STEP - Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

If you are traveling outside the United States, you should enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It is a free service that sends you email updates and alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

Get U.S. embassy and consulate updates in your inbox while you’re abroad.

Join our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) today.

Enroll in STEP (opens in a new tab)

U.S. embassy and consulate updates and alerts

When you subscribe to STEP(opens in a new tab), you get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate for the destination you are visiting or living in. STEP messages are sent to your email. It also helps the U.S. embassy or consulate(opens in a new tab) contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.

You’ll receive messages for emergency situations with instructions on what to do, so you can make informed travel decisions. STEP messages include:

Security alerts
Demonstration alerts
Health alerts
Weather or natural disaster alerts
Travel Advisory updates
Routine messages about U.S. embassy and consulate services

How STEP works

Follow these simple instructions to start using the STEP program.

Create a STEP account - set up a free, secure account online to start receiving embassy and consulate notifications. You may also choose a guest subscription if you want to receive messages but do not want to register for a Login.gov(opens in a new tab) account.
Register your trip - with a Login.gov(opens in a new tab) account you can log in to STEP and register your upcoming travel details, including location and duration of your visit.
Receive updates and alerts - once you sign up, you'll receive alerts and updates related to your destination for the time period of your choosing.
Modify your settings – when your travel plans change, simply update your information in STEP. This ensures the embassy or consulate has the most accurate data to help you in any situation.

Traveling with STEP

The STEP program is ideal for anyone traveling or living abroad.

Tourists - stay aware of local threats and receive alerts from the nearest U.S embassy or consulate(opens in a new tab) if any security concerns develop while on your vacation.
Business travelers – stay updated on changing conditions and travel safely for work abroad.
Students abroad - get direct and reliable safety and security information while studying at international schools or programs.
Residents and long-term stays – count on critical safety guidance and Amercian Citizens Services information from the U.S. embassy or consulate while living abroad.

Privacy Act Statement

The U.S. Department of State is committed to ensuring that any personal information received by our overseas U.S. embassies and consulates pursuant to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) process, whether in person or otherwise, is safeguarded against unauthorized disclosure. The data that you provide the U.S. Department of State is subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act (5 USC § 552a). This means that the U.S. Department of State will not disclose the information you provide us in your STEP application to any third parties unless you have given us written authorization to do so, or unless the disclosure is otherwise permitted under the Privacy Act.

AUTHORITY: The information solicited in STEP is requested pursuant to provisions in 22 U.S.C. § 2715 and 22 U.S.C. § 4802(b) of the U.S. Code and 22 C.F.R. § 71.1 and 22 C.F.R. § 71.6 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PURPOSE: To notify and assist U.S. nationals in the event of a disaster, emergency, or other crisis, and for evacuation coordination.

ROUTINE USES: The information solicited will become part of the Overseas Citizens Services System of Records and may be disclosed to another domestic government agency, a private contractor, a foreign government agency, or to a private person in accordance with certain approved routine uses. These routine uses include, but are not limited to, law enforcement activities, employment verification, fraud prevention, border security, counterterrorism, litigation activities, and activities that meet the Secretary of State's responsibility to protect U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals abroad. The information may also be made available to private U.S. nationals, known as citizen liaison volunteers, designated by U.S. embassies to assist in communicating with the private U.S. community in an emergency. More information on the Routine Uses for the system can be found in the System of Records Notice, State-05, Overseas Citizen Services Records.

DISCLOSURE: Providing the information requested on this form is purely voluntary. Failure to provide the requested information on the form could make it more difficult for the Department to notify and assist the U.S. national in the event of an emergency.

STEP - Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

U.S. embassy and consulate updates and alerts

How STEP works

Traveling with STEP

How we protect the information you provide in STEP