Travel Safety for Faculty and Staff

International travel: Data security and access
Please be aware there are specific countries or regions where online services such as Duo Mobile for UVic MFA, Zoom, UVic VPN, or Microsoft 365 are currently blocked due to economic and trade sanctions enforced by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control
A list of affected countries or regions can be found on the the University Systems website
If you are traveling to one of the affected countries or regions, please contact the Computer Help Desk for assistance prior to departure to discuss if there are any available options to access UVic information systems from your destination.
For further information and advice on data security as it pertains to international travel: University System's International travel and data security
International travel during the COVID-19 pandemic
For the latest updates and information on travel during COVID, please visit the COVID-19 Travel Website
UVic faculty and staff are no longer required to seek vice-presidential authorization to travel on centrally/departmentally-funded budgets; with the exception of staff planning to travel to a country listed as "avoid all non-essential travel" or "avoid all travel".
Further to the Government of Canada's advisories, all travellers need to be aware of and understand their obligation to satisfy, and continually monitor, health and safety requirements established by the official health offices from all levels of government of the destination country, International SOS and other authorities or sources.
Preparing for your travel
Faculty and staff who are engaged in off-campus teaching and learning opportunities along with UVic related international travel are advised to familiarize themselves with the Off-campus activity risk management policy.
The steps outlined below provide assistance in travel planning, health, first aid, safety & risk considerations, documentation, insurance and more. Please complete them as soon as possible upon learning of your travel arrangements.
You can print off UVic's travel checklist for easy reference or complete it electronically.
If you have any questions, please contact Global Engagement.
Step 1: Review Government of Canada travel advisories
The Government of Canada (GoC) provides travel advice and advisories for Canadians travelling abroad. Program coordinators should review and monitor this information regularly. Subscribe to GoC's email updates and/or social media channels, and download their Travel Smart App.
UVic’s Off-campus activity risk management policy restricts staff travel to countries with an official travel advisory stating "avoid non-essential travel" and "avoid all travel".
In addition to reviewing the Government of Canada travel advisories, all travellers should consult the current data security advice for international travel and confirm if further steps are required prior to departure in order to access university technologies abroad.
Step 2: Check your travel documents
It can take several months, even up to a year, depending on where you are going and what kind of experience you are planning, to complete all the necessary requirements for overseas travel.
Passport
- If you need to apply for or renew your passport, start the process well before your planned departure from Canada. Allow more time if you need a visa, since you’ll need to obtain a passport first.
- It is a good idea to keep a photocopy of your passport (and other important documents) in a separate location.
- Check the entry/exit and passport validity requirements by country.
- Check the entry and exit requirements of your destination country.
- Visas are issued by foreign government offices in Canada.
- If you require a Visa and your Visa application requires proof of your UVic medical coverage, contact HR - Benefits to request a letter.
- If you are travelling on a non-Canadian passport, contact the embassy or consulate of the country you are going to for information on visa requirements.
Canada Customs
You can find information about certificates, duty, and other border services and requirements on the Canada Border Services website.
International Driving Permit
Depending on where (and for how long) you are going abroad, it may be advantageous to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). Learn how to obtain an IDP for BC residents.
Step 3: Obtain vaccinations or health checks
For more information on immunization and contact details consult Victoria’s Health Unit and visit Travel health and safety.
Step 4: Complete UVic's Travel Registry
Please login to International SOS with your netlink ID and enter your information in the travel registry as soon as you are able to, and at least 3 weeks in advance of your travel date.
By enrolling in the travel registry it enables UVic to monitor faculty and staff safety, provide updates on travel advisories from the Canadian Government, and locate and provide assistance in case of an emergency.
Note: Even if you don't have all your travel details arranged yet please enter what you have. You can always log back in to add more information.
Any personal trips or vacation scheduled are the sole responsibility of the traveller and don't need to entered in UVic's Travel Registry.
Step 5: Review insurance coverage
Regardless of your insurance plan, it is important to review and become familiar with exactly what your plan covers, how long it lasts, and where and how it works.
Check if your health insurance coverage or emergency travel assistance have any limitations or restrictions associated with your planned destination, especially if you are travelling to a country with a special Government of Canada travel advisory.
Note: Certain Employee Benefits are first payee, meaning that they will be used first if you purchase other travel medical insurance coverage. Check with Human Resources to determine if your Employee Benefits are first payee and how this may impact you.
- Visit the Government of Canada website for more information on the importance of out-of-country travel insurance, and what coverage to look for.
- Review Medical Services Plan (MSP) coverage guidelines while out of province. You may be eligible to maintain coverage for up to 24 consecutive months while temporarily outside of BC.
- BC Ministry of Health Information on Temporary Absence from British Columbia
- Pack your BC CareCard or BC Services Card.
- Pack your insurance card from your extended health insurance provider. If you don't have a printed copy, you can print it from the member website.
Step 6: Complete the Registration of Canadians Abroad
Persons holding international passports should check with individual consular services in their home country.
- Obtain country-specific travel reports, as well as security and safety warnings, at the Government of Canada website.
- Government of Canada travel reports provide information about local laws and customs, entry requirements, health conditions, and other important travel issues.
Step 7: Develop your intercultural competencies
UVic offers a comprehensive curriculum that supports students in preparing for their international experience, develop their intercultural competencies while abroad and debrief their experiences upon return. Even though written for students these resources can also help other travellers develop their intercultural abilities.
Additional useful resources:
Centre for Intercultural Learning - Provides an insight and resourceful information on different countries and their cultures.
Geert Hofstede's 6D model of national culture
Laray Barna (1994) "Stumbling blocks in intercultural communication"
Peggy McIntosh (1989) “White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack.”
TED Talk: "The danger of a single story" (Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie)
TED Talk: "Overcome Bias" (Vernā Myers)
Step 8: Prepare for an emergency
UVic has partnered with International SOS, the world’s leader in international healthcare, medical assistance, and security services which has 27 alarm centers and 31 clinics around the world.
Before you leave:
Login to International SOS with your netlink ID.
Complete UVic's travel registry and review country-specific information (i.e., vaccinations, required medication, medical and travel security concerns). Sign up for health and security email alerts and download the ISOS Assistance App.
You will receive your ISOS membership number and ISOS travel cards with important contact information while you are abroad.
In an emergency abroad:
Call ISOS for any medical, personal, travel, or legal problems that arise while abroad.
Please note: International SOS is not an insurance company. They are a travel assistance company. So even though you have free travel assistance through UVic's contract with ISOS, you are still responsible for obtaining suitable travel insurance.
The Government of Canada lists various emergency assistance contact information for Canadian citizens abroad.