Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now
You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.
Do Not Travel to These Countries
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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.
In 2024, tourism across the globe is âwell on trackâ to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.
Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .
In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.
On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to âincreased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.â Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Ladenâs successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing âa higher potential for anti-American violence.â The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.
The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.
About 10% of countries â 19 total â have a Level 4: âDo Not Travelâ advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have âvery limited abilityâ to step in should travelersâ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.
So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.
Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory
These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:
Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen
Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with âterrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,â according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and womenâs rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the yearâs deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.
Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for âBelarusian authoritiesâ continued facilitation of Russiaâs war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassyâs limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.â The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.
Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the countryâs border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to âviolence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.â
Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that âEmbassy Banguiâs limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnappingâ is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.
Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and âareas with land mines and unexploded ordnanceâ are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.
Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with âthe fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflictâ according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gazaâs population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed âfar beyond a humanitarian crisis.â The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gazaâs borders.
Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping âoften involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.â The travel advisory also states that âU.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possibleâ given âthe current security situation and infrastructure challenges.â A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.
Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for âarbitrary arrest.â U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the countryâs total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.
Iraq: The State Department cites âterrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrestâ as cause for the countryâs Level 4 distinction. Iraqâs northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.
Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Maliâs military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agencyâs deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.
Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called âalarming.â
North Korea (Democratic Peopleâs Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel âto, in, or throughâ this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to âthe continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.â In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.
Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.
Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline
Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.
South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the worldâs newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.
Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the countryâs prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africaâs third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .
Syria: The advisory states that âNo part of Syria is safe from violence,â with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.
Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russiaâs invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The countryâs forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said âsets the right mood for the entire year ahead.â
Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.
Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department â terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines â are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits âare putting tourists in danger.â Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.
Other Countries to Watch
Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.
The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people âreconsider travelâ to those destinations.
On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The regionâs travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.
Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon âs travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to âthe unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchangesâ between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the countryâs primary risk factors. However, the countryâs borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.
China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing âthe surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictionsâ as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to âarbitrary enforcement of local laws.â Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.
Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.
In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guineaâs main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.
Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Departmentâs annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.
Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers âexercise increased cautionâ when traveling to those destinations.
Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.
France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Swedenâs Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.
The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that âactivities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulatedâ and notes that government personnel are ânot permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.â It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to âbe vigilantâ and to not physically resist robbery attempts.
Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the countryâs general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states âdemonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.â The U.S. has since claimed the countryâs election was not free nor fair.
In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting âanti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.â Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.
Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.
The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.
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Worldwide Caution
Caution October 19, 2023
Due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests, the Department of State advises U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution. U.S. citizens should:
- Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
Learn about your destination
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Below are travel alerts and airport wait times from the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.
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The Latest on U.S. Travel Restrictions
By Lauren Hard Oct. 19, 2021
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What to Know: U.S. Travel Restrictions
Beginning today, international visitors who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can enter the United States by air or across the land borders with Canada and Mexico.
Hereâs the latest â
The new policy ends an 18-month ban on nonessential travel from 33 countries, including China, Brazil and European Union members. The ban had affected tourists and those hoping to visit family and friends in the U.S.
The rules reorient the U.S. approach to vetting its visitors during the pandemic.
Instead of basing entry decisions on travelersâ countries of origin, the U.S. is focusing on vaccination status.
International visitors flying into the U.S. now need to show proof of vaccination before boarding and a negative coronavirus test taken within three days of their flight.
The three vaccines available in the U.S. â Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson â are accepted, as are vaccines cleared for emergency use by the W.H.O., including AstraZeneca and Covaxin.
Unvaccinated foreign visitors cannot enter the country, with limited exemptions.
Unvaccinated Americans returning home need to test negative for the coronavirus within one day of their flight and show proof they have purchased another test to take after arriving.
The hope is with these longstanding bans being lifted, the U.S. tourism industry will start to recover. The halt on travel caused a loss of nearly $300 billion in visitor spending, according to the U.S. Travel Association.
Keep up with the latest travel news, trends and feature stories.
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State Department issues âworldwide cautionâ alert to Americans overseas
The State Department on Thursday issued a rare âworldwide cautionâ advisory to all Americans overseas, urging them to âexercise increased caution due to the potential for violence and increased tensionsâ globally.
It said that there is a potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests. âStay alert in locations frequented by tourists,â it advised.
The State Department most recently issued a worldwide caution alert in August 2022 following the death of al-Qaedaâs No. 2 leader Ayman al-Zawahiri out of caution for potential âanti-American violence,â according to an archived release.
Similar advisories have been issued over the years when the State Department has warned Americans against increased risks for terrorist attacks, political upheaval and violence. An alert was issued in 2016 when the agency cautioned travel into Burkina Faso and the surrounding Sahel region in Africa following an attack at a hotel in Ouagadougou that killed 30 people, including one U.S. citizen.
