1. The University of Mississippi

Global Engagement

University of Mississippi

University Travel

University travel, regardless of funding source (10, 25, 35), is restricted due to COVID-19.  Faculty, staff, or students seeking approval of travel at this time must submit a COVID-19 travel waiver exemption form available from the Office of Procurement Services.

The Importance of 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 individual 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 COVID-19 vaccination 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.

Booster Shots Highly Encouraged
If it has been more than six months since their single dose of Johnson and Johnson vaccine or their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, the Office of Global Engagement recommends getting a booster prior to departure. Travelers should not rely on being able to get booster shots abroad as this is far from certain in most cases.

A booster shot has become a requirement in Italy and France for a valid health pass, which is needed to enter restaurants, cafes, and museums, and other public venues. Other countries are likely to follow suit; the European Union has proposed that all vaccine certificates, including the CDC or other similar vaccination document from the United States, have a maximum validity of 270 days.

This means that a U.S. traveler who was vaccinated more than 270 days ago would no longer be considered as being in possession of a valid vaccination certificate and would be subject to the same restrictions as an unvaccinated individual. In many cases, these restrictions on access to hospitality, leisure, culture, sports, and other venues, would impede a traveler’s ability to fulfill their goals and participate in daily life while abroad.

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

  • US Embassy websites for your destination

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:

Negative COVID Test

*NEW AS OF DECEMBER 2, 2021*  President Biden announced as part of his COVID-19 Winter Action Plan that the United States will tighten pre-departure testing protocols by requiring all inbound international travelers to test within one day of departure globally, regardless of nationality or vaccination status.  We await the effective dates of this requirement, but we recommend, as always, that you investigate testing requirements for your dates of travel, and also identify clinics and turnaround times that meet this requirement in destination countries if you travel internationally.  

The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remind all travelers that beginning Tuesday, January 26, 2021, all air passengers two years of age or older arriving to the United States must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding.  This order applies to both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens.  Visit the CDC’s website on testing requirements.

We recommend that you be in touch with your airline if you have specific questions about the requirement, local test options, and documentation required.  Airlines are enforcing the requirement for flights coming to the United States.  FAQ are available at the CDC’s website.

This requirement, including the time period to get a test, may change with little notice.  Check with your airline for current requirements.

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.  Most 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.

The tightening of travel restrictions globally in response to the emerging Omicron variant is concerning and UM is following developments closely. A handful of countries, including Israel, Morocco, and Japan, have temporarily banned all incoming flights. Many other countries, including the United States, have imposed restrictions on flights originating in southern African countries. Most of the countries that have imposed travel restrictions have set a two-week expiration/review date to allow scientists to collect more information on the severity of the Omicron variant before further decisions are made.

 

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 $46.43 per month (minimum coverage period is 30 days).  Dependent coverage for spouses and children is also available at $98.04 per month.  The AY 2021/2022 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.