Category: Policies & Announcements

The European Union (EU) is implementing a new Entry/Exit System (EES) that will take effect starting from October 12, 2025 and will be rolled out by April 10, 2026. This system involves additional data collection at the border and will record entry/exits digitally, tracking the 90 day limit for visa-free travel in a 180 day period. 

The new EES policy is part of a gradual requirement for e-visas for all travelers entering the EU. This requirement is planned for late 2026, and would require all travelers from the United States to register with the European Travel Information and Authorisation System prior to traveling to any EU destination.

Travel to Israel, West Bank, Gaza

Due to the current conflict affecting Israel, Gaza and the West Bank, GW affiliated or supported travel to these areas will require a High Risk Travel Proposal.  The High Risk Travel Proposal process is linked below. This requirement for review / approval will be in place through 10/31/23 at a minimum.  This applies to Undergraduate, Graduate, Faculty and Staff travelers.

Last update: 10/9/23

Updated March 30, 2023.

Faculty may consider making an elective course into a faculty-led short-term abroad course. The travel component of these courses usually take place during spring break or the course is run during the summer terms.

Proposals that include travel outside of Thanksgiving break, spring break and summer will rarely be approved as they conflict with student's other academic obligations. A proposal for short-term study abroad for a different time period will be reviewed by CCAS Global on an exceptional basis and the approval can only be granted after CCAS Global consults with CCAS Undergraduate Dean and the CCAS
Undergraduate Committee as needed. Proposals requesting exceptional approval for a travel period when other classes are running must address the uniqueness of the timing with a comprehensive explanation of why the course cannot be shifted to the spring, Thanksgiving or summer break. In instances where courses receive exceptional approval, they must operate on an early admissions schedule. Students admitted to the course will be required to submit a "planned absence" form where the approval signatures from the instructors of all other courses taken during the same semester as the STAP course are shown. Without the approval of other instructors, the student may not participate in
the short-term study abroad. 

Students taking this type of STAP course are responsible for completing the missed academic work and cannot expect special accommodations from other course instructors. Students should understand that instructors may not grant approval if the timing of the STAP travel causes disruption to critical learning due to the nature of the respective in-person course.