international travel alerts today

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Learn about your destination

Take 90 seconds for safer travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

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

Getty Images

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 “well on track” 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 “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” 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 Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” 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 – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ 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 “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” 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 women’s 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 year’s 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 “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s 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 Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” 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 country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

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 “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” 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 “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” 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 “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” 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 Gaza’s 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 “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s 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 “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” 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 “arbitrary arrest.” 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 country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s 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 Mali’s 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 agency’s 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 “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” 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 “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” 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 world’s 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 country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s 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 “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” 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 Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

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 – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – 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 “are putting tourists in danger.” 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 “reconsider travel” 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 region’s 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 ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” 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 country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s 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 “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” 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 “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” 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 Guinea’s 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 Department’s 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 “exercise increased caution” 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 Sweden’s 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 “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” 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 “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s 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 “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” 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.

Join the Conversation

Tags: Russia , Ukraine , Travel , Coronavirus , Travel Tips , Israel , Gaza , violence , Civil War , crime , kidnapping

Recent Articles

Best countries.

Education News

Best Countries Rankings

• # 1 Switzerland
• # 5 Australia
• # 5 United States

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed on the latest news on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

Sign in to manage your newsletters »

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

You May Also Like

Switzerland is world's best country.

Julia Haines Sept. 6, 2023

Photos: Best Countries Around the World

Sept. 6, 2023

The 25 Best Countries in the World

Elliott Davis Jr. Sept. 6, 2023

Brazil's Government to Launch Commission to Unlock South American Integration Projects

Reuters April 29, 2024

US, Egyptian Presidents Hold Phone Call Over Gaza Ceasefire Talks

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Transportation Security

Travel Alerts

Below are travel alerts and airport wait times from the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies.

• Airport Security Checkpoint Wait Times from TSA
• Airport Wait Times  from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Current International Travel Warnings from the Department of State
• Health Alerts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes

U.S. State Department Issues ‘Worldwide Caution’ Alert — What to Know

Americans traveling were warned to “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists” and enroll in the department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).

The U.S. Department of State issued a “Worldwide Caution” alert on Thursday, warning Americans around the globe to be aware of their surroundings.

“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,” the State Department wrote in the new advisory .

Americans traveling were warned to “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists” and enroll in the department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to both receive alerts and make it easier to locate them if an emergency occurs.

Getty Images

The State Department last issued this kind of alert in August 2022 following the killing of al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri, CNN reported .

The updated guidance comes days after the State Department warned Americans to reconsider travel to Israel and not to travel to the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict. The department has since issued an advisory warning Americans not to travel to nearby Lebanon “due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and [Hezbollah] or other armed militant factions.”

On Thursday, the State Department updated its information for American citizens hoping to leave Israel , detailing the U.S. government’s efforts to facilitate charter flights on a rolling basis from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport through at least Oct. 22.

Earlier this week, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship also helped evacuate Americans from Israel, USA Today reported . The ship had been sailing in the region when — like many other cruise lines in the area — it canceled its itineraries.

The State Department also said it was working on ways to help Americans in Gaza leave, but said the “military conflict between Israel and Hamas is ongoing, making identifying departure options for U.S. citizens complex.” The department said Americans who wish to leave should move closer to the Egyptian Rafah crossing “if you assess it to be safe.”

“We anticipate that the situation at the Rafah crossing will remain fluid and unpredictable,” the State Department wrote, adding, “there may be very little notice if the crossing opens, and it may only open for a limited time.”

All U.S. citizens who want U.S. government assistance to leave the region must fill out a crisis intake form online.

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

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

Have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They will get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

The Latest on U.S. Travel Restrictions

By Lauren Hard Oct. 19, 2021

• Share full article

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.

Here’s the latest →

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 travelers’ 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. — Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — 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.

Advertisement

What to know about the State Department worldwide travel advisory

The U.S. State Department announced a global travel advisory for those traveling internationally due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The agency cited extra caution against traveling in "risk" areas, such as Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank.

Fighting broke out  on Oct. 7 in Israel after Hamas launched an attack, killing and capturing more than 1,000 people. Israeli Defense Forces mounted a swift response, triggering a war between the nation and Hamas, which controls the besieged Gaza Strip.

