Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets and Public Announcements

1) Travel Warnings – Based on relevant and current information, the State Department issues these travel warnings to recommend that Americans avoid visiting a certain country. This particular country where avoidance of travel is suggested will also have "consular information sheets" and "background notes".

Travel Warnings

2) Consular Information Sheets – Available in all countries worldwide, these "Consular Information sheets" include details such as the U.S. embassy location in that particular country, health conditions, unusual currency and immigration practices, entry regulations, minor political disturbances, drug penalties and information on crime and security.

Consular Information Sheets

When unstable conditions occur in a particular country, but are not severe enough to call for a "Travel Warning", descriptions of these conditions may sometimes be included in another section called "Safety or Security." Generally, a Consular Information Sheet does not include any advice; instead it presents information in a factual manner so that travelers can decide on their own whether to travel to a particular country or not.

3) Public Announcements – Given when certain threats that cannot be countered are made, Public Announcements are a way to disseminate information about terrorist attacks, threats, coups, violence and other short-term or trans-national conditions that may pose significant risks to the security of travelers. In the past, Public Announcements are even given to deal with anniversary dates of a particular terrorist event.