The US Department of State releases travel advisories at regular intervals to recommend precautions for its citizens. As per the Department of State, its highest priority is the safety and security of US citizens abroad. Likewise, its highest-level travel advisory Level 4: ‘Do Not Travel’ includes 22 countries and territories around the world. This warning represents the government’s most serious caution against travel, issued when there are extreme risks to personal safety, such as armed conflict, widespread violence, terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, or limited ability for the U.S. government to provide emergency assistance.
As per the US Department of State, the following destinations are currently designated as Level 4: Do Not Travel:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Central African Republic
- Gaza (territory)
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Niger
- North Korea
- Russia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Venezuela
- Yemen
These advisories are based on assessments that conditions in these places pose life-threatening risks to US citizens due to multiple factors including ongoing armed conflict, political instability, civil unrest, terrorism, extremist activity, armed militias, widespread crime, and limited consular or emergency assistance capabilities.Read more: What is EXILE Act? A look at the bill that seeks to end the H-1B visa programme
What a Level 4 advisory means
A Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory is the strongest warning the State Department issues. It is given to destinations where:
- There is ongoing violence, war, or internal conflict.
- The risk of terrorist or militia attacks is high.
- The US government cannot effectively assist citizens in emergencies.
- Kidnapping, wrongful detention, or arbitrary enforcement of local laws is a significant threat.
Such advisories are not travel bans, Americans can legally choose to travel to these countries, but the State Department strongly advises against it and urges U.S. citizens already in these destinations to depart if it is safe to do so.
Why some countries are on the list
Some of the risks cited for specific countries include:Ongoing armed conflict and war: Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, Syria. Civil unrest and violent crime: Haiti, Central African Republic, Somalia. Terrorism and militia activity: Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger. Government repression or wrongful detention: North Korea, Iran. Political instability and a lack of rule of law: Venezuela, Lebanon, Iraq. In the case of countries such as North Korea and Yemen, the United States does not have any representation, which means that the ability to provide consular services in the event of an emergency is very limited or non-existent. For travelers thinking about or already in Level 4 countries, the following are some issues that need to be considered: Limited consular services: US Embassies may have reduced staff or be closed, which means that the government’s ability to provide assistance in the event of an evacuation or crisis is limited. Insurance restrictions: Most travel insurance policies do not cover travel to countries that are under a “Do Not Travel” advisory. Specialized conflict zone insurance may be available but can be expensive. Legal and safety risks: In some Level 4 countries, there is a risk of arrest, arbitrary enforcement of local law, or wrongful detention.Read more: European Commission unveils first-ever EU Visa Strategy: What it means and how it could affect travel
Tips for those who must travel
For essential travel that cannot be postponed, the State Department typically recommends:
- Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time alerts.
- Maintaining regular contact with friends or family with current location details.
- Using specialized travel insurance that explicitly covers security evacuations.
Updates and monitoring
Travel alerts may be updated at any time due to important changes in the local conditions. The State Department re-evaluates Level 3 and Level 4 advisories at least every six months, but updates may be made more often if conditions deteriorate or improve. Before making or continuing any foreign travel, American citizens are encouraged to visit travel.state.gov for the latest advisories.
