⚠️ 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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Cambodia - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
14 September 2026 | 7:00 pm
Exercise increased caution
in Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance.
Exercise increased caution in Cambodia due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnance. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Review our Travel Guidance for Cambodia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
- Do Not Travel to Areas along the Cambodian and Thai border due to unrest.
- Exercise increased caution in Phnom Penh due to crime.
- Exercise Increased Caution in Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Reap, Pailin, Kampong Thom and Preah Vihear provinces due to unexploded ordnance.
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Saudi Arabia - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
14 September 2026 | 7:00 pm
Reconsider travel
to Saudi Arabia due to risk of Iranian drone and missile targeting of American interests, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
U.S. government employee travel restrictions
As of August 30, 2026, family members may join U.S. government employees who work in Saudi Arabia.
- U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks.
- U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel to Qatif for non-essential travel due to safety risks.
- U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia need special authorization to travel to the provinces of Jizan, Asir, Najran, and Qatif due to safety risks.
Armed conflict
Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, 2026, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran. Commercial flights are operational from Saudi Arabia, though they have been significantly disrupted at times.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Saudi Arabia. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Terrorism is a concern in Saudi Arabia. Attacks can occur with little or no warning, especially around holidays. They can involve knives, firearms, and vehicles.
Terrorists may use violence to respond to direct attacks against them or other military operations in the region.
Potential targets include:
- Important political, cultural, or religious locations
- Places visited by U.S. citizens and other foreigners
- Tourist locations and large gatherings
- Hotels, and locations where American citizens gather
- Transportation hubs
- Markets and shopping malls
- Entertainment venues
- Government facilities
Missile and drone attacks from Iran and threats from Houthis in Yemen.
Iran has launched missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia. Attacks have targeted cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, diplomatic, and energy facilities throughout the country.
- Iran-backed Houthi rebels have threatened to attack Saudi Arabia again.
- Falling debris from intercepted drones and missiles are also a risk. U.S. citizens living and working near energy infrastructure and military bases may be at increased risk, especially closer to the border with Yemen
Exercise increased caution due to exit bans
U.S. citizens have been prevented from leaving Saudi Arabia. Exit bans may be related to pending criminal and civil investigations and cases, including, but not limited to unpaid visa overstay fees, domestic family disputes, and other financial and labor disagreements.
- Exit bans prevent individuals from leaving the country. These can last for many years.
- In some cases, exit bans can continue even after a criminal sentence has been fully served or a private suit is settled.
Exercise increased caution due to local laws
- Saudi authorities may detain you if they consider your social media posts or other online activity to be critical, offensive, or disruptive to the public order.
- U.S. citizens have been arrested for past social media activity, including comments posted while outside of Saudi Arabia. This may include posting, re-posting, or liking comments critical of the Saudi government or its leaders and policies. This also may apply to comments about public life or religion in Saudi Arabia.
- Local laws against cybercrime and terrorism may be used to prosecute cases related to social media use.
- Punishment for social media activity has included prison sentences of up to 45 years. Local authorities may not take into account when, where, or in what context posts are made.
- You are subject to local laws when traveling in Saudi Arabia. If you break laws in Saudi Arabia – even by mistake – you could be deported, fined, imprisoned, or subject to an exit ban. Some U.S. citizens have been detained for several months or even years without charges.
Aviation safety
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman region, including Saudi Arabia.
Consult the Federal Aviation Administration for the most up to date information on current FAA warnings.
Do Not Travel to the Yemen border due to threat of terrorism.
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North Macedonia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
9 September 2026 | 7:00 pm
Exercise normal precaution
in North Macedonia.
North Macedonia is generally a safe destination for travelers.
- Review our Travel Guidance for North Macedonia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.