Travel and World Events Updates
The world is constantly evolving, and global events, whether through political shifts, natural disasters, health crises, or security concerns, can impact international travel. Global Security, Risk, and Resilience (Global Risk) within the Division of Global Engagement is monitoring these changes and will provide up-to-date information, answer common questions, and help you navigate challenges that may arise while traveling abroad. If you don’t see your question or concern answered here, have follow-up questions, or if Global Risk can be of any further assistance, please contact Assistant Director, Shawn Lenker, at [email protected].
For urgent updates or specific concerns, we recommend consulting official sources such as the US State Department travel advisories and/or reaching out to UT’s international assistance provider, Crisis24. If you need more information about the university’s international travel request and registration processes, which are required for all university-supported travel abroad, please see the International Travel page.
Travel guidance
What should I do if I plan to travel internationally as a non-U.S. citizen?
Travel regulations and policies continue to evolve, both in the U.S. and internationally, which may cause travel disruptions and potentially impact or restrict U.S. border re-entry for some international students, faculty, postdoctoral fellows, scholars, and staff. While the Center for Global Engagement continues to monitor these developments closely, general advice includes:
- Consult the Immigration Updates webpage on the International Student and Scholar Services website before travel.
- Be proactive in planning and preparing for all aspects of international travel, including related to re-entry to the United States. Be sure to carry all required and other important documentation, and make sure your visa, passport, and other travel requirements are valid and not expired. Be sure to safeguard this required documentation while abroad.
- Monitor current events. Political or security developments in your home country, host country you will be visiting, or within the United States may affect re-entry policies. Changes in U.S. immigration policies can happen quickly. Follow updates from reliable sources, including the Immigration Updates webpage on the International Student and Scholar Services website.
- NOTE: You are ultimately responsible for complying with all travel requirements, including those related to your immigration status in the United States. If you have specific questions or concerns, we recommend that you reach out to an immigration lawyer or legal advisor.
What documentation do I need when traveling within the U.S. as a non-U.S. citizen?
Consult the Immigration Updates webpage on the International Students and Scholars Services website.
How can I prepare for border screening at the airport or other points of entry in the U.S.?
All travelers entering the United States – including U.S. citizens – are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at airports and other ports of entry. CBP officers are responsible for screening travelers and determining whether they are allowed entry into the U.S. Travelers are advised to research their rights and responsibilities before traveling and to be aware that U.S. CBP officers may:
- Ask detailed questions about your immigration status and travel plans, both in the United States and the country you were visiting/returning from.
- Inspect your luggage and personal belongings.
- Search your electronic devices and access information on those devices, including your phone, laptop, and/or tablet.
- Request access to your social media accounts.
- Copy data from your devices, which could include personal or work-related information.
You can see more information, including an FAQ, on CBP’s website:
- Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry
- CBP Search Authority
- CBP’s general travel page
During the entry process, we recommend being honest, calm, and respectful when speaking with U.S. government officials. Answer questions clearly and accurately. If you don’t understand something, ask for clarification before responding.
Avoid leaving out important details or giving inaccurate information, as this can lead to serious consequences, including delays, denial of entry, or future travel restrictions.
How can I prepare for border screening at the airport or other points of entry abroad?
Check the embassy of your destination for any requirements. The U.S. Department of State also has a traveler’s checklist you should consult before traveling abroad.
Whom should I reach out to at the university if I have questions related to travel abroad as a non-U.S. citizen?
For information regarding travel abroad as a non-U.S. citizen contact ISSS.
Where can I find more information about new visa requirements in Europe?
The United Kingdom recently rolled out a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) process that impacts Americans and other nationalities traveling there. There is currently a temporary exemption for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control, from needing an ETA, however this could change in the future. Please refer directly to the UK government’s website and FAQ page for more information.
The European Union is in the process of instituting the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) that will impact travel to EU member states. This is currently slated to be rolled out in 2026. Please refer directly to the EU’s ETIAS website for more information.
What should I do if I need documentation of international insurance for an upcoming visa appointment?
