Student travel safety

Woman looking at plane taking off

Safety Abroad is here to support you whether you are travelling for an exchange term, an internship, a field course, research, sports competition, or another University-sanctioned activity. We have created an easy-to-follow process to prepare you for international travel.

Safety Abroad will work with you to ensure you have completed all of the required steps in order for you to meet your safety and security responsibilities prior to travel. Your safety and security is a mutual obligation and priority.  

If you are a co-op student going on an international work term, please refer to the information at the bottom of this page.

Determine the advisory level of your destination

Before planning travel, refer to the  Government of Canada travel advice and advisories to determine the advisory level for your destination.

For travel to Level 1 (take normal security precautions) and Level 2 (exercise a high degree of caution) destinations, follow the process below. 

Travel to destinations identified as Level 3 (avoid non-essential travel) or Level 4 (avoid all travel) is considered high-risk by the University of Waterloo andgenerally not allowed. You must consult with your supervisor and receive approval from the Provost through the approval procedure for high-risk travel.

Additionally, please review the Government of Canada travel health recommendations prior to travel.

Student international travel process:

Student travel process including approval, registration, training and a globe

APPROVAL

Registration

If you are a student approved to travel to a Level 1 or Level 2 destination, you must register with Safety Abroad by completing the International Travel Registration Form. Once registered, you will receive an email, typically within 2-3 business days, which will provide you with further instructions on the next steps to complete pre-departure required risk mitigation training.

PLEASE NOTE: Students travelling through program or group activities (e.g., exchange, athletic competition, field course, etc.) do not use this form. You will receive further information from your program supervisor about your registration process.

When registering your travel, you will be required to:

  • provide the name and email of your approving authority,
  • provide details of your itinerary (locations and dates),
  • attest that you are fully vaccinated for your travel destination and activities,
  • attest that you have adequate travel and health insurance,
  • confirm that your emergency contact information in Quest is up-to-date,
  • confirm that you will abide by the required travel safety and security practices provided to you and
  • confirm that you will contact safetyabroad@uwaterloo.ca for further direction if you cannot abide by any of the above.

Students undertaking travel that includes fieldwork must review the Safety Office Fieldwork webpage and complete the requirements for higher-risk fieldwork as applicable.

Pre-departure training

Complete the pre-departure and travel risk mitigation activities listed below.

  • Complete the LEARN pre-departure training module, which includes information about the following:
    • government information,
    • health & vaccinations,
    • insurance,
    • Anvil Group,
    • emergency preparedness and
    • International Mobility Program (Non-Co-op) Acknowledgement, Release and Waiver form.
  • Review the destination-specific Travel Risk Brief from Anvil Group, the University’s travel safety and security provider. 

Co-op students

Please click on the link below if you are a student going on an international work term.

Please reach out to Safety Abroad if you have any questions or concerns.