Faculty and staff must request an exception through a new review and approval process in Workday before traveling on university business to any country in the Middle East regions on Ohio State's travel suspension list. Student travel to these countries remains suspended.
On March 5, 2026, Ohio State suspended all university faculty, staff and student travel to and transit through the following countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Several of these countries were already subject to some level of restriction for student, faculty and staff university travel. Visit suspension of university travel to select countries for more information.
The formal exception review process established by Ohio State allows certain travel requests to be evaluated based on trip-specific circumstances, risk factors and available mitigation measures.
How it works
When a Spend Authorization includes an expense line identifying a destination in a suspended country, the request will automatically route to a new Travel Suspension Approver role for review and to determine whether an exception will be granted before continuing through the standard approval process. This additional review step supports compliance with the university's travel suspension requirements and ensures appropriate evaluation of travel requests to restricted destinations.
For approved exceptions, the Travel Office will coordinate with the university's contracted travel agencies to facilitate booking through a full-service travel agent.
Connect with Global Health and Safety early in the planning process
Faculty and staff considering travel to a suspended destination should contact Global Health and Safety in the Office of International Affairs as early as possible in the planning process. Early engagement helps ensure sufficient time for risk assessment, exception review, approvals and travel planning activities.
For additional information regarding suspended destinations, exception requests or the university's travel suspension process, please contact ghs@osu.edu.