International Travel

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville has instituted several practices to remain in compliance with government regulations on foreign travel, exports of controlled equipment, technical data, software, and technology. All faculty, staff, and students are required to follow these policies, laws, and regulations when working in, or traveling to, a foreign country. International travel for university related activities requires registration with the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange. Likewise, the Travel Office has Export Control procedures and requirements prior to any foreign travel. Additionally, the University Information Technology Services has Workstation Security Travel Standards that always need to be followed.

Any travel involving embargoed and/or highly sanctioned countries and regions is subject to the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations and may require a license from the U.S. government. OFAC and other regulations apply to U.S. citizens and permanent residents wherever located, foreign nationals located inside the United States, and entities organized under the laws of the United States. Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship are considered “U.S. persons”. Always visit the Embargoed and Sanctioned Countries page for more detailed information prior to traveling.

When presenting at a conference, only publicly available information or published information can be shared. If the presentation includes any data, technical data, or information that is confidential in nature or not for public dissemination, a license from the Federal Government may be required. Contact the Export Control Officer prior to the conference taking place.

Always consult the Export Control Officer before planning travel to or engaging with individuals in an Embargoed and/or Sanctioned Country.

Before traveling to China, Russia, or Venezuela, everyone must follow the computing equipment and data guidelines set by the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. 

Travel to North Korea is highly restricted, therefore requires special authorization from the U.S. State Department. Academic activities are not exempt from this requirement.

Always follow these Export Control requirements when traveling internationally:

• If any University laptops, smartphones, phones, or tablets will be taken to a foreign country, the traveler must request approval/guidance from the IT department at security@uark.edu
• The FBI advises to avoid Avoid using free charging stations in airports, hotels or shopping centers. Bad actors have figured out ways to use public USB ports to introduce malware and monitoring software onto devices. Carry your own charger and USB cord and use an electrical outlet instead.
• Always use the University’s Virtual Private Network (VPN) when conducting any University business from any device.
• It is recommended that a backup of any device you take with you be made before you travel. For example, if you are obligated to obtain a SIM card for the country you are visiting in order to utilize your device, it is recommended that you do a device reset to factory default settings when you return to ensure that the device has not been contaminated with spyware, malware, or other malicious code.
• University equipment, technology, or technical information cannot be taken to any country that appears on the U.S. Department of Defense list of proscribed countries, nor may any export-controlled data be accessed from within those countries. A license or other government authorization must be obtained through the University’s Export Control Officer in advance of travel.
• Export controlled items, technical data, and/or technology cannot be shipped, or hand carried when traveling internationally without applicable licenses and prior approval from the Export Control Officer.
• Export-controlled data or technology cannot be accessed while traveling without an export license or other government authorization obtained through the University’s Export Control Officer in advance of travel.
• Information that is not published nor publicly available should never be shared with any individuals who are not part of the project team.

NOTE: Nvidia’s A100 or H100, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) MI250 chips, devices containing such AI chips,

advanced computing integrated circuits (ICs), or devices containing such ICs

are unauthorized to be exported or reexported via any mode (i.e., hand carry or shipping), nor may they be designated as surplus or reuse without prior authorization from the University’s Export Control Officer. Please review the item specifications or consult the manufacturer for more information on the product classification of devices.

General Computing Foreign Travel Advice:

• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use.
• Only connect to trusted networks and turn off “connect automatically.”
• Use the VPN when connecting to Wi-Fi or wired network.
• Take your own charging cables.
• Do not use public charging stations.
• Do not put your workstation in a checked bag or leave it unattended.
• Hotel safes are not safe.
• Keep digital copies of important travel documents on a separate, encrypted USB drive.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Make sure several people have your travel itinerary and know how to get in touch with you.
• Enroll in the US State Department Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP).

Workstation Security Travel Standards

Follow the University’s IT Security Office Travel Standards prior to leaving the United States.

Computing Devices Destined to China, Russia, and Venezuela

Before traveling to China, Russia, or Venezuela, everyone must follow the computing equipment and data guidelines set by the University of Arkansas Fayetteville. This includes completing an EEI filing for all computing devices that are shipped, hand carried, or in any way destined to China (including Hong Kong), Russia, and Venezuela. 

News and Alerts

EXPANSION OF ELECTRONIC EXPORT INFORMATION FILING REQUIREMENTS

"Finally, this rule expands Electronic Export Information (EEI) filing requirements in the Automated Export System (AES) for exports to China, Russia, or Venezuela. Existing provisions exempt exporters from both filing EEI for many shipments valued under $2,500 (unless an export license is required) and from entering the ECCN in the EEI when the reason for control is only anti-terrorism (AT). To promote transparency with respect to shipments to these destinations, this rule revises § 758.1 of the EAR to require filing for items destined to China, Russia, or Venezuela regardless of the value of the shipment, unless the shipment is eligible for License Exception GOV. In addition, even if no license is required to ship an item to those destinations, the EEI filing must include the correct ECCN regardless of reason for control. Certain exemptions from filing found in both the EAR and Foreign Trade Regulations (see § 758.1(c) of the EAR), such as for personally-owned baggage, are retained in this rule." 

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce Rule by the Industry and Security Bureau on 04/28/2020

• Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer (in-Country) Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in the People's Republic of China, Russia, or Venezuela.