Employee International Travel Registration | Messiah, a private Christian University in PA

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Employee International Travel Registration

Educator International Travel Registration

Messiah University asks all Educators traveling abroad using University funds to complete a brief online registration (see link on right) to collect basic emergency contact information and to provide appropriate international insurance coverage information at least three months prior to departure.

Educators traveling to high risk locations will be vetted through the University's International Risk Management Committee. Educator's should review theUniversity's Educator International Travel Vetting Policy for more information.

Global Medical Coverage

All participants in international travel through Messiah University are responsible to determine their unique insurance needs when preparing to travel abroad.

Messiah University provides global medical insurance coverage for educators, employees, students, chaperones, and volunteers who travel internationally on any University-sponsored activity (any experience using institutional funds) such as international conference attendance, service and mission trips, and cross-cultural courses.

This coverage is provided to ensure appropriate liability and medical coverage, coordinated through the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagament. The educator's department is responsible for covering the cost for any University-related trips. Educators must contact the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement at agapecenter@messiah.edu or x7255 to make arrangements for the coverage.

If a partner organization requires groups or individuals use a different insurance carrier, or if individuals are already covered under their own policy, requests for exemptions from Messiah's coverage can be sought by contacting the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement.

If you are traveling outside the country on a personal trip, you can purchase travel insurance for you and your family directly through UnitedHealthCare SafeTrip by calling 1-800-732-5309 or through their website: https://www.uhcsafetrip.com/

See International Travel Insurance Implications for more detailed information.

International Travel Checklist

We are happy to provide this checklist for Messiah University employees who are planning to travel out of the country. This checklist will provide some helpful links and contact information to assist you as you manage your preparation to travel abroad. Even experienced travelers can benefit from these reminders. Please browse the sections below for specific topics or download the complete checklist.

Happy travels from the Messiah University Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement!

Passport

You will need a valid passport to travel outside the United States. For some countries, your passport will need to be valid for at least 6 month after your return. Please allow at least 6 weeks for your passport to arrive after you have applied.

You can download a passport application
You can download a renewal application
Photos can be obtained in the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement. Check passport photo studio hours. The cost is $10.
Passport Services are on campus twice a year to process application. Please watch the Intercom for announcements or mass emails.

Entrance / Exit Requirements

Most countries require that you obtain a visa before entering. In some locations, you can obtain your visa at the airport when you arrive; other countries you must secure your visa in advance. You may need to travel to a consulate in the US in order to apply for the document. To determine what you need to enter the country to which you will be traveling, check the U.S. State Department Country Information listed below. Additionally, some visas can be obtained using a visa processing service.

Some countries require an exit tax. You will want to know this in advance so you can be prepared to pay this at the airport. Again, you can gain information about this from the U.S. State Department Country Information.

Country Information

The United States Department of State has helpful information online about countries around the world, including your destination. It includes such things as the location of the embassy, crime issues, security, as well as entry requirements.

Additional helpful resources include:

Register with the US State Department

You will want to register your travel plans with STEP: Safe Traveler Enrollment Program, sponsored by the U.S. State Department. This allows the United States Embassies to assist you in case of an emergency and / or update you if unrest or a natural disaster occurs.

Health

Check with your primary care physician to determine if you are able to travel internationally and to obtain copies of your prescriptions.

The Engle Center operates a travel clinic during the academic year and can administer immunizations needed for your travel. Contact them early! Some immunizations must be administered well in advance of your travel.

International Insurance

Click here for more detailed information on international insurance coverage and implications for Messiah University employees.

Messiah provides global medical insurance coverage for educators, employees, students, chaperones, and volunteers who travel internationally on any University-sponsored activity (any experience using institutional funds) such as international conference attendance, service and mission trips, and cross-cultural courses. This coverage is provided to ensure appropriate liability and medical coverage, coordinated through the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement

The educator's department is responsible for covering the cost for any University-related trips. Educators must contact the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement at agapecenter@messiah.edu or x7255 to make arrangements for the coverage.

Credit Cards

Notify your bank to alert them to the places and dates that you will be traveling. If you are participating in travel for Messiah University and consequently, will be using your Messiah University purchasing card, please contact Steph Sechrist, P-Card Administrator so that your international access is activated.

In-Country Information

Establish in advance how you will be able to communicate while you are abroad. Check with your mobile company to ensure that you can use your mobile phone internationally, to explore plans that will be the most cost effective for your phone. You may want to explore purchasing phone in your host country or in some cases obtaining a satellite phone.

Emergency Contact Information

You will want to leave emergency contact information about your trip with someone in the United States (a family member, close friend). It is helpful to identify, collect, and provide the following information:

Itinerary – a detailed itinerary of your travel plans which includes details about the locations you will be visiting, (names, phone numbers, mail and email addresses of individuals that you will be visiting and hotels / residences where you will be staying.)
A copy of your flight information
A copy of your passport

For employees traveling through the University , this information will be collected online through the Agape Center for Local and Global Engagement when you make arrangements for international insurance coverage.

Emergency Contacts for Employees Participating in University-related Travel

M&T Bank 800.443.8671 (within the US) 716.635.4152 (outside the US)
UnitedHealthcare Global Emergency Response Center 410.453.6330 (Call Collect)
Messiah University 24 Hour Dispatch 717.961.6005