Safety and Security Overseas

Introduction

U.S. citizens traveling abroad face certain risks that may not be prevalent in the United States. Risks include sanitation issues (e.g., non-potable water); traffic accidents due to poor road conditions and unfamiliarity with local norms; local vector-borne disease; injury from adventure tourism; inaccessible transportation, lodging, or medical facilities; exposure to unfamiliar climates; and violence ranging from petty theft to terrorism.

Travelers overseas, particularly tourists, can also face additional challenges in seeking help. Language, culture, or local laws can be barriers, travelers might not have a network of friends or family to assist them in an emergency, and support may not be available to persons with disabilities (see Travelers with Disabilities chapter). Local government responses to accidents or crime might not be what travelers expect or need; in some instances, an effective local government might not even exist. Travelers should research conditions and accessibility issues at their destination before departure to learn what risks they could face and make plans to mitigate those risks abroad.

Informed travel

Travelers should make informed decisions prior to departure, based on clear, timely, and reliable safety and security information. The Bureau of Consular Affairs within the U.S. Department of State (DOS; the organization charged with the welfare and protection of U.S. citizens abroad) provides would-be travelers with a broad range of information for every country in the world through its webpages, Travel.State.Gov and U.S. Embassy and Consulate.

Travel advisories and travel to high-risk areas

At the broadest level, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assigns every country a metrics-based travel advisory level between 1 and 4:

1: Exercise normal precautions

2: Exercise increased caution

3: Reconsider travel

4: Do not travel

Travelers can access travel advisories at Travel.State.Gov; accompanying country information pages describe the risks and conditions and the actions travelers should take to mitigate risks in each country. Country information pages provide extensive travel information, including details about entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs; health risks; accessibility for travelers with disabilities and for other key groups; typical scams and other crimes; transportation safety; and other relevant topics. The DOS also warns people not to visit certain high-risk countries or areas because of local conditions and limited ability to provide consular services in those places.

U.S. embassies and consulates abroad also issue event-based alerts to inform U.S. citizens of specific safety, security, or health concerns that put travelers at immediate risk (e.g., civil aviation risks, crime threats, demonstrations, health events, weather events).

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Advise U.S. citizen travelers to enroll with the DOS's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). A free service, STEP allows enrollees to receive information and alerts from local U.S. embassies or consulates about safety, security, or health conditions at their destination. STEP can also help the local embassy or consulate locate missing U.S. citizens or contact them in an emergency (e.g., civil unrest, a family emergency, natural disasters).

Preparing friends and family

The DOS advises travelers to share their itinerary with friends and family, including the names and contact information for travel agencies, planned tours, and lodging. Travelers should establish reasonable expectations for "check-in" communications with family and friends. In addition to having their own copies, travelers also should provide trusted friends and family with copies of important documents like passports, visas, health insurance cards, and credit cards in case any of these items are lost or stolen.

Medical insurance

The U.S. government does not provide medical insurance for U.S. travelers overseas and will not pay costs for travelers receiving international medical care. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover these costs, nor do many private domestic health insurance plans. Thus, travelers should purchase supplemental insurance prior to travel (see Travel Insurance, Travel Health Insurance, and Medical Evacuation Insurance chapter). Because travel insurance policy coverage varies, travelers should carefully read the terms to make sure the policy fits all their needs. Travelers might need additional insurance coverage for the costs of emergency medical care; medical transport back to the United States; travel and accommodation costs in the event of interrupted or delayed travel; 24-hour contact services; and treatment received overseas for any preexisting conditions, including pregnancy.

Local laws

U.S. citizens are subject to local laws during travel abroad. Travelers who violate those laws—even unknowingly—can face arrest, imprisonment, or deportation. In addition, some crimes are prosecutable both in the United States and in the country where the crime was committed. U.S. citizens arrested or detained abroad should ask local law enforcement or prison officials to notify the U.S. embassy or consulate immediately.

