International Travel Forms
The health and safety of its students, faculty and staff is of utmost importance. For this reason, all individuals traveling on University-sponsored international travel must follow the International Travel Policy and submit a series of forms to the Center for Global Programs and Studies (GPS).
- University-sponsored international travel includes any educational or business travel that is Wake Forest-sponsored, Wake Forest-administered, Wake Forest-organized, or conducted within one’s capacity as a representative of the University, regardless of credit or funding.
- Wake Forest will not disburse funds for international travel until the required forms have been submitted and approved.
- All required forms must be submitted at least one month before individual travel begins.
- IMPORTANT TRAVEL UPDATE #1: United Kingdom – Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Starting January 8, 2025, U.S. and Canadian passport holders will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter or transit through the United Kingdom. The ETA is the UK’s travel authorization and pre-departure security process for screening travelers from visa-exempt countries. This ETA will also be required for those transiting through the UK, even if you do not pass through border control. Approvals are expected to be rapid, within three days or faster. Travelers can begin to apply on November 27, 2024.
Fee: £10
Valid for: Over two years or until passport expires.
Visit this link for additional guidance and application materials. - IMPORTANT TRAVEL UPDATE #2: European Union: European Travel Information and Authorization (ETIAS). Sometime in mid-2025, U.S. and non-EU citizens will be required to secure ETIAS status prior to travel. This system authorizes visa-exempt travelers to be in most European countries. ETA does not apply to the UK or Ireland.
Fee: €7
Valid for: Over two years or until passport expires.
Visit this link for additional guidance and application materials.
Forms
Select the form that is relevant for your upcoming travel:
- Assumption of Risk & Release – OTHER Travelers (PDF). If you are a spouse, partner, or child (or any other person accompanying a WFU faculty member, staff, or student)
- GeoBlue International Insurance Application for OTHER (Wake Health) (PDF) If you are a Wake Forest Baptist Health faculty, staff or student
Mandatory International Insurance
All students, faculty, and staff traveling internationally for Wake Forest University are required to have international insurance.
Wake Forest faculty and staff may choose either GeoBlue or iNext. The former is more comprehensive while the latter is more supplemental. Both policies are single trip only plans. Neither policy will cover expenses in the U.S.A. or your home country (for non-U.S. citizens). You may compare the policies by reviewing the GeoBlue Member Guide and the iNext Basic Supplemental Plan. Consult the GeoBlue Price Grid for weekly rates. Applications for each policy can be accessed via the following links:
– GeoBlue Application Form for Faculty/Staff (PDF)
– iNext Application (NOTE: Faculty/staff may elect to upgrade from Basic to the Premium or Platinum plan and also elect add-on coverage for natural disaster and political evacuation. Inquire with GPS for more information)
Dependents of faculty and staff who opt for the GeoBlue international health insurance should complete the GeoBlue Application Form for Dependents.
The mandatory international insurance available to Wake Forest students (required for students on Reynolda Campus, available to students on the Bowman Gray Campus) is provided by GeoBlue. Visit the GeoBlue Member Guide to view the policy. The policy will not cover expenses in the U.S.A. or your home country (for non-U.S. citizens). The GeoBlue Price Grid contains information about costs. Students participating in a WFU-administered undergraduate study abroad program will have the cost of GeoBlue included in their study abroad program fee. This requirement will be waived for WFU students participating in an Affiliate study abroad program that has insurance coverage equivalent to the GeoBlue policy.
Optional Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance
Per Wake Forest policy, optional trip cancellation/interruption travel insurance is not an allowable/reimbursable expenses for University-sponsored travel.
Faculty/Staff who purchase a separate trip cancellation/interruption insurance policy are responsible for all costs associated for that coverage.
While students on WFU-sponsored programs will be covered by a comprehensive international health insurance policy through GeoBlue (and similar policies through Affiliate programs), these health insurance policies do not provide coverage for trip cancellation/interruption. Such insurance may provide financial protection in the event that a student is unable to go on or continue on their educational program due to a covered event. Please read policies carefully before purchasing so that you know exactly what is and is not covered. WFU does not endorse any particular company. However, a few examples of online vendors where trip cancellation policies can be purchased are:
- InsureMyTrip
- Allianz
- AIG Travel Guard
- Travelex
- iNext (can be purchased through GPS; inquire at gps@wfu.edu)
Travel Advisories & Security Briefings
All students, faculty and staff traveling internationally should be aware of U.S. State Department and CDC travel advisories and be prepared to receive a safety & security briefing, as needed.
WFU prohibits travel to countries where the U.S. Department of State has Travel Advisories of Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) and Level 4 (Do Not Travel) unless prior approval has been obtained from GPS. A current list of travel advisories is available at www.travel.state.gov. Faculty, staff and students may submit a request to travel to a country with a designated Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel), but should be aware that such requests require additional time for review and that approval of such requests is never automatic.
All faculty, staff, and students traveling abroad will receive a location-specific safety & security briefing document from Wake Forest’s travel risk management service Crisis24 Horizon. This document will be emailed to individuals once the required international travel forms have been filed. Individuals/group may be required to attend additional briefings depending on intended destination(s).
For more information, contact GPS at 336.758.5938 or gps@wfu.edu (NOTE: Study abroad students will receive the safety & security briefing at the mandatory pre-departure orientations.)