Travel & exchange
Utrecht University follows the guidelines of the national government and the travel advice of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Travel related to your study (exchange, internships or research) to areas with a red or orange travel advice, will not be facilitated, unless an exemption request has been filed and approved. On this page you can find more information on this procedure.
Application for stay abroad in an area with a negative travel advice
If you apply for a future study abroad in an area with negative travel advice, you have to file an exemption request in advance. In this request you argue why it is safe for you to travel and stay in the country of destination. An exemption request can be done via OSIRIS. You submit this request by answering a number of questions about the security situation and your preparation for possible risks. These will be part of your study abroad application in OSIRIS Student.
The university-wide Committee of Negative Travel Advice reviews the submitted exemption requests on a monthly basis and advises the dean of your department on the possibility of going abroad. The dean ultimately makes a decision. You will be informed of this by email.
What to do when the travel advice changes from green or yellow to orange or red during your stay abroad?
If the travel advice of the area where you are staying changes negatively, you will receive an email about this. In your study abroad application in OSIRIS Student, a new field will be opened: an exemption request. Here you will be asked to provide information about the security situation in your area within a week, if you believe it is safe to stay at that location despite the negative travel advice.
The university-wide Committee of Negative Travel Advice assesses the submitted exemption requests and advises the dean of your department on the possibility and continuation of your stay or return. The dean ultimately makes a decision. You will be informed of this by email.
FAQ
To help you further, you can find an FAQ below. In case a question remains unanswered, please contact your exchange coordinator or the International Office.