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How the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program could help you on your next trip abroad

Editor's Note

Though careful planning and common sense are two of the best ways to stay safe when traveling, security situations can rapidly change in foreign countries.

That's why the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has created the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to help keep you up-to-date on relevant security updates from the nearest U.S. consulate, wherever in the world you happen to be.

Here's how to sign up for STEP.

Who should register for STEP?

The primary purpose of STEP is to keep American citizens safe. Here are a few reasons to consider signing up:

• You're traveling to an area that's politically unstable or prone to violence.
• You're taking an extended trip (several weeks or months) where you have limited Wi-Fi access.
• You're traveling for a major event, summit or conference (like the World Cup) that might become the target of protests or attacks.
• You're a minority traveling to an area where you might be targeted as an outsider.
• You'd like an additional safety resource during your trip, no matter the destination.

Some group trips or programs may require participants to enroll. For instance, I had to enroll when I studied abroad in college.

In the event of a rapidly deteriorating situation, such as a coup or natural disaster, STEP can connect you with evacuation efforts or provide important safety information and help you take care of yourself.

How to register

To register, create an account and fill in your personal information and emergency contact details.

Once your account is set up, log in and register each specific trip or residence abroad. You'll repeat this process for each new trip to receive STEP alerts.

You'll then be prompted to enroll any upcoming trips to receive STEP notifications. Select the nearest U.S. consulate to where you'll be staying. Note that "destination" refers to the country (not a specific city, state or territory), and the available options will auto-fill as you type.

Next, fill in the dates of your trip, the reason you're traveling and how you can be reached while abroad. If there are any timely alerts specific to your destination, you'll also be alerted of that information at this point.

Bottom line

It may be helpful to think of STEP like travel insurance: If all goes well, you won't need to use it, and you might even forget you have it.

However, if things go wrong while you're traveling abroad, your local U.S. embassy is the quickest way to get help; the embassy's goal is to ensure all Americans in its jurisdiction are safe and accounted for. This is when STEP notifications can become incredibly important.

The entire sign-up process takes less than five minutes, and the trip registration process takes about 60 seconds.

For additional resources, be sure to follow the State Department on Twitter and bookmark its international travel page for the latest country alerts.

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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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4 Benefits of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

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Pros and Cons of Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Last Updated: 05/15/2024

Published: 03/11/2023

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I’m an American who’s lived overseas 5 years and love discovering all the world has to offer. I made this blog to share resources for digital nomads and expats I wish I’d had.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) allows U.S. citizens to register with the U.S. government to receive notifications during emergencies. It’s helpful if you don’t pay attention to the news much. But not so much so if you have privacy concerns. Keep reading to learn more.

I’ve used the STEP program for several years so far. I want to share some advantages and disadvantages based on my experience.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• STEP delivers important safety & security information to your email inbox.
• The US government will have your email, but you could use an email address you never use.
• STEP won’t fill your inbox; they email once in a while.
• You must sign up again when visiting another country.
• The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is free to enroll.

Pros & Cons of STEP

The following sections will cover the advantages and disadvantages of registering for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

1. Safety Updates Are Helpful

By enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, you can receive important safety and security information from the U.S. Department of State . This information can include travel warnings, alerts, and emergency messages to help you stay safe during your trip.

I’m in Taiwan. And most updates I’ve gotten are about vaccines during COVID-19, Taiwan military drills, and tips regarding emergency natural disaster preparation.

2. Consular Assistance

If you encounter an emergency while traveling abroad, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program can help you access consular services. This can include assistance with medical emergencies, legal issues, and other emergencies.

3. Peace of Mind

Knowing that you have enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program can give you peace of mind while traveling. You will have access to essential information and assistance in an emergency, which can help you feel more secure and prepared.

4. It’s Free & Doesn’t Take Long to Register

It took me around 10 minutes to fill out my information and register for the notifications . Upon signing up, they’ll send a confirmation email.

You also don’t need to pay any money to receive notifications.

5. Makes It Easier for the Government to Find You During Emergencies

You don’t provide the U.S. government with your address in your country, but it can help you reach your local embassy or consulate quicker in an emergency. Though, you could use Google Maps to find your nearest diplomatic building.

