Updates to university travel for employees, guests, students and registered student organizations
Nov. 3, 2021 – This message has been updated to reflect the latest campus policy on international travel.
August 24, 2021 – This message has been updated to reflect the latest campus policy on masking and vehicle capacity,
Significant changes have been made to UW–Madison sponsored travel policy for employees, guests, graduate students, undergraduates, and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). The university will continue to monitor and adjust the travel policy as necessary.
University-Sponsored Domestic Travel Ban Lifted
The travel ban on university-sponsored domestic travel was lifted on May 26, 2021. Employees, guests, graduate students, and undergraduates traveling domestically for business purposes should follow existing travel policy. The Concur online travel booking function is available for self-booking of domestic air, lodging, and car rental.
All domestic travel should follow current campus health protocols as well as CDC Domestic Travel Guidance. It is recommended that individuals delay university-sponsored domestic travel until fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
All individuals are required to wear a face covering when driving or riding with others, regardless of vaccination status, in compliance with the chancellor’s order on masks.
International Travel Ban Lifted
Effective Nov. 8, 2021, employee, guest, graduate student, and undergraduate international travel is no longer restricted to essential activities and an exemption form is no longer needed. Employees, guests, graduate students, and undergraduates traveling internationally for business purposes should follow existing travel policy. The Concur online travel booking function is available for self-booking of international air, lodging, and car rental.
All international travel should follow current campus health protocols as well as CDC International Travel Guidance. It is recommended that individuals delay university-sponsored international travel until fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Travelers should pay close attention to country-specific vaccination and testing requirements, as these may vary and are modified regularly.
The university highly recommends employees traveling internationally on university business enroll in the UW System international health, medical, and evacuation insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Starting Jan. 1, 2022, CISI will be required for all employees traveling abroad for university purposes. For more information on this requirement, see the CISI Insurance enrollment and reimbursement memo, issued November 1, 2021.
Enrollment in CISI is already required for all students traveling abroad – undergraduates, graduates, and professional students – regardless of their program of study or academic standing.
Enrollment in CISI is not available for personal travel.
In addition, students must comply with the UW–Madison International Travel Policy. The International Travel Policy applies to students of all levels and programs of study – undergraduate, graduate, and professional. Students are precluded from travel to any location that remains under a level 3 or 4 U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory or a level 3 or 4 CDC Travel Health Notice. The International Travel Policy offers a process by which waivers can be requested if risks can be mitigated effectively. See the “Policies” tab on the UW–Madison International Safety and Security website for more information about the policy and waiver process.
International travelers on university-related business without approval are subject to personal financial responsibility and potentially individual or group corrective action.
Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)
The travel ban on Registered Student Organization (RSO) domestic travel was lifted on May 26, 2021. All domestic travel should follow current campus health protocols as well as CDC Domestic Travel Guidance. It is recommended that individuals delay travel until fully vaccinated for COVID-19. All individuals are required to wear a face covering when driving or riding with others, regardless of vaccination status, in compliance with the chancellor’s order on masks.
While individual students must follow the international travel requirements enumerated above, RSOs that are traveling internationally are no longer required to obtain approval from the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (or designee).