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Foreign Entry Requirements

Savvy Consumer: Foreign Entry Requirements

FOREIGN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Notes

SASE is self-addressed, stamped envelope.

If applying in person, remember to call about office hours. Many consulates are only open in the morning and closed for local holidays.

This booklet is updated yearly. This publication and Passports-Applying for them the EASY WAY, which gives detailed information on how and where to apply for your U.S. passport, are both available from the Federal Consumer Information Center, Pueblo, CO 81009 for 50 cents each.

Consular Information Program

The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs provides assistance and information to U.S. citizens traveling abroad. Consular Affairs issues Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and other travel publications. The following gives a brief description of some of the information currently available through the Consular Information Program:

Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements:

Consular Information Sheets are 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.

The State Department also issues Travel Warnings and Public Announcements. 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. Public Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or transnational conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travelers.

Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements may be heard anytime by dialing (202) 647-5225 from a touch-tone phone. They are also available 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.

Travel Brochures:

A Safe Trip Abroad - contains helpful precautions one can take to minimize the chance of becoming a victim of terrorism or crime. Tips for Americans Residing Abroad - offers information for U.S. citizens living abroad on dual

Tips for Americans Residing Abroad - offers information for U.S. Citizens living abroad on dual citizenship, tax regulations, voting, and other consular services.

Travel Tips for Older Americans - contains special health, safety and travel information for older Americans

Your Trip Abroad - offers tips on obtaining a passport, considerations in preparing for your trip and traveling, and other sources of information.

The following travel tips brochures contain information on currency regulations, customs, and dual nationality for specific areas of the world:

Tips for Travelers to Canada
Tips for Travelers to the Caribbean
Tips for Travelers to Central & South America
Tips for Travelers to Mexico
Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa
Tips for Travelers to the People's Republic of China
Tips for Travelers to Russia
Tips for Travelers to South Asia
Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa

Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Affairs' publications can be obtained by accessing Internet at http://travel.state.gov or by dialing by 202/647-3000 from your telephone/fax.

Top Ten Tips for Travelers

1.	Make sure you have a signed, valid passport and visa, if required. Also, before you go, fill in the emergency information page of your passport!
2.	Read the Consular Information Sheets (and Public Announcements or Travel Warnings, if applicable) for the countries you plan to visit. (See the section "Consular Information Program.")
3.	Leave copies of your itinerary, passport data page and visas with family or friends at home, so that you can be contacted in case of an emergency.
4.	Make sure you have insurance, which will cover your emergency medical needs, while you are overseas.
5.	Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs of the countries to which you are traveling. Remember, while in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws!
6.	Do not leave your luggage unattended in public areas and never accept packages from strangers.
7.	While abroad, avoid using illicit drugs or drinking excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages, and associating with people who do.
8.	Do not become a target for thieves by wearing conspicuous clothing and expensive jewelry and do not carry excessive amounts of cash or unnecessary credit cards.
9.	Deal only with authorized agents when you exchange money or purchase art or antiques in order to avoid violating local laws.
10.	When overseas, avoid demonstrations and other situations that may become unruly or where anti-American sentiments may be expressed.

Countries
A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M - N
O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z
Introduction - Notes

IMPORTANT: THIS LISTING IS PREPARED FROM INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM FOREIGN EMBASSIES PRIOR TO MAY 2002. THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED WELL IN ADVANCE.



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