Pre-Travel Assistance

Travel Consultations

From assisting individual field researchers traveling to remote areas to large groups studying overseas, Global Risk supports Stanford travelers with tailored guidance and support related to health, safety, and security abroad. Stanford travelers with questions or concerns related to health, safety, and security overseas are encouraged to contact globalrisk@stanford.edu for a one-on-one consultation.

High-Risk Travel

Global Risk provides individualized consultations, risk assessments, and guidance for Stanford-sponsored travel to destinations that may:

• Be remote or secluded
• Have a Crisis24 risk-rating of “High” or “Extreme”
• Have privacy or cyber security concerns (lease see Elevated Risk & Travel Advisories) 

Stanford travelers can schedule a session with a dedicated member of the Global Risk team to collaborate on the development of comprehensive medical, security, communications, and emergency response plans to best ensure a safe, successful trip.

To maximize the effectiveness of this meeting, travelers are encouraged to come prepared to discuss: 

• Proposed Itinerary: What are your travel dates and destinations?
• Work/Research Focus: What will your daily routine and activities be while in-country?
• Travel Arrangements: What are your transportation and lodging plans?
• Support Networks: Do you have any in-country partners or collaborators?
• Previous Experience: Do you have any experience in-country or in the region?
• Security Precautions: What basic security measures will you implement (situational awareness, transport/lodging security, etc.)?
• Communications Plan: How will you maintain contact (cell service, satellite phones, regular check-ins with colleagues, friends, family)?
• Specific Concerns

Immigration

In coordination with several Stanford units, including the Bechtel International Center, Global Risk assists visa holders and Legal Permanent Residents in navigating risks related to U.S. immigration policies and procedures, helping them remain compliant with U.S. immigration law. As part of this effort, Global Risk serves as the emergency point-of-contact for Stanford travelers experiencing in-travel immigration or visa-related issues, including travelers who are referred to secondary inspection when entering the United States. Global Risk also provides individual consultations to assess travel risks related to policies impacting specific nationalities or visa classes, travel bans, revocations, and concerns about social media presence or published work that may be considered by the U.S. government to be contrary to national security.

Pre-departure Orientations 

As a complement to the International Academy canvas course, the Global Risk team offers virtual and in-person pre-departure orientations (PDO) for student travelers. 

While International Academy provides general travel guidance, tips, and resources, these PDOs will provide more nuance about specific destinations and regional risks. Attending these orientations help travelers:

• Understand specific risks associated with the region to which they are traveling
• Navigate resources to understand their individualized risks in order to prepare to mitigate those potential risks
• Access tools to respond to in the event of an emergency
• Connect with other Stanford students who may be in the region

Virtual Sessions offered by Global Risk

Global Risk will offer a number of sessions throughout the spring and early summer which are open for any student to attend. 

There are general sessions as well as regional sessions for popular destinations, including Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia.

Each regional PDO will be 45 minutes with an optional 10 minutes for Q&A. Participants will be required to have their videos on and will need to actively participate in conversation and polls. 

Participants will be required to RSVP as the global risk team aims to tailor tips and advice to those in attendance. Any sending units who would like to require/track participation please reach out to globalrisk@stanford.edu.

Session dates and RSVP information will be available prior to spring break. 

Customized Sessions (in-person or virtual)

Global Risk offers customized pre-departure orientations tailored to a specific program/group of travelers. Sessions may occur at any time of year, may vary in length, and will be individualized to the program.

To request a customized session, please email globalrisk@stanford.edu.

Faculty, Researcher Resource Sessions

In addition to the individualized consultations above, Global Risk offers virtual pre-departure resource review sessions specifically for internationally traveling faculty, researchers.

In the session, Global Risk will discuss

• current events impacting travel
• traveling as a non-U.S. citizen
• traveling to destinations with
  • restrictive privacy laws
  • data security concerns
  • elevated medical and security risks
• incident response processes and resources
• campus services available to support them, their research, and their work.

Each session will be 30 minutes, with the option to remain for an optional Q&A.

Upcoming Sessions

2026

• Wednesday, January 7th 1:00 pm - RSVP for zoom link.
• Monday, February 2nd 10:00 am - RSVP for zoom link.
• Thursday, March 5th 4:00 pm - RSVP for zoom link.
• Friday, April 3rd 9:00 am - RSVP for zoom link.
• Tuesday, May 5th 12:30 pm - RSVP for zoom link.
• Monday, June 1st 3:00 pm - RSVP for zoom link.
• Wednesday, June 10th 12:00 noon - RSVP for zoom link.
• Tuesday, June 16th 9:00 am - RSVP for zoom link.