In case of an emergency while traveling, contact a U.S. Embassy

U.S. or Canada 1-888-407-4747
International 1-202-501-4444
Other Emergency Information:


How to Prepare for a Crisis Abroad


Think Ahead

Whether traveling or living outside of the United States, there are ways you can prepare yourself for a potential crisis.

Be Informed

  • Learn about the country, including visa requirements, local laws, customs, and medical care in the countries where you will be. Check for any Travel Advisories for your destination.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important safety and security messages and make it easier for us to locate and assist you in an emergency.
  • Keep the contact details for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate with you. We are available for emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, overseas and in Washington, D.C. (888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444).
  • See the Traveler’s Checklist for more information. 

Travel Advisories
Check for any Travel Advisories for your destination before you travel. 

Travel Requirements 

Be sure to check the travel requirements (including covid testing and vaccination requirements) to the country your client is traveling to as well as any returning requirements to their home country. Check both countries' .gov embassy site for important updates. Another handy tool you can use is one provided by Sherpa.


Important requirements to be aware of:
Please check Sherpa, and the vendor you booked with for any special entry requirements. 

Mexico Electronic Policy

Each traveler is permitted to bring ONE portable computing device (e.g., laptop, notebook, or iPad) without incurring an import fee.

If passengers bring multiple devices, such as a laptop and an iPad, each will be treated as a separate item, which may result in additional fees.

Allowed Items:
1 laptop or similar portable computing device (e.g., iPad)
Limited Items:  
Up to 3 cell phones 
1 GPS
2 cameras
1 pair of binoculars
4 fishing poles
 
⚠️ Exceeding these limits may result in customs duties starting at 19% of the item's estimated value, with some cases reporting fees as high as 200%. 
 
To avoid these potential charges, please advise your clients traveling to Mexico to adhere to these guidelines.


Airline Customer Service Dashboard

See the The U.S. Department of Transportation's new Airline Customer Service Dashboard to ensure your client has access to information about services that U.S. airlines provide to mitigate passenger inconveniences when the cause of a cancellation or delay was due to circumstances within the airline’s control. 

(STEP) Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at Travel.State.Gov. 

What is STEP? : The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Benefits of Enrolling in STEP:

  • Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
  • Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
  • Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.
Learn more here. 

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