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Advice for staff travelling to or through the Middle East
Posted on behalf of: Internal Comms
Last updated: Monday, 9 March 2026
Given the current situation in the Middle East, staff are reminded of the process for booking travel on University business.
As of 4 March, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Iran and parts of Lebanon. They advise against all but essential travel to most other countries in the Middle East.
Authorisation for travel
Travel to any country subject to FCDO advice requires authorisation by the relevant Executive Dean (or the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost in their absence) for academic staff, or by the Chief Operating Officer for Professional Services, in accordance with requirements around higher risk and sanctioned countries. This applies to countries affected by recent events and includes stopovers in affected countries to reach other destinations.
Authorisation for travel is obtained via the Overseas Travel Safety and Security Risk Assessment (OTSSRA) form. Processing of these forms may take longer than usual due to the current situation in the region.
Insurance
Anyone travelling on University business must have University insurance, and insurance cover will not be provided and valid unless the travel is fully authorised in advance through the OTSSRA form.
Staff with authorised travel which involves a stopover in an affected country must update any previously submitted OTSSRA to reflect the updated position and ensure the appropriate authorisation as soon as possible before they travel, or their insurance will not be valid.
Further guidance on travel insurance in the current context has been uploaded onto the insurance webpage.
Key Travel
Staff booking travel to or through the Middle East must book using Key Travel at this time. Key Travel provide immediate support to travellers in emergencies, and using Key Travel enables the University to keep track of where travellers are at any given time.
Further information and links
- FCDO travel advice webpages
- Travelling on University business webpage
- University travel insurance
- Overseas Travel Safety and Security Risk Assessment (OTSSRA) form
- Guidance on using OTSSRA