Travel Guidelines

Penn State has established comprehensive guidance for both personal and University-affiliated travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights of these guidelines are listed below. Visit the University's Travel Guideline site for complete and up-to-date information, as these guidelines are reviewed monthly.

Domestic Travel:

Beginning July 1, 2021, employee domestic travel may resume. Pre-COVID travel approval processes should be followed. Employees are asked to limit travel where possible and consider virtual options that might replace or reduce the need to travel.

Employees planning to travel on Penn State business should follow their unit's pre-COVID-19 travel approval process. Any necessary air travel should be arranged through Anthony Travel, Penn State's preferred travel agency.

Employees engaging in University-affiliated domestic travel should:

Note: All travel arrangements must be made through Penn State's travel provider, Anthony Travel.

International Travel:

Policy TR01 International Travel requirements, applies to all international travel. Requirements at international destinations and within the United States can shift without notice, and Penn State reserves the right to modify its COVID-19 vaccination requirements accordingly.

  • Penn State strongly recommends that all University-affiliated travelers be up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations and vaccinations for other infectious diseases.
  • All employees should first review the list of restricted countries when planning travel.
  • Employees should research the specific health or vaccinations requirements set by the host country before travel.
  • Employees who are non-U.S. citizens are subject to specific COVID-19 vaccination requirements to re-enter the United States. It is critical that they review and meet the Center for Disease Control Entry Requirements for travel to and from the United States.
  • Unit level pre-COVID travel approval processes should be followed. Requests for international travel are to be submitted to the Academic Affairs office 6 weeks in advance of travel AND you are required to submit proof of filing with the Travel Safety Network (TSN) with the funding request.
  • You must register with the Travel Safety Network at least 30 days in advance of travel or as soon as possible once travel is planned.  You much receive final confirmation of TSN approval to travel at a minimum of 3 days before travel.
  • Reimbursement for travel expenses will not be possible without proof of confirmation by TSN that your trip had been been approved prior to travel.
Note: All travel arrangements must be made through Penn State's travel provider, Anthony Travel.

Travel Process

Note: Please be sure to review the "Travel Authorization Process" prior to submitting a travel funding authorization request.

All faculty and Academic Affairs staff are required to complete an employee travel authorization form which must be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks in advance for domestic travel (international travel would be 6 weeks in advance). The authorization form, which is also the reimbursement form, can be accessed by clicking on the link:  Travel Authorization & Reimbursement Form

The process includes:

  • Authorization (submission of authorization form and supporting documents for pre-approval)
  • Reimbursement (submission of reimbursement form and all required itemized receipts)
  • Entry into SAP Concur (entry of travel expenses with required receipts)
  • Submission in SAP Concur (submitting the report is your electronic signature)