To keep travelers safe, Rice Policy 852 restricts travel to destinations categorized as Elevated Risk due to Health & Security concerns and/or Embargoes & Sanctions. Travelers intending to visit these destinations must apply for an exception prior to their trip.
📍 Check Destination Status: View the current Elevated Risk Locations page before planning your trip.
Who Must Apply for an Exception?
An exception is required for the following travelers visiting destinations that are elevated risk for Health & Safety and/or Embargoes & Sanctions:
- Students: All undergraduate and graduate students on a Rice-affiliated trip.
- Faculty & Staff: Anyone traveling with students on a Rice-affiliated trip.
Do faculty and staff traveling without students need an exception?
No. However, if traveling to a location considered to be an elevated risk for Embargoes & Sanctions, additional information is required for legal compliance and insurance coverage. We will contact you once you register your trip.
- For sanctions-related questions, contact the Office of Research Security and Export Controls via the RSEC Intake Form.
- For all other questions, email travelsafety@rice.edu.
What qualifies as Rice-affiliated travel?
Rice-affiliated travel includes any trip that meets at least one of the following criteria:
- Funded (in part or full) by Rice University.
- Part of a Rice course or earns academic credit toward a Rice degree.
- Associated with a Rice-sponsored team, group, club, or organization.
- Conducted on behalf of or representing Rice University (e.g., business trips, study abroad, exchange programs, and research).
💡 Unsure if your trip is Rice-affiliated? Contact travelsafety@rice.edu.
Exception Process & Timeline
We strongly encourage you to submit your request as early as possible, even if your travel plans have not been finalized. The review process may take several weeks, depending on request volume and committee schedules; although we endeavor to complete the process within 30 days, this is not guaranteed.
Submission Deadlines
Please submit your completed form to travelsafety@rice.edu:
- Individual Students & Student Groups: At least 30 days before travel
- Faculty/Staff-Led Programs: Before the course is added to Courseleaf (for credit-bearing programs), or at least 6 months before travel (for non-credit-bearing programs)
Application Steps
1. Submit Form: Download and complete the appropriate form:
- 📄 Exception Form for Individual Students
- 📄 Exception Form for Groups
- Note: If you register a trip that requires approval, the registry system will notify the Global Travel Safety Manager, who will contact you to begin the process.
2. Risk Assessment: The Global Travel Safety Manager will contact you, gather any additional necessary details, and draft a risk assessment.
3. RITAAC Review: The Rice International Travel Advisory & Approval Committee (RITAAC) reviews the risk assessment and makes a final recommendation/decision.
Who are the members of RITAAC?
RITAAC’s core membership consists of representatives from the following offices:
- Rice Global (i.e., the Global Travel Safety Manager)
- Office of Emergency Management
- Office of Ethics, Compliance, & Enterprise Risk
- Office of Research Security & Export Controls
- Office of Risk Management
Representatives from additional offices may also be included on a trip-by-trip basis, depending on the trip and/or traveler profile. Such offices include:
- Division of Student Life and Undergraduate Education
- Office of the Dean of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies
- Office of General Counsel
- Office of the Provost
- Office of Study Abroad
What's in the risk assessment?
You can check out a sample risk assessment here.
After Receiving Approval
After your exception request is approved:
- Register Your Trip: If you haven’t already done so, register your trip in the Rice Travel Registry.
- Book Refundable Travel: We strongly advise booking changeable or refundable flights, especially for elevated-risk destinations.
- Update Your Itinerary: Email travelsafety@rice.edu with any changes to your itinerary or trip dates.
⚠️ Important Security Note: The Global Travel Safety Manager will continue to actively monitor conditions at your destination.
- If security conditions considerably deteriorate prior to or during your trip, RITAAC reserves the right to reevaluate or rescind trip approval.