Overseas travel: Staying safe on official visits
Essential guidance for government staff travelling abroad. Follow these steps to get ready, then use the resources below.
Before you travel
Follow these steps to prepare for official travel:
- Check your department’s travel rules.
- Contact your security team at least a week before your trip.
- Read the Foreign travel advice for your destination.
- Read GSeC International Country fact sheets for local risks and contacts.
- If you’re working out of a UK mission, embassy, or other FCDO site, follow One HMG platform guidance. For details, contact the FCDO Post you’re travelling to.
- Confirm your insurance covers the whole trip. Note the policy number and emergency phone number.
- Make a note of the nearest embassy or consulate’s contact details.
- Complete any required security training for travelling overseas.
- Update your contact details with HR and share your itinerary with your manager, detailing the countries you will visit and the dates you will be there.
- If you need to carry any official devices on personal travel, check with your departmental security beforehand.
- If you see anything suspicious, report it to your security team straight away.
- For further learning and resources, visit GSeC International.
Foreign Travel Advice
Travel advice on GOV.UK
Entry rules, health information and safety updates for every country from the FCDO. You can also register for alerts.
Country security fact sheets
Post Security Fact Sheets with local risks, transport, accommodation and emergency contacts.
Security training
Short modules to help you stay safe overseas. Pick the modules you need for your destination and role.
If you need help abroad
- Call the local emergency number. You can find these in the Country Fact Sheets.
- Contact the nearest British embassy or consulate (also available in the Country Fact Sheets).
- Report any suspicious approach or incident to your departmental security team.
Guidance for security teams
There are a wide variety of communications and resources available for the International Travel campaign from the Security Education and Awareness Centre (SEAC) which can be accessed via SEACs Collaboration SharePoint site. Request access or get in touch via sea.centre@dwp.gov.uk.