Global Health Preparations and Procedures

Pre-departure Requirements

Any student who is traveling in affiliation with the University of Iowa must meet a set of minimum requirements for safety purposes. All students are required to work with the Global Public Health Coordinator to arrange a pre-departure checklist (excludes Xicotepec and CFHI programs). This checklist will be tailored to your travel location and experience format. To ensure you have met the University of Iowa standard travel requirements and to arrange a pre-departure meeting, click below.

Schedule a Pre-departure Advising Appointment

Visas and Documentation

Depending on where you’re going and how long you’ll be there, you may be required to apply for a visa or additional travel documentation. Obtaining a visa can take several weeks to a few months so we recommend getting started on the application process as soon as possible. You will also need to double-check the status of your passport. Even if it hasn’t expired yet, most countries won’t let you into the country unless it is valid for 3-6 months after your scheduled return date. Passports can take 6 weeks or longer to process and ship to you, so if you need a new passport (or haven’t ever had one), it’s important to start that process immediately.

The UI Office of International Programs is also available to help you with any visa and documentation questions you might have.

More Information

Additional Resources

The following links may also be useful as you plan your journey.

UI Travel Registry UI Student Travel Insurance U.S. Smart Enrollment Traveler Program

Contact the Global Public Health Office