University Restricted Travel and Destination Tiers
Penn State is committed to the safety and well-being of everyone traveling internationally for university-affiliated purposes.
The university takes proactive measures to assess and mitigate potential risk factors associated with university-affiliated international travel, including a thorough health, safety, and security review included within the Global Safety Network (GSN) process.
All GSN records, regardless of destination risk tier, are reviewed by Global Safety to help identify potential health, safety, or security concerns that may impact travelers. If any concerns are identified, Global Safety proactively engages with travelers or group leaders to offer information, advice, and recommended precautions to help maintain their safety and well-being throughout their journey.
To facilitate the review process, Global Safety recommends that travelers submit their travel at least 30 days—though generally not more than four months—prior to their intended departure date.
Penn State is committed to the safety and well-being of everyone traveling internationally for university-affiliated purposes.
The university takes proactive measures to assess and mitigate potential risk factors associated with university-affiliated international travel, including a thorough health, safety, and security review included within the Global Safety Network (GSN) process.
All GSN records, regardless of destination risk tier, are reviewed by Global Safety to help identify potential health, safety, or security concerns that may impact travelers. If any concerns are identified, Global Safety proactively engages with travelers or group leaders to offer information, advice, and recommended precautions to help maintain their safety and well-being throughout their journey.
To facilitate the review process, Global Safety recommends that travelers submit their travel at least 30 days—though generally not more than four months—prior to their intended departure date.
Planning Travel? — Look at the Tiers For Your Destinations
Global Safety categorizes international destinations into five tiers based upon a comprehensive review of local health, safety, and security conditions. This review considers a range of factors, including U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories, CDC Travel Health Notices, International SOS Risk Ratings, U.S. Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) Sanctions, availability of healthcare, civil liberties, conflict risks, crime rates, road safety, vulnerability to natural disasters, and other governmental or open-source data.
Destinations in Tiers 3-5 are considered restricted. The most effective way to determine if your travel is considered restricted is by creating a travel record in the Global Safety Network (GSN). However, if you are planning travel for yourself or a group and want to check if your intended destination may be restricted, you can consult the destination tiers.
All travel carries inherent risks, regardless of the destination, activity, or traveler awareness. Travelers should thoroughly understand these risks before their trip and take proactive steps to mitigate them by implementing additional precautions.
Travel to any international destination, regardless of tier, is reviewed by Global Safety to help identify potential health, safety, or security concerns that may impact travelers.
University Restricted Travel vs. Prohibited Travel
University restricted travel requires prior approval before the trip may occur. Please note that "restricted" does NOT mean "prohibited".
Restricted Travel through Education Abroad
Faculty, staff, and students participating in an approved Penn State Education Abroad program do not need to contact Global Safety directly for a petition, as all required documentation will be included in the study abroad proposal application. Travelers can contact Education Abroad with any questions or concerns.
Individual Restricted Travel
Individuals should plan to submit their travel proposal to the Global Safety Network (GSN) as early as possible. Travelers are strongly discouraged from purchasing any non-refundable tickets or lodging until they have been notified that their restricted petition is approved. Travelers will not be refunded for any expenses related to denied petitions.
Restricted travel is automatically flagged in the GSN. When the record is created, the traveler will be provided all necessary requirements for the review.
Restricted travel reviews consider a wide variety of factors, including destination, nature of travel, planned activities, traveler experience, and other circumstances that could impact the trip. Based on these factors, the questions provided may change as needed.
Group Restricted Travel
Group leaders should begin the Group Travel Process by contacting Global Safety or submitting a Group Proposal Form.
Prohibited Travel
Prohibited travel refers to travel that has been reviewed and denied due to insufficient risk mitigation or external factors that could hinder a trip's success. While rare, this may occur when Global Safety or the traveler cannot adequately address potential threats. If a travel petition is denied, the traveler or group leader will be notified of the reasons for denial. In most cases, denied travel may be reconsidered for approval at a later date.
University resources cannot be used to support prohibited travel. If the traveler proceeds despite the denial, the trip will be considered personal travel.
University Restricted Travel vs. Prohibited Travel
University restricted travel requires prior approval before the trip may occur. Please note that "restricted" does NOT mean "prohibited".
Restricted Travel through Education Abroad
Faculty, staff, and students participating in an approved Penn State Education Abroad program do not need to contact Global Safety directly for a petition, as all required documentation will be included in the study abroad proposal application. Travelers can contact Education Abroad with any questions or concerns.
Individual Restricted Travel
Individuals should plan to submit their travel proposal to the Global Safety Network (GSN) as early as possible. Travelers are strongly discouraged from purchasing any non-refundable tickets or lodging until they have been notified that their restricted petition is approved. Travelers will not be refunded for any expenses related to denied petitions.
Restricted travel is automatically flagged in the GSN. When the record is created, the traveler will be provided all necessary requirements for the review.
Restricted travel reviews consider a wide variety of factors, including destination, nature of travel, planned activities, traveler experience, and other circumstances that could impact the trip. Based on these factors, the questions provided may change as needed.
Group Restricted Travel
Group leaders should begin the Group Travel Process by contacting Global Safety or submitting a Group Proposal Form.
Prohibited Travel
Prohibited travel refers to travel that has been reviewed and denied due to insufficient risk mitigation or external factors that could hinder a trip's success. While rare, this may occur when Global Safety or the traveler cannot adequately address potential threats. If a travel petition is denied, the traveler or group leader will be notified of the reasons for denial. In most cases, denied travel may be reconsidered for approval at a later date.
University resources cannot be used to support prohibited travel. If the traveler proceeds despite the denial, the trip will be considered personal travel.
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