Since the attack, the death count for Palestinians exceeded 5,000, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, as of Monday. The Associated Press reported that the death count for Israelis totaled 1,400 .

The conflict is playing out against the backdrop of religious tensions, an Israeli government in turmoil over judicial reform, and increased Israeli military raids within Palestinian territories.

What is a travel advisory?

The State Department issues travel advisories in incidents involving war, political turmoil, civil unrest, and other cases that may impact global travel.

On Oct. 19, the agency issued a worldwide caution advisory 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.”

Stay safe while traveling: Here are 17 CIA tips, advice to think like a spy on vacation

Who does the travel advisory affect?

According to Arizona's former Director of Homeland Security Tim Roemer, this warning impacts all Americans traveling abroad, even outside the Middle East. Now the chief security officer for a private sector company, Roemer spent 18 years in government service, including his duty as a C.I.A. agent and running cyber security for the state of Arizona.

These types of situations have the risk of spilling over into other regions, he said.

"Lots of copycat violence takes place in the world whenever you have international incidents like this," Roemer said. "These types of wars tend to spark a lot of outrage."

The travel advisory was heightened to a worldwide scale due to the increased violence not just being concentrated in one specific region but could affect areas even in Europe, according to Roemer.

"It's a serious advisory to come from the state department. They don't take these things lightly."

What can international travelers do to stay safe while the advisory is in effect?

Roemer believes it's important to exercise caution now more than ever before and when traveling abroad, which includes always paying attention to your surroundings, having a heightened sense of alertness, and regularly communicating with friends and family back home. He also said it is imperative to pay attention to the news.

"Watch what's happening. You don't want to get stuck somewhere by being unaware of what's going on in the world," said Roemer.

While the advisory will remain active as long as the State Department believes it is relevant, Roemer advised Americans traveling internationally to remain vigilant, especially if they witness any unusual or suspicious activity.

"If you see something that seems out of the ordinary, say something. Don't just keep it to yourself," Roemer said. "Report it (to local law enforcement). It could actually be really important and make a huge difference."

Roemer also encouraged travelers to be more organized and have contingency plans when traveling internationally, especially for those who may already be abroad. This includes knowing all of the airports in your region and being prepared for the unexpected.

"In an emergency, you're not going to have good communication," said Roemer. "Your devices will likely not connect in certain situations. Any number of things could happen." For those planning on traveling internationally, including to regions in Europe that border West Asian territories, Roemer suggested possibly postponing or reconsidering at this time, depending on the location.

Travelers can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program ( STEP ), a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad to connect with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The federal program also sends out alerts in the event of an emergency, which can be sent to your email and any smart device.

International Travel Restrictions by Country

Find out where you can travel and covid-19 policies.

Select origin country, search destination or select a country on the map to see travel restrictions.

The travel status of individual countries can change suddenly, and we know it can be hard to stay on top of it all. That's why we're getting you the information you need to consider when planning travel. Learn about country-specific entry requirements such as the border status, COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine requirements. Many countries are reopening their borders for international travel. Find out which countries are open to vaccinated travelers.

Just enter your departure country above - the map will update to reflect countries' opening status and any entry requirements for air travelers. Before you book, be sure to double check your country's official government site.

Destinations you can travel to now

Dominican republic, netherlands, philippines, puerto rico, switzerland, united arab emirates, united kingdom, know when to go.

Sign up for email alerts as countries begin to open - choose the destinations you're interested in so you're in the know.

Filter by region, status and more

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Albania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Algeria.

American Samoa

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter American Samoa.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Angola.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Anguilla.

Antigua And Barbuda

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Antigua And Barbuda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Argentina.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Armenia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Aruba.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Australia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Austria.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Azerbaijan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bahrain.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bangladesh.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Barbados.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Belgium.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Belize.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Benin.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bermuda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bhutan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bolivia.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Botswana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Brazil.

British Virgin Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the British Virgin Islands.

Brunei Darussalam

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Brunei Darussalam.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Bulgaria.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Burundi.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cambodia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cameroon.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Canada.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cape Verde.

Caribbean Netherlands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Caribbean Netherlands.

Cayman Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Cayman Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Chad.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Chile.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter China.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Colombia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Comoros.

Cook Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Cook Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Costa Rica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Croatia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Curaçao.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Cyprus.

