The Countries with Active Travel Warnings for Americans Right Now
The US Department of State recently issued a number of new travel advisories and warnings.
With international travel in full bloom post-pandemic and lots of people on the move (to the point of, at times, creating overtourism issues), it is important to read up about your destination before you actually get there. A simple Google search can go a long way, especially when it comes to government-issued travel advisories. Recently, for example, US authorities even issued a Worldwide Travel Advisory, of which you can read more about here.
While it might not seem like it, at any given time, many countries throughout the world have warnings in place for American travelers. To help you navigate international travel more seamlessly and to give you a better understanding of how the different types of advisory may impact your travel, we have put together a handy guide of the countries that the US State Department issued new (or updated) travel advisories on throughout the month of October. This guide will be regularly updated as more advisories are issued.
Each advisory is categorized under a different degree, which highlights the level of danger assessed by the department. Level 1 is the lowest degree, and it is described as "exercise normal precautions." Level 2, instead, warns travelers to "exercise increased precautions." Level 3 and 4 are the highest levels, and they respectively tell travelers to "reconsider travel" and "do not travel."
For more information and to see a complete list of active travel advisories for Americans, you can visit the Department of State's website. To stay up to date on travel advisories that might impact your next international trip, you can also register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Malawi: Level 2
Due to crime and civil unrest, the Department of State is advising travelers to exercise increased caution when visiting Malawi.
According to the country advisory, violent crime including theft, burglary, armed robbery, assault, and carjacking is common and police resources are limited. Additionally, travelers should stay away from demonstrations, which might increase in frequency.
Bangladesh: Level 2
US citizens currently visiting (or planning to visit) Bangladesh should exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, and the upcoming general election, which is slated for January 2024.
Some areas, according to the advisory, have increased risk. For this reason, authorities are urging to reconsider travel (level 3 advisory) in the Chittagong Hill Tracts Region due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks.
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza: Levels 3 and 4
Because of the ongoing conflict, US authorities are advising travelers to either reconsider or avoid travel to Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
More specifically, the Department of State is putting a "do not travel" advisory on Gaza due to terrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict, and it is encouraging to "reconsider travel" to both Israel and the West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest.
Saba: Level 1
According to the recent advisory, travelers should exercise normal precautions when visiting Saba.
Sint Eustatius: Level 1
The Department of State issued a Level 1 advisory on Sint Eustatius. Travelers in the area should exercise normal precautions.
Lebanon: Level 4
US authorities issued a "do not travel" advisory on Lebanon due to "the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hizballah or other armed militant factions."
More specifically, travelers should avoid and not travel to these areas in Lebanon:
- the border with Syria
- the border with Israel
- refugee settlements
Additionally, the advisory encourages citizens to reconsider travel to Lebanon due to terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, kidnapping, and also Embassy Beirut's "limited capacity to provide support to US citizens."
Brazil: Level 2
According to the latest advisory, US citizens heading to Brazil should exercise increased caution due to crime.
However, some areas are riskier than others. For that reason, US authorities also labeled some of them as "do not travel" zones. These are:
- Any areas within 150 km/100 miles of Brazil’s land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay (except the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park)
- Informal housing developments (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados) at any time of day
- Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa during non-daylight hours
Iraq: Level 4
US authorities are advising travelers not to travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and Mission Iraq's limited capacity to provide support to US citizens. The country now has a Level 4 advisory.
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