Resuming University-sanctioned international travel

In late October, the Government of Canada removed the Global Travel advisory for fully vaccinated individuals for many destinations around the world. In alignment with these changes, we outline below our processes for the resumption of University-sanctioned international travel.

If you are fully vaccinated and you can meet certain travel safety requirements, you may resume international travel for University of Waterloo related business, research, work terms, study, and co-curricular activities. These requirements include obtaining approval, registering travel, and completing pre-departure and travel risk mitigation activities. 

The process for approval of international travel is slightly different now than before the pandemic began. We want to make sure that any University-related travel you do is safe and that you have support where it is needed.

Approval

International travel will only be approved for individuals who are fully vaccinated.

• If you intend to travel to a destination identified as Level 1 (Exercise normal security precautions) or Level 2 (Exercise a high degree of caution) as listed in the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisories, you must receive approval from the appropriate Approving Authority. 
• If you intend to travel to a destination identified as Level 3 (Avoid all non-essential travel) or Level 4 (Avoid all travel) as listed in the Government of Canada’s Travel Advisories – areas considered high risk by Waterloo – you must consult with the appropriate Approving Authority and follow the approval procedure for high risk travel.

You can check the appropriate Approving Authority and process based on your role and the classification of your destination. The table also shows which International Travel Approval Form that must be signed by them.

Registering Travel

If you are approved to travel, you must register with Waterloo International. 

Students travelling through program or group activities (e.g., exchange, co-op, course, etc.) will receive further information about how to register. For all others, when your travel is approved, you must register your travel with Waterloo International. 

Registration requires you to:

• attest that you are fully vaccinated,
• attest that you have adequate travel and health insurance, 
• provide details of your itinerary (locations and dates), and 
• confirm that your emergency contact information in Quest (for all students) and WaterlooWorks (for co-op students), or Workday (employees) is accurate.

Pre-Departure and Travel Risk Mitigation Activities

We want you to be safe when you travel and understand the risks you may face when abroad. We have measures to help mitigate these risks:

• Student travellers are required to complete a LEARN pre-departure training module.
• Upon registering with Waterloo International, travellers will receive a destination-specific Travel Risk Brief from Anvil Group, the University’s travel safety and security provider. 

If you are approved to travel, you must formally confirm your understanding of the information provided to you and your commitment to abide by the required travel safety and security practices as well as COVID-19 procedures.

For more information on the process and to register an approved international trip, please visit Waterloo International’s Safety Abroad Website.