Tips for Traveling Abroad
Here are some quick tips to make your travel
easier and safer: (More detailed Tips can be found on the US
Department of State.)
Register so the State Department can better
assist you in an emergency: Register your travel plans with the
State Department
through a free online service at https://travelregistration.state.gov.
This will help the State Department 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 the
State Department 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.
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