You provide them with your contact information, which may make it so the government will let your family know what’s going on during an emergency. They don’t specify whether they do so, though.

If they do, it will prove helpful if, for instance, your country’s had nationwide internet outages.

Cons of Smart Traveler Enrollment Program:

The following sections will cover the cons of the STEP program.

1. Doesn’t Serve as Proof of Citizenship

Though you’re registering your passport number and other personal information, you can’t use it to prove your identity in the country you’re staying in.

2. Have to Sign up Again When Traveling to Another Country

You must sign up for STEP notifications when entering a different country. Signing up for a notification takes less than 10 minutes, but it’s tedious if you’re backpacking across Europe or country-hopping in Asia.

3. Privacy Concerns

Some travelers may be concerned about the personal information collected when enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This information can include your name, contact information, and travel itinerary.

4. Limited Assistance

While the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program can assist in an emergency, it may only be able to assist with some situations. Most travelers may prefer to rely on their own resources or local authorities instead .

5. Limited Coverage

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is only available to U.S. citizens and nationals. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may not be able to enroll in the program and receive its benefits.

What Is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program?

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Department of State. The American government designed the program to help U.S. citizens and nationals stay safe while traveling abroad .

By enrolling in the program, travelers can receive important safety and security information from the U.S. Department of State, and access consular services in case of an emergency.

Who Is the STEP Program Best For?

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is best for U.S. citizens and nationals who are planning to travel abroad.

It’s especially useful for those who fall under one of these scenarios:

• Staying in a country for an extended period
• The country frequently has natural disasters
• Terrorism & crime frequently happens in the country visited

STEP’s also great for anyone who doesn’t pay attention to the local news much. As the U.S. government frequently provides updates regarding regional developments.

How to Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Enroll is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program by visiting step.state.gov/STEP/pages/individuals/newAccountStart.aspx

From there, follow these steps:

• Read and accept their Privacy Notice
• Create an account: username, password, & security question
• Citizenship
• Contact information
• Passport number

Once you have enrolled in the program, you will receive important safety and security information from the U.S. Department of State via email.

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Why U.S. citizens should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) before international travel

U.S. citizens are facing many challenges when attempting to travel internationally in the age of COVID. Achieving a successful mission requires using every tool in the arsenal, maximizing resources to reduce risk and increase operational flexibility.

Enrolling in the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) when traveling abroad is an excellent tool and should be considered a best practice in helping minimize risk by registering American travelers directly with consulate resources along their itinerary.

STEP provides access to U.S. resources overseas

STEP improves American travelers access to more than 300 U.S. Embassy and Consulate locations and more than 50,000 foreign U.S. Services personnel stationed worldwide.

How STEP can help you when traveling abroad

Travelers enrolled in STEP are able to make easier connections to emergency services during natural disasters, civil unrest or even during a family crisis. In addition, participants receive timely, accurate and relevant Travel Advisories from local sources.

STEP connects American travelers to embassy services and resources during emergency and non-emergency such as:

• State Dept. – Travel Advisories
• Natural disasters
• Safety conditions of your destination
• Legal advice like finding local attorneys
• Issuing new passports
• Evacuation in emergency situations
• Registering a birth or death, notarization of important documents when abroad
• Providing support and shelter during civil unrest
• Helping family and friends get in touch with you

Without STEP Enrollment, you could see significant delays in obtaining consular support in an emergency situation, and some services may be unavailable.

Who is eligible to enroll in STEP?

All U.S. citizens traveling abroad are eligible for STEP registration.

Do I have to register with STEP for each trip?

Yes, each registration is active for one trip itinerary only, per traveler. 

Enrolling in the U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a best practice for all U.S. citizens traveling abroad. STEP connects American travelers to embassy services and resources during emergency and non-emergency situations overseas. Enrolling in STEP is free but must be done on a per trip basis. 

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STEP: What It Is and How to Enroll

By Amanda Wowk

November 01, 2023

Travel Tips

In a recent TripIt survey , more than half of Americans ranked personal safety and well-being as their top priority when booking a trip. And during times of heightened tensions around the world, being informed about your destinations—including their levels of safety—can help you enjoy your trip as planned. 

Americans have myriad resources available to help them to stay safe when traveling abroad; registering for the U.S. Department of State’s STEP program is one of them. If you’re unfamiliar with the program and its benefits, I’ve outlined both below—as well as shared my own experience with STEP on a recent international trip. 

