When Things Go Wrong Abroad

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Where U.S. Travelers Can Turn for Help

Nobody plans to lose a passport, become the victim of a crime or encounter a serious emergency while traveling. But knowing where to turn for help can make a stressful situation easier to handle.

For U.S. citizens abroad, the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate is an important source of assistance. The U.S. Department of State also maintains a Help Abroad section with guidance for several common emergencies.

🏢 Start With the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

If you need routine services or emergency help while abroad, the State Department recommends contacting the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

📞 Save These Emergency Numbers

If you cannot reach the nearest U.S. embassy during an emergency, the State Department lists these emergency helplines:

These numbers are for State Department assistance. In an immediate police, fire or medical emergency, use the local emergency number for the country you're visiting.

📖 Lost or Stolen Passport

If your passport is lost or stolen while you're abroad, the State Department provides instructions for replacing it overseas. Contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance.

Having a copy or secure photo of your passport identification page can make it easier to provide your passport information, but a copy does not replace the actual passport.

🚨 Victim of a Crime

If you are the victim of a crime, your immediate safety comes first. Contact local authorities when appropriate.

The State Department's Help Abroad resources explain the support and resources that may be available to U.S. citizens who are victims of crime while traveling overseas.

🌍 Crisis, Disaster or Evacuation

Natural disasters, civil unrest and other major events can disrupt transportation, communications and normal services with little warning.

The State Department provides crisis-response information explaining how the U.S. government assists U.S. citizens during crisis events and what travelers should do to prepare and respond.

This is another good reason to enroll in STEP before an international trip.

💰 Emergency Financial Problems

A lost wallet, stolen cards or another unexpected problem can leave a traveler without access to money.

The State Department's Help Abroad section provides information about ways to access funds in an emergency and, in some circumstances, how to apply for emergency financial assistance.

⚖️ Arrest or Detention Abroad

When you're outside the United States, you are subject to the laws of the country you're visiting. Those laws and legal procedures may be very different from those at home.

The State Department provides information about consular services for U.S. citizens who are arrested or detained abroad.

🔍 Missing U.S. Citizen Abroad

The Help Abroad section also provides guidance for families and others trying to locate or make contact with a U.S. citizen who is missing overseas.

🔔 STEP Can Help Before an Emergency Happens

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

It's worth enrolling before departure so you're better connected to official information if conditions change while you're traveling.

📱 Create an Emergency Folder on Your Phone

Before an international trip, consider keeping important information together in one easy-to-find place on your phone. You might include:

• Passport copy or secure photo
• Travel insurance information
• Emergency contacts
• Airline or cruise line contacts
• State Department emergency numbers
• Help Abroad page

Keep backup information somewhere separate as well in case your phone is lost or stolen.

❤️ Hopefully You'll Never Need It

This isn't meant to make international travel feel frightening. Most trips end with great memories rather than emergencies.

Think of this information the same way you think of travel insurance: something you prepare in advance and hope you never have to use.

Know where to turn before you need help.