Elevated Risk & Travel Advisories

Travel Advisories

Current Travel Guidance:

Strongly recommend against Travel to the Middle East (Undergraduate travel prohibited)
Contact Global Risk (globalrisk@stanford.edu) for any Travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, or Tanzania (See details before for new undergraduate travel restrictions)
Travel to Russia is prohibited for all

For all international travelers awareness:

Spring-Summer Travel Disruptions

Travel Guidance: The Middle East

The University continues to strongly recommend against all Stanford-sponsored travel to or through Israel, Iran, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates through at least June 30, 2026. Individuals or campus units with planned Stanford-sponsored travel to these countries through August 2026 are strongly encouraged to e-mail globalrisk@stanford.edu to schedule a safety and security consultation.

Undergraduate students are prohibited from traveling to or through these locations to participate in university-related activities.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Stanford’s ability to render emergency assistance, up to and including emergency evacuation from the countries listed above, will likely be severely curtailed without prior notice.

Travel Guidance: Ebola - Certain African Countries

Individuals or groups with planned summer travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania MUST contact Global Risk (globalrisk@stanford.edu) for a consultation. Undergraduate students are prohibited from traveling to Uganda until further notice. (Per the Provost's International Travel Policy, undergraduate students may not travel to the DRC, Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, or Kenya without an exception).

Non-U.S. citizens who have traveled to the DRC, Uganda, and/or South Sudan in the previous 21 days are prohibited from entering the United States as of May 18, 2026. As of May 21, 2026, all U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been in Uganda, DRC, and/or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival must enter the United States via Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) or George Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston (IAH) for enhanced screening.

The U.S. Government may also expand its current travel ban to include countries impacted by Ebola. Citizens of countries in East and Central Africa must carefully consider the possibility of these restrictions before planning travel outside the United States, as it may impact their ability to return.

Please note Stanford’s Zurich international emergency insurance program will not cover

Change fees for flights that need to re-route through a specific US airport for Ebola screenings
A Stanford traveler (e.g., a non-U.S. passport holder) needing to go to another country for 21 days before being permitted to return to the U.S.

Non-U.S. Citizen Return from Region

As of May 18, 2026: non-U.S. citizens who have traveled to the DRC, Uganda, and/or South Sudan in the previous 21 days are prohibited from entering the United States.

As the outbreak continues to spread, we encourage all non-U.S. citizens traveling throughout East and Central Africa (including, but not limited to, Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tanzania) to anticipate the possibility that this restriction will be extended to additional countries, hindering their ability to re-enter the United States. Non-U.S. citizens traveling to/through the region are strongly encouraged to develop a robust contingency plan if they are unable to enter the U.S. for a 21-day period.

Stanford’s Zurich international emergency insurance program will not cover or reimburse costs associated with flights, accommodations, or incidentals for this 21 day period.

Travel Prohibited: Russia

The Government of Russia has designated Stanford University an “undesirable” organization pursuant to its Undesirable Organizations Law. This designation is not exclusive to Stanford, as other universities in the United States have been similarly designated undesirable by the Russian government.

The law is expansive and has the potential to impact foreign travelers as well as Russian citizens with connections to Stanford. As a result, the University prohibits all Stanford-sponsored and -organized travel to Russia. This restriction includes faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students.

Please contact Global Risk, globalrisk@stanford.edu, if you have any questions or concerns regarding this guidance.

Middle East Airspace Restrictions and Global Fuel Supply Disruptions

Stanford Travel and Global Risk are actively monitoring global fuel supply constraints and the associated impacts ahead of the summer travel season. These conditions are affecting airline operations, route availability, airfare pricing, and international transit options, particularly for travel to, from, and through Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. The situation is evolving rapidly, and Stanford will update this guidance as conditions change. Our offices are available to inform decision-making and support the Stanford community before, during, and after travel.

Travelers currently overseas

As you prepare to return from abroad, disruptions may affect your travel plans. This is a rapidly evolving situation — conditions that are stable today may change within days or weeks.