Czech Republic

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Czech Republic.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Denmark.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Djibouti without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Dominica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Dominican Republic.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, need to quarantine to enter East Timor.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ecuador.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Egypt.

El Salvador

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter El Salvador.

Equatorial Guinea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Equatorial Guinea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Eritrea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Estonia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Eswatini.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ethiopia.

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas).

Faroe Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Faroe Islands.

Federated States of Micronesia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Federated States of Micronesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Fiji.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Finland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter France.

French Guiana

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter French Guiana.

French Polynesia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter French Polynesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Gabon.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Gambia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Georgia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Germany.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ghana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Gibraltar.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Greece.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Greenland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Grenada.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guadeloupe.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guam.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guatemala.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guinea.

Guinea-Bissau

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guinea-Bissau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Guyana.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Honduras.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Hong Kong.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Hungary.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Iceland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter India.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Indonesia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ireland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Italy.

Ivory Coast

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Ivory Coast.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jamaica.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Japan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jersey.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Jordan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kazakhstan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kenya.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kiribati.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kosovo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kuwait.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Kyrgyzstan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Laos.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Latvia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lesotho.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Liberia.

Liechtenstein

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Liechtenstein.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Lithuania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Luxembourg.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Macau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Madagascar.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malawi.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malaysia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Maldives.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Malta.

Marshall Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Marshall Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Martinique.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mauritania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mauritius.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mayotte.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mexico.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Moldova.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mongolia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Montenegro.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Montserrat.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Mozambique.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Namibia.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Nauru without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nepal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Netherlands.

New Caledonia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Caledonia.

New Zealand

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter New Zealand.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nicaragua.

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Niger without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Nigeria.

North Macedonia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter North Macedonia.

Northern Mariana Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Northern Mariana Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Norway.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Oman.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Pakistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Palau.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Panama.

Papua New Guinea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Papua New Guinea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Paraguay.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Peru.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Philippines.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Poland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Portugal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Puerto Rico.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Qatar.

Republic of the Congo

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Republic of the Congo without restrictions.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Réunion.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Romania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Rwanda.

Saint Barthélemy

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Barthélemy.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Kitts and Nevis.

Saint Lucia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Lucia.

Saint Martin

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Martin.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Samoa.

São Tomé and Príncipe

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter São Tomé and Príncipe.

Saudi Arabia

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Saudi Arabia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Senegal.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Serbia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Seychelles.

Sierra Leone

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sierra Leone.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Singapore.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Slovakia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Slovenia.

Solomon Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Solomon Islands.

South Africa

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Africa.

South Korea

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter South Korea.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Spain.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sri Lanka.

St. Maarten

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter St. Maarten.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sudan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Suriname.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Sweden.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Switzerland.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Taiwan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tajikistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tanzania.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Thailand.

The Bahamas

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter The Bahamas.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Togo.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tonga.

Trinidad and Tobago

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Trinidad and Tobago.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tunisia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Türkiye.

Turkmenistan

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, will not be allowed to enter Turkmenistan.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Tuvalu.

U.S. Virgin Islands

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uganda.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Arab Emirates.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter the United Kingdom.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uruguay.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Uzbekistan.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Vanuatu.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Vietnam.

Wallis and Futuna

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Wallis and Futuna.

Western Sahara

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, will not be allowed to enter Western Sahara.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Zambia.

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Zimbabwe.

Get trip-ready with at-home COVID-19 tests

How often is the data on this page updated.

We check for travel restriction information from government authorities daily, and update the page any time we get new information. The following information regarding travel restrictions for each country is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.

How many countries are closed to visitors?

As of Sep 11, 2 countries have completely restricted entry to non-citizens and 5 are open but require quarantine and/or a negative COVID test.

Where can I travel without COVID restrictions?

Currently you can travel from the United States to 197 countries without restrictions. Please check our map to learn more.

Are there any other types of travel restrictions besides COVID-19 tests and quarantines?

These are the two main types of restrictions or requirements needed to travel into another country. However, the COVID-19 testing options are continually widening as new methods are developed. Different countries may accept results from different or multiple test types, so be sure to check the individual country's specific requirements.

What should I do if I get COVID-19 while in another country?

If you get COVID-19 while in another country, follow the local authority's recommendations. These may include hospitalization, self-isolating and testing in that country. Be sure to contact your travel insurance company and travel provider as well and inform them of your situation.

