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Crisis and Disaster Abroad: Be Ready
What the Department of State Can and Can't Do in a Crisis
Information for U.S. Citizens about a U.S. Government-Assisted Evacuation
Traveler's Checklist
Safety and Security Messaging
Best Practices for Traveler Safety
Staying Connected
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
Traveler Information
LGBTQI+ Travelers
Adventure Travel
High-Risk Area Travelers
Travelers with Dual Nationality
Journalist Travelers
Faith-Based Travelers
Pilgrimage Travelers (Hajj and Umrah)
U.S. Students Abroad
Cruise Ship Passengers
Women Travelers
Travelers with Disabilities
Older Travelers
U.S. Volunteers Abroad
Travelers with Pets
Travelers With Firearms
Travel Agents
Travel Safety - Race and Ethnicity
U.S. Travelers in Europe's Schengen Area
Your Health Abroad
Insurance Coverage Overseas
Driving and Road Safety Abroad
Customs and Import Restrictions
Information for U.S. Citizens in Russia – Travel Options Out of Russia
Lodging Safety
Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics
DHS Trusted Traveler Programs
Are you traveling or living outside the U.S.? STEP is a free service that sends you emails with updates from the local U.S. embassy or consulate. If there’s an emergency where you are, it helps us contact you with instructions on what to do.
Why join STEP?
- Get real time updates about health, weather, safety, and security in the country.
- Plan ahead using information from the local U.S. embassy.
- Help the embassy or consulate contact you if there’s an emergency like a natural disaster, civil unrest, or a family emergency.
What kind of messages does STEP send? Currently, STEP sends emails only. STEP can send you several types of information:
- Routine Messages : News and updates about the country you picked.
- Alerts : Messages about short-term security, terrorism, health, weather, or disaster situations that could impact your travels.
- Travel Advisories : We re-evaluate the situation in each country every 6-12 months. Advisories include a simple 1-4 rating system, details about specific risks in the country, and clear steps U.S. citizens should take to stay safe.
Join the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
After you set up your account, you can pick what types of messages you want to get.
Stay in touch during an emergency. Signing up for STEP helps the U.S. embassy get in touch with you if there’s an emergency. And, if your family or friends in the U.S. can’t reach you with urgent news while you’re traveling, we can use the information in STEP to try and contact you.
Become a Smart Traveler Now! STEP is an easy first step to being a smart traveler. You should also always research your destination , and consider additional ways to get safety and security information from the U.S. Department of State, like on social media.
Enroll in STEP
Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.
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Learn about your destination
Make two copies of all of your travel documents in case of emergency, and leave one with a trusted friend or relative.
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