Updated Aug. 26, 2021
Student international travel, including study abroad, is currently operating with the following restrictions:
- Per CDC guidelines, individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should refrain from all university-sanctioned international travel, including, but not limited to, study abroad and international exchange programs. VCU encourages but does not require full vaccination. Travelers may be subject to requirements imposed by non-VCU entities, including vaccination requirements, where applicable.
- Student international travel in U.S. Department of State Level 1 and 2 countries is permitted. All students must coordinate university-sanctioned international travel plans through GEO and follow all GEO registration requirements and CDC guidance for international travel.
- Student international travel in U.S. Department of State Level 3 and 4 countries is prohibited, but an exception will be considered by petition to VCU’s International Travel Advisory Committee (ITAC). The committee will make the final decision. Students should work with GEO to petition and register their travel if granted an exception.
Update: Travel to VCUArts Qatar does not require a petition to ITAC.
- Student international travelers must:
- Students who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 should discuss their international travel plans with their health care provider.
“Student international travel” includes all university-sanctioned international travel engaged in by admitted undergraduate, graduate, or professional degree- or certificate-seeking students including credit- and non-credit-bearing experiences; this includes group and individual international programs and experiences facilitated by the Global Education Office (GEO),by other units, or undertaken independently by an individual student as a part of their education.
Students may face unpredictable circumstances accessing medical care if they get sick or injured in their host country. Routine health care and emergency medical services may be impacted by COVID-19 at the destination.
VCU will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC, U.S. Department of State, and Virginia Department of Health, as well as the destinations’ offices of foreign affairs and ministries of health to make recommendations regarding student international travel and VCU’s programs abroad. In the meantime, students are encouraged to explore virtual global learning program options and visit the Navigating COVID-19 Abroad website for ways they can maintain momentum in planning their study abroad experience.
Review the latest guidelines for personal travel as well as university-sponsored travel. Students residing in VCU residence halls should contact University Student Health Services and refer to the Residential Life and Housing website for additional self-quarantine and isolation requirements.
Study abroad updates for fall 2021
Updated July 6, 2021
All VCU study abroad programs remain cancelled through summer 2021. This applies to all education abroad program types including, but not limited to, faculty-led, exchanges, direct-enroll, third-party provider, independent study, internships, service-learning, and non-credit-bearing education abroad; this includes programs facilitated by the Global Education Office (GEO) as well as those administered by other units. The summer petition deadline is now passed.
Starting Aug. 15, 2021, study abroad programs will resume operation for the fall semester with the following restrictions:
- Per CDC guidelines, individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should refrain from all university-sponsored international travel, including, but not limited to, study abroad and international exchange programs.
- Study abroad programs in the U.S. Department of State Level 1 and 2 countries are permitted. All students must coordinate international travel plans through GEO and follow all GEO registration requirements and CDC guidance for international travel.
- Requests from students interested in participating in study abroad programs in U.S. Department of State Level 3 countries for whom education abroad is deemed essential to fulfilling academic degree requirements and/or whose participation is sponsored by nationally-competitive awards will be considered by petition to VCU's International Travel Advisory Committee. A final decision will be made by the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs or the senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of VCU Health System. Students should work with GEO to petition and register their travel if approved.
- University-sponsored travel to U.S. Department of State Level 4 countries is not permitted.
- Study abroad travelers must:
- Students who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 should discuss their study abroad plans with their healthcare provider.
Students may face unpredictable circumstances accessing medical care if they get sick or injured in their host country. Routine healthcare and emergency medical services may be impacted by COVID-19 at the destination.
VCU will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC, U.S. Department of State, and Virginia Department of Health, as well as the destinations’ offices of foreign affairs and ministries of health to make recommendations regarding VCU’s programs abroad. In the meantime, students are encouraged to explore virtual global learning program options and visit the Navigating COVID-19 Abroad website for ways they can maintain momentum in planning their study abroad experience and learn important COVID-19 FAQs.
Updated: May 14, 2021
All VCU study abroad programs remain cancelled through summer 2021. This applies to all education abroad program types including, but not limited to, faculty-led, exchanges, direct-enroll, third-party provider, independent study, internships, service-learning, and non-credit-bearing education abroad; this includes programs facilitated by the Global Education Office (GEO) as well as those administered by other units.
Starting August 15, 2021, study abroad programs will resume operation for the fall semester with the following restrictions:
Study abroad programs in the U.S. Department of State Level 1 and 2 countries are permitted. All students must coordinate international travel plans through GEO and follow all GEO registration requirements.
Requests from students interested in participating in study abroad programs in U.S. Department of State Level 3 countries and Level 4 countries (if the travel advisory Level 4 is due to COVID-19 only, and not due to other risk indicators*) for whom education abroad is deemed essential to fulfilling academic degree requirements and/or whose participation is sponsored by nationally-competitive awards will be considered by petition to an ad hoc committee coordinated by VCU’s Incident Coordination Team international subcommittee. Final approval will be given by the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs or the senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of VCU Health System. Students should work with GEO to petition and register their travel if approved.
VCU will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC, U.S. Department of State, and Virginia Department of Health, as well as the destinations’ offices of foreign affairs and ministries of health to make recommendations regarding VCU’s programs abroad. In the meantime, students are encouraged to explore virtual global learning program options and visit the for ways they can maintain momentum in planning their study abroad experience.
*To determine which countries are Level 4 due to COVID-19 only, review the risk indicators and language within the advisory.