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Information for Travelers
 

The Consular Information Program is the Department of State’s primary vehicle for informing American citizens of important issues regarding safety, security and health while traveling abroad.

Travel Alerts (formerly called Public Announcements) are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert. Travel Alerts are issued for a specific period, usually 90 days or less.

Travel Warnings recommend that U.S. citizens defer or reconsider travel to a country due to a protracted situation that is dangerous or unstable.  A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist U.S. citizens is constrained due to a drawdown or closure at an embassy or consulate, even if the underlying condition is expected to be of limited duration.

The Worldwide Caution (WWC) reminds Americans to maintain a high level of vigilance and to bolster their personal security while overseas.  It also informs Americans of ongoing security concerns, including the continual threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and American interests overseas. The Worldwide Caution pays particular attention to regions of concern where there is a continued threat of terrorism. The Worldwide Caution is reviewed continually and is updated at least every six months to ensure the most current general and regional safety and security information is shared with the American public.

Country Specific Information (formerly Consular information Sheet) is available for every country of the world. These pages, available at travel.state.gov include such information as location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. For more detailed information on Bosnia and Herzegovina, please see the BiH Country Specific Information. Warden Messages are issued by overseas posts to provide timely safety and security information to U.S. citizens in their host country.

Sign up for Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)

The Embassy strongly encourages all U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Bosnia and Herzegovina to let us know your contact information so that, in an emergency, we can contact you. If you are a U.S. citizen residing in Bosnia and Herzegovina or are just visiting it, please sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrolment Program at the State Department’s web site.

U.S. embassies and consulates assist nearly 200,000 Americans each year who are victims of crime, accident, or illness, or whose family and friends need to contact them in an emergency. When an emergency happens, or if natural disaster, terrorism, or civil unrest strikes during your foreign travel, the Embassy can be your source of assistance and information. By informing us about your trip or residence abroad, you help the embassy locate you when you might need them the most.  Signing up is voluntary and costs nothing, but it should be a big part of your travel planning and security.

When you sign up, you will automatically receive “Warden Messages”; from the Embassy to your e-mail address. Warden Messages are notices we occasionally send out to U.S. citizens residing in Bosnia and Herzegovina concerning security or non-emergency information (i.e. voting or other useful consular information). You only need to sign up once, and then you can add and delete trips from your account based on your current travel plans!

Signing up through this website is NOT considered proof of U.S. citizenship. If you apply for any American citizen services from the embassy while in Bosnia and Herzegovina, you will be asked by the consular staff to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or American birth certificate.