Planning A Trip Abroad?

Global Safety empowers the Penn State community to engage globally with confidence, promoting health, safety, and security during international experiences.

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to engage with Penn State Global Safety at any stage of their travel planning process. Whether you're exploring opportunities abroad, actively planning your trip, or preparing for your departure, Global Safety can help facilitate a healthy, safe, and secure educational experience abroad. Global Safety's support can help you gain insight on local conditions and recommended safety precautions, navigate travel logistics, be prepared to access health services, or prepare for cultural and environmental differences.

Global Safety Network (GSN)

Per the university’s International Travel Requirements Policy (TR01), all university-affiliated international travel must be documented in the Global Safety Network (GSN) prior to the intended travel date.

Complete a new travel record for each of your university-affiliated international trips at least 30 days before you depart. For each travel record, the GSN system will identify which forms you need to complete. Once you have completed all of the web-based forms in the GSN system for your trip, and completed a pre-departure orientation (if applicable), your record will be reviewed for completeness by university experts and you will receive a GSN confirmation email. The review process may take up to a few weeks before you receive your final confirmation.

Please note additional requirements for travel to restricted destinations and for student group travel (which includes all travel with two or more students accompanied by a university employee, or travel by university-sponsored student groups or Recognized Student Organizations).

What Should Be Recorded?

GSN travel records are only needed for Penn State students, faculty, staff, or authorized volunteers. Personal travel should only be entered into the GSN database if part of a university-affiliated trip.

Only university-affiliated international travel needs to be entered into the GSN. Domestic travel, including travel to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, or any other U.S. territory, does not require a GSN entry. Travel to Canada or Mexico is considered international and does require a GSN record.

Any international travel, either individually or with a group, that is paid for by the university or related to university coursework, research, or employment should be recorded. This includes travel for conferences, internships, sabbatical, meetings, guest lectures, site visits, performances, competitions, co-curricular activities, or travel with a student organization/group, as well as travel for sponsored projects and any research funded, facilitated, or supported by the university. Travel for exclusively personal reasons, including private consulting or visa renewals, should not be recorded. If you are planning to work remotely from an international location, consult with your department and Global Safety.

International Travel Through Education Abroad

Students, faculty, and staff traveling through an approved Penn State Education Abroad program DO NOT need to separately register their travel in the GSN database. Study abroad travel is already recorded through the LionsABROAD portal, which is a part of the GSN. For more information on how to apply or enroll in an Education Abroad program, please visit the Steps to Study Abroad page or contact Education Abroad.

If you plan to arrive a few days early or stay a few days after the program for Education Abroad-related business, these extra days are considered "program travel" and do not need to be registered in the GSN. However, any university-affiliated travel outside of the program (such as remaining abroad after the conclusion of the program for research or conference attendance) must be recorded separately in the GSN.

Be Aware Of Any Travel Requirements

Well in advance of traveling, be sure to:

Check if you may require a visa and review other entry/exit requirements. Be sure to review official government websites or consult with your destination's embassy for the latest and most accurate visa and entry/exit information.
Verify whether a yellow fever vaccine is required to enter your destination country.
Before returning to the United States, review U.S. Customs and Border Protection Guidance on Prohibited and Restricted Items.
A review from the university's Export Compliance Office, as required by the University Export Compliance Policy (AD89), is included within the GSN process. For questions or more information on export controls and other federal regulations, please contact the university's Export Compliance Office at export@psu.edu or +1-814-865-1775.
International students, faculty, and staff should consult with International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA) to determine how overseas travel may affect your current immigration status.