International Travel

Employees traveling internationally, with or without funding from the university, to conduct university business such as instruction, research, service, outreach, conferences, recruitment, or administrative function must have their travel registered using the Workday Spend Authorization process.  

A Spend Authorization and the accompanying Spend Authorization Questionnaire must be completed for the request to route for approval.  Registration is not completed until the Spend Authorization is fully approved.

Note: Travel to U.S. territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) must also be registered to ensure access to emergency assistance and insurance coverage. 

For questions, please contact the Travel office at 578-1550 or aptravel@lsu.edu.

Students must complete the LSU Student International Travel Registration through the Office of Global Engagement if the travel is academic in nature or connected to LSU activities and is not already registered through an approved LSU study abroad application or in Workday.

Registration is required in the following scenarios:

• I am participating in an LSU-sponsored, LSU-administered, or LSU-related activity abroad that is academic or research-based and not registered through abroad.lsu.edu and LSU is not paying for my travel expenses.
• I am conducting research (including attending or presenting at an international conference), fieldwork, or independent study abroad for LSU credit or to fulfill degree requirements and LSU is not paying for my travel expenses.
• I am engaging in an internship, practicum, or service-learning project abroad connected to an LSU course, academic program, or department and LSU is not paying for my travel expenses.
• I am participating in an academic competition, performance, or university-affiliated project abroad that contributes to coursework, program requirements, or represents LSU and LSU is not paying for my travel expenses.

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Registration is not required in the following scenarios:

• I am pursuing transfer credit from an international institution or a non-LSU study abroad program that will be applied toward an LSU degree. Students should instead apply through abroad.lsu.edu by selecting the Non-LSU Application.
• I am participating in an approved LSU study abroad program such as studying abroad in Spain through an LSU summer or exchange program and have completed an application through abroad.lsu.edu.
• I am traveling to a conference, and the university is paying a portion of my travel expenses. When the university is paying travel expenses or reimbursing travel expenses on behalf of a student, the department providing funding will complete the required spend authorization or ECM process in Workday.
• I am traveling or engaged in international activities that are not affiliated with, funded by, or endorsed by LSU or its recognized student organizations. This includes personal travel.

For questions or assistance, please contact LSU Study Abroad at studyabroad@lsu.edu. 

Personal or leisure travel is not considered official international travel unless it is incidental and concurrent with official travel and compliant with all applicable University policies.  

There may be certain activities – such as choir, band, theatre, athletics, production, technical crews or chaperones which may require individuals to register as a Guest or Other Affiliate. Register below:

• Guests and Other Affiliates International Travel Registration 

Note: This option should be used only in cases where the university is not responsible for any travel-related expenses. 

Activity Examples:

•  I am a volunteer/guest traveling overseas to represent LSU at special events, group educational/cultural experiences. LSU is not paying for my travel expenses.
• I am a volunteer/guest research assistant or collaborator traveling internationally with a researcher or research team from LSU. LSU is not paying for my travel expenses.
• I am a volunteer/guest providing coaching or mentorship, serving as a judge or advisor, or participating in global outreach/collaborative educational exchanges on behalf of LSU. LSU is not paying for my travel expenses. 

If you fit one of these descriptions but ARE receiving payment or reimbursement, please contact the university department with whom you are traveling to ensure your trip has been registered and approved prior to departure. 

For questions related to international travel for guests and other affiliates, please contact the Travel office at 578-1550 or aptravel@lsu.edu.