The US has issued its highest travel warning, a Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory, for more than 20 countries, urging American citizens to avoid travelling to these destinations due to extreme safety and security risks.
The advisory, released by the US State Department, comes amid growing concerns over armed conflicts, terrorism, civil unrest, crime and weak public services that could endanger travellers and limit the government’s ability to provide assistance in emergencies.
Which countries are part of the list?
The countries currently listed under the Level 4 advisory include Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen.
We issue Travel Advisories with Levels 1 – 4. Level 4 means Do Not Travel. We assign Level 4 based on local conditions and/or our limited ability to help Americans there. These places are dangerous. Do not go for any reason.
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) January 8, 2026
The Travel Advisories for the following countries… pic.twitter.com/cDMJJKHcH2
Many of these nations are experiencing active conflicts, widespread violence or political instability, creating severe threats to personal safety.
What does Level 4 denote?
Level 4 is the most serious category in the State Department’s four-tier travel advisory system. It is applied in situations where life-threatening risks exist and the ability of US diplomatic missions to assist citizens may be restricted or unavailable. Americans already present in these countries are strongly advised to leave as soon as it can be done safely.
The State Department considers multiple risk factors when assigning travel advisory levels, including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, the threat of kidnapping or wrongful detention, health emergencies and natural disasters.
Countries in the Level 4 category often lack robust healthcare or emergency services, making it difficult for US embassies or consulates to provide assistance in crisis situations.
Travel warnings are updated regularly to reflect rapidly changing conditions. The advisory system is designed to help American citizens make informed decisions before travelling abroad and to encourage those already overseas to remain aware of local risks and developments.
The State Department recommends that all travellers check the official travel advisory website for the latest information and consider registering with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time updates and access consular support before departure.