This section provides guidance for U-M faculty and staff planning international travel as part of their official university duties. Faculty and staff members who are traveling abroad within the context of their job responsibilities are considered to be on University of Michigan Related Travel. Your specific requirements can vary, depending on your travel destination and your status as a student, faculty or staff member. 

U-M International Travel Policy

The U-M International Travel Policy applies to all faculty, staff and students, and outlines requirements for university-related international travel. Individual travelers are responsible for compliance with this international travel policy when undertaking U-M related travel. Individual schools, colleges and units may have additional guidelines that supplement this policy. 

Planning Your Trip

To prepare for international travel, follow the steps below:

1. Register Your Travel

All university-related travel must be registered in the University Travel Registry before the expected departure date. The Travel Registry is a confidential and secure site within Wolverine Access for you to record travel plans and contact information. This ensures emergency support and enrollment in required travel insurance. 

2. Enroll  in Travel Abroad Health Insurance

Faculty and staff on U-M-related international business travel are automatically enrolled in Global Core Solutions Travel Abroad Health Insurance at no cost after registering in the U-M Travel Registry. Note: Students in education abroad program leadership roles (paid or unpaid) and graduate students on GSRA, GSI and GSSA appointments must enroll in the Global Core Solutions for Students on Educational Activities plan. View details on the University Health Service Travel Abroad Health Insurance website.

Travel Abroad Health Insurance is provided by Global Core Solutions in coordination with the University Health Service Managed Care/Student Insurance Office. Global Core Solutions covers business travel up to 364 days. If you need longer coverage, contact the Managed Care/Student Insurance Office.

Coverage includes:

• Medical and prescription benefits. Refer to the Global Core Solutions Business Travel Certificate of Coverage for benefit details

• Emergency evacuation (medical, political and natural disaster)

• Access to an English-speaking provider network

• Coverage for spouse/other qualified adult (OQA) and dependents younger than age 26 traveling with you 

• Short-term personal travel prior to and/or after your university-related trip 

To access coverage:

• Once enrolled, on the My Trip page, follow instructions under “Essential Content“ to download your Global Core Solutions insurance card and create a Global Core Solutions account. For ease of use while traveling, download the Global Core Solutions mobile app from the app store to connect with quality care across the globe.

3. Your U-M Health Insurance Coverage While Traveling

Enrolling in Global Core Solutions Travel Abroad Health Insurance does not change or affect your regular U-M health plan coverage. Global Core Solutions Travel Abroad Health Insurance becomes primary to any coverage for medical care abroad that you may have through your U-M health plan or other health insurance coverage for the duration of the trip. Your regular U-M health plan remains active in the background. If your spouse, OQA or dependents are not traveling with you, they will continue to be covered under your regular U-M health plan as usual.

4. Visit Global Michigan

Global Michigan is the campus-wide information hub for U-M’s international engagement. Review Country Risk Ratings for requirements and risks associated with your travel destination, information about travel safety and wellness, preparing for your travel, frequently-asked questions, and what to know about re-entering the U.S.

5. Schedule a Pre-Travel Health Consultation 

At least two months before international travel, make an appointment for a travel consultation with one of the locations below. Depending on your destination, you may need specific vaccines (e.g., typhoid, yellow fever, cholera, Japanese encephalitis). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides destination-specific recommendations. It’s important to get vaccinated at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel. This will give the vaccines time to start working and should allow enough time to get a second dose if more than one dose is required.

Employees

The UHS Travel Health Clinic, located on the Ann Arbor campus, is available to faculty and staff traveling for U-M related business. The clinic provides immunizations, prescriptions and travel advice:  

• Consultation, vaccination and prescription fees will be billed to your department using your department's shortcode.

• Any needed prescriptions for travel medications can be filled at the UHS pharmacy on site.

The University of Michigan Infectious Disease Clinic (Taubman Center) offers appointment-only travel consultations for Michigan Medicine employees traveling on Michigan Medicine business purposes only (not leisure travel). To schedule, call the Infectious Disease Clinic at 734-647-5899.

Non-employees, including spouses, OQAs and dependents traveling with the employee

CDC-recommended vaccines are covered by U-M health plans and the U-M Prescription Drug Plan when administered at in-network providers. Contact the health plan or pharmacy to find a participating provider. 

Important 

• Many travel clinics provide travel and vaccination counseling before administering the vaccine. These counseling sessions are not covered or reimbursed by your U-M health plan. 

• Passport Health, a popular travel clinic, is not an in-network provider.

6. Check Medications

• Plan ahead for extended trips. Contact your pharmacist to ensure you have enough medication.

• The U-M Prescription Drug Plan allows one additional overseas refill per medication, per year, by calling Prime Therapeutics at 888-272-1346.

• Check local regulations: Some U.S. medications may be illegal abroad. Consult the country’s embassy or consulate before traveling.

Refer to the Global Core Solutions Business Travel Certificate of Coverage for prescription refill and benefit details.

U-M Travel Guide and Resources