Services
Consular Information Program
The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs provides assistance and information to U.S. citizens traveling abroad. Consular Affairs issues Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and other travel publications. Below are brief descriptions of some of the information currently available through the Consular Information Program:
Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts
- Country Specific Information is issued for every country in the world. They include such information as the location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, health conditions, political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties.
- Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Countries where avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings as well as Consular Information Sheets.
- Travel Alerts are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other conditions overseas which pose significant risks to the security of American travelers.
Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts may be heard anytime by dialing (202) 647-5225 from a touch tone phone.
They are also available at regional U.S. passport agencies, at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad, and through airline computer reservation systems, or, by writing and sending a self-addressed, stamped-business size envelope to the Office of Overseas Citizens Services, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Room 4811, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818.
Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts and Consular Affairs' publications can also be obtained by accessing any of the following systems:
Internet. Consular Affairs' Internet Web
Automated Fax System. The Consular Affairs automated fax system can be accessed by dialing from your fax phone (202/647-3000).
U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Copies of Consular Affairs' publications are available for $1-$1.50 from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402 (202/512-1800). (Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Please check with the GPO for up-to-date information.)
Other Publications:
Background Notes are brief, factual pamphlets describing the countries of the world. They contain the most current information on each country's people, culture, geography, history, government, economy and political conditions. Single copies are available from the GPO for about $1 each.
Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts provides names of key officers and addresses for all U.S. embassies, consulates, and missions abroad. This publication is updated biannually and is available from the GPO. Single copy purchase price is $3.75; subscription is $5 per year.
Health Information for International Travel contains detailed information on international health requirements and is available from the GPO for $14.