visa matter

* Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the State Department can better assist you in an emergency: Let us know your travel plans through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov. This will help us contact you if there is a family emergency in the U.S., or if there is a crisis where you are traveling. In accordance with the Privacy Act, information on your welfare and whereabouts will not be released to others without your express authorization.

* Sign passport, and fill in the emergency information: Make sure you have a signed, valid passport, and a visa, if required, and fill in the emergency information page of your passport.

* Leave copies of itinerary and passport data page: Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends, so you can be contacted in case of an emergency.

* Check your overseas medical insurance coverage: Ask your medical insurance company if your policy applies overseas, and if it covers emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If it does not, consider supplemental insurance.

* Familiarize yourself with local conditions and laws: While in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws. The State Department web site at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html has useful safety and other information about the countries you will visit.

* Take precautions to avoid being a target of crime: To avoid being a target of crime, do not wear conspicuous clothing or jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of money. Also, do not leave unattended luggage in public areas and do not accept packages from strangers.

* Contact us in an emergency: Consular personnel at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens. Contact information for U.S. Embassies and Consulates appears on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov. Also note that the Office of Overseas Citizen Services in the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs may be reached for assistance with emergencies at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from the U.S. or Canada, or 202-501-4444, if calling from overseas.

How to Have a Safe Trip

Register Your Travel So We Can Contact You in an Emergency

* Why It’s Important
* How to Sign Up (It’s Easy)

Planning Your Trip: Know Before You Go!

* Information Resources
o The Consular Information Program
o How to Obtain Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts
o Background Notes
o Other Resources
* Customs and Import Restrictions
o Customs Restrictions of Foreign Destinations – What You Cannot Take to Other Countries
o U.S. Customs Restrictions – What You Cannot Bring Back With You
* Taking a Pet Overseas
* Places to Receive Mail
* Health: What You Need to Know in Advance of Travel
o Vaccination, Infectious Diseases, Pandemic Influenza, Foot Mouth Disease, Chemical/Biological/Nuclear Incidents
o Insurance, Medicare & Medicaid, Medical Evacuation
o Bringing Medications or Filling Prescriptions Abroad
o Doctors and Hospitals
* Special Planning Considerations
o Student Travelers
o Older Americans
o Traveling With Disabilities

Required Travel Documents and Other Important Documentation

* Passport Requirements & How to Apply for a Passport
o How to Apply for a U.S. Passport
* If You Need to Obtain a New Passport While Abroad
* Adoption Abroad
* Entry Requirements of Foreign Countries
* Work Authorization, Residence Permits
* Additional Fees

What to Take With You on the Trip, and What to Leave Behind

* Valuables
* Leave Copies of Documents and Itinerary With Relatives in the U.S.
* Plan for the Unexpected

Emergencies: Consular Assistance and Crises Abroad

* Assistance from American Consuls
* How to Contact the Embassy or the State Department in an Emergency
* What You Should Know If You Are a Victim of Crime
* Passport Fraud
* Scams
* International Child Custody Disputes
* Arrests Abroad
* Special Warning About Drug Offenses Abroad
* Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad
* Terrorism
* Hijacking/Hostage Situations
* How to Access Funds in the U.S.
* How to Get Your Passport Replaced

What You Should Know If You Are Residing Abroad or Are Planning to Reside Abroad

* Marriage, Birth, Divorce and Death Abroad
o Marriage Abroad
o Birth Abroad of a U.S. Citizen
o Divorce Abroad
o Death Abroad
* Federal Benefits Services Abroad
* Driver’s License
* Absentee Voting in U.S. Elections
* Selective Service Registration
* Be Prepared for Emergencies

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How to Have a Safe Trip
Sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program So We Can Contact You in an Emergency

Why It’s Important

The State Department strongly encourages American citizens planning travel abroad to sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program makes it possible to contact a traveler if necessary, whether because of a family emergency in the United States or because of a crisis in the place the traveler is visiting. It is a free service provided by the State Department, and is easily accomplished online at https://travelregistration.state.gov.

Note that, in accordance with the Privacy Act, the Department of State may not release information about those registered without their express written authorization.

If your family needs to reach you because of an emergency, they can pass a message to you through the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, which can be contacted from within the United States at 1-888-407-4747 (toll free), and from overseas at 202-501-4444. The Office of Overseas Citizens Services will contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country in which you are traveling in order to pass the message to you.

The State Department also advises leaving a detailed itinerary and copies of your passport biographical-data page with a friend or relative in the United States.

How to Sign Up (It’s Easy)

* You can either sign up online at https://travelregistration.state.gov.
-or-
* If you would like to contact an embassy or consulate you can go to
http://usembassy.state.gov/ for access to U.S. Embassy and Consulate web pages.