If your flight transits through the Middle East, Stanford strongly recommends adjusting your travel arrangements to avoid potentially impacted airports and airspace. Undergraduates are not permitted to transit to or through the Middle East per the Stanford International Travel Policy.
Monitor all communications from your airline and local government advice. Sign up for flight status alerts via your airline's app or website and check your itinerary regularly. Follow guidance from the local government regarding transportation restrictions and rationing.
Avoid intra-European connections on budget carriers where possible. Short-haul flights between smaller European airports are at a higher risk of cancellation than transatlantic flights on large wide-body aircraft. If your itinerary includes a connection within Europe, contact your airline or Stanford Travel about alternative routings.
Build buffer time into your plans. Expect more schedule volatility, later booking patterns, and fewer low-fare options as the summer season progresses. If possible, do not schedule critical commitments (job start dates, medical appointments, etc.) within 3–5 days of your planned return. If you are traveling on a visa with a fixed expiration date, be aware that flight delays or cancellations do not automatically grant you the right to remain in a country beyond your authorized stay. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate of your destination country as soon as possible if a disruption puts you at risk of overstaying your visa, as overstays can have serious consequences for future travel and immigration status.
Consider ground transportation alternatives where feasible. Train travel within Europe is largely unaffected by the fuel crisis and may be a more reliable option for reaching a major hub airport if needed.

Check the visa requirements for every country on your new route, including transit stops. Many countries require a transit visa even if you never leave the airport, and these requirements differ by nationality. Do not assume that a connection through a new country is visa-free.
Contact your airline. If they cancel a flight or make a significant change to your itinerary, regardless of the reason, airlines are required to provide a prompt refund, even on non-refundable tickets. You are not required to accept whatever alternative routing the airline offers automatically.
Make sure you have what you need to be safe and comfortable in the event of an extended travel delay. Consider what you need for accommodations, food, medicine and medical supplies. If you need health, safety, or security assistance while traveling outside of the United States, contact Crisis24: +1 (443) 716-2305
Know your passenger rights. If your flight is disrupted, you may be entitled to meal vouchers and hotel accommodations. Ask the airline directly and document all transactions and receipts. Travelers departing from Europe on any airline, or on European carriers anywhere, should be aware of EU Regulation EC 261/2004, which provides stronger protections including compensation for lengthy delays.
Stay in communication with your Stanford sponsor. Share documentation regarding travel disruptions and delays with the department or office at Stanford that is sponsoring your travel.

Travelers with upcoming travel (~ 6 months)

Stanford strongly recommends against booking travel to and through the Middle East. Undergraduates are not permitted to transit to or through the Middle East (including Doha, Qatar, or Dubai, United Arab Emirates) per the Stanford International Travel Policy.
- Stanford-sponsored travel to Russia is also currently prohibited for all Stanford faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students.
Book roundtrip travel on major airlines. Larger airlines have greater financial means to absorb high fuel prices and are better positioned to maintain service in regions experiencing shortages. Budget and low-cost carriers face significantly higher risk of route cuts.
Book travel in and out of major hub airports. Cancellations due to fuel shortages will begin at smaller secondary and tertiary airports that lack on-site fuel storage, while major hubs will be insulated longer.
Book direct or nonstop travel whenever possible. Avoid itineraries with intra-European connecting legs on budget carriers, which are most at risk of cancellation.
Book flexible fares wherever possible.
Allocate a contingency budget for unforeseen travel disruptions and delays.
Stanford strongly recommends using Stanford Travel for all bookings, which ensures
- 24/7 priority traveler support
- Access to exclusive refund and name change waivers with partner airlines
- Automatic travel registration, which is required under Stanford’s Booking Policy
- Access to negotiated discounts and benefits
Travelers who book Stanford-sponsored travel outside of Stanford Travel must ensure that their itineraries are registered in the university’s Travel Registry. Further information on Stanford’s Booking Policy and options for registering can be found here.

If your flight transits through the Middle East, Stanford strongly recommends adjusting your travel arrangements to avoid potentially impacted airports and airspace. Undergraduates are not permitted to transit to or through the Middle East (including Doha, Qatar or Dubai, United Arab Emirates) per the Stanford International Travel Policy.
Review your ticket's change and cancellation terms now, before a disruption occurs. Understand what fees may apply, and whether your fare class allows free changes. Many airlines have introduced more flexible policies in response to the crisis. Check directly with your carrier.
Monitor all communications from your airline. Sign up for flight status alerts via your airline's app or website and check your itinerary regularly. Several major carriers have already begun reducing routes and flight frequencies, and further cuts are probable.
Adjust your itinerary if it includes intra-European connections on budget carriers (Ryanair, EasyJet, Vueling, Wizz Air, etc.). These routes face elevated risk of cancellation.
Document everything. If your flight is changed or canceled, save all communications, receipts, and rebooking confirmations for potential reimbursement claims.

