TRAVEL INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program
provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel
Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular Information Sheets
exist for all countries and include information on entry requirements,
currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability,
crime and security, political disturbances, and the addresses
of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings
are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans
avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements
are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas,
which pose significant risks to the security of American travelers.
Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau
of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system:
202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings
also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page:
http://travel.state.gov.
Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication series, which
contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe
trip abroad are on the internet and hard copies can be purchased
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad
may be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services
at (202) 647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays,
call 202-647-4000.
Passport information can be obtained by calling the National
Passport Information Center's automated system ($.35 per minute)
or live operators 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (EST) Monday-Friday ($1.05
per minute). The number is 1-900-225-5674 (TDD: 1-900-225-7778).
Major credit card users (for a flat rate of $4.95) may call 1-888-362-8668
(TDD: 1-888-498-3648). It also is available on the Internet.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations
or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety
for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information
for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280)
is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.
Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency
and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest
to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a
country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S.
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous
areas are encouraged to register at the U.S. embassy upon arrival
in a country. This may help family members contact you in case
of an emergency.
Travel to the Republic of the Philippines
