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

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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)

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. Democratic Republic of the Congo - Level 4: Do Not Travel

    14 July 2026 | 7:00 pm

    Do not travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) due to health, crime, unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping.  Due to the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, the Department of Homeland Security has implemented new restrictions under Title 49 of the U.S. Code which prevent U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC within a 21-day period from boarding commercial flights into the United States. Travelers who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board flights with U.S. destinations. All U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been in the DRC must remain outside the DRC for 21 days before boarding flights to the United States. Visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Information for Travelers Returning from Ebola-affected Areas for more information.

    Advisory summary
    The U.S. government has limited ability to provide in-person emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), especially those outside of Kinshasa, due to the health and security situation.

    Health
    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Notice for Ebola for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

    On May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. 

    Outbreaks of serious infectious diseases are common in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information before you travel.

    The local health infrastructure is inadequate. Health services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications may be unsafe.

  1. Argentina - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    9 July 2026 | 7:00 pm

    Exercise normal precaution

    in Argentina.

    Argentina is generally a safe destination for travelers.

    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Level 1 Travelers’ Health Notice for Andes virus (Hantavirus) in the region. The risk for most travelers is extremely low. Review the CDC’s Travelers’ Health Notice for more information on Andes virus. 

    Petty crime occurs at times, especially in popular tourist locations and throughout Buenos Aires. Stay aware of your surroundings. Criminal and drug trafficking groups are active in Rosario (Santa Fe province) resulting in crime and violence.

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

  1. Haiti - Level 4: Do Not Travel

    9 July 2026 | 7:00 pm

    There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations.

    Do Not Travel to Haiti due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and limited health care. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Advisory summary

    Haiti has been under a national state of emergency since March 2024. This state of emergency remains in effect.

    U.S. government employee travel restrictions

    U.S. government employees working in Haiti are not allowed to travel away from the U.S. embassy for non-essential reasons due to safety risks. The U.S. government has an extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti because of security-related travel restrictions.

    Due to safety risks, family members cannot join U.S. government employees who work in Haiti.

    Air Travel

    U.S. commercial flights are not currently operating to or from Port-au-Prince. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that prohibits U.S. air carrier flights to Port-au-Prince due to ongoing instability. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

    Crime

    Violent crime is rampant in Haiti, especially in Port-au-Prince. There has been an increase in gangs, organized crime, and terrorist activities.

    • Crimes involving firearms are common.
    • Crimes include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom.
    • The escalation of fighting between armed groups has led to a rise in random gunfire incidents. There is risk of being struck by stray bullets, even for people not directly involved in the violence.
    • Local law enforcement has an extremely limited ability to respond to serious crimes, particularly outside Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien.

    Kidnapping

    Kidnapping is widespread. U.S. citizen victims of kidnapping have been hurt or killed.

    • Kidnappers often demand ransoms. Ransom demands are typically in the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
    • Kidnappers target and attack vehicles, including commercial busses. They can also attack convoys.

    Terrorism

    Terrorist violence, including attacks on citizens and other violent gang activity, happens frequently in Haiti. Some Haitian gangs are designated by the U.S. Department of State as terrorist organizations. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

    Unrest

    Protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks are common and unpredictable. Protesters and demonstrators sometimes damage or destroy infrastructure and can become violent.

    • Armed, anti-gang vigilante groups attack and, in many cases, kill U.S. citizens. This is when they suspect someone of being a gang member based only on rumors or incorrect information.
    • Neighborhood watch groups have built improvised barricades and gates to control the flow of traffic in certain areas.
    • “Watch groups” often harass or detain people who are not known to be residents of their neighborhoods.

    Health

    • Hospitals and clinics in Haiti have limited trained staff and lack basic resources. 
    • Medical providers almost always require payment in cash before treatment.
    • Most medical providers speak little or no English.

    For U.S. citizens in Haiti:

    • 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.
    • Review the Country Security Report for Haiti.
    • 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.
    • Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are kidnapped, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the kidnappers to confirm that you are being held captive and are alive.
    • Review our information on Terrorism, Travel to High-Risk Areas, U.S. Citizens Missing Abroad, Crime Abroad, and for Victims of Crime.
    • Keep your travel documents up to date and easy to access.
    • Develop a communication plan with your family, employer, or host organization. Plan together how and when you'll confirm you are safe (text or call).
    • Prepare a will. Designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or prepare a power of attorney.
    • Refer to our list of medical providers.
    • Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
    • 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.
    • Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage. Medical evacuation from Haiti is very expensive and the U.S. government may not be able to assist should you need emergency medical care.
    • Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
    • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
    • Use caution when walking or driving at night.
    • Keep a low profile.
    • Stay aware of your surroundings.
    • Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches or jewelry.
    • Stay alert when visiting banks or ATMs.

External Resources