Safety Abroad Updates
Announcements and alerts from International Safety and Security at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

  • Students Required to Depart Study Abroad Sites (March 11)

    Mar 11, 2020 11:45 pm

    We are following up on President Killeen’s MASSMAIL - COVID-19 Policies and Chancellor Jones’ MASSMAIL COVID-19: Post-spring break information for students, faculty, and staff concerning the University of Illinois’ decision to cancel all international study abroad for all students beginning March 14.

    The University requires you to depart your program immediately. The continuing response by nations and governments, including border closures, entry restrictions, quarantines and curtailment of universities and other public services has created an unpredictable environment. As coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads, travelers remaining in their host country may face temporary restrictions on their movement and/or limited access to routine health care.

    Please be advised that U.S. President Trump recently announced restrictions for non-US citizens or legal permanent residents on entering the U.S. for travelers from Europe. Please see the Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf’s Statement on President’s Proclamation To Protect the Homeland from Travel-Related Coronavirus Spread.

    Currently, this proclamation “suspends the entry of most foreign nationals who have been in certain European countries at any point during the 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival to the United States. These countries, known as the Schengen Area, include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This does not apply to legal U.S. permanent residents, (generally) immediate family members of U.S. citizens, and other individuals who are identified in the proclamation.”

    Students with a F-1 or other non-immigrant U.S. entry visa are affected by these travel restrictions and should plan their departure accordingly.

    Logistical Information Related to Your Departure:
    Please follow the guidelines outlined below to depart your program:

    • Make your travel arrangements. Given the suspension of in-person classes, you may consider travelling directly home rather than back to campus. However, if you are unable to return home or do not have adequate computer or internet access at home you are welcome to return to the campus. The University of Illinois can provide financial assistance to support your expedited travel home. Contact your airline carrier or travel agent who booked your ticket and request a change. Most major airlines are waiving change fees but be sure to ask. If you cannot rebook your ticket from your original ticketing party or if you do not have a return ticket, please contact Corporate Travel Planners at uofi@ctp-travel.com or by phone at 210-524-3317 during business hours. After 7pm CST, contact 1-303-801-2331 and select the business option. Reference “University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Study Abroad Evacuation” when calling. If unable to book a flight, please contact iip-fin@illinios.edu for additional assistance.

      Tickets and rebooking completed through Corporate Travel Planners will be billed directly to the University. If you pay yourself you may submit a request for reimbursement within 30 days from your departure from your host country. Any request must include receipts and supporting documentation. The reimbursement form is here: https://forms.illinois.edu/sec/6651617.

    • Complete the Departure and Planning Intake Form if you have not already done so, or if you previously completed the form but your travel plans have changed. The form provides us with necessary travel and academic information to best assist you as you travel home and resume your program at the University of Illinois.

    • Continuing your academics. The University is committed to working with you and our international partners to mitigate impacts to your course of study and academic plan. The plan for each location will be unique. The college study abroad offices will be in contact with you to share academic continuity plans as soon as they are decided.

    • Self-Quarantine Protocol. Students returning from CDC Level 2 or 3 country will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to returning to campus. Please review the Self-Quarantine Protocol and contact studenthealthcenter@illinois.edu with questions.

    For your reference, we are providing the following contact information: