Education Abroad COVID-19 FAQs

UCCS is closely monitoring the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and it's variants. Please review all of the information outlined below, including the Guidance and Term-Specific Updates.

• As of June 12, 2022, the US will no longer require air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight (regardless of citizenship or vaccination status). For more information, see Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country. Other countries may still have their own requirements in place so prior to departing for another country, make sure all requirements for entry have been reviewed.
• As of December 6, 2021 all air passengers eligible for entry into the United States, regardless of vaccination status, must show a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 1 day before travel to the United States with limited exceptions or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Please see an important update from the CDC for all International Air Travelers Destined for the United states.
• As of November 26, 2021 travel to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe has been further restricted and as such, any programs to these destinations will be suspended for the time being.
• As of May 5, 2021 UCCS suspended all Fall 2021 programs abroad/student international travel abroad.
• As of February 8, 2021 UCCS suspended all Summer 2021 programs abroad/student international travel abroad.
• As of November 9, 2020 UCCS suspended all Spring 2021 semester programs abroad/student international travel abroad.
• As of September 9, 2020 UCCS suspended all Winter 2020-2021 student programs abroad/student international travel abroad.
• As of May 1, 2020 UCCS suspended all Fall 2020 student programs abroad/student international travel abroad.
• As of March 26, 2020 any Fall 2020 program with a June or July start is also suspended.
• As of March 12, 2020 UCCS suspended all Spring 2020 spring break programs and all Summer 2020 programs. 

UCCS Student Travel Assessment Guidelines: UCCS follows U.S. State Department Travel Advisory and Centers for Disease Control Warning level alerts to determine location safety. If a country or city is below a U.S. Department of State Level 3 and a CDC warning Level of 2, it’s normally well within UCCS’ risk tolerance for student travel abroad. Any elevation in advisory levels indicates a change in condition, prompting us to review the situation in detail to assess impact on our students and evaluate whether we can maintain our programs.

Timelines for Decisions:  The safety of students is our highest priority, and all of our decisions about program suspensions will reflect that commitment to student safety. In addition, there are many logistical and academic factors, including travel restrictions, that must be taken into account when evaluating whether a program can safely and successfully run. Because the global health outlook related to COVID-19 is fluid and can change rapidly, the timing of our program suspension decisions will be based on a balance of global health news, public health and safety advisories, travel restrictions, visa application dates, and program deadlines, as well as institutional and student feedback. Typically decisions will be made approximately 60 days prior to departure. Please rest assured that we will promptly notify students once a decision has been made to suspend a program.

Please hold off on making any non-refundable payments until your program has been confirmed. Wait to purchase airfare and international health insurance until 30 days prior to departure.

Department of State Press Release -- Negative COVID-19 Test Required for Travel to the United States Beginning January 26: "The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) remind all travelers that beginning January 26, all air passengers two years of age or older arriving to the United States must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding. This order applies to both foreign nationals and U.S. citizens. For more information about the testing requirement, visit: Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Recovery from COVID-19 for All Air Passengers Arriving in the United States | CDC.

U.S. citizens should reconsider non-essential travel abroad. Those that must travel abroad following the implementation of this order should carefully consider the following:

• You could have difficulty accessing a test. Testing availability and turnaround times vary widely around the world. Check the U.S. Embassy website for your planned destination(s) for information about testing options. What plan do you have to ensure you can get a test that meets the requirement in order to come home on time?
• You could test positive and have to stay abroad. Many individuals infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 are asymptomatic and unaware they carry the virus. If you test positive, you will not be able to return home as planned. What plan do you have in case you cannot come home for several weeks? Where will you stay? How will you finance your stay?
• You could have difficulty accessing or financing medical care. Travelers should be aware that the availability and quality of healthcare varies around the world, and that private health insurance may not cover expenses incurred abroad. Will your health insurance cover your hospitalization or other medical expenses abroad? Do you have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation to the United States, and does it include COVID-19 as a covered item?

The Department and the CDC continue to strongly recommend U.S. citizens reconsider travel abroad, and postpone all non-essential travel. If you must travel overseas, you should review the entire State Department Travel Advisory for your destination(s) on travel.state.gov and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (http://STEP.state.gov) to receive important updates from the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. You should obtain travel insurance that will cover medical evacuation, including for COVID-19, to the United States, in the event you become seriously ill. We also urge those contemplating travel abroad to review CDC's country-specific travel recommendations and their overall guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic, available at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html . U.S. citizens abroad should also closely monitor guidance from local public health and immigration authorities at their location."

It is important for you to also research entry requirements for the country to which you are planning to travel and ensure that all criteria are in place as directed. Please review the COVID information for your country with the Department of State -- for more general information, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.html, and for more specific information, including testing sites and whether the country is issuing student visas, visit the website for the U.S. embassy or consulate located in your host country.

Important Travel Information Related to COVID-19: The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is the primary resource for up-to-date information on all diseases and biological threats. CDC information about this virus is available at About 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) and CDC travel restrictions and health notices at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.  

For travel inquiries and up-to-date information on travel bans, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/COVID-19-Country-Specific-Information.htmlfor updated Embassy information.

