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. New Zealand - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    28 April 2026 | 7:00 pm

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

    Exercise normal precautions in New Zealand. New Zealand is generally a safe destination for travelers. 

    Review our country information page for additional information on travel to New Zealand.

    If you decide to travel to New Zealand:

  1. Chad - Level 4: Do Not Travel

    27 April 2026 | 7:00 pm

    Do not travel

    in Chad for any reason due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, inadequate health infrastructure, kidnapping, and landmines. 

    Outside of N’Djamena, the U.S. government has extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Chad. U.S. government employees working in Chad need special authorization to travel outside of the capital due to safety risks. Embassy N’Djamena has implemented in-city restrictions for U.S. government employees, to include limits on areas acceptable for night driving and requirements for mandatory armored vehicle use.

    Crime

    Both violent and petty crime are a real danger in Chad. Violent crimes include muggings, purse snatching, armed robbery, home invasion, carjacking, and sexual assault. Common petty crime includes pickpocketing. Both visitors and residents face these threats.

    •  Limited resources and inadequate law enforcement training hinder police response to serious crime in most areas.

    Terrorism

    There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Chad. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

    Terrorist groups have targeted:

    • Religious venues
    • Schools
    • Government buildings
    • Police stations
    • Transportation hubs
    • Markets
    • Areas visited by tourists, including national parks
    • These attacks have resulted in the deaths of Chadians as well as foreign visitors. Americans should remain alert and avoid large public gatherings.

    Unrest

    • Protests can happen without warning. They often develop around special events or political issues like elections. When protests, strikes, and demonstrations escalate, security services have responded with force, deploying batons, rubber bullets, tear gas, and gunfire to disperse crowds.

    Health

    • Medical services in Chad are extremely limited. Access to routine and emergency medical treatment is often unavailable. There is limited access to medicines, including antibiotics. All medical services, from treatment for a minor health issue to one requiring 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. 

    Kidnapping

    • Kidnapping for ransom is common in Chad. Criminal groups and terrorist organizations target both locals and foreign visitors.

    Landmines

    Landmines and unexploded ordnance from prior and ongoing conflicts exist throughout Chad. Areas of greatest risk are:

    • Northern Chad (Tibesti, Borkou, Ennedi-Est, and Ennedi-Ouest provinces).
    • Sila province in eastern Chad.
    • Moyen-Chari province in southern Chad.
    • Not all landmine areas are clearly marked or easy to recognize. Stay on main roads and well-traveled areas.

  1. Lithuania - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    27 April 2026 | 7:00 pm

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

    Exercise normal precautions in Lithuania.

    Advisory summary

    Lithuania is generally a safe destination for travelers.

    Review our travel guidance for Lithuania to learn how to prepare for a safe trip.

    If you decide to travel to Lithuania:

    • 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 Lithuania.
    • Be aware of your surroundings when traveling to tourist locations and crowded public venues. 
    • Follow the instructions of local authorities. 
    • Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans. 
    • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Lithuania.  
    • Whether you’re 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. 
    • Any need for comments about Americans seeking to cross the Russian border into Kaliningrad or the bilateral border into Belarus?
    • Comment noted, Mr. Grondelski; because Lithuania is Level 1, we cannot reference it in the Travel Advisory, but we can add language on entry to Russia (Kaliningrad) and Belarus via Lithuania in the Lithuania DIP instead.

External Resources