Travel advisories and waivers
UW students
- You must request a UW travel waiver if proposing to travel to a country on this list.
- If you are traveling with a faculty-led program to a country requiring a travel waiver, your program leader will submit a group waiver request. You do not need to complete an individual waiver.
- Review of individual requests can take up to 45 days.
- Please review the Student International Travel Policy page for more information and FAQs.
UW employees
- If you are traveling to a country on this list, we strongly encourage you to contact the Global Travel Security Manager for support. Email travelemergency@uw.edu or call 206.616.7927.
- If you are leading a faculty-led program to a country requiring a travel waiver, you must submit a group waiver request. Your students do not need to complete individual waivers.
Travel waiver FAQs
Have questions? Please review the FAQs. Email travelemergency@uw.edu or call 206.616.7927, if you need more information.
How are the countries on the list determined?
- The listed countries are designated because they meet one or more of the following criteria: 1) U.S. State Department Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory at the national level, 2) U.S. State Department “Reconsider Travel” or “Do Not Travel” designation for any area within a country, or 3) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Level 3 Travel Health Warning.
- The list is kept up-to-date by the Office of Global Affairs.
- Country risk levels change frequently. The U.S. State Department provides up-to-date travel advisory information.
- The UW International Travel Risk Assessment and Safety Committee (ITRASC) may require travel waivers for additional countries.
- The U.S. State Department’s Travel Map and the CDC Health Warning website are also helpful references.
How has the State Department travel advisory system changed?
Previously, the U.S. State Department had a list of “travel warning” countries to classify higher risk destinations. As of January 2018, the State Department now has Travel Advisories for each country of the world. Travel Advisories include a level of advice, describe the risks, and provide clear actions U.S. citizens should take to help ensure their safety.
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 4: Do Not Travel
How are the Travel Advisory levels different at the national and sub-national level?
Each country has an overall Travel Advisory level of 1-4, but levels of advice may vary for specific locations or areas within a country. Levels of advice for sub-national areas may be labeled Level 1-4 or have the equivalent wording.
- Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
- Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 4: Do Not Travel
I am going to a country with a Level 1 or 2 Travel Advisory. Why is it on the UW list of countries requiring a waiver?
Although the country’s overall risk category may be low, there may be areas within the country that are higher risk. It is important that you are aware of these risks and avoid traveling to these areas (if possible), or you take certain safety and security precautions in consultation with the UW Global Travel Security Program before your departure.
How will I be notified of changes to the Travel Advisory level and receive new alerts for a country?
The U.S. State Department will post changes on their travel website. If you have signed up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), you will also receive updates. Updates from the U.S. State Department may also be sent out via social media. Twitter: @travelgov, Facebook: facebook.com/travelgov
I am traveling for personal reasons, do I still need to submit a Travel Waiver?
No. Travel waivers are only required for students traveling for official academic purposes or faculty-led programs.
Countries requiring a UW Travel Waiver
Last updated October 9th, 2019
| Country | Advisory Level |
| Afghanistan | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Algeria | High Risk Areas |
| Armenia | High Risk Areas |
| Azerbaijan | High Risk Areas |
| The Bahamas | High Risk Areas; CDC Warning Level 3 |
| Bangladesh | High Risk Areas |
| Barbados | High Risk Areas |
| Benin | High Risk Areas |
| Brazil | High Risk Areas |
| Burkina Faso | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Burma (Myanmar) | High Risk Areas |
| Burundi | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Cameroon | High Risk Areas |
| Central African Republic | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Chad | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Colombia | High Risk Areas |
| Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) | High Risk Areas |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Ecuador | High Risk Areas |
| Egypt | High Risk Areas |
| Ethiopia | High Risk Areas |
| Georgia | High Risk Areas |
| Guatemala | High Risk Areas |
| Guinea-Bissau | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Haiti | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Honduras | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| India | High Risk Areas |
| Indonesia | High Risk Areas |
| Iran | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Iraq | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Israel, The West Bank and Gaza | High Risk Areas |
| Jamaica | High Risk Areas |
| Jordan | High Risk Areas |
| Kenya | High Risk Areas |
| Kosovo | High Risk Areas |
| Kuwait | High Risk Areas |
| Laos | High Risk Areas |
| Lebanon | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Libya | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Mali | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Mauritania | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Mexico | High Risk Areas |
| Mozambique | High Risk Areas |
| Nicaragua | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Niger | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Nigeria | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| North Korea | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Oman | High Risk Areas |
| Pakistan | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Panama | High Risk Areas |
| Papua New Guinea | High Risk Areas |
| Peru | High Risk Areas |
| Philippines | High Risk Areas |
| Republic of the Congo | High Risk Areas |
| Russia | High Risk Areas |
| Saudi Arabia | High Risk Areas |
| Somalia | 4: Do Not Travel |
| South Sudan | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Sudan | 3: Reconsider Travel |
| Syria | 4: Do Not Travel |
| Thailand | High Risk Areas |
| Togo | High Risk Areas |
| Trinidad and Tobago | High Risk Areas |
| Tunisia | High Risk Areas |
| Turkey | High Risk Areas |
| Ukraine | High Risk Areas |
| Venezuela | 4: Do Not Travel; CDC Warning Level 3 |
| Yemen | 4: Do Not Travel |
