⚠️ 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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Suriname - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
7 September 2026 | 7:00 pm
Exercise normal precaution
in Suriname.
Suriname is generally a safe destination for travelers
Review the Travel Guidance to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.
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Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macau - See Summaries - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
3 September 2026 | 7:00 pm
Reissued Statement: There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution in mainland China and Hong Kong
Exercise increased caution in mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Macau
Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)
Exercise increased caution in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
- Hong Kong SAR authorities have passed laws that limit people’s civil liberties. The laws apply to anyone in Hong Kong, including foreigners. Authorities have also issued arrest warrants for individuals, including U.S. citizens, located outside of Hong Kong for activities undertaken overseas.
- U.S. government employees must follow the policies established by their Department or Agency regarding official or personal travel to China, including to Hong Kong SAR.
National security laws and restriction of civil liberties
Since 2020, Hong Kong SAR authorities have taken away many freedoms from people living there.
On June 30, 2020, China imposed the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. On March 23, 2024, Hong Kong passed another similar law. Both laws list many crimes that are vaguely defined. The crimes include:
- Trying to break apart China (acts of secession)
- Working against the government (subversion)
- Terrorism
- Working with other countries against China (collusion with foreign entities)
- Betraying the country (treason)
- Stealing government secrets
- Insurrection
- Sabotage against public infrastructure
- External interference
On March 23, 2026, the Hong Kong government changed the implementing rules relating to the Hong Kong National Security Law. It is now a criminal offense in national security cases to refuse to give the Hong Kong police passwords or not assist in decryption to allow authorities full access to all personal electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops.
This legal change applies to everyone, including U.S. citizens, in Hong Kong, upon arrival, or just transiting Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, the Hong Kong government also has more authority to take and keep any personal devices, as evidence, that they claim are linked to national security offenses.
China applies its national security laws to everyone in Hong Kong SAR, including foreigners. China may also attempt to apply these laws to people who do not live in Hong Kong – including U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
If you say anything critical about China or Hong Kong SAR, you could be arrested, detained, kicked out, or prosecuted.
Hong Kong SAR authorities have issued arrest warrants for people who live in other countries and are alleged to be violating these laws. This includes U.S. citizens and permanent residents living outside their jurisdiction. Hong Kong SAR authorities are offering cash rewards to anyone who gives information that helps them arrest these people if they come to Hong Kong SAR.
Dual nationality
The Hong Kong SAR government does not recognize dual nationality. Dual U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may be subject to additional security procedures and harassment. If you are a dual U.S.-Chinese citizen and enter Hong Kong SAR on a U.S. passport, and you are detained or arrested, Chinese authorities must notify the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate General of your detention. They must allow U.S. consular officials to have access to you.
Even if you enter on a U.S. passport, U.S. consular officers may not have access to you. For more information, visit Consular Protection and Right of Abode in HK(SAR) for Dual Nationals – U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau.
Demonstrations
Participating in demonstrations or other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges under the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law, the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, or other legal provisions. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.
If you decide to travel to the Hong Kong SAR:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
- Read the travel information page for the Hong Kong SAR.
- Review the China Country Security Report for China.
- Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for China.
- Whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler, use the International Traveler’s Checklist.
- We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid demonstrations.
- Avoid communicating, either privately or publicly, opinions or observations that might be considered embarrassing or otherwise negative about China, Hong Kong SAR, or the Chinese or Hong Kong SAR authorities.
- Exercise caution in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
- Avoid taking photographs of protesters or police without permission.
- Keep a low profile.
- If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau immediately.
- Do not consume illicit drugs in Hong Kong SAR or prior to arriving in Hong Kong SAR.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
- Monitor local media, local transportation sites, and apps like MTR Mobile or Citybus for updates.
- Review your flight status with your airline or at the Hong Kong International Airport website.
- Follow U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau on Facebook and X.
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Mainland China, Hong Kong & Macau - See Summaries - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
3 September 2026 | 7:00 pm
Reissued statement: There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution in mainland China and Hong Kong
Exercise increased caution in mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention.
Exercise increased caution in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR)
Reconsider travel to Macau SAR due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services and arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Advisory summary
- Reconsider travel due to limited ability for the U.S. government to provide emergency consular services. There are travel restrictions imposed on U.S. diplomatic personnel.
- Reconsider travel due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
- U.S. government employees must follow the policies established by their Department or Agency regarding official or personal travel to China, including to Macau SAR.
The U.S. government has a limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Macau SAR. This is due to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel restrictions on U.S. diplomatic personnel.
Even in an emergency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requires all U.S. diplomatic personnel, including those accredited to Macau SAR, to apply for and receive visas before entering Macau SAR. This can take a week or longer. That delay can significantly limit the U.S. government’s ability to offer timely consular services in Macau SAR.
Dual nationality
The Macau SAR government does not recognize dual nationality. Dual U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may face additional security checks and harassment. If you are a dual U.S.-Chinese citizen and enter Macau SAR on a U.S. passport, Chinese authorities must notify the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate General if you are arrested. They must also allow U.S. consular officials to have access to you.
However, even if you enter on a U.S. passport, U.S. consular officers may not be able to access you. For more information, visit Consular Protection and Right of Above in HK(SAR) for Dual Nationals – U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau.
Demonstrations
Participating in demonstrations or any other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges under local broad security laws. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.
If you decide to travel to Macau SAR:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
- Read the travel information page for Macau SAR.
- Review the China Country Security Report for China.
- Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for China.
- Whether you’re a first-time or frequent traveler, use the International Traveler’s Checklist.
- We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
- Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Avoid demonstrations.
- Avoid communicating, either privately or publicly, opinions or observations that might be considered embarrassing or otherwise negative about China or Macau or the Chinese or Macau authorities.
- Exercise caution near large gatherings or protests.
- Avoid taking photographs of protesters or police without permission.
- Keep a low profile.
- If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau immediately.
- Do not consume illicit drugs in Macau SAR or prior to arriving in Macau SAR.
- Prepare a backup plan for emergency situations.
- Monitor local media and the Macau Government Tourism Office website for updates.
- Review your flight status with your airline or at the Macau International Airport website.
- Follow U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau on Facebook and X.