Please note that on March 19, 2020 the US. Department of State announced a Level 4 Global Health Advisory: (Original: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/travel-advisory-alert-global-level-4-health-advisory-issue.html Alt: https://www.osac.gov/Content/Report/e7298db9-dab2-4262-9e91-1858d4eca654)

The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. In countries where commercial departure options remain available, U.S. citizens who live in the United States should arrange for immediate return to the United States, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. U.S. citizens who live abroad should avoid all international travel. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice. Airlines have cancelled many international flights and several cruise operators have suspended operations or cancelled trips. If you choose to travel internationally, your travel plans may be severely disrupted, and you may be forced to remain outside of the United States for an indefinite timeframe.

General Guidance for the UCCS Community: https://covid19.uccs.edu/

Please review above restrictions and decisions for your term abroad.

2022 Study Abroad: While programs departing in 2022 have been set to resume, IA staff is still monitoring each location closely and working to ensure every student's safety. Individual program cancellations are still possible moving forward as the CDC and the Department of State release further information on health and safety, and travel restrictions. Please continue to note the below points around travel and COVID-19.

Summer 2021, Fall 2021, and Academic Year 2021-22 Study Abroad: IA staff recommends that students planning to go abroad purchase trip cancellation insurance for your program, wait to purchase a flight, hold off on any non-refundable payments, and enroll in classes at UCCS. We encourage you to have back-up plans. Please note the following:

• UCCS is making decisions on international travel abroad 60 days prior to the program start date. Notification of a decision will be sent to students via email.
• Students wishing to go abroad are advised not to purchase a plane ticket until 30 days prior to their departure.
• Students need to research and stay up-to-date on country entry requirements.
  • NOTE: many countries are starting to request COVID-19 testing within 48-72 hours of departure with a listed passport number on the certificate. Such proof is currently difficult to obtain as testing is often limited to individuals showing symptoms or reporting exposure as is the issuance of certificate with a passport number. COVID-19 testing, as well as the COVID-19 vaccination, will be evolving over the next weeks and months and we anticipate more and more countries requiring such information for entry.  Please be aware that the current availability of testing for asymptomatic individuals is limited, as is the availability of a COVID-19 vaccination for the general public. Students going abroad must remain abreast of such requirements specific to their country and can reach out to International Affairs with any questions.
• Students need to understand that there is risk should they decide to move forward with their application to go abroad. These risks include health related concerns due to COVID-19 as well as financial repercussions due to cancelled programs. Therefore, it is imperative that students work with their provider and fully understand any payments made and the provider's refund policies. UCCS will not be refunding or covering any fees due to cancelled programs.

Please follow-up with International Affairs at international@uccs.edu with any questions.

Winter 2020-2021 and Spring 2021 Study Abroad: Winter and Spring programs abroad for students are suspended for these terms. Previous to this addition, IA staff recommended that students planning to go abroad to purchase trip cancellation insurance for your program, wait to purchase a flight, and enroll in classes at UCCS.  We encourage you to have back-up plans. Please follow-up with International Affairs at international@uccs.edu with any questions.

Fall 2020 Study Abroad: On May 1, 2020 UCCS made the decision to suspend or cancel all fall 2020 student programs abroad (June and July fall starts were suspended in April). Previously, IA staff recommended that students planning to go abroad to purchase trip cancellation insurance for your program, wait to purchase a flight, and enroll in fall classes at UCCS.  Please follow-up with International Affairs at international@uccs.edu with any questions.

Spring 2020 Students Abroad: We advised you to return immediately. Please check your UCCS email account regularly.

Spring break 2020 Study Abroad: On March 10, 2020 UCCS made the decision to cancel all spring break programs. Please check your student email for important updates and changes with your spring break program.

Plane Tickets summary for emergency cancellations and student returns for Spring 2020 and Summer 2020: If UCCS decides to cancel your study abroad due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), we will reimburse airline change fees upon presentation of documentation and receipts if airlines are not adjusting their policies.  Please note that many airlines are adjusting their policies due to the COVID-19 outbreak and this may impact your airline ticket. UCCS strongly suggests that you call (not attempt to do online) the issuer of your plane ticket, whether issued directly by an airline or by a travel agent, and inquire about any waivers or refunds that may apply to the specific ticket you purchased. You may also be assessed a “fare difference”; UCCS will not reimburse any “fare difference.” UCCS will not reimburse for losses due to non-refundable tickets. If you would like to share extenuating circumstances for consideration, please write to international@uccs.edu. Before doing so, please call your airline or ticketing agent to confirm any refunds or adjustments which may be directly available to you and share the results of your inquiry with International Affairs in your message.   This should be done as soon as possible and must be completed before your currently scheduled departure date. Flight reimbursement forms can be requested by emailing international@uccs.edu.

PROGRAM TYPE NOTES: IA staff recommended that students planning to go abroad to purchase trip cancellation insurance for your program, wait to purchase a flight, and enroll in classes at UCCS.  We encourage you to have back-up plans.

• For Faculty-Directed Programs: if UCCS decides to cancel your program due to COVID-19, your faculty leader(s) will determine if there are alternative options to offer credit and the experience. If no alternatives are available, your education abroad advisor will work with appropriate offices on class withdrawal and help to initiate a UCCS tuition refund if possible. The refund of program fees will be determined by the provider or booking agent. If a student/participant cancels on their own they are responsible for their fees.
• For UCCS Semester Exchanges: if UCCS decides to cancel your exchange due to COVID-19 and cancellation occurs before the semester start at your host university options for tuition refund will be researched and initiated by your education abroad advisor.
• For Partner Provider Programs: If your study abroad provider (ISA, USAC, CIEE, SOL, etc.) decides to cancel your program due to COVID-19, you will need to contact the provider directly to determine their cancellation policy in the context of COVID-19.