Your Complete Guide to State Department Travel Advisories

Safety is the primary concern for many Americans when traveling overseas.

Whether due to ongoing conflicts, significant events like the 2024 Paris Olympics, natural disasters such as a volcano eruption in Iceland, or rising crime rates, the conditions in various countries can change swiftly, impacting both visitors and residents.

To enhance the safety of American travelers, the U.S. Department of State regularly issues and updates travel advisories for citizens based on the latest situations.

These advisories are especially beneficial for first-time and younger travelers, although the agency advises everyone to check them for their intended destinations prior to travel.

What Factors Influence Travel Advisories?

While travel advisories are issued by the State Department and are available on its website, they represent a collaborative effort between the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services and U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe.

"Our diplomats and consular officers on the ground have the most current information, more so than anyone in Washington," stated Angela Kerwin, deputy assistant secretary for Overseas Citizens Services, during a Zoom interview on Thursday. "We utilize various information sources to establish the criteria for our global travel advisories."

In determining the advisory level for each country, the government takes into account not only crime reports but also assessments from non-governmental organizations and international bodies like the United Nations, considering nine specific risk factors:

• C — Crime: Significant violence or organized crime exists in certain regions, with local authorities possibly lacking the capacity to respond effectively to severe incidents.
• T — Terrorism: There have been terrorist attacks or identifiable threats against civilians, groups, or specific targets.
• U — Civil Unrest: Political, economic, religious, or ethnic tensions may lead to violence, significant disruptions, or safety hazards.
• H — Health: Health concerns, including ongoing disease outbreaks or crises affecting a country's healthcare system, may be significant. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Health Notice could also influence this factor.
• N — Natural Disaster: The threat posed by a natural disaster or its consequences.
• E — Time-limited Event: Temporary occurrences, such as elections or sporting events, that may pose safety risks.
• K — Kidnapping or Hostage Taking: There are threats from criminal or terrorist groups that involve seizing individuals to compel actions from third parties.
• D — Wrongful Detention: There is a risk of wrongful detention of U.S. citizens.
• O — Other: Risks that do not fit into the above categories. Refer to the specific country's travel advisory for more information.

The newly introduced category of Wrongful Detention may apply to only a few countries, yet it is a crucial factor for travelers to consider, particularly when a U.S. citizen is detained without justification.

Tiered Warning System Levels 1 to 4

Using this nine-point rubric, along with feedback from U.S. embassies and consulates in these nations, the agency categorizes each country with a Level 1 to 4 tiered warning. Level 1 signifies the lowest risk, indicating relative safety, while Level 4 represents the highest risk, advising against travel.

Level 1: Maintain normal precautions

This is the most favorable rating a country can receive, indicating it is one of the safest destinations for American travelers. However, it's important to note that there is always some level of risk associated with travel, so every country will have at least a Level 1 advisory.

Level 2: Increase your caution

A Level 2 designation indicates that while safety or security risks are heightened, they are unlikely to prevent you from traveling there.

Level 3: Think twice before traveling

A Level 3 advisory advises travelers to consider postponing their plans to visit this country due to the presence of significant potential risks.

Level 4: Travel is not advised

Level 4 advisories are the most critical, warning travelers to steer clear of specific countries and regions due to significant threats that could endanger life and the lack of adequate resources for American citizens.

Additional information on travel advisories

Alongside the general travel advisory from the State Department, a country's information page will also highlight any urgent alerts from the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate that travelers should be aware of.

In some instances, the agency can offer specific "carve-outs" to share important details about certain areas or regions within a given country.

"A country might be designated as Level 3 overall, but a specific border region experiencing active conflict could be classified as Level 4," Kerwin clarified.

Such exceptions are commonly observed in Mexico, given the shared border and the high volume of American tourists visiting the country.

"Mexico presents a unique situation. We have more U.S. consulates there than in any other nation, allowing us to provide travel advisory levels on a state-by-state basis in Mexico," Kerwin stated. "In contrast, other countries lack the same level of detail due to limited resources for such specificity."

Since data serves as the primary foundation for these advisories, not all alerts can be uniformly applied.

"It's not feasible to apply all nine criteria uniformly between country A and country B. For instance, you will have more reliable statistical data for ... Germany than for Chad," Kerwin stated. "Thus, directly comparing reports from Germany and Chad doesn't make sense because the data simply isn't available in the same way."