Other Impacts

Travelers should anticipate significantly higher costs across all aspects of international travel for the foreseeable future. Airlines have already passed costs on to consumers by increasing fees for baggage and other add-ons, raising fuel surcharges, and embedding costs into ticket prices. Ground transportation costs are also elevated in many countries due to higher fuel prices.

Travelers should expect elevated costs for meals, goods, and services in many destinations, particularly in countries more dependent on Middle Eastern energy imports.

The energy crisis is generating social and political stress in many countries, and travelers should be aware that this may affect their safety environment. In several countries, higher fuel prices are already inflating transport, production, and food costs— conditions that historically increase the risk of civil unrest.

Travelers should:

Monitor U.S. State Department and Crisis24 travel advisories and local news for any countries on their itinerary
Be aware of their surroundings, particularly near fuel stations, ports, and government buildings, which have been flashpoints for protests in some countries
Avoid participating in or being caught near protests or demonstrations, even those that appear peaceful

Many governments are taking active measures to reduce fuel consumption, including scaling back public-sector travel, cutting train fares to encourage alternatives to driving, and implementing driving restrictions. Travelers may encounter reduced bus and taxi availability, longer wait times for ride-hailing services, and higher ground transportation costs in some destinations.

Sponsoring Units

Stanford continues to support international programming; however, sponsoring units may consider adjustments to prioritize student welfare, safety, experience, and equity of participation. This is due to the rising cost and complexity of international travel as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

Is the destination accessible and operationally stable (e.g., not reliant on disrupted transit hubs, has a fuel reserve)?
Can the itinerary be streamlined (e.g. fewer internal movements) to minimize impacts of fuel shortages that are already causing significant disruptions, particularly in Asia, and regional transportation that may be made more difficult and expensive due to fuel rationing?
What type of emergency funding does your unit have to support travel delays or disruptions?

Stanford strongly recommends against booking travel to and through the Middle East. Undergraduates are not permitted to transit to or through the Middle East (including Doha, Qatar or Dubai, United Arab Emirates) per the Stanford International Travel Policy.
Travel to Russia is prohibited. Stanford-sponsored travel to Russia is currently prohibited for all Stanford faculty, staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students.
Book roundtrip travel on major airlines. Larger airlines have greater financial means to absorb high fuel prices and are better positioned to maintain service in regions experiencing shortages. Budget and low-cost carriers face significantly higher risk of route cuts.
Book travel in and out of major hub airports. Cancellations due to fuel shortages will begin at smaller secondary and tertiary airports that lack on-site fuel storage, while major hubs will be insulated longer.
Book direct or nonstop travel whenever possible. Avoid itineraries with intra-European connecting legs on budget carriers, which are most at risk of cancellation.
Book flexible fares wherever possible.
Allocate a contingency budget for unforeseen travel disruptions and delays.
Stanford strongly recommends using Stanford Travel for all bookings, which ensures
- 24/7 priority traveler support
- Access to exclusive refund and name change waivers with partner airlines
- Automatic travel registration, which is required under Stanford’s Booking Policy
- Access to negotiated discounts and benefits
Travelers who book Stanford-sponsored travel outside of Stanford Travel must ensure that their itineraries are registered in the university’s Travel Registry. Further information on Stanford’s Booking Policy and options for registering can be found here.

Risk Ratings

While all international travel involves inherent risks, it is important to stay informed about conditions that could pose a threat to your personal health, safety and security as well as to your research, studies, work. Through the International Travel Assistance Program, Stanford partners with Crisis24 which provides a thorough risk rating overview to guide you as you prepare to travel.

To review detailed location intelligence, including risk ratings, please visit the Crisis24 Horizon Platform.

Elevated Risk Ratings

Below is a list of destinations which have elevated risks and may be impacted by the Provost's International Travel Policy. The destinations either have "High" or "Extreme" overall ratings from Crisis24, privacy or cybersecurity concerns, or require working with export controls. Review the notes and action items by traveler type for how to proceed.

