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This page provides specific guidance relating to countries where travel has a higher risk. It is always safest to check the (FCDO) guidance before booking travelling.  

 Travel to Sanctioned Countries or High Risk Territories

Sanctions consist of a wide range of political and/or economic measures which are put in place by international, regional and state bodies with the aim of influencing the behaviour of a particular country’s regimes, individuals or groups. The types of sanctions measures put in place can vary widely including (inter alia): financial restrictions, import/export restrictions and travel bans.

Please check the latest FCDO update of ALL financial sanctions imposed in the UK here 

If you are travelling to one of the sanctioned countries listed below, you must complete the Sanctioned territories referral questionnaire before you travel, which will be shared with our Insurance Broker.  This will allow insurers to screen the information for any potential sanction breaches in advance and confirm whether cover can be provided.  Travelling to such countries can increase the risk of travel, so our insurers need to consider carefully the full details of your planned activities before travel commences. The questionnaire should be completed as soon as possible, at least 21 days prior to departure and sent to uor-insurance@reading.ac.uk.

伊人直播app Financial Sanctions Policy

In addition to Sanctioned countries, our insurers also require the university to declare trips to high risk territories.  Due to these increased risks our insurers need to consider carefully the full details of your planned activities before travel commences. If you are travelling to any of the following destinations please complete the Security Questionnaire as soon as possible and submit this to the insurance office at least 21 days prior to departure

Sanctioned Countries	High Risk Territories
Crimea Region of Ukraine	Afghanistan
Cuba	Belarus
Donetsk People's Republic (DNR)	Burundi
Iran	Central African Republic
Kerson (Region of Ukraine)	Colombia
Luhansk People's Republic (LNR)	Democratic African Republic
North Korea	Iraq
Syria	Israel including Gaza, West Bank & Occupied
Zaporizhzhia (Region of Ukraine)	Lebanon
Venezuela	Libya
	Mali
	Myanmar (Burma)
	Republic of Guinea
	Republic of Guinea - Bissau
	Russia
	Somalia
	South Sudan
	Sudan
	Tunisia
	Ukraine
	Yemen
	Zimbabwe

 

• Any other Territories whereby UK FCDO advises against All Travel

 

Guidance From Gallagher Insurance Brokers on Travel to the United States

In light of recent events, UK students considering studying in the United States should be careful and fully aware of the U.S. immigration rules—particularly those related to visas and social media history. 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has expanded its social media monitoring requirements. As a result, applicants for various immigration benefits, including student visas, are now required to provide their social media handles on several forms.  Additionally, the State Department has launched the "Catch and Revoke" initiative, utilising artificial intelligence to monitor social media posts of visa holders. If posts are flagged as supporting terrorism, extremist ideologies or even criticising the current administration, visas may be revoked, even if the posts were made years prior.

More than 1,000 student and academics have reportedly been detained or had their visa revoked based on historic social medical activity relating to pro-Palestinian activism, some of which was alleged to be anti-Semitic.

Recent changes in the press as of 28.05.25 – if you are affected by this please contact the Insurance Team

Please be aware of the recent Student Visa changes in the press 

Preparation

• Consider how essential the travel is and do a risk vs need assessment for each traveller *see further guidance below specific to Pregnant Travellers*
• At the visa / ESTA application stage, be honest in your responses, particularly about countries you have visited in the past. It is better to highlight any issues early, before incurring travel costs.
• Many visa revocations have been tied to students’ involvement in pro-Palestine activism. Vet past public statements and academic work when assessing each individuals travel risk.
• Vet past infractions, including traffic violations. Any previous infractions present a risk of having your visa revoked or being turned away on arrival.
• Higher risk travellers, for whom travel is not essential, should consider not travelling.
• Check your passport and ensure it is valid for 6 months+ after the planned date of return
• Get a health check and gather evidence of all relevant immunisations.

At the border

• Have (preferably paper) evidence of:
• Keep back-ups of all documents in the cloud and know your log-in details to access them.
• Relax and be courteous.
• Be prepared for a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official to ask searching questions and search your devices. They will be looking for signs of deception. Be honest.
• You may be asked to hand over your devices. If so, you are obligated to offer them in a condition that will allow them to review the devices and their contents.
• If any individual is specifically singled out and approached by an Immigration Officer (not a CBP officer) who already knows their name, they should remain calm and polite. However, remember they have the right to remain silent and request legal counsel. It is not recommended that they make official statements or sign anything without legal counsel present.

 Policy Coverage (Relevant to all travel - Not specifically US travel)

AIG Travel Insurance includes cover for consultant costs and reasonable and necessary expenses in the event of:

‘The holding under duress of an Insured Person for whatever reason, other than Kidnap, and irrespective of whether such holding under duress is by legal governmental authorities in the place of custody or by other parties.’

However, the policy section excludes Detention:

- for a period of less than four (4) consecutive hours;

- as a result of any actual or alleged violation of the laws of the host country by an Insured Person which would be a criminal offence if committed by the Insured Person in the jurisdiction where the Insured’s headquarters are located as specified on the Schedule or of which the Insured Person is a national, unless the Company determines that such allegations were intentionally false, fraudulent and malicious and made solely and directly to achieve a political propaganda or coercive effect upon or at the expense of the Insured or the Insured Person; or

- due to the failure of an Insured Person to properly procure or maintain immigration, work, residence or similar visas, permits or other documentation.

 

Pregnant Travellers to United States

There is currently a highly sensitive and precarious situation regarding reproductive rights in several southern and eastern states. While the termination of pregnancy is prohibited in these jurisdictions, local medical professionals are often reluctant to provide guidance, recommendations, or treatment due to concerns over potential legal repercussions.

This environment may create considerable uncertainty and distress for travellers, who may feel they are not receiving comprehensive information or care—particularly if pregnancy termination is not even presented as a potential option.

Given this context, the health and welfare of the traveller remains the foremost priority. Medical assistance providers will take all necessary steps to ensure appropriate care, including arranging transfer to another state for further evaluation and treatment or, consider full repatriation to the traveller's home country, subject to clinical suitability and the traveller's condition.

Accordingly, it is strongly recommended that institutions give careful consideration to the specific needs of pregnant individuals who may be planning to travel to affected states. Where possible, alternative travel arrangements should be explored in order to mitigate potential health risks and ensure access to comprehensive medical care.

 

Travel to Qatar

If you are intending to travel to Qatar on University business there have recently been some significant changes to the entry requirements.  As a result of these changes the University Travel insurance will not be accepted by Qatar facilities and will no longer respond in the event of a medical emergency and provide cover for any associated costs.

All visitors to Qatar must now obtain health insurance covering their intended stay in the country from  listed by the Ministry of Public Health in the State of Qatar and failure to evidence Qatar Healthcare cover will result in denial of entry.  For further information please visit the  FAQs webpage.

Please also visit the FCDO website for full details of  .   If you require any further information please contact the insurance office  uor-insurance@reading.ac.uk. The cost of buying this additional insurance can be claimed back via expenses.

Travel to China

A guide on travelling to China on University business will be available soon. 

Travel to Cuba

Please note that any travel to Cuba must be declared to our Insurer prior to travel as the standard coverage, particularly related to medical and evacuation, may not apply. Please contact the Insurance team on uor-insurance@reading.ac.uk prior to making any travel bookings to Cuba.