This page explains the University of Iowa's Temporary Overseas Remote Work Arrangement (TORWA) policy, which allows eligible employees to work outside the United States for up to 180 days.
Prior to completing any work while traveling internationally, review the guidelines below.
International Remote Work Guidelines
Not all employees are eligible to work outside the United States. This includes the following groups:
- Student employees (including graduate students)
- Teaching faculty
- Faculty and staff employed less than 12 months with the university
- Employees whose work involves items restricted by International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
- Employees whose work would require the university to establish a legal presence in another country
Travel to High-Risk Destinations
Due to regulatory, privacy, and IT security risks, employees traveling to certain countries will not have access to University of Iowa systems or data.
The current list of high-risk countries includes Russia, China (including Hong Kong, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, India*, and the Crimea Region of the Ukraine.
This list is subject to change. Other countries may be deemed ineligible for international work due to Level 4 Travel Advisories, as indicated by the U.S. Department of State.
If an employee intends to visit a high-risk country for university-sponsored or personal travel, they must notify their HR representative and local IT support as early as possible. Working from these countries may be prohibited, especially during personal travel.
Access to University of Iowa systems, data, and information is not allowed from high-risk countries. This includes Office365, MAUI, Workflow, ICON, Epic, research shared drives, etc.
Even if working from a high-risk country is technically possible, accessing any university systems, data, or information is prohibited under these guidelines. Exceptions may be requested through the employee's appropriate HR and research leadership channels.
*Note: India presents specific tax risks. Traveling to India requires additional review and may not be approved in all cases.
Temporary Overseas Remote Work Arrangement (TORWA)
Review the information above and the ITS International Travel Guidelines prior to completing any work while traveling internationally.
The Temporary Overseas Remote Work Arrangement (TORWA) form must be submitted by faculty and staff who want to work from an international location for 14 consecutive business days or more. (A different process is applicable when the nature of the work requires the employee to work internationally.)
If international travel does not meet the 14 consecutive working days requirement, approval from ITS and a local Human Resources representative is appropriate, rather than submitting a TORWA.
How to Submit a TORWA
- Complete a Work Arrangement Application:
- Select "Outside United States of America" as the primary work location
- Enter the country where the employee will work
- After submitting the application, complete the TORWA form, which asks for:
- Reason for request
- Citizenship and immigration status
- Remote work location
- Dates requested (maximum 180 calendar days)
- Acknowledgement that the employee may be responsible for additional expenses associated with remote work from the requested location
Review and Approval Process
An employee’s request will be reviewed by their college/organization. Requests should be approved only if there is a significant business reason for an individual to work outside of the U.S. and all other options have been exhausted. If the college/organization supports the request, it will provide additional information, including:
- Significant business reason for allowing international work
- Employee’s job responsibilities
- Salary
- Salary funding source
- Work schedule
- Required equipment/materials
The university will review the business reason for the request to determine whether the request should be considered further. If the university is satisfied with the business reason, the request will be reviewed by relevant university offices to evaluate the various legal and compliance risks associated with employing someone to work internationally.
Risk categories include but are not limited to:
Risk categories include but are not limited to:
- Taxation
- Employer registration requirements
- Immigration factors
- Benefits coverage
- Data security (Review ITS guidelines for international travel prior to submitting a TORWA)
If significant risks are identified that can't be mitigated, the request may be denied.
If the university determines that the risks associated with international remote work are manageable, then the request for international work may be approved.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be drafted in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel to clarify responsibilities and expectations of the employee, the college/organization, and the university, including the fact that any unexpected costs to the university associated with the remote work arrangement will be sustained by the employing college/organization. All parties must sign the MOU prior to the employee working internationally.
The remote work arrangement will be subject to review and change at the discretion of the employing college/organization, in accordance with the Flexible Work Arrangement Policy.