Elevated Risk Destinations

Country	Crisis24 Overall Rating	Notes	Undergrads	Faculty, Staff, Postdocs, Grad Students
Afghanistan	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Algeria	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Bahrain	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Bangladesh	High		Exception Required
Belarus	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required	Please contact Stanford’s Export Control Officer at exportcontrols@stanford.edu
Burkina Faso	Extreme		Exception Required
Burundi	High	Potential Ebola Impact	Exception Required	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Cambodia	Moderate	No presumption of privacy
Central African Republic	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Chad	High		Exception Required
China	Low	Stanford Activities in China No presumption of privacy	Travel may proceed with specific mitigations. Please email globalrisk.stanford.edu
Colombia	Moderate		Travel may proceed with specific mitigations. Please email globalrisk.stanford.edu
Congo (DRC)	High	Potential Ebola Impact	Exception Required	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Cuba	Low	No presumption of privacy		Please contact Stanford’s Export Control Officer at exportcontrols@stanford.edu
Cyprus	Moderate	No presumption of privacy
East Timor	High		Exception Required
Egypt	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Eritrea	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Ethiopia	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Gabon	High		Exception Required
Guatemala	Moderate	Guatemala City is high risk - transit through the city is not permitted for undergraduates	Exception Required
Guinea	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Guinea-Bissau	High		Exception Required
Haiti	Extreme		Exception Required
Hong Kong	Low	No presumption of privacy
Iran	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Travel Prohibited	Please contact Stanford’s Export Control Officer at exportcontrols@stanford.edu Stanford recommends against all university travel
Iraq	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Israel	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Jordan	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Kenya	High	Potential Ebola Impact	Exception Required	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Kuwait	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Lebanon	Extreme		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Liberia	Moderate	No presumption of privacy
Libya	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Madagascar	High		Exception Required
Mali	Extreme		Exception Required
Mexico	Moderate	High Risk Destinations: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Colima, Durango, Guerrero, Leon, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas	Travel may proceed with specific mitigations. Please email globalrisk.stanford.edu
Mozambique	High		Exception Required
Myanmar	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Nepal	High		Exception Required
Niger	High		Exception Required
Nigeria	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
North Korea	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required	Please contact Stanford’s Export Control Officer at exportcontrols@stanford.edu
Oman	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Pakistan	High		Exception Required
Palestinian Territories	High		Exception Required
Papua New Guinea	High		Exception Required
Qatar	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Rwanda	Moderate	Potential Ebola Impact	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Russia	High	No presumption of privacy	Travel Prohibited	Travel Prohibited
Saudi Arabia	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Sierra Leone	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Somalia	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
South Africa	High		Exception Required
South Sudan	Extreme	Potential Ebola Impact No presumption of privacy	Exception Required	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Sudan	Extreme	Potential Ebola Impact No presumption of privacy	Exception Required	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Syria	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Taiwan	Low	No presumption of privacy
Tanzania	Moderate	Potential Ebola Impact	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Togo	High		Exception Required
Uganda	High	Potential Ebola Impact	Exception Required	Potential travelers must contact globalrisk.stanford.edu
Ukraine	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required	Please contact Stanford’s Export Control Officer at exportcontrols@stanford.edu
United Arab Emirates	High		Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Venezuela	High	No presumption of privacy	Exception Required
Yemen	Extreme	No presumption of privacy	Travel Prohibited	Stanford recommends against all university travel
Zimbabwe	High		Exception Required

If your destination was not listed or you would like more information, please login to the Crisis24 Horizon Mobile Platform and navigate to "Location Intelligence".

For undergraduate students if a destination requires an exception, please review the processes here. Exceptions are only considered in rare cases.

For faculty, staff, postdocs, grad students if your destination requires reaching out to the Privacy Office or Export Controls, please do so. See below for additional recommended protocols.

