They’re in the red.
Amid the war in Iran and other international conflicts, the US State Department continues to update its travel advisories for American citizens, revealing the latest list ahead of April travel.
Since February, when the US launched coordinated strikes on Iranian military and strategic sites, several Middle Eastern countries have been branded with increased security warnings.
Neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain have moved from Level 2 to Level 3 advisories, or from the recommendation of “Exercise increased caution” to “Reconsider Travel.”
Iran has been deemed a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” destination, with the agency noting the high risk of “terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of US citizens, and wrongful detention.”
In the wake of last month’s cartel attacks, Mexico, which the State Department classifies as a Level 2 travel destination, has had certain states, such as Sinaloa and Colima, upgraded to Level 4, while several other states, including Jalisco and Baja California, are now considered Level 3.
According to the State Department, these travel advisories are designed to help Americans plan their travel with a fuller picture of risks and safety and to protect themselves abroad.
Every country in the world has a ranking within the State Department, ranging from relatively benign Level 1 to definitely dangerous Level 4.
Regardless of destination and risk, the agency recommends travelers enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, a free service that sends email updates and alerts from US embassies and consulates abroad.
Last week, the State Department issued a worldwide security alert urging Americans across the globe to be wary of threats from Iran-linked groups.
The alert comes after Iranian military spokesman Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi issued a chilling threat on Friday, warning that Tehran terrorists will now be targeting popular tourism havens as the US and Israel continue their attacks against Iran.
Level 4 Advisories
For countries like Iran, which are under the highest Level 4 advisory, Americans are instructed to avoid travel altogether.
In several of these Level 4 countries, including Russia and Ukraine, there may be ongoing conflict and/or the US may not have a diplomatic or consular presence, or may need to suspend services for US citizens with very short notice.
Russia has been known to detain Americans on petty infractions and hold them for sometimes years.
In April, and in addition to Iran, countries with a Level 4 advisory include:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Central African Republic
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mali
- Myanmar
- Niger
- North Korea
- Russia
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Ukraine
- Yemen
Level 3 Advisories
In countries under a Level 3 advisory, Americans are advised to “reconsider travel,” with the government noting risks such as heightened crime, kidnapping, terrorism or health service issues.
The destinations under this advisory include:
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Bangladesh
- Burundi
- Chad
- Colombia
- Cyprus
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ethiopia
- Guatemala
- Guinea-Bissau
- Guyana
- Honduras
- Israel
- Jerusalem
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- New Caledonia
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Papua New Guinea
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Tanzania
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- Venezuela
Level 2 Advisories
In destinations with a Level 2 advisory, Americans are advised to “exercise increased caution.”
Current Level 2 destinations include:
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antarctica
- Armenia
- Bahamas
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Brazil
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Chile
- China
- Comoros
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Falkland Islands
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Gibraltar
- Greenland
- Grenada
- Guinea
- Hong Kong
- India
- Indonesia
- Isle of Man
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Kosovo
- Laos
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Macao
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Netherlands
- Panama
- Peru
- Philippines
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sri Lanka
- Sweden
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- The Gambia
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- United Kingdom
- Uruguay
- Vatican City
- Zimbabwe
Level 1 Advisories
Level 1 advisories are the lowest level of travel alerts, with Americans urged to “practice usual precautions.”
Current Level 1 countries include:
- Andorra
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Australia
- Austria
- Barbados
- Bermuda
- Bhutan
- Bonaire
- British Virgin Islands
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Cabo Verde
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Croatia
- Curacao
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Estonia
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Fiji
- Finland
- French Guiana
- French Polynesia
- French West Indies
- Georgia
- Greece
- Guadeloupe
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Martinique
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Montserrat
- Nauru
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Poland
- Portugal
- Republic of North Macedonia
- Romania
- Saba
- St. Barthelemy (French West Indies)
- St. Kitts and Nevis
- St. Lucia
- St. Martin (French West Indies)
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Sint Eustatius
- St. Martin
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Suriname
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- Tonga
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
- Zambia
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