What should I do if the borders of the country I am visiting close?

Depending on your home country, you may need to change your departure date and return home as soon as possible. If that's the case, contact your travel provider to find the earliest departure.

Additional resources

• What you need to know
• Airline policies
• Hotel policies
• Car policies
• Tips for flying
• Tips for hotel
• Tips for vacation rental

If you're looking for personalized travel advice for your own travel plans like whether or not a restriction applies to your trip, we won't be able to answer any questions or offer advice. Please consult your local government's resources.

What Does the US State Department’s Worldwide Travel Advisory Actually Mean?

By Matt Ortile

On Thursday, October 19, the US State Department issued a worldwide travel advisory urging American citizens to “exercise increased caution” while overseas, “due to increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, [and] demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”

The alert comes as the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas escalates in the Middle East. According to the New York Times , the advisory is also in response to protests worldwide that have, in some cases, led to “violent clashes at U.S. diplomatic compounds.” Throughout this week, protesters all over the world have held demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to Israel’s airstrikes and blockade of the territory, according to the AP . There are also protests in New York City calling for the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, and in Washington, DC calling for President Biden to press for an Israel-Hamas war cease-fire.

But what does the State Department's warning mean for anyone currently traveling, or with an upcoming trip? And does it actually suggest that you shouldn't travel… at all?

The short answer is no. But the advisory is a fair reminder to do exactly as it instructs, which is, for the time being, to be cautious while in environments unfamiliar to you.

“I don’t think the advisory is asking people to cancel their planned travel, but it is asking us all to be more alert when we are traveling,” says Mei Zhang, founder of the travel company WildChina and a member of Condé Nast Traveler ’s Global Advisory Board . “To me, that means being more alert in airports, avoiding super crowded iconic tourist places, not having your eyes glued to your phone while traveling. Look around.” As a precaution, Zhang recommends signing up for the State Department’s STEP program , as well as keeping your friends and family informed of your travel plans. “Just take a little extra caution,” she says. “This is a good idea regardless of the warning.”

As for changing travel plans, Catherine Heald, the co-founder and CEO of the travel company Remote Lands , says that many of her clients have canceled their upcoming travel plans to Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan, among others, and pivoted their trips toward destinations geographically far away from active conflict zones. (Read more about navigating upcoming travel to countries bordering Israel and Gaza here .)

While reconsidering itineraries, Heald advises all travelers to not panic: “Look at the facts,” Heald says. “Study a map and avoid the danger zones. Buy travel insurance so if the situation spreads or escalates—and we all sincerely hope it won’t—you are covered.”

Luis Vargas, CEO and founder of travel operator Modern Adventure , recommends equipping yourself with information. Read up on the local news in the area of your intended destination to get a better sense of what’s actually happening on the ground. “In many cases, major events—both political and natural—are locally or regionally concentrated, meaning nearby areas can be unaffected,” Vargas says. For example, during and in the aftermath of the earthquake in Morocco in September , some communities experienced the worst of it, while Marrakech and other parts of the country were largely unaffected. An event in one part of a country or region does not mean it is happening everywhere in that country or region.

The last time the State Department issued a similar worldwide travel advisory was on August 2, 2022 , due to a "higher potential for anti-American violence given the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri,” the al-Qaeda leader killed on July 31 in a US drone strike in Afghanistan .

The US State Department’s travel advisories are most often specified by country. This month, the State Department has raised the travel advisory for Lebanon to the highest level, “Level 4: Do not travel;” the travel advisory for Israel and the West Bank has been raised to “Level 3: Reconsider travel.” Jordan and Egypt, which share borders with Israel, are at Level 2 and Level 3, respectively.

Wherever you are headed, take stock of a number of factors before you cancel or reschedule any travel plans: Consider your destination’s relative risk and your own personal risk tolerance—and that of your travel companions. Evaluate the level of access you will have to consulate services and information, as well as to your own personal safety network; if you have friends and family in the area of your destination, ask them for tips on how to stay safe and up-to-date on local news developments.

From there, make an informed decision about your travel plans that you—and your travel companions, if you have them—will be comfortable with. Traveling is an exercise in preparedness. As with all trips, make sure you feel ready to navigate whatever may come your way, no matter where you go. And of course, follow the worldwide travel advisory’s directive, brief and broad as it may be, to “stay alert in locations frequented by tourists” and to “enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive information and alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency overseas.”