The State Department has urged U.S. travelers to âreconsider travelâ to Israel and the West Bank and placed a âdo not travelâ advisory â its most severe warning â on the Gaza Strip due to âterrorism, civil unrest, and armed conflict.â
Americans have been fleeing the country on charter flights and cruise ships since the Hamas attacks earlier this month. Over 7,000 U.S. citizens have departed Israel and the West Bank, a State Department spokeswoman told The Washington Post on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the State Department raised its travel warning for Lebanon to âdo not travelâ because of rocket, missile and artillery exchanges between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah .
Karen Schwartz contributed to this report.
Israel-Gaza war
The Israel-Gaza war has gone on for six months, and tensions have spilled into the surrounding region .
The war: On Oct. 7, Hamas militants launched an unprecedented cross-border attack on Israel that included the taking of civilian hostages at a music festival . (See photos and videos of how the deadly assault unfolded ). Israel declared war on Hamas in response, launching a ground invasion that fueled the biggest displacement in the region since Israelâs creation in 1948 .
Gaza crisis: In the Gaza Strip, Israel has waged one of this centuryâs most destructive wars , killing tens of thousands and plunging at least half of the population into â famine-like conditions. â For months, Israel has resisted pressure from Western allies to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave .
U.S. involvement: Despite tensions between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and some U.S. politicians , including President Biden, the United States supports Israel with weapons , funds aid packages , and has vetoed or abstained from the United Nationsâ cease-fire resolutions.
History: The roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and mistrust are deep and complex, predating the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 . Read more on the history of the Gaza Strip .
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Is it safe to go there? The U.S. travel advisory system, explained
If youâre planning an international trip, hereâs how to use the State Departmentâs country-by-country guide to minimize your risk of encountering crime, violence, or civil unrest.
On October 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a rare advisory that Americans overseas âexercise increased cautionâ due to heightened tensions and chances of terrorism around the world, spurred by the Israel-Hamas war. Itâs part of a system of travel warnings thatâs been around in some form since 1978, designed to help citizens assess how safe a destination might be at a given time.
The current version of the system, which launched in 2018, gives fluid rankings from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), indicating how risky countries (and in some cases, regions) are for Americans to visit. Rankings are based on factors such as crime rates, civil unrest, and the threat of terrorism. They are meant to give âclear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions,â says a State Department spokesperson. Â
Not surprisingly, on October 14, the State Department moved Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Gaza to Level 4. Â
Hereâs how the advisories work and how to use them.
What is a travel advisory?
The U.S. State Department inaugurated the travel advisory system in 1978, initially aiming warnings at airlines and travel companies. The system was scrutinized after the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight from London to New York , which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland , killing all 259 passengers and crew plus 11 people on the ground. Â
Investigations found U.S. authorities had been aware of a credible threat to a Pan Am flight but hadnât informed the public. In response, the media and consular offices began issuing travel warnings. In 2018 the U.S. introduced its current four-tier advisory system. There are near-identical versions in Canada , Australia , and New Zealand .
To determine rankings, the State Department considers a nationâs political volatility, crime trends, medical care standards, and the threat of kidnappings or terrorism. (Politics also ends up playing an unspoken role.) Some countries, such as Russia , receive a Level 4 ranking partly because the U.S. government may have limited ability to assist citizens there. Others rise to Level 4 due to a crisis, such as the military coup that recently rocked Niger . Â
When the travel advisory system relaunched in 2018, it also included state-by-state evaluations for Mexico , which draws more than 11 million American travelers a year. âSome Mexican states are quite safe for U.S. tourists, while others are riskier due to narco-trafficking violence,â says Ryan Larsen , executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement at Western Washington University. YucatĂĄn and Campeche states are currently at Level 1, while six other Mexican states are at Level 4, including Sinaloa.
( Solo female travelers share tips for staying safe on the road .)
Epidemics and natural disasters also can prompt a travel advisory number to rise. Americans may be prompted to reconsider visiting a country recovering from a tsunami or major wildfires, since their presence could hinder rehabilitation efforts. This occurred after the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey . Such advisories can remain in place for weeks or months.
The strictest-ever advisories came in April 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic , says Larsen, who did a thesis  on U.S. travel warnings. At that time, about 80 percent of the worldâs countries were at Level 4.
At press time, about 70 percent of the worldâs countries were rated Level 1 or Level 2 by the State Department, indicating theyâre relatively safe. There are currently 21 countries at Level 3 and 21 at Level 4.
How to use travel advisories
Before booking an international trip, consult the State Department website to see where your destination ranks. While Level 1 and 2 countries are considered relatively safe, you should still register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This lets Americans overseas use their smartphone to receive travel advisory updates and alerts about emerging dangers in their destination (protests, extreme weather).
