The State Department's Consular Information
Program is designed to provide United States citizens with useful
travel information about specific countries and to inform Americans
of potential threats to their safety abroad. The program includes
four types of documents:
Country
Specific Information pages provide travelers with basic information
about each country. This includes entry requirements, safety and
security considerations, information about health factors and
medical facilities, traffic safety and road conditions, and the
location of the United States Embassy, if one is established in
the country.
Travel
Alerts disseminate information about short-term conditions,
generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks
to U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, political or economic demonstrations,
the anniversaries of violent events, and threats of terrorist
attacks or other violence are examples of conditions that could
generate a Travel Alert. Travel Alerts are issued for a specific
period, usually 90 days or less, and expire automatically at the
end of the prescribed period, unless extended by the State Department.
Travel
Warnings recommend that U.S. citizens defer or reconsider
travel to a country due to a protracted situation that is dangerous
or unstable. A Travel Warning also is issued when the U.S. Government's
ability to assist U.S. citizens is constrained as a result of
the temporary closure of an embassy or consulate or because the
embassy's staff has been reduced in response to security conditions.
Travel Warnings are not issued for a specific period of time and
do not automatically expire. The State Department reviews these
warnings continually and updates them at least every six months.
The Worldwide
Caution reminds Americans to maintain a high level of vigilance
and to bolster their personal security while traveling outside
the United States. It also informs Americans of ongoing security
concerns, including the continual threat of terrorist actions
and other violence against Americans and American interests overseas.
The Worldwide Caution is reviewed continually and updated at least
every six months to ensure the most current general and regional
safety and security information is shared with the American public.
