Is STEP only for dangerous destinations?

No. Enroll for every international trip. Even safe countries have natural disasters, political situations, or medical emergencies. STEP helped evacuate U.S. citizens from France during the 2015 Paris attacks and from Japan after the 2011 earthquake. You never know when you'll need it.

Will enrolling in STEP make me a target?

No. Your STEP enrollment is confidential. Only U.S. government officials can access it. It's not public information and it's not shared with foreign governments or visible to anyone in your destination country.

What if I'm traveling to multiple countries?

Add each country as a separate trip or as multiple destinations in one trip. STEP alerts are country-specific, so you'll get relevant information for each place you visit. It takes an extra 2 minutes per country.

Can non-U.S. citizens use STEP?

No. STEP is only for U.S. citizens and nationals. If you're traveling with non-U.S. citizens, they should check if their country offers a similar program. Many do.

Do I need to unenroll after my trip?

No. STEP automatically closes your trip after your end date. You can also manually close a trip early if you return home sooner than planned. Old trips stay in your account for reference but don't generate alerts.

What happens if there's an emergency and I'm enrolled in STEP?

The embassy knows you're in the country and can reach out to you directly with evacuation instructions, shelter locations, or safety guidance. If someone back home reports you missing, the embassy has a starting point to locate you. STEP doesn't mean automatic rescue, but it means the embassy knows you exist and where you planned to be.

How to Use the State Department's STEP Program for Travel Safety

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service from the U.S. State Department that registers your trip with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It takes 5 minutes to enroll online, helps the government locate you in an emergency, and sends you security alerts for your destination. Enroll at step.state.gov before every international trip.

Go to step.state.gov and create an account. You need a valid email address. If you already have an account, log in. First-time users create a profile with basic contact information. This is a one-time setup—you'll reuse this account for all future trips.
Add your trip details. Click 'Add a Trip' and enter your destination country, travel dates, and in-country contact information (hotel, friend's address, or 'various' if backpacking). You can enter multiple countries if you're visiting several. Be as specific as possible with dates—STEP alerts are time-sensitive.
Add your travel companions. If you're traveling with family or friends who are also U.S. citizens, add them to your trip. They don't need their own STEP accounts if you include them here. Enter their full names and passport numbers.
Provide your emergency contacts. Add at least one person back home who the State Department can contact if something happens to you. Include their phone number and relationship to you. This person should know your travel plans.
Review and submit. Double-check your dates and destination. Click submit. You'll get a confirmation email immediately. The nearest U.S. embassy or consulate now has your information on file.
Check your email during your trip. STEP sends alerts about security situations, natural disasters, civil unrest, or health emergencies in your destination. Read these. They often include specific instructions for U.S. citizens. You can also update your trip details anytime if your plans change.

Is STEP only for dangerous destinations?: No. Enroll for every international trip. Even safe countries have natural disasters, political situations, or medical emergencies. STEP helped evacuate U.S. citizens from France during the 2015 Paris attacks and from Japan after the 2011 earthquake. You never know when you'll need it.
Will enrolling in STEP make me a target?: No. Your STEP enrollment is confidential. Only U.S. government officials can access it. It's not public information and it's not shared with foreign governments or visible to anyone in your destination country.
What if I'm traveling to multiple countries?: Add each country as a separate trip or as multiple destinations in one trip. STEP alerts are country-specific, so you'll get relevant information for each place you visit. It takes an extra 2 minutes per country.
Can non-U.S. citizens use STEP?: No. STEP is only for U.S. citizens and nationals. If you're traveling with non-U.S. citizens, they should check if their country offers a similar program. Many do.
Do I need to unenroll after my trip?: No. STEP automatically closes your trip after your end date. You can also manually close a trip early if you return home sooner than planned. Old trips stay in your account for reference but don't generate alerts.
What happens if there's an emergency and I'm enrolled in STEP?: The embassy knows you're in the country and can reach out to you directly with evacuation instructions, shelter locations, or safety guidance. If someone back home reports you missing, the embassy has a starting point to locate you. STEP doesn't mean automatic rescue, but it means the embassy knows you exist and where you planned to be.