Level 3 countries are considered more dangerous for foreign visitors, who should âreconsider travel,â according to the State Department. If you are headed to a Level 3 country, which currently includes Pakistan and Colombia , do wider research on its safety and on the places youâll visit there, advises Jun Wen , a professor of tourism at Australiaâs Edith Cowan University. For instance, while some remote areas in the Colombian Amazon still suffer from drug-related violence, cities such as Cartagena and MedellĂn are relatively safe. Going on a fully guided group or individual tour can also help you navigate destinations where political unrest or crime might impact your safety.
Travelers should study not only the advisories provided by their own country, but also by the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia to broaden their understanding of the risks in Level 3 countries, Wen says. As for Level 4 countries, that âDo Not Travelâ advice couldnât be any clearer.
Other countries also issue warnings to their citizens about visiting the U.S. Canada recently informed its LGBTQ travelers they may be affected by laws in certain U.S. states. Australia, meanwhile, cautions its citizens visiting the U.S. to be wary of higher crime rates and gun violence, and even to learn safety strategies for active shooter scenarios.
People who visit countries with Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisories donât just risk their safety. They also may have travel insurance complications, says Linchi Kwok , tourism management professor at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.
( How travel insurance canâand canâtâhelp when your plans change .)
They must pay much higher premiums, and their insurance can be invalidated if the advisory for their destination is elevated. âMedical coverage can be minimal, too, particularly if the travel advisory is put up against a disease or an outbreak,â says Kwok. âI encourage Americans to think twice before they travel to Level 3 and especially Level 4 destinations.â
Warnings and their impact on tourism
Travel advisories can be biased, Larsen argues. His research found that, while the U.S. didnât often overstate the risk of travel to countries with which it had poor relations, it did often understate the danger of visiting nations that were its close allies. Elevating a travel advisory can stoke diplomatic tensions between two countries. Once a country is raised to Level 3 or 4, many tourists will avoid visiting, and many American universities wonât let students join study abroad programs.
The economic ramifications of a level change impact individual businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. For instance, J 2 Â adventures , a Jewish-focused tour company, saw most of its fall group trips to Israel canceled after the start of the Israel-Hamas war (and the higher advisory level), says cofounder Guy Millo. âThis is not just because of the violence on the ground, but because of practical considerations like accessibility of commercial airline flights,â he says. âMost tourists from North America and places around the globe simply couldnât get here even if they wanted to.â Â
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Coronavirus Updates
The coronavirus crisis, u.s. issues more than 115 'do not travel' advisories, citing risks from covid-19.
Bill Chappell
Global travel continues to be risky because of the coronavirus. Earlier this year, passengers from Taiwan wear protective gear as they arrive at France's Charles de Gaulle Airport, and just this week, the U.S. issued over 100 new travel advisories. Francois Mori/AP hide caption
Global travel continues to be risky because of the coronavirus. Earlier this year, passengers from Taiwan wear protective gear as they arrive at France's Charles de Gaulle Airport, and just this week, the U.S. issued over 100 new travel advisories.
The U.S. State Department has vastly expanded its "Do Not Travel list," issuing new Level 4 advisories for more than 115 countries and territories this week. The agency cites "ongoing risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic."
The U.S. Do Not Travel list now includes Canada, Mexico, Germany and the U.K. A Level 3 warning is in place for a smaller group of nations, such as China, Australia and Iceland. Japan is also on the Level 3 list, despite a worrying rise in new coronavirus cases there.
Just a week ago, only 33 countries were on the U.S. Do Not Travel list, according to a cached version of the advisory site . But the State Department warned on Monday that the list would soon include roughly 80% of the world's countries.
More than 150 highest-level travel advisories are in effect â more closely reflecting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Department says.
The CDC's own travel health notices also use a four-tier warning system. For many countries newly added to the State Department's Level 4 list, the CDC cites "a very high level of COVID-19."
As of last week, Brazil and Russia were two of the only large COVID-19 global hotspots on the State Department's most serious warning list. They're now joined by India and virtually all of Europe â places that have seen alarming spikes in new cases.
Bhutan is the only international destination designated as Level 1 â "exercise normal precautions" â on the State Department's travel advisory list.
Sixteen countries are categorized as Level 2 â meaning travelers should exercise increased caution when visiting places such as Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Belize and Grenada.
Many of the new or updated Do Not Travel notices cite high levels of coronavirus transmission in the relevant country. But the State Department says it also takes other factors into account, from the availability of coronavirus testing to any travel restrictions the countries might have against U.S. citizens.
In roughly 35 countries or destinations, the CDC says, details about the level of COVID-19 risk are unknown. The health agency urges Americans to avoid traveling to those spots, which include Afghanistan, Nicaragua and the Solomon Islands.
