Planning GW Related or Supported Travel
Travel to the Middle East Restricted
GW Related or Supported Travel to the Middle East is Restricted until further notice in accordance with GW’s insurance/security assistance provider.
This Restriction applies to travel to the following locations:
Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates.
GW Student, Faculty and Staff Travel to the above Restricted Locations requires:
- Satisfactory completion of the requirements according to GW Traveler categories (Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Faculty and Staff) listed at Planning GW Related or Supported Travel (such as an Approved High Risk Travel Proposal); and
- An Approved Prior Approval Request form. GW’s insurance/security assistance provider will review the Traveler’s itinerary/risk mitigation measures and indicate whether they assess the risk environment would permit them to extend (Approve) Political Emergency and Natural Disaster evacuation coverage.
Note: Per the International Travel Policy, GW reserves the right to suspend an ongoing or previously approved international activity for students, faculty, or staff members if a significant health, safety, or security concern is raised regarding that experience.
Check this page for updates.
The following minimum requirements apply to the GW traveler categories (Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Faculty and Staff) listed below. GW Colleges and Schools may have requirements over and above these minimum standards. Any additional requirements by college/school are noted in the lefthand menu bar.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 BCBS Global Solutions/Crisis24 Restricted Locations.
*For travel with Undergraduate and/or Graduate Students, see the above sections.
Important Notes:
- Visit the DoS website for the most up-to-date information and advisories.
- 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 BCBS Global Solutions/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.
Last update: 6/9/26