Message to U.S. Citizens: Improvements to How We Communicate Safety and Security Information to U.S. Citizens

On Wednesday, January 10, 2018, the Department of State will make changes to our safety and security information to make it easier to find, understand, and use.  Also on January 10, the Department will issue a Travel Advisory for Turkey, in the improved format, which replaces the Travel Warning for Turkey issued on September 28, 2017.

Travel Advisories will replace Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts.  Every country will have a Travel Advisory, which will provide one of four standard levels of advice.  The Travel Advisory will give an explanation for the level and include clear actions U.S. citizens should take.

Alerts will replace Security Messages and Emergency Messages.  Alerts follow an easy-to-understand format with clear actions U.S. citizens should take.

U.S. citizens who have signed up to receive updates via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP.state.gov) will automatically receive, via email, the TurkeyTravel Advisory on January 10, and any subsequent Alerts.  They will continue to receive other messages as usual, including announcements related to voting, town halls, and administrative issues.

For more information about improvements to our safety and security information and to sign-up to receive a notification on launch date, visit http://travel.state.gov/travelsafely.

For further detailed information regarding Turkey and travel:

  • See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Turkey’s Travel Advisory, Alerts, and Turkey’s Country Specific Information.
  • Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and help us locate you in an emergency.
  • Contact the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara, at +90-312-455-5555.
  • The after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +90-312-455-5555 or +90-212-335-9000 (U.S. Consulate General Istanbul).
  • Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul, located at 2 Uçsehitler Sokagi, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, at +90-212-335-9000.
  • Contact the U.S. Consulate in Adana, located at 212 Girne Bulvari, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana at +90-322-455-4100.
  • Contact the Consular Agency in Izmir at Izmir@state.gov.
  • Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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