Elliott School of International Affairs

GW Related or Supported Travel to the Middle East for Students, Faculty and Staff is Suspended until further notice in accordance with GW’s insurance/security assistance provider.

This Suspension applies to travel to the following locations:
Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates.

Travel to the following locations requires an Approved Prior Approval Request form:
Oman and Saudi Arabia

Note: The locations could be expanded at short-notice. Check Planning GW Related or Supported Travel for updates.

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.

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 oipgwu [dot] edu (oip[at]gwu[dot]edu)

Last update: 5/21/26