Travel Considerations for Spring 2026 Student Study Tours & Spring 2026 Global Immersion Programs (GIPs)

Please note Chazen travels often involve travel to emerging economies, exposing students to cultures and environments often times different than their own. This often means differing levels of infrastructure, efficiency and standards affecting hotel stays, meals, traffic delays and transportation limitations. Please keep this in mind if you sign up for our travel programs — it is important to be considerate and flexible. All international travel involve risk. We do not control the cities and companies we visit. We try our best to plan a safe trip with positive experience.

For general information, please view the following websites and information:

Pre-departure health information: Columbia Health for information on travel medicine and scheduling appointments for vaccinations or health assessments prior to traveling. Also, What Columbia Health Needs You to Know Before Traveling.
Health and Wellness Information: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO).
US State Department Travel Information: International Travel and Country Security Reports websites.
24/7 Travel and Emergency Information: International SOS is Columbia University's 24/7 emergency assistance provider. If you have any questions or concerns about travel destinations, we encourage students to reach out to International SOS directly at their 24-hour assistance center at +1 (215) 942-8478. We also recommend that students download the International SOS app.

For International Students:

We recommend that international students consult the ISSO regarding to travel outside of the US. Columbia Business School will support travel in accordance with recommendations from the ISSO.
Additionally, students should check for any current visa restrictions or entry requirements for their destination country prior to preferencing in CourseMatch.
Please note that Columbia Business School will support travel in accordance with recommendations from the ISSO; this means if the ISSO is not recommending travel for students in certain situations, the Chazen Institute/Columbia Business School will not provide letters of support to secure visas or travel

Please click on the Global Study Tour or Global Immersion Program travel period for the drop-down menu of the countries and associated travel considerations.

Global Immersion Programs

Spring 2026 GIPS: Travel considerations as of October 15, 2025

Consulting and Advising a Family Enterprises (CAFE) in Italy

Visa Information: Italy is part of the Schengen visa zone. At this time US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Italy. All others should with the Consulate General of Italy in New York. Travelers should have six months remaining on their passport past the date of travel.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the CDC Italy Travelers Health page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS report on Italy for more information on safety, security, and travel considerations.

Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands

All three countries are part of the Schengen visa zone; you can apply for one visa for the week. As the program starts in Germany, it will make the most sense to apply through the German consulate.
Visa Information for Germany: Germany is part of the Schengen visa zone. At this time US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Germany. All others should with the Consulate General of Germany in New York. Travelers should have six months remaining on their passport past the date of travel.
Visa Information for Belgium: Belgium is part of the Schengen visa zone. At this time US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter Belgium. All others should with the Consulate General of Belgium in New York. Travelers should have six months remaining on their passport past the date of travel.
Visa Information for the Netherlands: The Netherlands is part of the Schengen visa zone. At this time US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter the Netherlands. All others should with the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York. Travelers should have six months remaining on their passport past the date of travel.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the Germany CDC Travel page, Belgium CDC Travel page, and the The Netherlands CDC Travel page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS Report on Germany, the ISOS Report on Belgium, and ISOS Report on the Netherlands for all safety, security, and travel information.

Israel

Visa Information: U.S. citizens are required to submit an Electronic Travel Authorization-IL (ETA-IL), a form of electronic visa authorization in order to travel to Israel. For additional information on visa requirements and the ETA-IL process, contact the Consulate General of Israel in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the CDC page for Israel for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the International SOS - ISOS report for Israel for more information on safety, security, and travel considerations.
While this is generally the case for any countries we visit, we're noting it specifically due to the ongoing conflict in the region. It is possible that if the security situation deteriorates, we will have to cancel and offer an alternative travel plan.
At present, Columbia's travel risk management agency International SOS categorizes Israel and the Palestinian Territories under its 'War Risk' designation. This classification means that security-related evacuations are excluded from coverage under our policy terms. All other benefits remain in effect, including coverage for urgent and emergent injury and illness.

Japan

Visa Information: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less, have a valid passport for six months from the date of entry, with at least one blank page, and proof of a return or onward ticket. All others should check this with the Japanese Consulate in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the Japan CDC Travel page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS Report on Japan for all safety, security, and travel information.

México

Visa Information: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 180 days or less, have a valid passport for six months from the date of entry, with at least one blank page, and proof of a return or onward ticket. All others should check this with the Mexican Consulate in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the CDC Travelers page for México for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS Report on México for all safety, security, and travel information.

The Philippines

Visa Information: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 30 days or less, have a valid passport for six months from the date of entry, with at least one blank page, and proof of a return or onward ticket. All others should check this with the Filipino Consulate in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the Philippines CDC Travel page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS Report on the Philippines for all safety, security, and travel information.

South Africa

Visa Information: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less, have a valid passport for six months from the date of entry, with at least one blank page, and proof of a return or onward ticket. All others should check with the South African Consulate in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the South Africa CDC Travel page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS Report on South Africa for all safety, security, and travel information.

Global Study Tours

Spring 2026 & May 2026 Study Tours: Travel considerations as of November 5, 2025

Jamaica - March

Visa Information: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less, have a valid passport for six months from the date of entry, with at least one blank page, and proof of a return or onward ticket. All others should check with the Jamaican Consulate in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the CDC J a maica Travelers Health page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS report on Jamaica for more information on safety, security, and travel considerations.

South Korea (KBA & CBC) - March

Visa Information: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less, have a valid passport for six months from the date of entry, with at least one blank page, and proof of a return or onward ticket. All others should check with the South Korean Consulate in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the South Korea CDC Travel page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS Report on South Korea for all safety, security, and travel information.

London & Amsterdam (RDIG) - March

Visa Information for the United Kingdom: U.S. citizens are required to submit an Electronic Travel Authorisation, a form of electronic visa authorization in order to travel to the United Kingdom. For additional information on visa requirements and the ETA process, contact the British Consulate General in New York.
Visa Information for the Netherlands: The Netherlands is part of the Schengen visa zone. At this time US citizens are not required to have a visa to enter the Netherlands. All others should with the Consulate General of the Netherlands in New York. Travelers should have six months remaining on their passport past the date of travel.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the CDC page for The United Kingdom and the CDC page for The Netherlands for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the International SOS - ISOS report for the United Kingdom and the ISOS report for the Netherlands for more information on safety, security, and travel considerations.

Japan - May

Visa Information: U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less, have a valid passport for six months from the date of entry, with at least one blank page, and proof of a return or onward ticket. All others should check this with the Japanese Consulate in New York.
Health and Wellness Information: Please review the Japan CDC Travel page for vaccine and wellness recommendations.
Safety and Security Considerations: We recommend reading the ISOS Report on Japan for all safety, security, and travel information.