Regardless of a particular country's advisory status, the State Department wants all U.S. citizens to reconsider any travel abroad.
"The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose unprecedented risks to travelers," the agency said.
More than 3 million people have died from COVID-19 worldwide, according to the World Health Organization . Nearly 144 million coronavirus cases have been reported globally, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .
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COVID-19 international travel advisories
If you plan to visit the U.S., you do not need to be tested or vaccinated for COVID-19. U.S. citizens going abroad, check with the Department of State for travel advisories.
COVID-19 testing and vaccine rules for entering the U.S.
- As of May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S. arriving by air or arriving by land or sea no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
- As of June 12, 2022, people entering the U.S. no longer need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test .
U.S. citizens traveling to a country outside the U.S.
Find country-specific COVID-19 travel rules from the Department of State.
See the CDC's COVID-19 guidance for safer international travel.
LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2023
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This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands.
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If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
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State Department issues 'worldwide caution' for Americans overseas
The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory on Thursday, urging Americans overseas to exercise increased caution.
The travel advisory cited âincreased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.â
The State Department recommended U.S. citizens stay vigilant in locations popular with tourists and sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program , which can provide information and make it easier to locate them in an emergency.
"The U.S. Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas," a State Department spokesperson told USA TODAY in an emailed statement. "We take seriously our commitment to provide U.S. citizens with clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions."
The warning comes as thousands have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war . At least 3,785 people had been killed in Gaza as of Thursday, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, including more than 1,500 children. Over 1,400 people have been killed in Israel, most of whom were civilians.
Learn more: Best travel insurance
Live updates: Hamas commander killed in air strike as Israel bombs 'safe zones' in Gaza:
The State Department raised a travel advisory for Lebanon to Level 4 on Tuesday, warning Americans not to travel to the country âdue to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hizballah or other armed militant factions.â There is also an advisory in place warning against going to Gaza and urging travelers to reconsider visiting Israel and the West Bank.
Many Americans have been evacuating the region , including on a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship that carried U.S. nationals from Haifa to Limassol, Cyprus, earlier this week.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].
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Jamaica Travel Advisory: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe
Government warnings sound dire but shouldnât deter you from traveling.
Four days before I flew from Washington, D.C., to Mali, I received a list of 20 pre-trip suggestions from the U.S. Department of State. Among the recommendations: Draft a will, discuss your funeral wishes with your family, designate a hostage negotiator and leave DNA samples with your medical provider.
My stomach knotted when I read the advice. Mali is on the State Departmentâs highest-level donât-go-there list, along with such volatile nations as Haiti and Iraq. But until then I hadnât been worried. Iâd be working in Mali with a nonprofit, One Global Village, that has served there for years. I knew the organizationâs leaders and their emphasis on safety. And while the Islamic State group was terrorizing Maliâs north, we would be in the relatively safer south, working in a remote rural village.ï»ż
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I survived the 2020 journey without being kidnapped, robbed or shot, a feat Iâve managed on trips to numerous locations â from Guatemala to the West Bank â that provoke stern warnings from the State Department. ï»ż
In the wake of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the State Department didnât initially issue an updated travel advisory for Israel. It now says not to travel to Gaza because of terrorism and armed conflict and to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank because of terrorism and civil unrest. The State Department says that if you decide to travel to the region, you should check alerts on the website of the U.S. embassy in Israel for the latest information.
Popular destinations, including Mexico and Jamaica, have travel advisories. In Mexico, the department breaks down the advisories by state, with 13 states receiving âdo not travelâ and âreconsider travelâ warnings. Kidnappings in Mexico in early 2023 raised questions about the safety of traveling to the country.
At the end of January, the State Department issued a level 3 travel advisory to âreconsider travelâ to Jamaica, citing crime and medical services. The agency said âviolent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides, are common.â The advisory added that sexual assaults also happen at all-inclusive resorts. As for medical services, the advisory said response times and quality of care are not as they are in the U.S. âWe strongly encourage you to obtain travelerâs insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica,â the advisory said. The advisory also listed some neighborhoodï»żs and parishes as âdo not travel.ï»żâ
ï»żThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also issues advisories. On Dec. 8, the CDC issued a health advisory about an outbreak of tick-borne Rocky Mountain spotted fever among people who have recently traveled to or live in the city of Tecate, in Baja California, Mexico. Five people have been diagnosed since July, and three people have died, the health agency said.
According to the CDC, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a âsevere, rapidly progressive, and often deadly diseaseâ that is contracted from the bite of infected ticks. In this outbreak, the five patients developed the disease within two weeks of travel to Tecate. The patients were hospitalized in Southern California. The agency says the antibiotic doxycycline is the best course of treatment.
