Crisis Response and Evacuations

We will communicate with U.S. citizens through: 

• STEP messages - We send updates and alerts via email to U.S. citizens who have enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). To receive these alerts, sign up at step.state.gov.
• Social media – We may post alerts to X, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp channels and other social media.
• Crisis intake system - We may publish an online form that can be completed by or for a U.S. citizen in a crisis location who wishes to request consular information and assistance, including assistance to depart.
• Email - We may contact you via email during a crisis. Please double check that the email is legitimate. Emails will always come from an address ending in @state.gov. You should monitor junk email folders for messages from us that don’t reach your inbox.
• Citizen Liaison Volunteers (CLVs) - These are private volunteers who help communicate with U.S. citizens. During a crisis, CLVs can help us locate U.S. citizens and share information in hard-to-reach areas. 
• We may use local TV, radio, and SMS text to share information - Local media may be used if internet and phone services are disrupted during a crisis.

The best time to leave is before a crisis happens. If that isn't possible, then we recommend following these guidelines: 

• Use regular commercial transportation whenever safe and available. 
• Contact us if you need assistance or information to depart safely. 
• Prepare to stay in your current location if it is unsafe to locally travel. Be prepared to leave when the situation improves.

In some emergencies, the U.S. government may evacuate U.S. citizens to a safe location or provide other forms of departure assistance when commercial options are unavailable. When this assistance is available, we provide details to Americans via STEP and directly with Americans who have identified themselves as needing assistance.

U.S. government coordinated transportation will be to a safe location readily accessible from the area of danger. The destination is usually not the United States.

After arriving at the safe location, U.S. citizens generally will need to make lodging or onward travel arrangements on their own. We may be able to provide information about hotels in the local area. We cannot guarantee room availability or rates. We cannot guarantee how long local immigration officials will allow you to stay. You may be required to travel quickly onward to the United States or elsewhere by local immigration laws.

What you need to do: 

• Work with local immigration officials to get any required visas, vaccinations, or documents.
• Plan and pay for your own accommodation, living expenses, or onward travel.

U.S. citizens can request emergency financial help at the destination. You can ask a consular officer from the U.S. embassy or consulate about applying for a loan from the U.S. government to pay for essential costs. 

Pets and service animals 

• Prepare for the likelihood that you cannot take your pet on U.S. government-coordinated transportation. Arrange local care for them or consider commercial options that can accommodate while those are available. 
• In cases where we can transport service animals, we will let you know about any transport rules or needs.
• Whenever you are traveling with a service animal, you must make sure the animal meets the entry and transit rules for each country they will travel through. You must accept all travel risks for service animals. 

Military evacuations

It is extremely rare for the U.S. military to assist with evacuations of civilians abroad. If such an evacuation occurs, the Department of State and Department of War will coordinate to help U.S. citizens leave a crisis area. 

U.S. government coordinated transportation is not free

U.S. law lets the Department of State use emergency funds to evacuate private U.S. citizens from abroad when their lives are endangered by war, civil unrest, or natural disaster. However, the law says this help must be provided on a reimbursable basis to the extent practicable. In most cases you will need to pay back the U.S. government for the cost of transportation provided during an evacuation. 

• The Department of State enforces the law by billing evacuees after travel. We bill for the cost of commercial airfare on the date immediately prior to the events causing the evacuation. Or we bill for the actual per-person cost of the transportation if that cost is lower. In rare circumstances, transportation may be provided to U.S. citizens without charge.
• For any transportation we arrange that requires reimbursement, you won’t pay before boarding. Instead, you’ll be asked to complete the Form DS-5528 agreeing to repay the U.S. government, and will be billed after the transportation is complete. 
• Costs may vary for transportation to different destinations. It's safest to leave on the first transport option available to you. 

Destination and costs

• We will assist with departure to a nearby safe location, usually not to the United States. You will need to arrange to get to the United States on your own.
• You are generally responsible for costs at the safe destination. This includes lodging, food, clothing, medication, and other essentials. 

How to pay an assisted evacuation debt

The U.S. Department of State’s Accounts Receivable Branch (ARB) handles payments for evacuation debts. ARB sends U.S. citizens and others who were assisted a bill for the evacuation to the address they provide on the Form DS-5528.  

For information on how to pay your bill, visit the website for our Accounts Receivable Branch.

Overdue fees and penalties 

The Department of State follows federal debt collection rules. If full payment is not received within 30 days of the due date, the Department of State adds a $50 charge for administrative costs and interest starts to accrue.

