Stanford
Global Business Services

Health and Safety

Many staff and students travel and work overseas in pursuit of activities aligned with the University’s vision and mission. It is strongly advised to be aware of health and safety risks specific to the destination location/s, and to be prepared in advance with mitigation plans. The risks to travel health and safety that arise from overseas work may include, but are not limited to:

  • work related (e.g., physical risks from the fieldwork itself);
  • health related (e.g., exposure to diseases); or
  • personal security related (e.g., associated with local criminal, political activity, or civil unrest).

Regardless of the source of risk, the following guidance is relevant:

Register Travel Details

Prior to the trip, Stanford travelers are strongly encouraged to register travel details and other personal information with the Office of International Affairs Travel Registration. Further, visit Stanford's International Travel Assistance Program for additional tools and services provided to Stanford travelers depending on your role (i.e., faculty, undergraduate, graduate, postdoc, etc.) at Stanford University. In reviewing the guidance in this section, note the available services in the event of an emergency and print a membership card to carry while travelling. Also, consider reviewing the For Travelers section of the Office of International Affairs website, which has information-related travel documents, considerations for personal health and safety, and provides customized travel checklists for use in planning international travel.

Insurance

In advance of travel, it is important to check with your health insurance provider to determine the level of coverage provided at your international destination(s), including whether there are limitations to your plan and network of providers for overseas travel. In addition to personal health insurance, University personnel traveling on University business are covered by Stanford's Business Travel Accident Insurance in the event an accident or injury.

Emergency and evacuation services provided to the Stanford community include local medical referrals, medical evacuation (if necessary), country-specific security reports, and assistance if political unrest or a natural disaster occurs while traveler is in a foreign country.

Safety and Security

If the project involves travel to a country for which the U.S. State Department has issued an official Travel Warning, or where there is other reliable information about significant health or safety concerns, please review the details of the University's International Travel Policy for additional information.

Travel Immunizations and Health Alert

Prior to a planned international trip, please visit Stanford's Vaden Health Center Travel Clinic. The Travel Clinic provides consultation and immunizations to meet the needs of Stanford faculty, staff, students, spouses, partners and alumni traveling overseas. It is best to schedule an appointment at least 4-6 weeks prior to departure to obtain any necessary vaccinations or medications based on your personal health and your destination’s health risks.

Other Considerations

It is good practice to consult the following websites for travel related information:

What's Next?

For all your overseas travel:

  • Plan sufficiently ahead to obtain the appropriate visa / other travel authorization and required vaccinations or prophylactic medicine for travel to a specific country. Consult Stanford's Vaden Travel Clinic if you have doubts about the precise vaccinations or prophylactic medicine for travel to a specific country.
  • Ensure your information is up to date with International Travel and the applicable service providers depending on your role at Stanford.
  • Finally, if your travel plans involve high-risk destinations, consult with Risk Management and make sure the necessary contingency plans are in place for your travel.