The government has placed 2 more countries on its "Do Not Travel" list for 2025.
Is your next trip on America's "Do Not Travel" list?
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The number of nations that the United States Department of State recommends travelers completely avoid has recently grown. The State Department consistently issues and updates its travel advisories to reflect its most current recommendations for travelers. Recently, both Burkina Faso and North Korea were moved to its "Do Not Travel" list, raising the total count of countries the U.S. government advises its citizens to avoid to 21.
"Do Not Travel," or Level 4, represents the most severe of the 4 warning levels employed by the State Department in its travel advisories. Level 1 suggests travelers should "Exercise Normal Precautions," Level 2 indicates travelers should "Exercise Increased Caution," and Level 3 recommends that they "Reconsider Travel."
On April 16, the State Department updated Burkina Faso's travel advisory to specifically highlight risks for dual nationals. "For travelers with dual nationality, local authorities may not recognize your U.S. nationality if you are also a national of Burkina Faso," the advisory states. It also warns everyone about the pervasive risk of terrorism and kidnapping within the country. "Terrorists may attack anywhere with little or no warning and may utilize various tactics including the use of common, commercially available items or the use of kidnapping for ransom."
North Korea's travel advisory, which was updated on April 29, issues a strong warning against the serious risk of arrest and wrongful, long-term detention. "Because the U.S. government doesn't have diplomatic relations with North Korea, it cannot provide direct help to U.S. citizens in North Korea in emergencies," the advisory explicitly states. "The Government of North Korea has subjected U.S. citizens to arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions, arrests, and other actions. The U.S. government cannot guarantee your release."
The other countries currently holding a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" rating include Yemen, Iran, South Sudan, Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Central African Republic, Belarus, Iraq, Ukraine, Venezuela, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, Russia, Burma (Myanmar), Mali, and Sudan.
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