Required Documents

In order to travel abroad, students must be sure to complete the appropriate paperwork and obtain any necessary documents.

• Assumption of Risk Form
• Passports and Visas
• International SOS Membership Card

Assumption of Risk Form

Harvard University requires students traveling abroad to review, sign, and submit an assumption of risk form, which also includes emergency contact information. There are three different forms, each designed for a certain type of international travel. Students should carefully review the form descriptions to select the appropriate form for their travel.

Prior to departure, students must:

1. Select the appropriate form below
2. Complete the online form
3. Print and sign the form
4. Submit the form to International Legal Studies by one of the following methods:

⇒ Scan and email to ils@law.harvard.edu
⇒ Fax to 617-496-9179 (attention International Legal Studies)
⇒ Deliver to Lewis 231

Students with questions about the forms should contact International Legal Studies for assistance.

• Independent International Travel with Harvard Sponsorship or Credit. This form should be used by students participating in study abroad, thesis or dissertation research, or an international internship arranged by the student.  Students traveling abroad with winter term international travel grants, clinical projects and programs, summer internships (Summer Public Interest Funding projects, Chayes International Public Service Fellowship, Human Rights Program Summer Internship, etc.) or other pro bono work should use this form. 
• International Travel Course. This form should be used by students participating in classes for which travel is required, although the course itself is not a condition of receiving a degree.
• International Field Trips Led or Organized by Harvard. This form should be used by students participating in certain international field trips for a Harvard course or program and certain Harvard research expeditions abroad, regardless of whether a student is receiving Harvard funding or academic credit. (Students participating in trips that fall into this category will be notified by the sponsoring program.)

Passports and Visas

Passports. Students traveling outside the United States need a passport both to leave and to reenter the U.S. Students who are U.S. citizens who do not have a passport must obtain one through an application process. The U.S. Department of State provides detailed information about how to apply for or renew a passport. Processing passport applications takes about three weeks, so students applying for a passport should make preparations well in advance of their planned departure dates. Students should also keep in mind that obtaining a visa (see below) requires a passport, and should allow ample time to obtain all necessary documents and authorizations.

Visas. Most foreign countries require a visa to enter. Visa application requirements vary by country as well as the purpose of the visit, so students should look carefully at the requirements for their planned destination. The U.S. Department of State maintains a list of countries with country-specific information, including entry/exit requirements.  Obtaining a visa often takes several weeks or longer, so students should plan to begin the visa application process well in advance of their anticipated departure date.

International SOS Membership Card

Harvard University has contracted with a company called International SOS to provide 24-hour worldwide emergency medical and evacuation assistance for Harvard’s employees and students traveling on University-related activities. While a Harvard student you are automatically enrolled in this program but you must log in using the Harvard member number, and register your trip. Please see the International SOS Information in the “Health and Safety” section for more details.