Here are some insights on understanding advisories and staying safe.
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Deciphering the alerts
The State Department issues travel advisories  for every country and assigns one of four grades:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions.
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- Level 3: Reconsider travel.
- Level 4: Do not travel.
Most countries are Level 1 or 2. With Level 3, the State Department suggests that you avoid travel due to serious safety risks. With Level 4, you face âa greater likelihood of life-threatening risks,â and the government may be unable to provide assistance.
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The State Department also issues warnings for events ranging from political protests to hurricanes. In late June, for example, the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Paris issued a security alert when riots erupted after a police shooting in a nearby suburb. The U.S. Embassy in Dublin released a similar alert in July after a 57-year-old American was assaulted by teenagers.
Warnings and advisories may sound dire, but they shouldnât necessarily deter you from traveling. If you based trip decisions solely on the governmentâs cautious advisories, youâd never leave home. In its advisory for famously safe, Level 1 Japan, the State Department warns of sexual assaults and criminals who spike victimsâ drinks. For Australia, another Level 1 country, the department mentions bar brawls, violent demonstrations, pickpockets and purse snatchers.
Travel warnings are often broad, but reality is more nuanced. Take Dublin. The July alert was issued after an attack against a single American (though the embassy also mentioned âa number of recent incidents reported in Irish mediaâ). But Dublin is considered safe by most European travel experts.
Want to put security concerns in perspective? Consider foreign governmentsâ advisories about the United States. The United Kingdom warns of terrorist attacks, gang assaults on touristsâ vehicles and violent protests. Multiple countries, including Canada and Germany, caution citizens about gun violence and mass shootings.
âIt always surprises me when my clients bring up advisories ⊠because weâre in New Orleans, where the crime is so bad here,â says Lauren Cardinale, a travel adviser and owner of Travel Design Co., citing carjackings and shootings. She mentions a Spanish colleague who visited New Orleans. The womanâs mother was terrified about her daughterâs safety.
âYou have to take these advisories with a grain of salt,â says Cardinale. âNo matter where you are, you have to be safe and be aware of your surroundings. ... You run risks anywhere you go.â
What about Mexico?
The State Departmentâs Level 3 advisories include popular tourist destinations like Egypt, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, but for many travelers, Mexico  evokes the most concern. The department issues travel advisories for individual states in Mexico, and six are on its âdo not travelâ list because of kidnappings and other crimes.
The concerns are real. In February 2023, coastal Colima was named the most violent city in the world by Mexicoâs Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice. But discouraging travel to entire states is like avoiding California because of open-air drug markets in San Francisco. Â
âAs soon as the press reports that something happened in Mexico, people fear the entire country,â says Laura Holcomb, a travel adviser and owner of Memories and Moments Travel in Chardon, Ohio. In early 2023, Holcomb traveled to Puerto Morelos, CancĂșn  and Playa del Carmen, areas where the State Department advises travelers to âexercise increased caution.â Holcomb felt safe, partly because she stays in resorts that emphasize security.
Her advice to clients: Donât leave the resort. And if you do leave, book transportation from a reputable company, a concierge or a travel adviser.
How to protect yourself
Every country and city has its safe spots and its dangerous neighborhoods. If youâre worried about security, follow this safety list:
Register for STEP. Before leaving home, enroll in the federal governmentâs Smart Traveler Enrollment Program . The U.S. embassy or consulate will know your itinerary, lodging and contact information. Youâll also receive updates about safety conditions.
Buy travel insurance.  Most comprehensive travel insurance policies cover a variety of calamities, though you may have to add emergency evacuation as part of your coverage. Trip cancellation coverage should protect you from unforeseen events that prevent you from traveling, such as the wildfires that hit Maui  in August. For further peace of mind, Holcomb recommends buying a cancel-for-any-reason policy when you book your trip. With this type of policy, you can cancel a trip for any reason at any time, unlike some policies that donât allow cancellations 24 hours before departure. Also ask your health insurer if it covers international medical bills. Many donât, so you may need coverage as part of your travel insurance.
Consult the CDC.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers its own four-level advisory system , issues notices for countries experiencing disease outbreaks and other issues, and offers advice on getting health care while traveling.
Hire a travel adviser. The Maui wildfires showed why travel advisers can be valuable. Once the disaster struck, travel advisers helped with evacuations and rescheduled trips for Maui-bound clients. In an emergency, travel advisers have direct access to travel providers and tourism boards âï»ż and receive information before it filters to consumers and the media.
Check your travel providerâs website. Â Most airlines, including Alaska, American, JetBlue and Southwest, post travel advisory information online, which provides instructions and covers information such as change fees. The same is true with cruise lines, from Celebrity to Royal Caribbean, and resorts.
