Protecting What Matters | International Travelers Beware: Understand the Laws of the Country You’re Visiting
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International travel can be exciting but overwhelming. An essential (and often overlooked) part of travel planning is reviewing the laws of your destination country, which may be very different from American laws.
U.S. citizenship will not protect you from being charged, detained or prosecuted under another country’s laws, even for unintentional infractions. Ignorance of the law is not an acceptable or successful defense.
U.S. legal protections are not transferable to other countries
Your rights as an American are not transferable to other countries — you’ll be judged by the local laws. For example, you could be arrested in Singapore for jaywalking or littering, or even caned for vandalizing property. Once you’re charged, there are limits to what the U.S. embassy can do.
If you’re arrested or detained in a foreign country
According to the U.S. Department of State, you should ask the prison authorities to?notify the closest U.S. embassy or consulate?if you’re arrested in a foreign country.
The U.S. embassy or consulate can:
The U.S. embassy or consulate cannot:
Kidnapping, wrongful detention and travel advisories
Politics, economic downturns and terrorism can amplify travel dangers. On July 19, 2022, President Biden signed an executive order to strengthen efforts to bring home Americans who have been kidnapped or wrongfully detained. The order added “D – Wrongful Detention” to the list of travel risk indicators.
Before you travel, review the?U.S. State Department’s Travel and Advisory Alerts?for information on your destination country’s entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health and safety conditions, transportation and other facts.
The State Department rates travel risk on a scale of 1 to 4:
Enter the country name for detailed information on the threats. Certain regions within the country might have higher threat level indicators. For example, a country may have an overall Level 2 advisory, but the western part of the country may have a Level 3 rating due to upcoming elections or possible political unrest.
The State Department issues reasons for travel advisories using these classifications:
Risk indicator: C — Crime
Meaning: Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
Risk indicator: D — Wrongful Detention
Meaning: The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by a foreign government exists.
Risk indicator: E — Time-Limited Event
Meaning: A short-term event (election, sporting event or other incident) may pose a safety risk.
Risk indicator: H — Health
Meaning: A health risk, such as a disease outbreak or crisis that disrupts the country’s medical infrastructure, is present. If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a travel notice, that may also be a factor for this indicator.
Risk indicator: K — Kidnapping or Hostage-Taking
Meaning: Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to seize, detain, injure or kill individuals, or they have already seized, detained, injured or killed individuals to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
Risk indicator: N — Natural Disaster
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Meaning: A natural disaster or its aftermath poses a danger.
Risk indicator: O — Other
Meaning: There are potential risks not covered by other risk indicators. Read the country’s travel advisory for details.
Risk indicator: T — Terrorism
Meaning: Terrorist attacks have occurred, or specific threats against civilians, groups or other targets may exist.
Risk indicator: U — Civil Unrest
Meaning: Political, economic, religious or ethnic instability could cause violence, major disruptions or safety risks.
Laws, customs and individual rights may be different
Never assume that the country you’re visiting is legally similar to America. Laws protecting human rights, women and LGBTQ individuals may not exist in other countries. And certain freedoms and rights may be limited or unprotected. For example:
Preparing for international travel
Take these steps before traveling internationally.
Educate yourself
Pack your bags thoughtfully
Contact the U.S. Department of State if you’re unsure whether it’s legal to travel with certain items outside the U.S. Never mail packages or agree to carry items for others; you risk detainment, prosecution and incarceration.
If you doubt the legality of an item, leave it behind.
Share your itinerary with someone
Make copies of your travel documents like your passport, driver’s license, travel insurance claims hotlines, birth certificate, marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, adoption records and passports, and give them to a trusted individual. That way, they’ll have the critical information needed in a crisis.
Other travel tips include:
Get travel and kidnapping insurance
Travel insurance doesn’t cover arrests or illegal activity, but it can help with medical coverage, trip cancellations and extended stays. Depending on where you’re traveling, you might want to add kidnapping, ransom and extortion. Some credit cards also offer travel insurance perks, but they’re not as robust as a separate policy.
Every travel policy differs, so talk to your insurance agent about your travel plans and coverage options.
The bottom line is that prepared travel is smart travel. Make a plan, stay informed and remain connected when traveling internationally.
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This content is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing professional, financial, medical or legal advice. You should contact your licensed professional?to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem.
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