⚠️ ENROLLMENT NOTICE TO TRAVELERS
The annual renewal of UW’s CISI International Medical, Travel and Security Assistance Insurance Program is underway and will become effective on October 15, 2026. Because of this, travelers are currently not able to enroll in CISI coverage for trips departing on or after October 15, 2026 until the renewal process has been completed. Completion is expected in early October 2026.
If you attempt to enroll a trip departing on or after October 15, 2026 before the CISI renewal is completed, you will receive the following error message:
“Matching Policy Not Found”
Once the renewal of UW’s CISI insurance program is complete, enrollments for trips departing on or after October 15, 2026 may proceed using the enrollment options provided below on this page.
If you require documentation of international medical insurance for purposes of obtaining a travel visa before CISI enrollment becomes available, please contact CISI Client Services directly at
enrollments@culturalinsurance.com.
CISI may provide a temporary Consulate Letter documenting future medical insurance coverage for visa application purposes prior to enrollment in UW’s CISI International Medical, Travel and Security Assistance Insurance Program.
Your patience with this administrative inconvenience is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
UW International Resources
Special Topics
CISI Insurance
- All students travelling in association with a University of Wisconsin campus must register for CISI Insurance prior to any university-sponsored international travel.
- UW Madison and UW Stout students and employees must register for CISI insurance prior to beginning an international trip.
- It is recommended to contact your campus International Education Office or Risk Management Office to enroll in CISI insurance.
Visa/Passport Services
For expedited processing, we have partnered with CIBT Visas, the largest travel visa and passport company in the world. University of Wisconsin students, faculty and administrators are entitled to significantly reduced CIBT processing fees. CIBT’s Customer Care Center is available toll free at 800-577-2428 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The CIBT dedicated portal for the University of Wisconsin can be found at: cibtvisas.com/wisconsin
The account code is 29249, please reference this number if contacting CIBT via phone.
International Travel FAQ
Travelers should first check Concur for lodging arrangements. If no suitable options are available, travelers may book with a lodging establishment of their choosing so long as the rate is below the rate maximum for the location. Acceptable lodging includes: hotels, hostels and Airbnb. In-kind lodging is allowable, but no expenses may be submitted for reimbursement if this lodging method is chosen.
Air travel must be booked with the designated agency. International flights in excess of 8 hours may book Premium Economy seats.
Exception: If the traveler is purchasing the airfare while in travel status, outside of the United States, to a destination other than the United States, the airfare may be purchased directly with the air carrier. Third party sites (such as Expedia) are still non-reimbursable.
All international faculty/staff travelers are strongly encouraged to register for CISI insurance. Students are required to register for this insurance. Contact your risk management or international education office for registration instructions.
Other travel insurances are not required, recommended or reimbursable.
Car Rental Insurance:
- UW Risk Management recommends purchasing insurance with all international rentals.
Special Considerations for International Travel can be found in the Miscellaneous Travel Expenses Policy. Receipts are required regardless of cost for the below items.
Reimbursable costs associated with Foreign/International travel:
- Cost of testing required for travel (i.e. COVID testing)
- Travel visas
- required inoculations/vaccinations
- foreign transaction fees incurred on corporate cards
- business communications, including international calling plans when accompanied by business justification (individual phone calls are part of the M&IE per diem allowance)
U.S. Department of State RSS Feed
As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the Travel Advisories for your intended destination.
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Philippines - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
31 August 2026 | 7:00 pm
Exercise increased caution
in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Exercise increased caution due to terrorism and unrest associated with ongoing insurgent activities in certain rural and remote regions of Leyte, Mindoro, Negros, and Samar.
- Foreign terrorist organizations actively recruit Americans to participate directly in terrorist activities and/or provide financial support.
- Terrorists and armed groups have carried out kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks. They have targeted public areas such as tourist sites, markets, and local government facilities in the Philippines.
- Violent crimes are common. They include robberies, kidnappings, physical assaults, and homicides.
- Protests can turn violent or result in traffic jams and road closures. Local governments have limited capacity to respond.
- The Philippines regularly experiences typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Review our information on Weather and Natural Disasters.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity, in the Philippines. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.
Do Not Travel to:
The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to the risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping.
Marawi City in Mindanao due to the risk of terrorism and unrest.
Reconsider Travel to:
Certain other areas of Mindanao (see below) due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping.
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Brazil - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
30 August 2026 | 7:00 pm
Exercise increased caution
in Brazil due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Crime
Violent crime occurs in urban areas, day and night. Crimes include murder, armed robbery, and carjacking.
