From: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Subject: DOSTRAVEL Estonia Consular Information Sheet 08/02/99 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Tue, 3 Aug 1999 19:49:40 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Reply-To: "U.S. Dept of State Listserver" Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:2311 Path: world!root Sender: US Dept of State Travel Warnings Message-ID: <199908031951.OAA49742@piglet.cc.uic.edu> Approved: usenet@world.std.com Distribution: wstd Comments: To: dostravel@uic.edu Lines: 154 Estonia - Consular Information Sheet August 2, 1999 COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Estonia is a rapidly developing nation that has experienced significant success in reforming its political and economic institutions since regaining independence in 1991. Tourist facilities are generally good, though some amenities may be lacking in rural areas. Some goods and services may not be available outside the major cities. The capital city is Tallinn. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. Tourists and business travelers may stay in Estonia for up to 90 days without a visa. U.S. citizens who wish to work in Estonia or remain longer than 90 days must obtain a visa or residence permit. For further information concerning entry requirements and residency permits, travelers may contact the Estonian Embassy, 2131 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C 20008, telephone (202) 588-0101, or the Consulate General of Estonia in New York City, telephone (212) 883-0636. Also, please see the Embassy of Estonia9s Internet home page at www.estemb.org. MEDICAL FACILITIES: The quality of medical care in Estonia is improving, but it still falls short of Western standards. Estonia has many highly trained medical professionals, but hospitals and clinics still suffer from a lack of equipment and resources. Elderly travelers and those with health problems may be at increased risk. Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost thousands of dollars or more. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. MEDICAL INSURANCE: U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Please check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation. Please ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State9s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure, 3Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,2 available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax (202) 647-3000. OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Cases of resistant strains of tuberculosis have been reported in Estonia. Also, visitors to forest areas in warm weather should guard against tick-borne encephalitis. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention9s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888- 232-3299), or via their Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov. TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Estonia is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Safety of Public Transportation: Poor Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor Driving in Estonia is more dangerous than in the United States. Aggressive driving is the norm, and many roads are not up to Western standards. Wild animals, such as moose, along with icy road conditions, can create unexpected hazards. Driving at night, especially in the countryside, can be particularly risky. Americans planning to drive in Estonia should obtain an international driver9s license prior to arrival. For information about international driver9s licenses and/or international driving permits, please contact AAA or the American Automobile Touring Alliance. CRIME INFORMATION: Travelers in Estonia should exercise the same precautions with regard to their personal safety and belongings that they would take in major U.S. cities. The most common crimes encountered by foreign tourists are purse snatching, pickpocketing and mugging. Violent crime, though rarely directed against foreigners, does occur. Intoxicated people leaving bars alone or in small groups late at night are a favorite target for muggings, which can turn violent. In several instances, foreign visitors have been befriended by well-dressed criminals who offer their unwary victims drinks laced with a powerful sedative, then rob them while they sleep. Car thefts are common and can occur in daylight. Police capabilities in Estonia are improving, but they still suffer from lack of equipment, training, personnel and resources. Few police officers speak English. Credit card fraud is on the rise. Travelers should take prudent precautions to safeguard their credit card numbers and report any suspected unauthorized transactions to the credit card company immediately. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens can refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov. CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Estonia9s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Estonia are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. AVIATION SAFETY AND OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct air commercial service at present between the United States and Estonia, nor economic authority to operate such service, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Estonia's Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Estonia's air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at telephone 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet website at http://cas.faa.gov. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact the Pentagon at telephone 703-697-7288. REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living in or visiting Estonia are encouraged to register at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy and obtain updated information on travel and security within Estonia. The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn is located at Kentmanni 20, telephone (372) 631-2021; fax (372) 631-2025; emergency cell phone (011)(372)509-2129, if dialed from the U.S., and 82-509-2129, if dialed from within Estonia. The U.S. Embassy9s home page on the Internet is at http://www.uslib.ee/usislib.ee. Y2K INFORMATION: U.S. citizens contemplating traveling or residing abroad in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties. They may wish to consider taking practical precautions against possible disruptions of services triggered by the Y2K computer phenomenon. Please monitor the home page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs for updates on Y2K issues at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html. CHILDREN9S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children9s_issues.html or telephone (202) 736- 7000. * * * * This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated August 11, 1997, to update information on Medical Facilities and Medical Insurance, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Crime Information, Criminal Penalties, Aviation Safety Oversight, and to add information on Y2K and Children9s Issues.