International Travel

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

Open All

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:

    1. 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.

  1. Mongolia - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    28 July 2026 | 7:00 pm

    There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. 

    Exercise normal precautions in Mongolia.

    Advisory summary

    Mongolia is generally a safe destination for travelers. Review our travel guidance for Mongolia to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.

    If you decide to travel to Mongolia:   

  1. Laos - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

    27 July 2026 | 7:00 pm

    There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators.  Advisory summary updated.

    Exercise increased caution in Laos due to crime, unrest, and unexploded ordnances.   Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Increased Risk Areas:

    • Reconsider Travel to Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest 
    • Exercise Increased Caution in areas on the Border with Burma, Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champasak, Houaphanh, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Salavan) due to crime.
    • Exercise Increased Caution in areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champasak, Houaphanh, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 due to unexploded ordnances.

    Advisory summary:

    Review our Travel Guidance for Laos to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.

    Avoid Special Economic Zones (SEZs), especially the Bokeo SEZ (also known as the Golden Triangle SEZ) and Boten SEZ.  Scam centers and transnational criminal organizations that operate within these zones increase the risk of crime.

    Specific areas of risks:

    Reconsider Travel to Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest.

    There is a continued threat of violence in Xaisomboun Province.

    The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Xaisomboun Province.  U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel to Xaisomboun Province.

    Exercise Increased Caution in areas on the Border with Burma, Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champasak, Houaphanh, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Salavan) due to crime.

    • Avoid remote areas along the border with Burma due to crime.
    • Bandits, drug traffickers, and other people involved in illegal activities operate in these areas, along with armed groups that are against the Burmese government.

    Exercise Increased Caution in areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champasak, Houaphanh, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces, as well as along Route 7 due to unexploded ordnances.

    There are large numbers of unexploded ordnance remaining from the Indochina War in these areas:

    • Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Salavan, Khammouane, Sekong, Champasak, Houaphanh, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces.  
    • Along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Salavan).

    Avoid Special Economic Zones (SEZs), especially the Bokeo SEZ (also known as the Golden Triangle SEZ) and Boten SEZ.  Scam centers and transnational criminal organizations that operate within these zones increase the risk of crime.

    If you decide to travel to Laos:

  1. Uruguay - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

    27 July 2026 | 7:00 pm

    There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.

    Exercise increased caution in Uruguay due to crime.

    Advisory summary

    Crime is most common in these departments:

    • Montevideo
    • Canelones
    • Maldonado
    • Rivera

    Violent crime occurs across the country. Crimes include homicide, armed robbery, carjacking and theft. These crimes can happen at any time and have affected U.S. citizens.

    Criminals often travel in pairs on motorcycles. They may approach victims with a weapon and demand personal belongings. Armed criminals also target grocery stores, restaurants, financial centers, and small businesses. Sometimes innocent bystanders become victims.

    Review our Travel Guidance for Uruguay to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.

    If you decide to travel to Uruguay:

    • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy. Enrolling helps the U.S. Embassy contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
    • Review the Country Security Report for Uruguay.
    • Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
    • Be aware of your surroundings, especially when traveling to tourist locations or poorly lit areas.
    • Call 911 if you encounter a crime in progress. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt or try to stop a robbery in progress.
    • Be vigilant when visiting banks or using ATMs during non-daylight hours or in remote locations; criminals often target ATMs and businesses in the early morning hours.
    • Do not leave valuable objects in parked vehicles or in plain sight when driving.
    • Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches.
    • Review your personal and residential security plans.
    • Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
    • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Uruguay.
    • We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.

External Resources