State Dept. Polls on Smarter Traveler Safety Enrollment Updates
Published Date: 1/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Department of State wants your feedback on updating the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which helps Americans abroad stay safe by sharing travel info. If you’re a U.S. citizen or non-citizen national who travels, this affects you! They’re asking for comments by March 23, 2026, and it won’t cost you anything to participate—just about 5 minutes to update your info.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Enroll Travel Plans for Emergency Help
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) lets U.S. nationals enroll travel plans or subscribe to travel messages so U.S. embassies and consulates can contact you during an emergency, natural disaster, or international crisis. The program applies to U.S. citizens, U.S. non-citizen nationals, and third-country nationals who use the service.
Voluntary Enrollment — 5 Minutes to Update
Signing up for or updating STEP is voluntary and done online. The Department estimates each response takes about 5 minutes and there is no fee; the collection estimates 1,750,000 respondents and a total burden of 145,833 hours.
Paper Form Reactivation Under Consideration
The Department says the paper version of the STEP form is not in use now but they are seeking to reactivate the paper form to coincide with third-party enrollment capability in STEP's software. This would change how the form is made available alongside the current online-only submissions.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04931 — Schedule of Fees for Consular Services-Fee for Administrative Processing of Request for Certificate of Loss of Nationality of the United States
Good news for U.S. citizens and nationals who want to give up their citizenship! Starting April 13, 2026, the fee for processing a Certificate of Loss of Nationality drops from $2,350 to just $450. This big price cut makes it way easier and cheaper to handle this important paperwork at U.S. embassies and consulates.
2025-17851 — Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates-Visa Services Fee Changes
The Department of State is adding a $1 fee to enter the Diversity Visa lottery to share costs more fairly among all applicants. This means everyone who wants to try their luck at the visa lottery will pay a small fee upfront, instead of only winners paying later. The new fee will start when you register online, so get ready to pay a buck when you apply!
2025-14826 — Visas: Visa Bond Pilot Program
The Department of State is launching a 12-month pilot program where some travelers applying for B-1/B-2 visas from certain countries might need to pay a bond up to $15,000. This applies to visitors from places with high visa overstays or special citizenship rules. The goal? To make sure folks follow visa rules and keep travel safe and fair.
2026-13736 — 30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
The Department of State wants to keep collecting info from sponsors who help exchange visitors get their J-1 visas. They’re asking for public feedback by August 7, 2026, to make sure the process is clear and not too time-consuming. This affects about 1,420 sponsors and could take up to 45 minutes per form, but no new fees are involved.
2026-13634 — Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The Department of State is updating how it handles records about Foreign Service grievance appeals and separations. These changes improve how information is stored, used, and protected, affecting employees involved in grievance cases. The updates take effect immediately, but some parts are open for public comments until August 6, 2026, with no new costs involved.
2026-13348 — Specially Designated Global Terrorist Designation of Chone Killers
The U.S. government has officially labeled the Chone Killers gang as a global terrorist threat. This means their assets can be frozen, and Americans are banned from doing business with them starting immediately. This move helps protect U.S. security and stops the gang from moving money or resources freely.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01096 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Commercial Motor Vehicle Marking Requirements
The FMCSA is renewing its approval to keep tracking rules that require big trucks and certain freight equipment to have proper markings. This affects motor carriers, freight forwarders, and equipment providers who operate across state lines or handle hazardous materials. Comments on this plan are open until March 23, 2026, with no new costs introduced—just a smooth continuation of current rules.
Next: 2026-01104 — Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority
The FCC is checking in on its paperwork rules to make sure they’re not too tricky or time-consuming. They want your thoughts on how to keep collecting info useful but easy, especially for small businesses. If you have ideas or concerns, speak up by March 23, 2026, so the FCC can keep things smooth and fair for everyone involved.