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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Syria - Level 4: Do Not Travel
6 August 2026 | 7:00 pm
Do not travel
to Syria for any reason due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, crime, and armed conflict.
Do not travel to Syria for any reason.
The U.S. government suspended U.S. Embassy operations in 2012. The Czech Republic is the protecting power for the United States in Syria. The U.S. government cannot offer emergency or routine consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria due to the safety risks.
Unrest
Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence.
- Hostage taking, terrorism, unexploded ordnance, and aerial bombardment pose significant risk of death or serious injury. The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities has also increased hardships in Syria.
- The U.S. government strongly warns private U.S. citizens against traveling to Syria to engage in armed conflict. The U.S. government does not support this activity. U.S. citizens who undertake such activity face extreme personal risks, including hostage taking by armed groups, injury, or death.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Syria. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.
- Bombings, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and assassinations remain a threat in parts of Syria.
- Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, including designated ISIS and al-Qa’ida (AQ) affiliates, is a crime under U.S. law. It can result in prison time and large fines.
Hostage taking
Hostage taking of U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals is a risk throughout the country.
Crime
There is a risk of violent and non-violent crime throughout the country affecting all residents regardless of nationality. This includes scams, kidnapping, armed robbery, and assault. Police struggle to respond to crime in rural locations due to limited resources.
Other
Unexploded ordinance
Landmines and unexploded ordinance are a hazard in Syria, especially in rural areas. Avoid roadside ditches, shoulders, and unmarked trails. Never touch anything resembling unexploded ordinance.
Air travel
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) advising against travel to Syria due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby Syria.
- For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
Maritime travel
The U.S. Coast Guard determined Syrian ports do not have effective anti-terrorism measures.
- Vessels that arrive in U.S. ports from Syrian ports must meet additional U.S. Coast Guard conditions of entry as described in the current Port Security Advisory, International Port Security Program - Port Security Advisory.
- Mariners and passengers traveling through Syrian ports should exercise caution and implement enhanced security measures.
Czech Protecting Power in Damascus
The U.S. government suspended U.S. Embassy operations in 2012. Czechia serves as the protecting power for the United States in Syria.
The Czech Protecting Power provides emergency services only to U.S. citizens, including:
- Acceptance of applications for emergency passports
- Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRODA) applications
- Emergency financial assistance
- Assistance to detained U.S. nationals
- Welfare and whereabouts checks for U.S. citizens when security conditions permit
For routine consular services, including applying for a full-validity U.S. passport or Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), and notarial services, U.S. citizens must visit a U.S. embassy or consulate outside Syria or return to the United States.
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Spain - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
31 July 2026 | 7:00 pm
Exercise increased caution
in Spain due to terrorism and unrest.
Terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Spain. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning and target:
- Tourist locations
- Transportation centers like airports and train stations
- Markets and shopping malls
- Local government facilities
- Hotels, clubs, and restaurants
- Places of worship and educational institutions
- Parks
- Major sporting and cultural events
Demonstrations are common. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.
Reconsider travel to Ceuta due to unrest.
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Bangladesh - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
29 July 2026 | 7:00 pm
Exercise increased caution
in Bangladesh due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Unrest
Protests can occur and turn violent without notice. Avoid all gatherings, even peaceful ones.
Crime
In Bangladesh’s major cities, common crimes include muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking.
Stay aware of petty crime in crowded areas, such as pickpocketing. These crimes tend to be based on time and location. There is no evidence that foreigners are targeted because of their country of origin.
Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other terrorist activity, in Bangladesh. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more
Kidnapping
There is risk of kidnapping in the Chittagong Hill Tracts Region, areas near the border with Burma, and refugee camps near Cox’s Bazar. Review the Risks in Specific Areas section to learn more.
Restrictions on movement for U.S. government employees
U.S. citizens in Bangladesh are advised to take similar precautions as U.S. government employees.
- U.S. government employees in Bangladesh must consult with the embassy security office before any overnight travel within Dhaka, or before any travel outside Dhaka for non-essential reasons. They must take appropriate security and accountability precautions during this travel.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh, particularly outside of Dhaka. This is due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited emergency responses from the local government.
Do not travel to:
- Chittagong Hill Tracts Region for any reason due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
- Areas near the border with Burma and refugee camps near Cox’s Bazar for any reason due to unrest, crime, and kidnapping.