The University of Texas at Austin is committed to managing risks and safeguarding the university’s resources from threats posed by foreign adversary nations. Foreign adversary nations, as defined by the Department of Commerce, include: China (including Hong Kong and Macao), Iran, Russia, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea.
Faculty and staff engaging in University-sponsored travel must comply with the procedures Faculty and Staff Travel issued by Texas Global and any additional protocols implemented by the Executive Vice President and Provost. Also, in accordance with Governor Abbott's November 19, 2024 Executive Order GA-48, any personal travel to foreign adversary nations requires UT faculty, staff and student employees to disclose information about the trip.
Personal Travel to Foreign Adversary Nations: Compliance With Executive Order GA-48
Four Required Actions
- Complete the Personal Travel Pre-Trip Notice before traveling.
- Understand and adhere to UT's ISO international travel rules for electronic devices and accessing UT Systems and data.
- Be aware of prohibitions on gifts or payments from entities associated with Foreign Adversary nations.
- Complete the Personal Travel Post-Travel Brief after returning home.
Background
According to this executive order, travel information must be submitted for personal trips to countries identified on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Foreign Adversary list under 15 CFR Section 791.4. The U.S. government has determined the governments of these nations have “engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons.” The Foreign Adversary list includes:
- The People's Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macau Special Administrative Region (China).
- Republic of Cuba (Cuba).
- Islamic Republic of Iran (Iran).
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea).
- Russian Federation (Russia).
- Venezuelan politician Nicolás Maduro (Maduro Regime).
Personal Travel Reporting for Foreign Adversary Nations
Before visiting a Foreign Adversary nation(s), UT faculty, staff and student employees must fill out a Personal Travel Pre-Trip Notice. This form captures basic travel information about dates and destination and should take less than five minutes to complete.
Upon return, you must submit the Post-Travel Brief within seven days. You will receive an automated email upon your return, with a link, requesting that you complete the form. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete and reviews travel details, security-related encounters and technology use.
Both reports do not ask for personal details but instead focus on your travel itinerary and compliance with the technology and gifts rules.
Electronic Devices and Accessing UT Systems
When traveling to a listed nation, all electronic devices must be fully disconnected from UT Austin systems (i.e., not connecting to or interacting with any UT data or systems). The UT Information Security Office International Travel Standard clearly outlines the rules. The restrictions on accessing UT data and systems cover the use of:
University-owned devices.
- Personal devices.
- Accessing UT Austin data and UT systems, including your UT EID.
- Loaner laptop use through your local IT support teams.
If you do not follow these policies, your EID and UT access will be locked and you must work with the Service Desk to reset your password. Additional attempts to connect to systems in a restricted country will result in EID locks. Once you return to UT Austin, the device(s) must be verified as secure before it is used with UT data or systems. Once you return to UT Austin, the device(s) must be verified as secure before it is used with UT data or systems. Review UT’s Information Security Office International Travel Standard guidelines for more information.
Foreign Gifts
When traveling to listed nation, UT faculty, staff and student employees must be aware they cannot accept gifts, regardless of value, from the government, a government official, or any entity associated with the government. Examples of gifts include, but are not limited to, travel expenses, complimentary meals and entertainment.
For more information, including FAQs, please visit Texas Global's Personal Travel to Foreign Adversary Nations webpage.