The U.S. Department of State has no greater responsibility than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas. The Department continues to proactively communicate travel advice and warnings to U.S. citizens amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of our efforts to give U.S. citizens timely information so that they can make informed choices about travel abroad, the Department advises that the United States government does not plan to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to private U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens traveling or residing overseas should follow host country developments and guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination.
The Department of State encourages U.S. citizens traveling abroad to check with their health insurance provider to see if their coverage is accepted overseas. Most U.S. insurance coverage, including Medicare/Medicaid, is not accepted overseas. We encourage all U.S. citizen travelers to obtain travel health insurance and to check with their provider to determine if vaccinations are covered.
Commercial travel options remain available around the world. If a U.S. citizen wishes to return to the United States, we urge them to take advantage of available commercial flights. U.S. citizens who do not return while commercial options exist should be prepared to remain in place for an extended period. All potential travelers should carefully consider the need to travel, and inform themselves of the risks prior to departure. In general, cases where U.S. citizens abroad face destitution, the Department can offer certain limited types of assistance to eligible individuals; you may find more information about what we can do on the Department of State travel website.
We also urge those contemplating travel abroad to review CDC’s country specific recommendations and their overall guidance on international air travel. U.S. citizens currently abroad should closely monitor guidance from local public health and immigration authorities, as well as the CDC.
We encourage U.S. citizens to stay connected with us via Travel.state.gov and through Facebook and Twitter, and to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so they can receive important messages from their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, including timely Alerts and updates to Travel Advisories.