- Gang activity and organized crime are widespread. and are often tied to the illegal drug trade.
- Assaults are common, including with sedatives or drugs placed in drinks, especially in Rio de Janeiro.
- Criminals target foreigners through dating apps or at bars before drugging and robbing their victims.
U.S. government employees working in Brazil need special authorization to travel to the following areas due to safety risks:
- Within 100 miles/160 km of Brazil’s land borders (except travel to the Foz do Iguacu and Pantanal),
- informal housing developments in Brazil and,
- the Administrative Regions of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
U.S. government employees are advised not to use municipal buses in Brazil due to serious risks of robbery and assault, especially at night.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping for ransom involving U.S. citizens is rare but occasionally occurs. Brazilians are most often targeted, but foreigners remain vulnerable. U.S. businesses frequently arrange enhanced security for senior executives in São Paulo and other major cities.
Organized criminal groups sometimes target individuals observed withdrawing money from ATMs or leaving banks. Use ATMs in secure locations such as shopping malls or major hotels. Express kidnapping — in which criminals force victims at gunpoint to withdraw cash from multiple ATMs or transfer funds via banking apps (commonly Pix) — is an ongoing threat to both locals and foreigners.
To reduce your risk, vary your routes and travel times; park in well-lit, guarded garages, as criminals often confront victims at their vehicles; and limit the number of bank and credit cards you carry to reduce potential losses
Do Not Travel to:
- International land borders due to crime and kidnapping.
- Informal housing developments (favelas, vilas, comunidades or conglomerados) due to crime.
- Brasilia’s Satellite cities due to crime.
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Libya - Level 4: Do Not Travel
30 August 2026 | 7:00 pm
Do not travel
to Libya for any reason due to crime, terrorism, health concerns, unrest, kidnapping, or landmines. Read entire Travel Advisory.
Do not travel to Libya for any reason.
Restrictions on U.S. Government Personnel Movement
- There is currently no U.S. Embassy in Libya.
- The U.S. government cannot offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Libya due to the safety risks.
- U.S. citizens in Libya in need of routine consular services should contact the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia for assistance.
Crime
- Clashes among armed groups, including violence between competing armed groups and government-aligned forces, can occur at any time.
- Weapons are plentiful in Libya and are controlled by various government organizations, armed groups, tribal factions, and criminal organizations.
- Criminal organizations in Libya are known to be armed and involved in drug and human trafficking and other smuggling activity.
- Targeted kidnappings and assassinations are common and committed by criminal organizations and armed groups.
- Crimes of opportunity occur frequently. Wealthy or foreign nationals are often victims of these crimes.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Libya. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.
- Terrorist attacks could occur with little or no warning, targeting government facilities.
- The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Libyan ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Libya. Mariners and passengers traveling through the ports of Libya should exercise increased caution.
- Review our information on Terrorism.
Health
- Refer to our list of medical providers.
- Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage.
- Check with your doctor about required vaccines for high-risk exposure before you go to Libya.
- Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Libya.
Unrest
Demonstrations related to the local political situation are common and may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services or lead to violence.
- Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
- Outbreaks of violence between protestors and government forces can occur with little warning and impact U.S. citizens.
- Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
- Check local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly
- U.S. citizens should always carry proof of citizenship and valid immigration status, but having these documents does not guarantee fair treatment.
- Check local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
- During large-scale incidents of unrest, principal transportation options including highways, airports, and borders have been closed.
Kidnappings, Hostage-taking
- Kidnapping is widespread, and victims have included U.S. citizens.
- Kidnappers may take advantage of unprepared travelers.
- Armed groups sometimes detain travelers for arbitrary reasons, do not grant detainees access to lawyers or legal processes, and do not allow detainees to inform others of their status.
- Criminal or armed groups have detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do something as a condition of release.
- Choose one family member to serve as the point of contact if you are kidnapped or taken hostage. That person can communicate with kidnappers or hostage-takers, media, U.S. or foreign government agencies, and members of Congress.
Other
Unexploded ordnance
- Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout Libya. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not marked or easy to recognize.
- Obey landmine warning signs. Do not venture off the road into areas marked with red and white plastic tape.
- Avoid roadside ditches, shoulders, and unmarked trails. Never touch anything resembling unexploded munitions.
Aviation safety
- While there are airports in Libya with regular domestic and international flights, flights are often delayed, rerouted, and cancelled without warning.
- The U.S. government prohibits U.S. commercial aviation operations within Libyan airspace.
- Review the Transportation section regarding aviation safety oversight in the Travel Guidance for Libya.
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby Libya. For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.