In such situations, the government depends on its embassies and consulates, which operate in most of these nations, to inform its alerts.

"We have personnel on the ground who are often in the best position to assess factors like the frequency of kidnappings, the extent of civil unrest, and the number of reported or unreported terrorist attacks," she added.

Keep in mind that a lack of accessible or precise data doesn't imply that a country is inherently riskier or more dangerous for travelers.

"It simply means we lack the type of data that is available for other countries," Kerwin remarked. "We would then rely more on embassy reports and our contacts there, but this doesn't automatically classify it as a more dangerous nation."

Does a Level 4 warning indicate I should steer clear of traveling there?

In brief, the answer is yes.

As of the time this was published, there were 19 countries designated with Level 4 warnings, according to the State Department.

"These locations are classified as the most perilous for U.S. citizens, and we strongly encourage them to consider alternative destinations," Kerwin explained. This is partly due to the limited consular or embassy support available in these regions should an American require assistance.

"Ultimately, each U.S. citizen has the right to choose their travel destinations. That's all we can do as a government," she added. "If a U.S. citizen finds themselves needing to visit one of these countries for any reason, we advise them to consult our travel advisories beforehand and review our country information sheet. If we have an active embassy, we definitely recommend saving that contact information on their phone for emergencies."

Generally, travelers should refrain from visiting Level 4 countries if they can avoid it.

"Each of these Level 4 nations outlines our concerns and confirms that our criteria have been met," Kerwin stated. "We consider it quite hazardous to travel there."

How frequently are travel advisories from the State Department revised?

When you check a travel advisory, you will see the last updated date at the top, as alerts are refreshed continuously.

In general, Level 4 and Level 3 alerts are reviewed at least every six months, while Level 1 and Level 2 alerts are assessed at least once a year, depending on changing conditions.

"If a significant event occurs, we may update them sooner if necessary," Kerwin mentioned.

For instance, on Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik released its own alert about a volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland that morning. Alerts from embassies regarding specific incidents in a region do not necessarily indicate the overall safety level of the entire country.

Even with the volcano warning, Iceland stayed at Level 1, as it has been since July. A more significant eruption impacting broader European air travel would have led the agency to revise the overall travel advisory.

"Currently, by issuing that security alert, we're advising to avoid the volcano, but if you're interested in dining in Reykjavik, refer to our usual travel advisory information," Kerwin stated.

The volcano alert was also distributed through the agency's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which provides relevant security updates from the nearest U.S. Consulate. Kerwin recommended that travelers enroll in this program as an additional safety measure while abroad.

"Anyone registered in STEP who is traveling to or residing in Iceland would have received an email notifying them, 'Be aware, the volcano has erupted again today, and we're monitoring it closely; stay alert,'" she explained. "We can issue various security alerts at any time in a country based on urgent developments."

Special occasions, like the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, will also lead to extra and/or more frequent alerts.

"We will closely monitor that event. We anticipate a significant number of U.S. citizens will be heading there to support our team, and we aim to provide them with the best information possible for their travels," Kerwin noted.

Additional factors to keep in mind when traveling abroad

Similar to general travel advice, the State Department encourages Americans planning to go abroad to prepare ahead of time.

"We have a catchy slogan we use: 'travel smart from the start,' which begins even before you choose your destination," Kerwin mentioned. This includes checking that your passport is valid for at least six months upon entry and securing travel insurance.

Kerwin also recommends obtaining the contact details for the nearest U.S. government office (such as the embassy or consulate) through the State Department's directory of U.S. embassies and consulates.

"Write down or photograph the U.S. Embassy/Consulate phone number or email so you can reach us if needed," she advised. "Maintain a heightened awareness of your surroundings; it's crucial for travelers regardless of their destination."

Key takeaways

Travel inherently involves risks, and the government strives to ensure the safety of travelers both at home and abroad.

While the choice to travel rests with the individual, it’s important to take these travel advisories seriously.

"Our mission is to offer the best guidance and information possible for U.S. citizens, enabling them to make informed travel decisions," Kerwin stated.

Thus, pay attention to the travel alerts issued by the State Department through U.S. embassies, consulates, and the STEP program.

"Lastly — and this is crucial — remember to enjoy yourself," Kerwin emphasized. "Travel is an amazing experience; you get to discover new cultures, learn new languages, and explore stunning countries and cities. We encourage U.S. citizens to travel and relish their adventures across the globe,"