Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP): What to know
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service for U.S. citizens who are leaving the country to live or travel.
If you’re going to be traveling internationally, understanding how STEP works, its benefits and how to register for it could help you stay safe on your upcoming trip.
What you’ll learn:
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STEP emails can warn you about health, weather, safety and security issues at your destination.
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Family or an emergency contact at home can also use the information you provide in STEP to try to contact you if there’s an emergency.
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You can enroll in STEP online following a few simple steps.
What is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)?
STEP is a free service offered by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs that helps U.S. citizens traveling abroad stay connected and aware of potential emergencies. Participants provide contact and travel information so the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate can email travel warnings and advisories.
The program might be useful for students studying abroad, expatriates who plan to live or work in another country and people traveling on vacation.
Types of messages from STEP
STEP uses email to send alerts. All advisories are given a risk level of 1-4 for a specific situation, with level 1 indicating the lowest risk and level 4 representing life-threatening risk.
You can request notifications about:
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General news, updates and current events
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Dangerous weather conditions, such as blizzards, flash floods or extreme temperatures
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Natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis or earthquakes
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Health issues, such as disease outbreaks or sudden severe air or water pollution
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Civil unrest, such as riots or violent protests
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Security issues, such as terrorism, criminal activity or tourist attacks
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Evacuation instructions
Benefits of enrolling in STEP
Besides general travel alerts, the embassy can also provide helpful local information. That might include directions if you’re dealing with legal, medical or financial issues. The embassy might also have the names of English-speaking doctors or attorneys.
STEP can also be used to help people at home stay connected.
How to enroll in STEP
Travelers can enroll in STEP online by following these steps:
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Visit the STEP website.
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From there, you can create an account or proceed as a guest. Creating an account stores your information, which can make it faster to enroll new trips or update your information if you travel often.
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Register your trip by providing travel details, such as your destination and length of your visit.
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Update your settings and travel information as needed during your stay. For instance, if you add a destination to your itinerary or extend your visit, updating your account can help ensure you’ll receive relevant messages.
STEP FAQ
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about STEP:
Is STEP legitimate?
Yes, STEP is a legitimate program offered by the U.S. Department of State.
Is STEP worth it?
Yes, STEP is typically worth it because it’s a completely free program. All you have to do is enroll, which can be done fairly quickly online, and then you’ll receive helpful information during your travels abroad.
What do I need for STEP?
To enroll in STEP, you’ll need an email address for receiving the program’s communications. When setting up your account, you’ll be asked to provide personal information like your name, date of birth, passport number and emergency contact information. When registering a trip, you’ll provide travel details like your destination and the dates of your visit.
Key takeaways: STEP
You can sign up for STEP before or during your trip abroad. It can help you stay connected with your family or other chosen contacts and receive alerts about events that could affect your trip.
As you prepare for your trip, learn how Capital One travel credit cards can reward you for the way you travel.