• If the account is 90 days past due, penalties are assessed at a rate of 6% per year on the unpaid balance.  
• If the Department of State is unable to collect the debt, it must turn it over to the Department of Treasury for collection.  
• The Department of Treasury may collect the debt via offset of federal payments like tax returns and social security. The Department of Treasury may refer your case to a private collection agency or to credit bureaus.  
• The Department of Treasury may garnish your wages to collect the debt.  
• The Department of Treasury may also use other actions allowed by law. 

Inability to pay evacuation debt

• If you can’t immediately pay for your travel to a safe location or the United States, you may be eligible for installment agreements.  
• If you have questions for ARB, dial 800-521-2116 or dial 843-746-0592. ARB is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., ET. You can also email them at FMPARD@state.gov. 

Impact of evacuation debt on your passport 

• If you are making regular payments on an outstanding debt, we can issue a passport valid for 1 year, if you are eligible. 
• Once you have repaid the debt in full, we can issue a full-validity passport (10 years for adults) if you are otherwise eligible. 
• If you have not made any payments on an outstanding debt, we cannot issue you a new passport. Please set up payment arrangements by contacting ARB. 

Expired U.S. passports  

• If your passport expires while abroad, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination to apply for a new one.
• Emergency issuance of travel documents during a crisis takes time. These documents are usually only valid for a short period of time to help you leave the area.
• The best way to avoid delay is to keep your travel documents updated.  

Help for family or friends who are not U.S. citizens 

• Our priority is to help U.S. citizens. Family and friends who are not U.S. citizens should reach out to the embassy or consulate of their citizenship or nationality for assistance. 

Visa processing 

• Our U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide have no higher priority than helping U.S. citizens. As a result, the embassy or consulate may stop or reduce U.S. visa processing and other routine services during a time of crisis to focus supporting Americans. 
• Don’t risk your safety by staying in a dangerous area because of your pending visa application.

Be prepared

Whether you’re traveling or living outside the United States, it’s important to prepare for a crisis by doing the following: 

• Keep plenty of food and water available.
• If you have young children, have diapers, formula, and baby food on hand.
• Keep at least 5 days of medication and your prescription handy.
• If you use medical devices, ensure you have a backup power supply.
• Maintain an emergency kit that includes:
  • Your passport
  • Birth certificates for children born overseas
  • Cash in local currency
  • Translation card with common words
  • Electrical converter
• For pets, have their food, supplies, and vaccination records on hand. We cannot help transport pets. Have a plan for taking a pet overseas and review FEMA.gov pet and animal information. 

Be safe 

Call local authorities first if you need immediate assistance. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination if you need emergency help.

• A crisis can make roads unpassable or unsafe. Emergency responders may be delayed, not able to get to you, or have many people in need. Have an exit strategy and learn the possible routes to safety.
• Follow instructions from local authorities.
• Check local media for updates.
• Know your hotel’s emergency plan for fire, electrical outage, storms, or flooding.
• Stay in touch with hotel staff, tour operators, and local officials.

Stay connected 

Prepare for ways to communicate during a crisis or disaster. 

• Always keep a list of emergency contacts with you.
• Create a communication plan for reaching family and friends in the event of a crisis.
• Phone lines and communication networks may not work during a crisis. Use social media to update your status and stay in touch with contacts, if possible.
• Social media accounts for U.S. embassies, consulates, and the Bureau of Consular Affairs provide updates. Follow our social channels on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
• Share the Missing U.S. Citizen Abroad information with your close contacts before you travel.
• Sign up for STEP at step.state.gov to receive updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. STEP also makes it easier for us to reach you or your emergency contact during a crisis.

Crisis and disaster risk preparation 

Prepare for specific risks based on your destination. Check our Travel Advisories and destination information for specific safety and security information.  

• Transportation disasters - consult your airline, rail, or cruise line for safety instructions. Review the road safety information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 
• Nuclear, chemical, or radiological disasters - refer to government resources for more information: 
  • Ready.gov for radiation or hazardous materials emergencies 
  • CDC.gov for radiation information 
  • EPA.gov for radiation emergency preparation. 
• Missile or drone strike - seek cover immediately and stay indoors. Check local media and contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for your destination for guidance. Review the Ready.gov explosions information for more guidelines. 

If you want to help after a disaster

• Avoid travel to disaster areas unless you are a trained emergency responder. 
• Instead, consider donating to organizations providing aid.