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. Lebanon - Level 4: Do Not Travel

    5 May 2026 | 7:00 pm

    Updated to reflect ordered departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members of government personnel on February 23.

    Do Not Travel to Lebanon for any reason due to the risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, landmines, and armed conflict. Some areas, especially near the borders, have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Advisory Summary

    On February 23, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to depart Lebanon due to safety risks.

    U.S. government employee travel restrictions 

    • U.S. Embassy Beirut personnel are restricted from personal travel throughout Lebanon without advance permission.
    • Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on U.S. personnel under Chief of Mission security responsibility, with little to no notice due to increased security issues or threats.
    • Due to safety risks, family members cannot join U.S. government employees who work in Lebanon.
    • The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Lebanon due to safety risks.
    • The Lebanese government cannot guarantee the safety of U.S. citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict.

    Aviation Safety

    • The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby the Damascus Flight Information Region (FIR).
    • The FAA advises caution for flights operating in the airspace within 200 nautical miles of the Damascus FIR due to heightened military activity in or around Syria.
    • For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

    Crime

    • There is risk of non-violent crime throughout Lebanon.
    • Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing.

    Terrorism

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

    • Terrorist groups, including Hizballah, IRGC, ISIS, and Hamas, continue plotting possible attacks in Lebanon.
    • Terrorists may conduct attacks with little or no warning targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.

    Kidnapping and hostage-taking

    There is an ongoing risk of kidnapping and hostage-taking in Lebanon. Local authorities have warned that foreign nationals may be targeted.

    • Americans and other travelers – including tourists, humanitarian workers, journalists, and business professionals – may be viewed as targets of opportunity. If you are kidnapped or taken hostage, the reason for you being in Lebanon is unlikely to offer protection.

    Unrest

    • Drone and missile strikes can occur throughout Lebanon, including in Beirut.
    • Hostilities can disrupt commercial flights, up to and including the infrastructure for accessing the international airport.

    Landmines

    • Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout Lebanon.
    • Areas of greatest risk are the border with Syria, south of the Litani river, and refugee settlements.
    • The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not marked or easy to recognize.

    Southern Lebanon

    • Southern Lebanon is very dangerous due to risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

    The border with Syria

    • The border with Syria is very dangerous due to risk of terrorism, kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, and armed conflict.

    The Dahiyeh and areas of southern Beirut

    • The Dahiyeh and areas of southern Beirut are very dangerous due to risk of terrorism, kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, and armed conflict.

    Refugee settlements

    • Refugee settlements are very dangerous due to risk of crime, terrorism, civil unrest, unexploded ordnance, and armed conflict.

  1. Rwanda - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

    5 May 2026 | 7:00 pm

    There was no change to the advisory level. The “crime” indicator was added. An area of increased risk was added. The Advisory Summary was updated.

    Exercise increased caution in Rwanda due to crime and unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

    Do not travel to:

    • Musanze District within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest.
    • Rubavu District within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest.
    • Rusizi District within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest.

    Advisory Summary

    Crime

    There is an increased risk of crime in Rwanda. This includes petty crime like pickpocketing or purse snatching, as well as violent crime like mugging, armed robbery, or assault.

    Unrest 

    Armed groups, individuals, and military forces often clash in nearby countries. The ongoing violence in these areas has the risk of spilling over into Rwanda.

    Level 4 – Do Not Travel

    Musanze District

    Do not travel to Musanze District within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest.

    Multiple armed groups, individuals, and military forces operate in North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some of these groups oppose the Rwandan government. Violence may spill into Rwanda without warning.

    U.S. government employees working in Rwanda must obtain special authorization to travel to Musanze District.

    Level 4 – Do Not Travel

    Rubavu District

    Do not travel to Rubavu District within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest.

    Multiple armed groups, individuals, and military forces operate in North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some of these groups oppose the Rwandan government. Violence may spill into Rwanda without warning.

    A permit from the Rwanda Development Board is required for entry to Volcanoes National Park.

    U.S. government employees working in Rwanda must obtain special authorization to travel to Rubavu District.

    Level 4 – Do Not Travel

    Rusizi District

    Do not travel to Rusizi District within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo due to unrest.

    Multiple armed groups, individuals, and military forces operate in North and South Kivu provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some of these groups oppose the Rwandan government. Violence may spill into Rwanda without warning.

    A permit from the Rwanda Development Board is required for entry to Nyungwe Forest National Park.

    U.S. government employees working in Rwanda must obtain special authorization to travel to Rusizi District.

    If you decide to travel to Rwanda:

    • 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 Rwanda.
    • Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
    • Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
    • Use caution when walking or driving at night.
    • Stay aware of your surrounding.
    • Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
    • Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
    • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Rwanda.
    • 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.

  1. Iceland - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

    4 May 2026 | 7:00 pm

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

    Exercise normal precautions in Iceland.

    Advisory Summary

    • Iceland is generally a safe destination for travelers.
    • Iceland regularly experiences quickly changing weather, dangerous natural features, active volcanoes, and earthquakes. Review our information on weather and natural disasters in Iceland.
    • Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations. Stay aware of your surroundings.
    • Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching and pickpocketing.

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

    If you decide to travel to Iceland:

External Resources