The Division of Global Engagement can provide a visa support letter that provides health insurance coverage information. Please reach out to [email protected]. Please note: we can only provide coverage for UT-sponsored portions of your trip abroad (i.e. when you are working or studying on behalf of UT).
World events
Ebola Outbreak 2026 – DRC, Uganda, and Regional Impact – What resources should I monitor?
This situation is evolving rapidly. Check the resources below for current information.
On May 15, 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) confirmed an outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain in Ituri Province in northeastern DRC. On May 16, Uganda confirmed imported cases in Kampala in individuals who had traveled from DRC. On May 16, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). This is the first PHEIC declared for an Ebola outbreak since 2020.
The Bundibugyo strain differs from the more commonly known Ebola Zaire strain. There are currently no approved vaccines or specific therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus disease. Treatment consists of supportive care.
Current U.S. Department of State Advisory Levels in the region (as of May 18, 2026)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo: Level 4 – Do Not Travel (Recently updated due to the outbreak)
- South Sudan: Level 4 – Do Not Travel (Recently updated due to the outbreak)
- Uganda: Level 4 – Do Not Travel (Recently updated due to the outbreak)
- Rwanda: Level 3 – Reconsider Travel (Recently updated due to the outbreak)
- Tanzania: Level 3 – Reconsider Travel
- Burundi: Level 3 – Reconsider Travel
- Kenya: Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
- Republic of Congo: Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory levels are subject to change. Always check the current advisory before making travel decisions: https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories.html
Monitor these sources for current information.
IMPORTANT NOTE: There may be extra considerations for non-US passport holders as this situation develops. The U.S. government is currently restricting entry on non-US passport holders if they have been in Uganda, DRC, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.
See: https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/title-42-order.html.
Travelers should inform themselves about their destinations and any entry restrictions (incoming or outgoing) before travel.
The following authoritative sources are updated regularly as the situation evolves:
- WHO outbreak updates: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news
- CDC current situation summary: https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html
- CDC travel health notices: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
- DOS travel advisories (search by country for those not covered above): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
- Crisis24: https://crisis24horizon.com/ut/login
- No need to create an account. Log in with your UT [email protected], not @utk.edu, which will take you to the UT single sign-on page. Once logged in, click Intelligence on the left, then Location Intelligence, then search for your destination by country. You can also sign up for country-specific alerts.
For UTK travelers with questions about active programs or travel plans in the affected region, contact the UTK Global’s Security, Risk, and Resilience team at [email protected].
Are there university restrictions on travel to Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine?
Due to evacuation advisories, the drawdown of US embassy support, air travel restrictions, and the inability to access funds in these countries, UT is currently not approving travel to Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and immediate border areas with these countries. However, travel elsewhere in Europe can continue on a case-by-case basis. Please see our current travel review and approval process.
We advise travelers to exercise increased caution in Europe, especially in Eastern Europe and the countries bordering Ukraine. We are monitoring the situation in Europe very closely. While we do not currently anticipate escalation/impacts outside of Ukraine, there is the potential for this situation to change with little to no notice.
Are there any restrictions on travel to any other parts of the world?
UT’s international insurance provider, Chubb, has limits on where it will provide insurance in certain locations due to ongoing conflicts. If you are planning travel to the following locations, please reach out to Shawn Lenker ([email protected]) at least 60 days in advance of travel to discuss these limitations and what they mean for you: Israel, Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, or any U.S. State Department destination with a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory level due to safety and security concerns. Please note that Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus are also on this list, however, the university is not approving travel to these locations at this time for the reasons described above.
Chubb is currently allowing UT to go through a process where they may provide limited coverage to these locations, however, the traveler would need to provide additional information about the trip in question that would need to be reviewed and approved by UT and Chubb. Travelers to these locations would be required to successfully obtain this coverage before traveling.
As a reminder, students, faculty, and staff will also need to request an exception to the travel policy for certain destinations. This will need to be approved by UT before travel takes place. Please see our international travel page for additional information about the exception request levels and process.
Where can I get more information about world events that may directly impact my UT-sponsored trip abroad?
Besides major media outlets, we recommend that the following resources:
- The U.S. State Department’s website for travel advisories.
- Sign up for the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
- Crisis24 country-specific risk information and email alerts.