Listen to locals. Before One Global Village president Abigail Hayo travels to Mali, she consults with Malians about safety issues. Donât have connections in a city? Contact hotel concierges, tour companies, tourist bureaus or embassies to learn about local conditions.
Use common sense. Â Simple steps can help you stay safe, including:
- Try to blend in. Dress like a local instead of a tourist and donât carry wads of cash. Hayo never wears âfancy jewelryâ while traveling.
- Travel in groups. Donât wander an unfamiliar city alone at night.
- Book lodging in busy, well-lit parts of a city, Cardinale suggests.
- Carry your passport in a travel wallet or money belt, not in your backpackâs outer pocket.
- Keep a photo of your passport on your phone and leave a copy at home with an emergency contact, Holcomb recommends. Do the same with your credit card.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Staring at your phone, wearing earbuds, drinking too muchï»ż âï»ż they can make you less alert.
Editor's note: This article was originally published on August 25, 2023. It has been updated to reflect new information.
Ken Budd has written for National Geographic Traveler , Travel+Leisure , The Washington Post Magazine and many more. He is the author of a memoir, The Voluntourist.
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Tourists' Caribbean arrests highlight value of US travel warnings, expert says
If youâre planning a trip abroad, your first stop should be the u.s. state department website, where you can get important safety and security information about your destination, by leslie gaydos and ale zimmermann • published april 29, 2024 • updated on april 29, 2024 at 5:41 pm.
Three Americans detained in Turks and Caicos Islands for possession of ammunition are facing a possible 12-year prison sentence after they were arrested for what they say were innocent mistakes.
The situation is a good reminder to be aware of local laws anytime youâre leaving the United States.
If youâre planning a trip abroad, your first stop should be the U.S. State Department website , where you can get important safety and security information about your destination.
âOftentimes people do a bit more digging to unknown destinations that they've never been to or destinations that might have an increased caution warning on the State Department website,â says Katy Nastro, a travel expert at flight-finding site Going. âWe tend to not think about doing those same sort of steps before we travel to leisure destinations like a Caribbean island, or anywhere that we might have been to before.â
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But itâs a good idea to check the State Department website before each trip so you can make informed decisions. The State Department issues travel advisory levels for each country of the world based on conditions, from the minimum Level 1 to a Level 4, which is a do not travel advisory.
âIt also advises against different regulations or things that have popped up recently,â says Nastro. âIf you go on the State Department website right now and look under Turks and Caicos, there is an advisory to check your bags for things like ammunition that you cannot travel to and have on you when you're traveling to Turks and Caicos.â
Nastro says itâs also a good idea to familiarize yourself with local laws to avoid any run-ins with local authorities.
âOne perfect example of sort of being aware of local laws and regulations is chewing gum in Singapore. This is something that has been talked about in the past, because a lot of times tourists would come to the country and not be aware that, you know, spitting chewing gum and chewing gum in and of itself is banned,â she says. âAlso being aware of what you're saying. In some countries, you're not allowed to speak ill of the government or, you know, have slanderous language specific type of words. Again, being aware, top line, of some of the differences in local laws and regulations before you travel to a country can really equip yourself to be a better and smarter traveler.â
The State Department website also provides information on local customs and norms. In some countries, tight-fitting clothing and sleeveless shirts and shorts are not acceptable.
âA lot of information can be found through various Facebook groups,â says Nastro. âGoing has an incredible travel community that you can join where people actually swap tips and insights into what a specific destination is like after just having traveled there⊠as well as following local news outlets to get a better sense of what's happening on the ground.â
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You may also want to consider signing up for the state departmentâs Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Itâs a free service that sends you emails with updates on weather, safety and security from the local U.S. embassy or consulate.
If thereâs an emergency, it also helps them contact you with instructions on what to do. You can sign up here: step.state.gov .
More on the Turks and Caicos Islands ammunition arrests
US tourists face 12 years in prison for accidentally bringing ammo to Caribbean island
TSA reviews airport security after Turks and Caicos ammo arrests
Mother's warning after son's 8-month Turks and Caicos prison sentence: âIt's not behind us'
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US issues level 3 travel advisory to China amid safety concerns. Here's what to know
Are you thinking about traveling to China to visit or study abroad? The U.S. government suggests reconsidering your trip for now.
According to the U.S. Department of State , traveling to China is under a level 3 travel advisory , warning Americans to reconsider. The State Department has four warning levels. The fourth is âDo not travel.â
Is it safe to travel to China right now?
The U.S. is asking Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to various reasons, including concerns about health and safety, such as the prevalence of contagious diseases like COVID-19, as well as political tensions or security risks in certain regions.
As of April 12, there are some specific areas that the U.S. is asking people to reconsider travel to. Those areas include:
- Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans and the risk of wrongful detentions.
- Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
- Reconsider travel to the Macau SAR due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services.
Additionally, the U.S. government may issue travel advisories based on factors like civil unrest, natural disasters, or other hazards that could affect travelers' well-being.
Americans detained in China
Mark Swidan â a man from Houston, Texas â has been detained in China for over 10 years on drug charges. According to The Texas Tribune , Swidan was detained in China in 2012 while on a trip looking for materials for his home and business in Houston. Chinese authorities arrested him after his driver and translator were found in possession of drugs. The driver blamed Swidan, who is accused of trafficking and manufacturing methamphetamine.
A review of Swidanâs case said there were no drugs on him or in his hotel. Last year, the Republic of Chinaâs Jiangmen Intermediate Court denied Swidanâs appeal and upheld his death penalty with a two-year suspended death sentence.
Other Americans considered wrongfully detained include Chinese American businessman Kai Li from Long Island, N.Y., and California pastor David Lin.
What countries have a Level 3 travel warning?
- Trinidad & Tobago
- El Salvador
- South Sudan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Papua New Guinea
- Saudi Arabia
What countries have a Level 4 travel warning?
- Afghanistan
- Central African Republic
- North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
- Burkina Faso
Traveling abroad? Here are some safety tips
U.S. citizens are encouraged to enroll in the State Departmentâs free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and to prepare contingency plans for emergencies.
Safety tips if you're traveling outside the U.S.:
- Don't travel alone.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Keep a low profile.
- Try not to be flashy.
- Avoid going to places at night, especially by yourself.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: US issues level 3 travel advisory to China amid safety concerns. Here's what to know
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USDOT Alerts Passengers That Starting Today, Southwest Airlines Must Provide Compensation for Delays and Cancellations Within Their Control
DOTâs historic enforcement action against Southwest earlier this year requires the airline to provide $75 transferrable vouchers to passengers affected by delays and cancellations within the airlineâs control that cause passengers to reach their destination three or more hours after their scheduled arrival time
WASHINGTON â The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is reminding passengers that starting today, Southwest Airlines must compensate them with a transferrable voucher worth at least $75 for any controllable cancellation or delay that causes passengers to reach their destination three or more hours after their scheduled arrival time. Southwest is required to provide this compensation as part of DOTâs recent historic enforcement action holding the airline accountable for its 2022 holiday meltdown that stranded millions of passengers across the country.
âAfter the 2022 holiday meltdown, our department held Southwest Airlines accountableâand now the airline is required to compensate passengers for lengthy delays and cancellations that they cause,â said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg . âWe're pleased to bring these benefits to passengers, and further show the flying public that the Biden-Harris Administration has their back.â
When Compensation is Required Southwest is required to provide compensation if:
- A flight was cancelled or delayed within seven days of the scheduled departure date;
- Passengers arrived at their destination three or more hours later than planned; and
- The delay or cancellation was caused by something that Southwest could control, such as a maintenance or staffing issue.
Passengers will not be eligible for compensation if the cause of the disruption was not within the airlineâs control, such as bad weather.
How to Request Compensation
- Per the agreement with DOT, Southwest has created an easy-to-find online form (southwest.com/delayform) for passengers to request compensation.
- Passengers must submit requests within one year from the date of the delayed/cancelled flight.
- If passengers enter erroneous information on the form, they will get an error message, and a chance to edit and re-submit the required information
- Southwest will respond to the customer via email within 30 days of receiving a voucher request form and if the consumer is eligible, Southwest will follow-up with a voucher for that consumer.
- The vouchers will be transferrable and will be valid for at least one year after the date of issuance.
DOT will be closely monitoring Southwestâs compensation program to ensure that passengers get the relief they are owed. The airline must submit an annual report to DOT every May for the next three years detailing the voucher expenditures.
In 2022, under Secretary Buttigiegâs guidance, DOT created an Airline Customer Service Dashboard known as FlightRights.gov to help airline passengers understand what they are entitled to receive when a delay or cancellation was within the airlinesâ control and create standards that the Department can enforce. DOT has updated the Airline Cancellation and Delay dashboard to reflect Southwestâs mandated compensation program.
Find more information on DOTâs $140 million enforcement action against Southwest Airlines for the 2022 holiday meltdown here .
DOTâs Historic Record of Consumer Protection Under the Biden-Harris Administration
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers, and returned more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Departmentâs history.
- Just last week, DOT announced two final rules that require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed and protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees . These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed, and save consumers over half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees.
- As mentioned above, DOT launched the flightrights.gov dashboard, and now all 10 major U.S. airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals, and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov.
- Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped return more than $3 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers â including over $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022.
- DOT has issued over $164 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations.
- DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable, and protect the rights of the traveling public.
- In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the U.S. was a record low at under 1.2% â the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel.
- DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programs
In addition to finalizing the rules to require automatic refunds and protect consumers from surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:
- Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, as the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.
- Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travelers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.
- Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity. The comment period on this proposed rule closes on May 13, 2024.
Consumers may file an airline complaint with the Department here .
Mother's warning after son's 8-month Turks and Caicos prison sentence: âIt's not behind us'
Three american tourists are detained on turks and caicos islands for violating a strict firearm and ammunition law, and a mother whose son was imprisoned for months is warning tourists not to go to the popular vacation destination, published april 24, 2024.
NBC10 Boston first broke the story about American tourists who have been charged with possession of ammunition after vacationing on the islands of Turks and Caicos . Upon conviction, the charge comes with a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years in prison, except where the court finds exceptional circumstances.
There are currently three U.S tourists being held on bail for firearms and ammunition prosecutions, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Turks and Caicos Islands Attorney Generalâs Chambers and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Consumer investigative reporter Leslie Gaydos spoke with Teresea Pfau, the mother of an Indiana man who was released in February after receiving an eight-month prison sentence on the Island. She is speaking out after learning there are more U.S. citizens potentially facing a similar fate as her son.
âIt has been one of the most traumatic times of my life,â Pfau shared.
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She says she is closely following the story of Americans Ryan Watson and Bryan Hagerich, who are currently detained in Turks and Caicos Islands on charges of possession of ammunition.
Pfauâs son Michael Grimm was sentenced last year for the same offense.
âIt's very heartbreaking because I know the pain that they're going through,â Pfau said.
Her family was vacationing in the British Overseas Territory last August when her son mistakenly brought ammunition in a bag he used during a previous trip, according to Pfau.
âHe did not have a gun. And, you know, there was no violence involved. And so we really did hold out hope that he would possibly get a very hefty fine,â said Pfau. âMaybe he would get, you know, barred from ever returning. But once everything was set into motion, you know, it was a devastating experience.â
She said the family spent more than $100,000 on an extended stay, bail money and attorney fees and were constantly worried about Grimmâs safety.
âIt was the hardest time in my life and for our immediate family, and feeling helpless that there was nothing that we could do,â Pfau said.
âJust the trying to arrange to see him or speak with him was the biggest, I think, barrier,â Pfau shared about the experience of having her son in prison on the Island, adding, âknowing the conditions â the prison had been sanctioned by the U.N. for unsanitary conditions.â
She told Gaydos she often worried about whether or not her son was safe or healthy.
Grimm spent more than five months in prison in Grand Turk before being released in February. Pfau said she and her son are still processing their traumatic experience.
âWe both have sought professional services to help us deal with this trauma and this PTSD, so it's not behind us. So we're just trying to figure out how we can be helpful to others who may be in this situation and how we can make a change, whether it's through the embassy, the travel alerts or in any way that we can. We don't want anyone else to ever have to experience this,â Pfau said.
At a State Department news conference, a representative addressed the detainment of Watson and Hagerich: âWe're aware of the arrest of U.S. citizens in Turks and Caicos. When a U.S. citizen is arrested, we stand by ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance, but in a foreign country, U.S. citizens are subject to the country's laws, even if they may differ from what is law in the United States.â
On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas re-issued an alert urging all travelers going to Turks & Caicos Islands to carefully check their luggage for stray ammunition or forgotten weapons before departing from the United States.
And the Turks and Caicos Attorney General and the Director of Public Prosecutions issued a statement Wednesday saying the islandsâ firearm ordinance ârequires the Supreme Court to impose a mandatory minimum sentence and fine for certain firearm offenses, except in circumstances where the court finds that there are exceptional circumstances.â
The statement went on to add that there have been five separate cases within a two-year period where the Supreme Court of the islands found exceptional circumstances: only four of the offenders were fined and one was given a custodial sentence below the mandatory minimum.
Grimmâs eight-month sentence was below the mandatory minimum of 12 years in prison.
The director of public prosecutions said in their statement, â8 firearms and ammunitions prosecutions in total were done involving tourists from the United States, 3 of which are currently before the court with each of the defendants on bail.â
pic.twitter.com/Kz31Ng5wJk — TCIG Communications Directorate (@TCIG_Press) April 24, 2024
Ryan Watson is one of those three. He was let out on bail today pending his next hearing.
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Three Americans detained in Turks and Caicos Islands for possession of ammunition are facing a possible 12-year prison sentence after they were arrested for what they say were innocent mistakes. The situation is a good reminder to be aware of local laws anytime you're leaving the United States. If you're planning a trip abroad, your first stop should be theâŠ
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Mother's warning after son's 8-month Turks and Caicos prison sentence: 'It's not behind us' Three American tourists are detained on Turks and Caicos Islands for violating a strict firearm and ...
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