International Travel 

Travel Authorization:

All people traveling internationally on the IPM CRSP project must receive authorization for the trip from the Management Entity at least 30 days in advance of the travel date. This authorization is obtained by sending an IPM CRSP International Travel Request form. Destinations for international travel are pre-approved once a year by USAID based on a travel matrix that is submitted annually as part of a workplan.

The International Travel Request is needed for anybody traveling on IPM CRSP funds from his/her home country to another country.

Visitors to the United States:

When travel to the United States is being arranged for an international visitor, J-1 visas must be obtained with the cooperation of USAID through the TraiNet system. This process needs to start at least three months in advance in order to ensure that one gets a visa in time. All project-funded travel for international colleagues must be done using a J-1 visa. Note: no matter the level of funding, even if the project is only partially funding the travel, one still needs to get a J-1 through TraiNet.

TraiNet can only be used by registered institutional users. Many U.S. universities have authorized TraiNet users. If you do not know who to contact to get your international guests entered into the TraiNet system, please contact Debbie Francis at ipmcrsp@vt.edu.