What is STEP?

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, is a free service for Americans (U.S. citizens and nationals) to register a trip or move abroad with the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Americans can enroll in the program by creating an account on the U.S. Department of State’s dedicated website and completing a profile. During enrollment, you’ll provide the details of your trip(s), including the address(es) of where you’ll be staying while abroad.

Once you’ve registered, you can log in to add upcoming travel plans and keep your profile (e.g., contact information) up to date. 

Why should American travelers enroll in STEP?

Enrolling in STEP offers travelers two primary benefits: (1) local U.S. Embassy and Consular personnel know where to find you if an emergency situation arises, and (2) you receive pertinent alerts, such as demonstration and security alerts, updates to travel advisory levels, and flight departure/evacuation information. 

On my recent trip to Türkiye, I experienced receiving some of these alerts for the first time. Since I had added the details of my trip to my STEP account, I received notifications (both ahead of and during my trip) about demonstrations that would be taking place throughout the country, when they’d be taking place, as well as guidance for how to stay safe in light of these events. If I needed assistance, I knew where to find the nearest U.S. Embassy and Consulate locations as they were listed in the body of the emails. 

Tip: TripIt Pro’s International Travel Tools feature displays embassy information, as well as other country-specific information for travelers headed abroad. 

During my trip, I also received the Department of State’s Worldwide Caution alert advising U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution—regardless of their current location. ( More on what this means for travelers here. )

Receiving these alerts heightened my vigilance—especially as a solo traveler —and helped me make informed decisions during my trip. 

What else can travelers do to stay safe while traveling? 

Registering for STEP is just one tool in your safety toolkit. Below are some additional tips and resources you can use to stay safe while traveling.  

1. Consult TripIt’s Neighborhood Safety Scores

TripIt’s Neighborhood Safety Scores , powered by GeoSure , will show you the level of safety for the neighborhoods  you’re visiting. You can access  hyperlocal safety ratings  for myriad categories along any point within your TripIt itinerary for more than 65,000 cities and neighborhoods, including scores for overall safety, health and medical, physical harm, women’s safety, political freedoms, theft, and LGBTQ safety. 

You can also set a personal risk level within the Neighborhood Safety Scores feature. When you set your personal risk level, TripIt will flag any plan with a safety score that’s above your threshold. For instance, if you’ve booked a dinner reservation in an unknown neighborhood, you can check the TripIt app to see if that area is above your risk level at night. Armed with this information, you might opt to take a cab there instead of walking.

"Do your homework,” said Michael Becker, CEO of GeoSure. “Know the safety of where your hotel is located and its immediate vicinity; know where—and how safe—the meeting locations in your TripIt itinerary are. Whether it’s work meetings, dinners, concerts or events, or something else—know the area and what safety looks like at those locations.”

2. Share your travel plans with someone back home 

“I always give someone back home like my mom or a good friend our itinerary in case of an emergency so they know where to reach us, where we should be, and when we are expected to be home,” said Kamree Price , family travel expert and founder of Our Family Passport.

Kendyl Grender , budget-travel hacking coach, also makes sure to share her travel plans with her parents—just in case. 

And one time, that capability was particularly useful: “I was in Germany in March 2020—the early days of COVID—and my mom couldn’t get ahold of me. But thanks to TripIt, she could see on my itinerary where I was staying, and was able to call the inn directly to get in touch with me.” 

3. Trust your instincts  

"Listen to your gut,” said Peter Shankman , founder, author, and serial entrepreneur. “More than anything else—more than personal protection devices, more than security cameras—the simple act of listening to your gut will save you time and time again. Always trust your instincts."

Check out more traveler safety resources, including safety tips from travel experts , the safest cities for women travelers and LGBTQ+ travelers , as well as tips for traveling solo . 

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About the Author

Amanda Wowk

Amanda Wowk is a freelance writer, founder of Amanda Wowk Creative — a content writing services company — and avid traveler. Her experience spans the travel industry, supporting clients in travel tech, luxury travel, and consumer brands. When she's not helping clients tell their stories, Amanda writes about her own experiences to inspire others to travel as far, wide, and frequently as possible.

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