International

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Covid-19 Travel Country Entry Assistance

  • Entry testing requirements

  • Testing types and timing

  • Proof of vaccination requirements

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International Travel FAQ

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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)

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.

 

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. Sint Maarten - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    13 August 2028 | 7:00 pm

    Reissued after periodic review without changes.

    Exercise normal precautions in Sint Maarten.

    Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Sint Maarten.

    If you decide to travel to Sint Maarten:

  1. Taiwan - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    24 November 2025 | 6:00 pm

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

    Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.

    There is a risk of natural disasters in Taiwan, including earthquakes, tsunamis, typhoons, flooding, and extreme heat. Please review the Destination Information Page for more information.

    If you decide to travel to Taiwan:

  1. South Sudan - Level 4: Do Not Travel

    12 November 2025 | 6:00 pm

    There was no change to the advisory level. The “health” and “unrest” risk indicators were added. Advisory summary was updated.

    Do not travel to South Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, and health threats.

    Advisory summary

    The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in South Sudan.

    • U.S. government personnel working in South Sudan are under a strict curfew.
    • U.S. government personnel must use armored vehicles for nearly all movements.
    • Official travel outside Juba is limited.
    • Because of the serious crime threat in Juba, walking is restricted to a small area near the embassy during the day.

    Unrest
    Armed conflict is ongoing and includes fighting between various political and ethnic groups. Weapons are readily available to the population. In addition, cattle raids occur throughout the country, often leading to violence.

    Journalists regularly report being harassed in South Sudan and many have been killed while covering the conflict. Reporting in South Sudan without the proper documentation from the South Sudanese Media Authority is illegal. Any journalistic work there is very dangerous.

    Crime
    Violent crime is common throughout South Sudan, including Juba. This includes carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings.

    Foreign nationals have been the victims of rape, sexual assault, armed robberies, and other violent crimes.

    Kidnapping
    Criminal groups have kidnapped and threatened to kill or hurt people in order to force a third party, like a government, to act or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.

    Kidnapping for ransom happens occasionally in South Sudan. Criminal groups most frequently target local citizens.

    Landmines
    Landmines are sparsely located throughout the country. While most locations are marked, unmarked unexploded ordinance remains a threat and causes multiple casualties each year.

    Health
    Medical services in South Sudan are extremely limited. Adequate medical treatment, as well as access to routine and emergency procedures, is often unavailable, and even minor health issues could require medical evacuation. All medical services, including medical evacuation, are at your expense. If you purchase additional medical insurance, be sure to keep records of all medical services paid for and provided.

    For U.S. citizens in South Sudan:

    • Do not travel to South Sudan for any reason.
    • Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on crisis and evacuations.
    • Review our information on travel to high-risk areas, crime, and for victims of crime.
    • Avoid locations where landmines are known to exist. Be alert to signs that mark unexploded landmines. Be aware that locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not known, marked, or easy to recognize.
    • Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
    • Stay aware of your surroundings.
    • Draft a will. Designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or draft a power of attorney.
    • Develop a communication plan with your family, your employer, or your host organization. List how and when you will confirm you are safe (text or call). Specify how often you will do this.
    • Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm you are being held captive and alive.
    • Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
    • Make sure your insurance includes specific coverage for medical evacuation from South Sudan.
    • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. government. Enrolling helps the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
    • Review the Country Security Report for South Sudan.
    • Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the latest Travel Health Information for South Sudan.
    • Whether you are a first-time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel 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 cancelation coverage.

CISI Insurance

  • All students 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.

UW International Resources

External Resources