Elliott School of International Affairs
ESIA travelers are required to follow the below guidelines in accordance with their traveler category (Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, Faculty and Staff).
Important Notes:
- DoS Travel Advisory levels may vary for specific locations/areas within a country. For example, the DoS may advise travelers to “Exercise increased caution” (Level 2) in a country, but to "Reconsider travel" (Level 3) to a particular area within that country. GW Travelers are subject to the Planning GW Related or Supported Travel guidelines for the particular areas they are traveling to.
- Prior approval is required by GW's insurance/security assistance provider for travel to GeoBlue/Crisis24 Restricted Locations [in addition to the High Risk Travel Proposal for Individual Travelers or Groups (3+ Travelers) requirement].
- Generally, students enrolling in a semester abroad program through the Office for Study Abroad or in a short-term abroad program through their respective college/school do not need to complete this process. These programs have already been reviewed and approved by GW.
- High Risk Travel Proposals to DoS Advisory Level 4 destinations are unlikely to be approved. Students planning to travel to DoS Level 3 and 4 destinations and/or to destinations defined as a Restricted Location by GW's insurance/security assistance provider should have a backup travel plan to a DoS Level 1 – 2 destination should travel guidance change.
- Undergraduate Students
- Undergraduate students traveling to a US Department of State (DoS) Travel Advisory Level 1 - 2 and/or CDC Travel Health Notice Level 1 - 2 destinations must complete the International Travel Registration 30 days prior to their departure date.
- Undergraduate students traveling to or Faculty/Staff proposing travel with Undergraduate students to any country (or specific locations/areas within a country) at a DoS Advisory Level 3 or 4, CDC Travel Health Notice Level 3 or 4, and/or defined as a Restricted Location by GW's insurance/security assistance provider must apply for a high-risk travel exception. Complete the:
- High Risk Travel Proposal for Individual Travelers a minimum of 30 days prior to your departure date.
- High Risk Travel Proposal for Groups (3+Travelers) a minimum of 30 days prior to your departure date.
- Graduate Students
- Graduate students traveling to US Department of State (DoS) Travel Advisory Level 1 - 3 and/or CDC Travel Health Notice Level 1 - 2 destinations must complete the International Travel Registration 30 days prior to their departure date.
- Graduate students traveling to or Faculty/Staff proposing travel with Graduate students to any country (or specific locations/areas within a country) at a DoS Advisory Level 4, CDC Travel Health Notice Level 3 or 4, and/or defined as a Restricted Location by GW's insurance/security assistance provider must apply for a high-risk travel exception. Complete the:
- High Risk Travel Proposal for Individual Travelers a minimum of 30 days prior to your departure date.
- High Risk Travel Proposal for Groups (3+Travelers) a minimum of 30 days prior to your departure date.
- Graduate students traveling to US Department of State (DoS) Travel Advisory Level 1 - 3 and/or CDC Travel Health Notice Level 1 - 2 destinations must complete the International Travel Registration 30 days prior to their departure date.
- Faculty and Staff
- Faculty and Staff are expected to complete the International Travel Registration 30 days prior to their departure date.
- Prior approval is required by GW's insurance/security assistance provider for travel to GeoBlue/Crisis24 Restricted Locations.
*For travel with Undergraduate and/or Graduate Students, see the above sections.
Questions? Contact oip
gwu [dot] edu (oip[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Last update: 1/12/26