China Travel Advisory

Last Updated September 6, 2022

Fall 2022 Travel Guidance

(Effective for Travel Beginning September 6, 2022)
Members of the Columbia University community, including faculty, staff, and registered students, participating in international Columbia Travel or organizing international student travel to China must continue to abide by the Columbia Community Health Compact, all relevant university public health protocols, and the University International Travel Planning Policy. All school-level requirements and protocols must also be followed.

China is designated as “Level 1: COVID-19 Low” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Notices Level. Travel to China is subject to the requirements listed on China Travel Advisory.

International Personal Travel is also urged to postpone unless returning to home country, or for personal or medical emergencies. Review U.S. Embassy & Consulates in China website for COVID-19 Information.

Indoor masking is strongly encouraged in any context in which the vaccination status of others is unknown.

All travel must be registered with ISOS.

All University International Travel Planning Policy guidelines must be followed. *Please note: These now include new pre-travel requirements for all affiliates.

Indoor masking is strongly encouraged in any context in which the vaccination status of others is unknown.

All travel must be registered with ISOS. All University International Travel Planning Policy guidelines must be followed, as must all school-level requirements and protocols. *Please note: These now include new pre-travel requirements for all affiliates.

Unvaccinated students with approved exemptions are strongly encouraged to defer international Columbia travel to countries that have Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Travel Notices Level 3 & 4 or "Level Unknown".  

Requirements for students are applicable to travel from the U.S. to non-U.S. countries and to travel between non-U.S. countries. Students must also follow all other school-based requirements or protocols, which may be more restrictive than those described here. For undergraduate students, this information can be found in the Undergraduate International Travel Policy.

  1. Review U.S. Department of State website for COVID-19-related risks and restrictions. 
  2. Review U.S. Department of State website for country-level travel advisories.
  3. Review CDC guidance for international travel during COVID-19.
  4. Review CDC COVID-19 travel recommendations for your international destination.
  5. For Columbia-related travel, complete International Travel Planning Policy requirements, which apply to all affiliates.
  1. Masking is strongly encouraged in any indoor setting with large number of attendees.
  2. Adhere to all Columbia Community Health Compact elements during travel.
  3. Exercise caution and judgment, as the national and global public health context and local conditions may quickly change.
  4. Become acquainted with local public health conditions and all rules and regulations of your destination state or country.
  5. Follow New York State and City guidance upon return.
  6. Follow all Columbia return to campus requirements.
  7. Continue to check this site leading up to any travel. The University reserves the right to implement requirements as conditions change.

It is recommended that all domestic and international travelers get a COVID-19 test 3-5 days after return.

For more detailed information, visit Fall 2022 Travel Guidance.