Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a service of the U.S. Department of State for U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.[1][2][3]

Enrollment process

Enrollment for STEP involves first going to the STEP website and creating a login. Then optionally filling out one's profile, including contact information (email and phone number) and residences abroad.[1] After that, the itinerary for each specific trip can be entered on the website. Information that can be entered includes arrival and departure dates, destination country, closest embassy or consulate, purpose of visit, and emergency contact information.[3]

Benefits of enrollment

STEP enrollees get alerts, warnings, and notifications with detailed information if there is problems or risks related to the areas they are traveling during the travel dates.[2][3] This particular benefit can be obtained without enrolling in STEP by proactively checking and filtering the full alert list issued by the U.S. Department of State.[2] The alerts and notifications are, by default, at the country level and may not capture events limited to specific regions of the country.

Itinerary and contact information filled in by STEP enrollees, can also be used by the U.S. Department of State to help locate them in case of an emergency, and can also help with things like replacing a lost or stolen passport.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  2. Lagrave, Katherine (July 26, 2016). "STEP: Why the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program Matters. STEP makes it easier for the nearest U.S. Embassy to contact you in case of an emergency abroad". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  3. "How to Register With the US Consulate When Traveling Abroad". USA Today. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
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