Faith-based travelers

Faith-based travel encompasses a wide range of activities (e.g., attending pilgrimages, participating in service projects, conducting missionary work, taking part in faith-based tours). Millions of faith-based travelers participate safely in some type of religious travel every year. In addition to being aware of basic country conditions that impact all travelers, U.S. faith-based travelers should know that in some countries, conducting religious activities without proper registration, or at all, is a crime.

LGB+ travelers

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority (LGB+) travelers face unique challenges when traveling abroad (see LGB+ Travelers chapter). Laws and attitudes in some countries might negatively affect safety and ease of travel for LGB+ persons, and legal protections vary among countries. Many countries do not legally respect marriage equality, and more than 60 jurisdictions criminalize consensual same-sex sexual relations, sometimes with severe punishment. Travelers should review the Human Rights Report for further details before travel.

Travelers with disabilities

Each country has its own laws regarding rights and protections for persons with disabilities, including those with psychiatric conditions (see Mental Health in Travelers chapter), to include transportation accessibility, accessible signage, specialized healthcare services, and legal assistance. Enforcement of accessibility and other laws relating to people with disabilities may not be consistent with U.S. standards (see Travelers with Disabilities chapter).

Travelers with dual nationality

Countries have different regulations for dual nationals; some do not permit dual nationality, while others infer dual nationality based on the birthplace of a traveler's parent. U.S. citizens should check with the embassy of any country for relevant nationality laws before travel.

Crime, crisis, and terrorism

Crime

Crime is one of the most common threats to the safety of U.S. citizens abroad. Travelers should research crime trends and patterns at their destination using the Overseas Security Advisory Council Country Security Reports, which provides baseline security information for every country around the world. Although strategies to avoid becoming a crime victim are, for the most part, the same everywhere, travel medicine specialists should stress the following points with international travelers:

• Avoid accommodations on the ground floor or immediately next to the stairs, if possible, and lock all windows and doors.
• Do not wear or bring expensive clothing or accessories.
• If confronted in a robbery, give up all valuables and do not resist attackers. Resistance can escalate to violence and result in injury or death.
• Limit travel at night; travel with a companion and vary routine travel habits.
• Take only recommended, safe modes of local transportation.

Crime victims should contact the local authorities and the nearest U.S. embassy, consulate, or consular agency for assistance. The DOS can help replace stolen passports, contact family and friends, identify healthcare professionals, explain the local criminal justice process, and connect victims of crime with available resources, including a list of local attorneys and medical providers. The DOS does not have the legal authority to conduct a criminal investigation, prosecute crimes, or provide legal advice or counsel.

Crises

Whether traveling or living outside the United States, U.S. citizens should prepare for potential crises. The DOS is committed to assisting U.S. citizens who become victims of crime, who need assistance during a crisis or a natural disaster, or who need consular services (e.g., replacing a lost or stolen passport, providing a loan to return to the United States). The DOS also can attempt to locate missing U.S. citizens abroad. Nevertheless, U.S. citizens should proactively research the availability and accessibility of resources for the country or countries where they are traveling or residing, stay connected with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, and create personal safety plans.

Terrorism

Despite being a worldwide threat and cause for concern, terrorist attacks have involved relatively few international travelers. Past attacks have included assassinations, bombings, hijackings, kidnappings, and other forms of violence. Bombings are typically conducted with the use of improvised explosive devices. Potential targets include business offices, clubs, hotels, houses of worship, public transportation systems, residential areas, restaurants, schools, shopping malls, sporting events, or other destinations where people gather in large numbers. To reduce chances of becoming victims of terrorism, travelers should be cautious of unexpected packages; avoid wearing clothing that identifies them as a tourist (e.g., a T-shirt bearing the U.S. flag or the logo of a favorite U.S.-based sports team); look out for unattended bags or packages in public places and other crowded areas; and try to blend in with the locals. These strategies incorporate the same defensive alertness and good judgment that people should use to prevent becoming victims of crime. Awareness is key, and travelers should be knowledgeable of their surroundings, have an exit plan, and adopt protective measures.