Taking a long-term view, Vargas offers a reminder that tourism is an integral part of many economies—in the Middle East and all over the world. "When travel advisories are adopted, more broadly than intended, the effects can also be devastating over time,” says Vargas. If you aren't comfortable traveling now, consider postponing your trip rather than canceling it; and, if you must cancel, see if you can redirect some of your financial resources to organizations offering aid to people who need it most.

At the end of the day, “trust your gut,” Vargas says. “If you are feeling uneasy to the point where enjoyment of the trip is compromised, postponing may be the right choice for you.”

This is a developing story and will be updated with more information.

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

Routine Vaccines

It’s important to be up to date on recommended routine vaccines prior to travel, including Flu, RSV and COVID-19.

Find a Clinic

Advice for Travelers

Personalized Health Information Tool for Global Travel

Disease Directory

Frequently Asked Questions

CDC Yellow Book

Pre-travel Rapid Evaluation Portal for Patients

Clinician Resources

Research and Surveillance                                                     

• Medical Tourism
• Cholera Information for Health Care Professionals
• COVID-19 Travel Information
• Travel Industry Resources

Learn about CDC’s Traveler Genomic Surveillance Program that detects new COVID-19 variants entering the country.  

Sign up to get travel notices, clinical updates, & healthy travel tips.

See the full list of  Travel Health Notices , including:

Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions

• Updated   Global Polio April 26, 2024
• Diphtheria in Guinea April 23, 2024
• Chikungunya in Timor-Leste April 05, 2024

Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Global Measles April 26, 2024
• Updated   Oropouche Fever in South America April 24, 2024
• Dengue in Asia and the Pacific Islands April 18, 2024

There are no Warning , Alert, Watch, COVID-19 Very High, COVID-19 High, COVID-19 Moderate, COVID-19 Low, COVID-19 Unknown, Level 4, or Level 3 notices currently in effect.

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

What to know about travel safety as the Israel-Hamas war continues

Last Thursday the State Department advised travelers from the U.S. to “exercise increased caution” worldwide because of the Israel-Hamas war , citing “the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.”

The warning “means what it says,” said Jeffrey Price, an aviation security expert and professor of aviation and aerospace science at Metropolitan State University of Denver. “Don’t go to areas where they are actively capturing or killing U.S. citizens, and be careful when going to countries where you could be put in harm’s way simply by being there.” 

But what about trips to Barcelona or Singapore or even just Baton Rouge? Here’s what to consider if you’ve got travel plans on the books or are making them now, given the conflict in the Middle East.

All-purpose safety precautions

In addition to telling U.S. travelers to reconsider travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid any travel to Gaza, federal officials also recommend staying especially alert in popular locations anywhere tourists gather globally.

They suggest following State Department accounts on social media for updates and joining the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to make it easier for the agency get in touch with American travelers abroad in case of emergencies.

The State Department has alerts of various levels in effect for many countries because of conflict and other risk factors, but “worldwide caution” advisories are less common. The last one was issued in August 2022 after a U.S. drone strike killed a high-level Al Qaeda leader .

Some national security experts regard last week’s global alert “as one of the most urgent issued in light of the extremely high tensions throughout the Middle East,” said Howard Stoffer, a professor of international affairs at the University of New Haven and a former senior official in the State Department’s Foreign Service.

“This type of alert usually lasts a relatively short time,” he said, but the current one “may last for some period of time.”

If you’re planning upcoming travel, you can monitor the State Department’s travel advisories for any destinations on your itinerary both before and during your trip. The Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan think tank, also maintains an interactive Global Conflict Tracker that provides additional information for specific areas around the world.

Stay alert and listen to the news carefully when out there.

Howard Stoffer, University of New Haven

Experts warn against slipping so deeply into vacation mode that you risk losing sight of potential shifts in the political or security situation on the ground. “Be aware of your surroundings and be sure to cooperate with any increased security measures,” Price said.

Stoffer said, “Stay alert and listen to the news carefully when out there.” Otherwise, exercise the same good judgment you would under any other circumstances, like steering clear of major protests and making sure friends and family back home know where you are.

Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines is the only airline that continues to fly between the U.S. and Israel, although its website notes that “there may be a change in the departure times of some flights.”

Major U.S.-based airlines that previously offered regular service to Tel Aviv, including American , Delta and United , have issued travel alerts for the Middle East and suspended all flights to Israel. United has also issued a travel alert for its flights to Amman, Jordan, but service there is continuing.

The suspensions include direct flights out of major hubs such as Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., as well as connecting flights on partner airlines, said Scott Keyes of the flight deal website Going.

In general, travelers who booked to Israel on U.S. carriers on or before Oct. 6, the day before Hamas attacked Israel, are typically being offered the option to either cancel their trips and request refunds or to rebook in the same cabin and between the same cities on different dates with no change fees or fare differences. (United is also offering to waive change fees on flights to Amman.)

“These waivers apply regardless of what fare class you’ve booked,” Keyes said. “Even otherwise restrictive basic economy tickets may be rescheduled or canceled for a full cash refund.”

Right now, the rebooking options are available through Dec. 31 on United, from Dec. 5 through Jan. 31 on American and through Sept. 6, 2024, on Delta.

Travelers can expect to see a larger law enforcement and canine presence.

TSA spokesperson Robert Langston

With Delta having already extended the dates of its rebooking provisions, Keyes said, “it’s all but certain other U.S. airlines will extend their travel waivers for at least as long as the escalated hostilities continue.”

At airports and other transportation hubs, “travelers can expect to see a larger law enforcement and canine presence,” said Robert Langston, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration.

The TSA is operating at a “heightened level of security as a result of world events and the current threat environment,” he said. Officials there and at its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, will continue to monitor the situation and adjust their security measures as needed.

Security checkpoints lines at airports could get longer because of the increased measures, Price said, but “if things are getting out of hand, TSA can also speed up lines by reducing random checks.”

A handful of cruise lines have made changes to scheduled sailings in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, said Aaron Saunders, a senior editor at Cruise Critic.

“The changes range from the cancellation of full sailing seasons to adjustments to itineraries that remove select ports,” he said. 

Windstar Cruises, Royal Caribbean and MSC are among the cruise lines that have pulled all their ships out of the region because of the conflict, Cruise Critic has reported , while Norwegian Cruise Line has informed passengers on a coming Rome-to-Athens cruise that stops in Israel will be skipped.

“Cruise lines have teams dedicated to monitoring the latest news and updates and reserve the right to adjust their plans as they see most fit,” Saunders said.

He encourages anyone with a cruise reservation to watch for emails from the operator for updates on specific sailings, as well as any compensation being offered for significantly affected ones. For those considering a cruise to the region, “we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance,” Saunders added.

Travel insurance 

Many travel insurance policies already provide cancellation and interruption benefits in the event a terrorist attack affects a trip, according to published guidelines from the travel insurance comparison platform SquareMouth.

But in most cases, those benefits kick in only for policies purchased before the date of the attack, meaning such coverage would apply for the current conflict only on insurance taken out on or before Oct. 6.

Travelers with coming trips to Israel who have cancellation and interruption benefits may be reimbursed for 100% of their trip expenses if they need to cancel, SquareMouth noted. Travelers planning to visit Israel as part of trips may also be covered if they need to cut their itineraries short.

Harriet Baskas is an NBC News contributor who writes about travel and the arts.

Protect Your Trip »

Where Can Americans Travel Right Now?

More than 100 countries currently allow U.S. citizens to visit, but some restrictions apply.

Getty Images

Travel is limited due to the coronavirus pandemic, but there are still some countries allowing American visitors.

The current global pandemic has many Americans rethinking the way they travel. Road trips and camping vacations have grown in popularity, as many Americans have discovered the country has more than its fair share of stunning natural landscapes, from the Grand Canyon to Acadia National Park. Some people have even created memorable vacations in their backyards.

However, if you're itching to leave the U.S., there are several countries around the world that will accept you (and your negative coronavirus test results), though some specific restrictions will apply. If you decide to travel, be sure to evaluate the risks and understand the safest ways to travel . You should also look out for yourself and others by taking necessary safety precautions and investing in one of the best face masks for travel .

Note that due to the pandemic, travel guidelines are constantly changing; you'll want to check your destination's official tourism website periodically before your trip. And, consider purchasing travel insurance , so you don't lose money if your U.S. passport is no longer accepted at the last minute.

