RARE ADVISORY: Effective June 22, the U.S. Department of State has issued a rare global travel warning amid the Israel-Iran conflict and rising global tensions. Use increased vigilance when traveling abroad.
Summer travel is in full speed, and so are the number of advisories – not just for U.S. travelers heading to other countries, but also for international travelers bound for the U.S. However, some advisories aren't necessarily cause for alarm, nor do they mean you need to cancel your trip. Read on to understand what travel advisories mean, which destinations are currently impacted and how you can prepare.
- U.S. Travel Advisories
- International Travel Advisories (Travel to U.S.)
- CDC Travel Advisories
U.S. Travel Advisory Levels
The U.S. Department of State uses travel advisories to outline the risks associated with going to a specific destination and the safety precautions U.S. travelers can and should take. There are four different tiers for U.S. travel advisories.
| Level | Travel Advisory |
| Level 1 | Exercise normal precautions |
| Level 2 | Exercise increased caution |
| Level 3 | Reconsider travel |
| Level 4 | Do not travel |
Reasons for U.S. Travel Advisories
Travel advisories are issued when there is a threat of one or more of the following:
- Crime: This can range from pickpocketing to violence against specific individuals, such as women or LGBTQ+ travelers.
- Health: Poor health infrastructure could prevent someone from getting proper health care – particularly in the event of a life-threatening emergency.
- Kidnapping and/or hostage-taking: Criminals may kidnap or take U.S. nationals hostage as a means to compel a person or entity (usually the U.S. government) to do something as a condition of release.
- Natural disaster: There is a safety risk due to a recent natural disaster and/or because of ongoing natural disasters, such as frequent earthquakes and active volcanoes.
- Terrorism: There are known terrorist threats, or terrorist attacks have recently occurred.
- Time-limited event: Elections, sporting events and other milestones may pose a temporary safety risk.
- Unrest: Political, economic or religious unrest may pose a risk to travelers due to demonstrations, protests and armed conflict.
- Wrongful detention: This can occur for arbitrary reasons, due to U.S. citizenship or in response to individuals exercising fundamental rights.
- Other: There may be other reasons for a travel advisory that do not fall into any of the above categories.
Level 4: Do Not Travel
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Central African Republic
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- North Korea
- Russia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
- Yemen
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
- Bangladesh
- Burundi
- Chad
- Colombia
- Egypt
- Ethiopia
- Guatemala
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Macau
- Mauritania
- Mozambique
- New Caledonia
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antarctica
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Cameroon
- Chile
- China
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Cote d'Ivoire
- Cuba
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greenland
- Guinea
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Laos
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Moldova
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Netherlands
- Oman
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Island
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- The Bahamas
- The Gambia
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turks and Caicos
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Zimbabwe
Destinations with a Level 1 advisory – Exercise normal precautions – are not listed.
Other
Countries in this category have advisories that vary in severity based on state or region.
- Israel
- Mexico
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Several countries have issued an advisory for trans-identifying and nonbinary individuals who are traveling to the U.S. Officials warn citizens that if their passport has a different gender marker than the one assigned at birth, they may be denied entry into the U.S.
Some destinations are also warning citizens about strict U.S. immigration laws and the possibility of detainment, while others are urging citizens to contact their local embassy and/or airline to stay abreast of any changes.
The following countries have issued travel advisories for the U.S. in recent months:
- Belgium
- Canada
- Denmark
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- United Kingdom
U.S. Travel Bans and Restrictions
In a recent immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump, some international travelers are banned from traveling to the U.S. entirely. Trump's travel ban impacts the following countries, whose citizens are barred from traveling to the U.S.:
- Afghanistan
- Chad
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Myanmar
- Republic of the Congo
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Trump has placed partial restrictions on seven other countries. Citizens of these countries can apply for temporary visas only:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending all international travelers be fully vaccinated against measles, a highly contagious respiratory virus. The CDC notes that travelers can easily contract the virus in airports and train stations and at tourist attractions and large events, among other places.
Travel Safety Tips
- Consider travel insurance: Look for a cancel-for-any-reason (CFAR) policy, which enables you to cancel your trip in the event of a serious travel advisory – and recoup most of the cost.
- Stay aware of your surroundings: This guidance applies at all times (whether your destination has a travel advisory or not).
- Secure your valuables: Lock them in a hotel safe or store them in an anti-theft travel bag, such as the Travelon Anti-Theft Classic Messenger. This bag features an RFID-blocking organizer for credit cards, passports and other sensitive documents.
- Record local emergency numbers: Save the number for police, fire and ambulance services in your destination.
- Inform someone you trust: Share your itinerary with a trusted family member or friend back home.
You might also be interested in:
- Can You Fly Without a REAL ID?
- What to Do If Your Flight Is Canceled
- Are You Eligible to Renew Your Passport Online?
- Carry-on Luggage Sizes Guide
- Travel Insurance Directory
