics questionnaire.  The cost is $49.17 per month (minimum coverage period is 30 days).  Dependent coverage for spouses and children is also available at $102.72 per month.  The AY 2022/2023 insurance policy is available for review in Box.

In addition, we highly recommend that US citizens enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the US Department of State.  This program notifies the local embassy or consulate of US citizen presence abroad and provides automatic updates on news in the country/region and assistance if needed.  Non-US-citizens should check their home country’s Department of State equivalent for similar safety and registration programs.

Recruitment Materials

If you need recruitment materials to share with prospective students or institutions, PDFs are available in Box.  Hard copies of the general brochure and other items are available upon request.  Please email global@olemiss.edu if you would like paper copies of the brochure and other recruitment materials (small giveaways such as novelty UM footballs, lanyards, stickers), and we will prepare a pack for you.

Partnerships

Please see UM’s Global Footprint for a database of current UM partners.  If you would like to visit any of our current partners while traveling, please contact global@olemiss.edu for contact information and past/current collaborations.  If you are interested in creating a new partnership for UM, please review the Partnership Criteria.  Feel free to reach out to OGE or create a new proposal for a partnership in the Global Footprint database.