FCIC: Foreign Entry Requirements

FOREIGN ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Notes

Some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid at least six months or longer beyond the dates of your trip. Check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country you plan to visit for their requirements.

**Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.

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.

Several countries accept mailed applications from specific states only. If applying by mail please be sure to check with Embassy or Consulate and see if the state you live in is permitted to submit mailed applications.

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.

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 citizenship, tax regulations, voting, and other consular services.

Senior Travelers - contains special health, safety and travel information for older Americans

Tips for Traveling 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:

Country Specific Travel Information

Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Consular Affairs' publications can be obtained by accessing Internet at http://travel.state.gov.

Publications can also be purchased from the *U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO). Copies of Consular Affairs' publications are available for $1.50 - $3.00 from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, tel: 202/512-1800, fax: 202/512-2250, Internet: bookstore.gpo.gov.

(Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Please check with the GPO for up-to-date information.)

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 DECEMBER 2005 . THIS INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK ENTRY REQUIREMENTS WITH THE CONSULAR OFFICIALS OF THE COUNTRIES TO BE VISITED WELL IN ADVANCE.