Risk Rating FAQs

How do I interpret the Crisis24 risk ratings?
- To determine a location’s Crisis24 overall risk rating, select your transit and destination country(-ies) from "Location Intelligence" on the left side of portal. The overall risk rating for a country is clearly displayed on the left side. Scroll down to find detailed risk ratings. For more specific destination ratings, use "Related Locations" to select the province(s), and/or city(-ies).
  It is important to consider all the ratings and how they may impact you as an individual traveler, as well as the impact they may have on your research, studies, work.
  Undergraduate students are not allowed to travel to - or through - cities, regions, areas, or countries that have a "High" or "Extreme" overall rating or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks. If you have questions about a destination, contact globalrisk@stanford.edu for guidance.
  Note that conditions in any country may change at any time.
Who should review a student’s travel itinerary?
- Students should first conduct their own self-assessment to ensure their travel is permissible under Stanford’s International Travel Policy. This first step requires the student understand the Crisis24 overall risk rating for their destination, how it will impact them and the work, research, study they will engage in while abroad.
- A student’s next point of contact should be the department or program administrator coordinating or sponsoring the opportunity. The department or program has primary responsibility for reviewing travel itineraries, giving the green light to travel, and assigning any required pre-departure steps.
- If the student is traveling on a self-organized trip (without a department sponsor), they should contact the the global risk team for support in reviewing their itinerary and preparing for a safe trip (globalrisk@stanford.edu).
Can a traveler proceed or do they need additional reviews to travel to a specific location?
- For faculty, staff and graduate students, Stanford University strongly recommends against, but does not prohibit, travel to countries where the Crisis24 overall risk rating is “High” or “Critical,” or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks for either the country destination, or for the particular region or location of intended travel within the country destination, or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks. To determine a location’s Crisis24 overall risk rating, review the Crisis24 Horizon Platform.
- For undergraduate students, Stanford-sponsored or Stanford-organized trips are prohibited to countries or regions and locations within a country where the Crisis24 overall risk rating is “High” or “Extreme,” or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks. To determine a location’s Crisis24 overall risk rating, review the Crisis24 Horizon Platform.
  - No university funds or resources may be used, university sponsorship provided, or academic credit awarded, in support of travel to these locations. All individuals engaging in university-sponsored travel must comply with all applicable travel policies.
What is the process for requesting an exception to Stanford’s International Travel Policy?
- With the full support of their sponsoring unit/program, undergraduate students may apply to request an exception to the Stanford International Travel Policy for travel to locations that pose a higher risk.
- Exceptions for travel to high risk destinations are only considered in rare circumstances.
- The process for destinations with high overall risk usually turns around in six weeks.
- Full details on the Travel Policy Exception process can be found here.
Is student personal travel affected by these advisories?
- The International Travel Policy applies to Stanford-sponsored or Stanford-organized travel. Personal travel does not fall under this policy. However, International Affairs and Global Risk encourage students to familiarize themselves with the risks present at locations they choose to travel to during personal time.
Is travel by graduate students, faculty, or staff affected by these advisories?
- Stanford University strongly recommends against, but does not prohibit, travel to countries where the Crisis24 overall risk rating is “High” or “Extreme,” or where there is other reliable information of significant health or safety risks for either the country destination, or for the particular region or location of intended travel within the country destination.
- Global Risk has developed some guidelines for travel to "High" or "Extreme" risk destinations. Some of the protocols include:
  - Secure program and/or Dean of School trip approval, indicating travel is related to a Stanford purpose
  - If you are a U.S. citizen, register with the local US Embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). (If you are not a U.S. citizen, the Department of State's equivalent in your country might have a similar program.)
  - Contact Global Risk (globalrisk@stanford.edu) to review itinerary, security, and logistics
  - Download the Crisis24 Horizon Mobile App (Apple App store, Google Play) and sign up to receive country/region/city risk reports
  - Sign the Stanford waiver, if necessary
  - Ensure all key program agreements/contract(s) are in place
  - Keep emergency contacts/communication plan on file
  - Review the Zurich policy summary for coverage of unforeseen medical and security incidents. Verify with personal medical insurance provider to understand international medical coverage for exclusions under the Zurich policy / routine or preventative medical treatment abroad.
- Travel Sponsors may decide to require itinerary review or pre-departure steps for travel to high-risk areas. At a minimum, International Affairs and Global Risk recommend using the pre-departure checklist, and contacting the Global Risk team (globalrisk@stanford.edu) for support in preparing for a safe trip.
- There are no restrictions for travel to countries or regions within a country with a "Insignificant", "Low", or "Moderate" ratings.