Map Shows Countries Where Americans Advised Not To Travel

As of March 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of State has issued “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisories for several countries.

The State Department routinely evaluates countries worldwide to provide travel guidance for citizens. Advisories are based on various factors, including crime, terrorism, civil and political instability, healthcare conditions, and the risk of natural disasters.

These advisories are the highest level, indicating a significant risk to travelers.

The countries currently under Level 4 advisories include:

Afghanistan

Due to the dangers of armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul ceased operations in 2021, and the U.S. government says it cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to American citizens in Afghanistan.

Belarus

The Department of State advises Americans not to travel to Belarus “due to the Belarusian authorities’ arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the risk of detention, the continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the potential of civil unrest, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.”

Burkina Faso

Americans are urged not to travel here due to the threat of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism.

“Terrorists may conduct attacks anywhere with little or no warning,” U.S. authorities warn, adding that kidnapping and hostage taking are also threats throughout the country.

Burma (Myanmar)

Americans are advised not to travel due to a variety of reasons, including armed conflict, civil unrest, and wrongful detentions. It also says travel should be reconsidered due to limited healthcare and emergency medical resources.

Central African Republic

Armed conflict, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping are among the reasons Americans are advised not to travel to the Central African Republic.

“Although there have been no specific incidents of violence or threats targeting U.S. citizens, there is a continuing risk of civil unrest, demonstrations, and election-related violence (including renewed outbreaks of armed conflict) occurring throughout the country, including the capital of Bangui,” reads the travel advisory.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Americans are advised not to travel due to armed conflict, crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism.

Haiti

Americans are warned not to travel due to risks of kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health infrastructure.

Iran

“U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason,” a travel advisory warns.

Dangers for American travelers include the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens and wrongful detentions.

Iraq

“U.S. citizens in Iraq face high risks, including violence and kidnapping,” the Department of State warns.

“Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. militias threaten U.S. citizens and international companies,” it says.

It also says the U.S. government has a limited ability to provide assistance to American citizens.

Lebanon

“Do not travel to Lebanon due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and the risk of armed conflict,” officials warn.

“Some areas, especially near the borders, have increased risk.”

Libya

Directives not to travel have been issued due to crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

Mali

Violent crime, including kidnapping and armed robbery, is common in Mali, especially during local holidays and events in Bamako and the southern regions, officials warn.

Terrorist and armed groups continue to plan attacks and kidnappings, often targeting locations frequented by foreigners, the advisory said.

North Korea

Americans are advised not to travel due to the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.

Russia

A Department of State advisory warns U.S. citizens not to travel to Russia due to “the consequences of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces.”

“The Department has determined that there is a continued risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by Russian authorities,” it adds.

Somalia

Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health issues, kidnapping, piracy, and a lack of availability of routine consular services are among the reasons Americans are warned not to travel to Somalia.

“Violent crime, such as kidnapping and murder, is common throughout Somalia. Illegal roadblocks are widespread,” reads the Department of State’s advisory.

South Sudan

U.S. citizens are urged not to travel due to crime, kidnapping, and armed conflict.

Sudan

An advisory against travel to Sudan warns that travelers face the risk of armed conflict and crime, including kidnapping, armed robbery, home invasions, and carjackings.

Terrorist groups and their sympathizers may launch attacks without warning, targeting government facilities and locations frequented by Westerners, U.S. officials warn.

Syria

Americans are urged not to travel to Syria due to the threat of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict, and the risk of unjust detention.

Ukraine

U.S. officials say Americans should not travel to frontline regions and regions near the border with Belarus “due to presence of Russian and Belarusian military and security forces on the Belarusian side of the border, proximity to active ground combat, frequent shelling, missile and drone attacks on populated areas and civilian infrastructure, and limitations on the Embassy’s ability to provide assistance to U.S. citizens in those areas.”

Venezuela

U.S. officials warn there is a high risk of wrongful detentions, terrorism, kidnapping, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure for travelers to Venezuela.

Yemen

Americans are advised not to travel to Yemen due to the threats of terrorism, civil unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict, and landmines.