International Travel

Detailed information on visas, entry requirements, and passport services for outbound travel from the U.S. may be found on the VisaHQ for World Travel, Inc. site. Visa costs and service fees must be billed to a corporate card or a personal card and cannot be billed to the CU Central Pay card. The expense must be approved in advance by the respective School/dept.

Anyone planning to travel internationally on Federally sponsored funds is responsible for knowing and adhering to the Fly America Act. Visit Travel on Sponsored Funds for more information and resources.

For emergency assistance with an existing travel itinerary booked through Concur / World Travel Inc. (WTI) when you are outside the U.S., please call + 1 484-948-2514.

For emergency assistance while abroad, if you become seriously ill, have your passport or wallet lost or stolen, need to speak with a mental health professional, or require any other assistance, please call International SOS’s 24-hour assistance center at +1 215-942-8478.

Visit Columbia Global Travel Emergency Abroad for more guidance. 

World Travel, Inc. is Columbia's travel management company. Visit World Travel, Inc. for contact information, hours of operation, and why using World Travel, Inc. for your University travel is beneficial to you.

Travel booked through Concur / World Travel will be systematically registered with International SOS.

All Columbia University affiliates traveling internationally on Columbia Travel have health insurance for emergent illness and injury while abroad. This insurance is provided at no cost to the traveler via Zurich. No additional steps are required to sign-up for this coverage once you have completed the steps of the International Travel Planning Policy, including travel registration in ISOS MyTrips*. 

Services and coordination of benefits are initiated by contacting International SOS at +1 215-942-8478. If you do not call ISOS for assistance, you may file a claim with Zurich per the guidelines outlined on the Global Travel site. ISOS and Zurich Insurance Benefits Include:

• Urgent and Emergent Medical Expenses (no coverage for preventative or routine care)
• Medical and Security Evacuation and Repatriation
• Post-departure trip interruption reimbursement
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement
• For more information, download the International SOS flyer (pdf).

Travel vendor negotiated discounts will be applied for travel booked through WTI or via Concur Travel.

*All Columbia-related international travel is required to be registered in ISOS MyTrips. Please note, if booking with World Travel or via Concur, trip registration is automatically uploaded on the traveler’s behalf.

Travel Policies

The Undergraduate International Travel Policy and procedures apply to the following groups:

• Columbia College
• School of General Studies
• Any undergraduate or graduate students taking part in programming run, funded, or facilitated by:
  • Undergraduate Student Life
  • Global Programs and Fellowship
  • The Center for Career Education

The International Travel Planning Policy applies to international Columbia travel, including Columbia-led travel and Columbia-facilitated and/or recognized travel. It does not cover non-Columbia travel.

Research Policies

The Office of the Executive Vice President for Research assists scholars and students across the University in regulatory compliance. Visit Research Policies and Handbooks for numerous guides and resources for staying compliant while conducting research.