Given the ongoing and evolving conflict in the Middle East, the University has updated its travel advice to the region for students and staff planning to travel on university business or study activities including field trips, fieldwork, conferences and related academic engagements.
As a University, there may be legitimate research and education reasons to travel to high-risk destinations. However, whilst the University can authorise this travel, we do not encourage it. We urge you to follow the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) guidance and carefully consider if your travel is essential. Where possible please avoid travelling to or via high-risk destinations.
Where the FCDO advises ‘against all’ or ‘against all but essential’ travel for the whole or parts of a country, the whole country is considered as high-risk. Travel to high-risk destinations must be made via Key Travel only so we can support you in the event of travel disruptions.
For all King’s travel, the King’s Travel process must be followed, which includes completing the Business Travel Authorisation Form and then the Travel Insurance Application, both are available on Helix.
Before booking your travel to any high-risk destinations (FCDO advised red / amber zones), please forward a copy of your Business Travel Authorisation email from Helix to our Insurance Manager, Tania Pattenden (Tania.Pattenden@kcl.ac.uk) as travel insurers will need to review the proposed travel. Please note that insurers are likely to add an additional premium for the trip and/or restrictions on cover. There is a possibility that insurers may refuse cover in which case travel would not be permitted, in line with our travel policy King’s travel insurance is mandatory.
We recommend students and staff also use Key Travel for destinations that are not deemed as high-risk so that we can provide support more easily during these uncertain times for travel.
Personal travel: For any personal trips we urge you to make sure you have the appropriate travel insurance and to check the FCDO before you travel.
Information for students and staff who are already in the Middle East
British Nationals should register that they are in the Middle East with the UK Government. Information is on the FCDO website.
Nationals of other countries may have similar registration schemes and should check their government and embassy websites regularly.
Those on University business or study activities should contact our travel insurer immediately using the emergency assistance details provided on your travel insurance documentation and detailed below.
- Assistance from LifeLine Plus, +44 (0) 1273 456 463, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year quoting the policy number 0010016146. (For your protection calls may be recorded or monitored).
You will need to provide the following information where possible:
- Your name and contact details
- Your location and planned travel itinerary
- The nature of the issue (e.g. cancelled flights, safety concerns)
- The policy number 0010016146
Information on support services available are detailed on our Humanitarian Crises & Conflicts webpage.
Thank you for your understanding during these challenging times.