UUֱ
Travel Exemption Request
UUֱ students must avoid University sanctioned international travel to locations that are listed as "Avoid non-essential travel" or "Avoid all travel" by the Government of Canada, as stipulated in UUֱ’s Policy on Student Safety Abroad.
If you deem your travel to a country or region with a of “Avoid non-essential travel” to be essential, or if you are currently abroad in such a location and deem your continued participation in a University sanctioned international activity as essential, you must request an exemption, which covers the full length of your activity. To do so:
- Get confirmation of support for participation in the international activity by your supervisor or faculty advisor.
- Fill out the exemption requestform. Be sure to include:
- a description of the activity (including location, travel conditions if any, nature of activity).
- a description of the routes and modes of transport that you plan to use to avoid high-risk areas.
- the rationale for your intended travel and/or participation in the University sanctionedactivity.
- a description ofavenues explored for a substitute activity and why they are not suitable.
- a description ofthe measures to be undertaken to mitigate the risks. This must reference the GAC travel advisories for your location, and may include references to measures taken by local health authorities, the conditions under which the activity will take place, lodging conditions, and other relevant factors.
- Your request will be sent to the Dean of your Facultyfor review.
- TheDean shall consider the request and provide the Deputy Provostwith a recommendation.
- The Deputy Provost willcommunicate the final decision and any conditions that may apply to the student.
dzٱ:Exemption request must bemade with sufficient notice to allow for a detailed evaluation process to take place, and at least 4weeks before any travel arrangements must be booked or 2 months before travel or start of activitywhichever is earlier.Please be advised that application for a travel exemption does not guarantee approval.
- Exemptions for travel or stay in a country or region with an “Avoid all travel” advisory will not be granted.
Travel Advisories & UUֱ-related travel |
A risk level is the official measure of the safety and security of a destination, country or region. There are four possible risk levels:
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Regional Advisories |
Risk levels may also include regional advisories. In such cases, the country may be listed “Exercise normal security precautions”, “Exercise a high degree of caution” or “Avoid non-essential travel” but contain areas within that are under a higher risk advisory. It is important to research your destination and confirm that you will not be travelling to any internal areas with an “Avoid non-essential travel” advisory, without special permission, or any areas listed as “Avoid all travel”. Regional advisories can be issued for regions, provinces, districts, cities, neighbourhoods, specific infrastructure, border areas, or proximity to certain areas of instability. If there is a regional proximity advisory for your destination, you must be sure that you do not travelwithin the stated distance for university-related activities. Examples:
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Changes to Travel Advisories -Safety and security conditions may change either before your travel or while you are abroad.
If the travel advisory for your destination changesbeforeyour departure: |
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From |
To |
Action |
Exercise normal security precautions |
Exercise a high degree of caution |
No modifications required. UUֱ strongly suggests students stay alert and check local safety and security conditions regularly before departure. |
Exercise normal security precautions or Exercise a high degree of caution |
Avoid non-essential travel |
Possible cancellation of activity. UUֱ may cancel the university-related activity. Students, who have properly completed their UUֱ student travel registry, will receive an email via their UUֱ email account. Students can contact UUֱ Abroad atsafetyabroad [at] mcgill.cawith any questions or doubts they may have. In cases where a student and their academic supervisor deem travel to an area listed as “Avoid non-essential travel” as essential, they must apply for a travelexemptionand have it approved by the Deputy Provost before moving forward with their travel plans. |
Any level |
Avoid all travel |
Cancellation of activity. UUֱ will cancel the university-related activity. No exemptions are permitted. Students, who have properly completed their UUֱ student travel registry, will receive an email via their UUֱ email account. Students can contact UUֱ Abroad atsafetyabroad [at] mcgill.cawith any questions or doubts they may have. |
If the travel advisory for your destination changesafteryour departure: |
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From |
To |
Action |
Exercise normal security precautions or Exercise a high degree of caution |
Avoid non-essential travel |
Possible activity cancellation. Students, who have properly completed their UUֱ student travel registry, will receive a check-in notification via the app and email from UUֱ Abroad to ensure that they are safe and to provide information on support resources and instructions on next steps, which may include activity cancellation. Students must follow the instructions very carefully and respond to UUֱ emails via their UUֱ account as soon as possible, as this is the primary method of contact that UUֱ will use to check-in with students to offer guidance and support. In cases where a student and their academic supervisor deem the continuation of travel to an area listed as “Avoid non-essential travel” as essential, they must apply for a travel exemption as soon as they receive instructions from UUֱ Abroad. Please note that application for an exemption does not guarantee approval. |
Any level |
Avoid all travel |
Cancellation of activity. Students, who have properly completed their UUֱ Student Travel registry, will receive a check-in notification via the app and email from UUֱ Abroad to ensure that they are safe and to provide information on support resources and instructions on next steps. Students must follow the instructions very carefully and respond to UUֱ emails via their UUֱ account as soon as possible, as those who do not respond may see their international activity cancelled. UUֱ will cancel the university-related activity for the particular location and advise students to leave until the “Avoid all travel” advisory is lifted. Students can contact UUֱ Abroad atsafetyabroad [at] mcgill.cawith any questions or doubts they may have. |