What Is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program?

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a service that allows travelers to register their trip with the nea💮rest U.S. embassy or consulate. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service offered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs to U.S. citizens and nationals traveling out of the country.

The program provides enrollees with important safety and security information and updates from the Embassy about safety conditions in their destination country. It also helps the U.S. embassy, friends, and family contact enrollees in case of an emergency, such as a natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.

How the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program Works

Infrequent travelers can enroll a single trip on the by clicking the “TRAVELING? Enroll a trip and get Alerts” option. Those who travel ofte💛n can create an account by clicking the “FREQUENT TRAVELER? Create an account” option. An account allows travelers to quickly modify their travel information and enroll in additional trips in the future. A large group of travelers can be enrolled by selecting the “Create Organization/Group Account” option at the bottom of the homepage.

Travel Alerts

All travelers can acces🀅s the issued by the U.S. Department of State. Travelers to any destination should check for notices before leaving the country and while abroad, if possible. Travelers do not have to enroll in the STEP program to get assistance while abroad; however, the U.S. Department of State advises that it is unable to proactively contact travelers who are not enrolledဣ if its embassy or consulate has important information about local safety or security conditions.

In addition to these travel advisories and alerts, U.S. embassies and consulates may send out specific messages that include safety, security, and practical information♉ for that locale; however, only travelers who are enrolled in STEP will receive these messages.

Travel advisories are used to recommend postponing travel due to ongoing civil unrest, dangerous conditions, or terrorist activity—or in situations where the U.S. has no diplomatic relations with a country, which could make it difficult to provide assistance to U.S. citizens. Travel alerts are issued for short-term, abrupt events t🔯hat could pose risks to travelers and affect their plans. Examples include strikes, demonstrations, or confirmation of an elevated risk of terrorist attacks.

Travel Advisories

As a first step in planning any trip abroad, check the Travel Advisories for your intended deꩲstination. You can see the world on this .

Note that conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time. To receive updated Travel Advisories and Alerts, cho🐬ose the method that works best for you at .

The Bottom Line

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service for U.S. citizens who are traveling abroad. Travelers register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate via the U.S. State Department's website. Once signed up, travelers will be notified by their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate if there are any travel warnings or advisories.