International Travel Rules & Restriction Policy

For faculty, other academic personnel, staff, and graduate students: new rules are effective now
For undergraduate students: new rules are effective for travel on or after January 1, 2022

Revised rules for official international travel have been issued for all travelers. Some restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic remain in place.

• All official international student travel must be registered through UW Global Travel Health and Safety (GTHS). These rules apply to any student at UW who is on official international travel for research, study abroad, conferences, events or meetings. If UW is involved in travel in any way (funding, salary, credits, support, sponsorship etc.) it is ‘official travel’.
  Official international travel by faculty, other academic personnel, and staff is strongly recommended. It remains required for proposed travel to high-risk (DOS Level 4) areas. Please check with your department for any unit-specific requirements and processes regarding travel registration.

• UW GTHS travel registration may include a travel waiver request. A ‘travel waiver request’ means that travel must be reviewed by UW and will require official approval. Whether a travel waiver is required will depend on the UW status and destination of the traveler. If a waiver is required, it will be included in the registration process. Travel waivers will not be considered for proposed personal travel to DOS Level 3 or 4 countries/sub-regions during the duration of a study abroad program.

• There are different rules for different travelers. UW status and the Department of State (DOS) Travel Advisory for the destination determines which rules apply. For a detailed description of the Travel Advisory terms, please see this resource created by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

• Travel registration requirements may change if a destination’s travel advisory changes. If the travel advisory for a destination is raised before departure, travelers may have to complete additional steps.

 

Rules for travelers based on destination’s DOS Travel Advisory

 

UW Status	DOS Level 1 Exercise Normal Precautions	DOS Level 2 Exercise Increased Caution	DOS Level 3 Reconsider Travel	DOS Level 4 Do Not Travel
Faculty, other academic personnel, and staff Start Here	Travel registration strongly recommended No travel waiver needed			Travel registration with waiver required
Graduate or professional students Start Here	Travel registration required No travel waiver needed		Travel registration with waiver required	Travel registration with waiver required Travel must be essential & endorsed by department
Undergraduate students Effective January 1, 2022 Study Abroad	Travel registration required No travel waiver needed All travel must be approved by UW Study Abroad		Travel registration with waiver required – All travel must be approved by UW Study Abroad