Travel Warning Waiver Request

Students are subject to UW-Madison’s “International Travel Policy” (International Travel Resources, Guidelines and Policies). The policy has been devised to reflect the U.S. Department of State and CDC’s updated travel advisory systems. It offers a process by which waivers can be requested if risks can be mitigated effectively. The waiver process is described below. .

Waiver Request Process

If a student has a compelling educational reason to travel to or remain in a location under a Travel Warning issued by the U.S. Department of State, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the Provost, as defined in the International Travel Policy (excerpted below), a request for an exemption may be submitted to the International Safety and Security Director.

This Travel Warning Waiver Request Form must be submitted by:

  • The individual in cases of individual travel; or
  • The sponsor/lead organizer on behalf of a group or program

(For students participating in a study abroad program sponsored by International Academic Programs or another campus unit, the sponsoring study abroad office is responsible for submitting the waiver request.)

For individual student travel, the waiver request must include:

A waiver may be granted when:

  • There are academic and research objectives which can only be achieved through travel to the proposed locations, and
  • The safety and security risks posed by the travel can be adequately mitigated.

Please contact the International Safety and Security Director for any assistance or questions regarding this form.

The UITC’s review of this request does not eliminate or reduce risk to travelers but rather informs the University of the proposed plans and protections in place for travel.

International Travel Policy

Under the terms of the UW-Madison International Travel Resources, Guidelines and Policies (“International Travel Policy”), students are not allowed to travel under University auspices to:

Locations that are under a U.S. Department of State Level 3 or Level 4 advisory, a CDC Travel Health Notice Level 3, and/or a CDC COVID-19 Travel Health Notice Level 4 or “unknown” characterization; or those locations additionally identified by the Provost, upon recommendation by the UITC, as representing significant health or safety risks for the university’s travelers. Locations within countries may be characterized with different State Department travel advisories than the country itself. Travel to locations that are characterized by a Level 3 or Level 4 within a country that is characterized as a Level 1 or Level 2 are also considered under a “Travel Warning” for the purposes of this document.

Employees are not impacted by the International Travel Policy but are highly encouraged to discuss their travel plans with their supervisor.

For more information, see the International Travel Policy page.