Planning
EntryAssist
Covid-19 Travel Country Entry Assistance
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Entry testing requirements
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Testing types and timing
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Proof of vaccination requirements
International Travel Posts
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New UW System International Receipt Form
September 7, 2022
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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El Salvador - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
6 February 2025 | 6:00 pm
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.
Country Summary: Crime is still a concern in El Salvador, but gang-related activity has dropped significantly over the last 3 years. This includes drops in violent crimes and murders.
U.S. government employees may travel throughout the country during daylight hours. Due to infrastructure and safety concerns, U.S. government employees may not travel between cities or departments after dark, except for:
- The route between San Salvador and El Salvador’s international airport.
- Between San Salvador and La Libertad.
Government employees are also prohibited from using public buses.
State of Exception
In March 2022, the Government of El Salvador declared a “State of Exception” in response to an increase in gang homicides:
- The State of Exception grants local authorities the power to arrest anyone suspected of gang activity.
- It suspends several constitutional rights, including the normal protections of criminal procedure, such as the right to a speedy or fair trial.
- Tens of thousands of people are currently in prison under the State of Exception.
- Several U.S. and other foreign citizens have been detained under the State of Exception. They remain in prison and have yet to face trial.
The State of Exception is still in place. We urge U.S. citizens to stay alert and cautious.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to El Salvador.
If you decide to travel to El Salvador:
- Use major highways and roads and minimize travel outside metropolitan areas after dark.
- El Salvador has zero tolerance for driving under the influence of alcohol. Detection of any level of alcohol can result in detention.
- Stay aware of your surroundings.
- When possible, travel in pairs or in groups, especially for long trips and in rural places.
- Do not solely rely on web-based mapping applications, which may not reflect the status of local road conditions.
- Do not hitchhike.
- Ensure you have multiple forms of communication when traveling and the ability to charge your devices.
- Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
- Stay alert when visiting banks or ATMs.
- Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
- Engage local guides certified by the national or local tourist authority when hiking in backcountry areas.
- Use caution and follow water condition warnings when swimming near El Salvador’s beaches.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for El Salvador.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States.
- We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
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Norway - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
2 February 2025 | 6:00 pm
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits
Exercise normal precautions in Norway.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Norway.
If you decide to travel to Norway:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive travel alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter)
- Review the Country Security Report for Norway.
- Prepare a backup plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
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Democratic Republic of the Congo - Level 4: Do Not Travel
28 January 2025 | 6:00 pm
Updated to reflect the Ordered Departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and eligible family members and overall Travel Advisory Level from 3 to 4.
Do not travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo due to Armed Conflict, Crime, Civil Unrest, Kidnapping, and Terrorism.
Country Summary: Due to risks in the country, on January 28, 2025, the Department of State ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and all eligible family members.
Violent crime, such as armed robbery, armed home invasion, kidnapping, murder, rape, and assault, is common and local police lack resources to respond effectively to serious crime. Assailants may pose as police or security agents.
Armed groups, individuals, and military forces routinely clash with each other. Civilians are frequently targeted in attacks in Eastern DRC. Terrorists and other armed groups have attacked military and civilian targets and represent an ongoing threat to humanitarian aid workers and other NGO personnel operating in DRC.
Demonstrations are common in many cities and some have turned violent. Police have at times responded with heavy-handed tactics that resulted in civilian casualties and arrests.
The U.S. government has extremely limited ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens outside of Kinshasa due to poor infrastructure and security conditions.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you decide to travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo:
- Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
- Avoid demonstrations.
- Use caution when walking or driving.
- Always have a copy of your U.S. passport and DRC visa. Keep originals in a secure location. Carry your U.S. passport and DRC visa when crossing provincial borders or flying domestically.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
- Review the Country Security Report for the DRC.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States.
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.