Program to receive up-to-date safety
and security messages and to allow the
Department of State to reach them in
case of an emergency during their trip.
Tour operators traveling with groups
overseas, in particular, are advised to
sign up with STEP to stay informed
about any potential issues.
Even with the best-laid plans, things
can go wrong. You should recommend
that travelers get medical and travel
insurance appropriate to their trip and
learn what the Department of State
can and cannot do for a U.S. citizen
in cases of emergencies overseas. For
example, consular staff at the nearest
U.S. embassy or consulate can help your
clients in situations such as a lost or
stolen passport, hospitalization, arrest,
death or missing person—or if they
have been the victim of a crime.
The Department of State also stands
ready to assist in the event of a crisis in
the country where your client is travel-
ing. The Bureau of Consular Affairs uses
its Twitter feed and Facebook page to
communicate timely, actionable infor-
mation in emergencies.
Visit the website for more in-depth
coverage of the range of services pro-
vided by U.S. embassies and consulates
abroad. There you will also find infor-
mation on specialized topics like travel-
ing with pets, cruises, TSA Pre-check,
Global Entry and religious travel.
Travel professionals supporting
visitors from abroad
The website also has resources for
travel professionals booking trips to the
United States for international travelers.
It provides an overview of the B1/B2 vis-
itor and business visas, the online visa
application process, and current visa
appointment and processing wait times
in any U.S. embassy or consulate around
the world. Regardless of wait times,
travel professionals should advise their
clients to apply for a visa far in advance
of travel if a visa is required.
There is also information on
the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization, also known as ESTA, for
visitors from Visa Waiver Program coun-
tries who qualify, and on the Electronic
Visa Update System, which is required
for Chinese tourists and business travel-
ers. In addition, the site has several use-
ful videos that explain the visa applica-
tion process in simple steps, show what
happens at a port of entry upon arrival
in the United States, and detail how to
use expedited automated entry systems
at certain U.S. airports.
The new website is a treasure-trove of
useful information that will assist you
in better handling your clients’ travel
needs before and during their trip. Please
add these links to your own website for
your clients’ reference. After all, a better
prepared and informed traveler is a safer
traveler, one who is much more likely to
travel again—using your services.
Ogniana Ivanova-Sriram is an outreach
officer in the U.S. Department of State’s
Consular Affairs Office of Policy Coordi-
nation and Public Affairs.
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