Below are the countries that currently accept travelers from the United States. Note: As of Aug. 30, the European Union removed the U.S. from its safe list of countries and advised member countries to reinstate travel restrictions. However, it’s up to individual countries to decide on restrictions for incoming travelers, so keep an eye out for official announcements from any European destinations as things are changing quickly. If you decide to travel, you'll also want to check with the State Department for information on returning from your visit as there are some restrictions in place. As of Dec. 6, the CDC requires all passengers, regardless of vaccination status, traveling to the U.S. from a foreign country (including American citizens) to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than one day before their flight. Travelers should also be aware that the State Department has updated travel advisories for dozens of countries to Level 4: Do Not Travel, warning Americans to reconsider international travel due to the ongoing pandemic. Visit the State Department website for additional details on travel advisories. (Note: All mentions of coronavirus tests refer to the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test unless otherwise stated. This information was accurate at the time of publication and will be updated as additional information becomes available.)

As of Sept. 6, U.S. citizens must now submit to testing when traveling to Albania. PCR tests must be taken within 72 hours of travel and antigen tests must be taken within 48 hours; negative results are required for entry. Fully vaccinated travelers can bypass these requirements as long as they show proof of vaccination (as can anyone who can prove they recovered from COVID-19 in the past six months). Expect health screening procedures in airports, and prepare to abide by social distancing guidelines and a curfew. Make note that on your return home, there are restrictions to what countries you can pass through, according to the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Albania .]

This tiny country between France and Spain is open to U.S. citizens. In order to enter, you’ll either need to show proof of vaccination completed at least 14 days before arrival, proof of negative test results within 72 hours of arrival or proof of recovery from the coronavirus. For more information, visit the country’s FAQ website .

Americans can enter Angola as long as they show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before traveling. Travelers must also fill out a Travel Registration Form and abide by screenings to enter. Visitors may also be required to test upon arrival and quarantine depending on the results. Find more information at the U.S. embassy website .

As of July 1, only travelers who can prove they have been fully vaccinated at least three weeks before arriving can visit Anguilla. They will have to apply for entry to the island before traveling and upload results from a negative coronavirus test taken two to five days before travel (or 48 hours prior to travel if taking an antigen test). Once on the island, they will be subject to another test and must stay at their accommodation until they receive a negative result. For more information, visit the U.S. embassy in Anguilla website or Anguilla’s tourism board website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Anguilla .]

Antigua and Barbuda

Access to this Caribbean gem is contingent on a negative coronavirus test (for those older than 5) taken no more than four days prior to your flight. All arriving visitors must also prove they are fully vaccinated by an approved World Health Organization or Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment coronavirus vaccine. Travelers must also show proof of a negative PCR coronavirus test taken no more than four days before travel (or three days for a rapid antigen test). They may also be required to submit to testing upon arrival. American travelers will be subject to temperature checks and health screenings before being admitted into Antigua and Barbuda, no matter if they're coming from a plane, a cruise ship or another mode of transportation. They must also complete a Health Declaration Form prior to landing. Plus, masks are required in all public spaces. Find more specific information on the country's tourism website.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Antigua .]

All travelers regardless of vaccination status must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before travel and complete an electronic sworn statement about their health 48 hours prior to travel. Unvaccinated travelers also have to complete a seven-day quarantine. For more information, visit the embassy website .

This western Asian country allows U.S. citizens to enter as long as they either present a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival, or agree to test upon arrival and quarantine until they receive negative results. Vaccine documentation cards are also accepted in lieu of a negative coronavirus test. Face masks are required in some public spaces throughout the country, but virtually every business is open in Armenia. Learn more about the pandemic atmosphere in the country at the U.S. Embassy in Armenia website or the Armenian government's travel restrictions website .

According to its website , which is updated frequently with information on travel restrictions, Aruba is welcoming U.S. vacationers to the island. However, entrance hinges on travelers' completion of an online embarkation/disembarkation card and a health assessment, plus a negative coronavirus test taken no more than one day before arrival (for everyone 12 and older). Fully vaccinated (and boosted) travelers can show proof of vaccination instead of testing. The booster shot is not required for vaccinated travelers younger than 18. If you’re flying JetBlue to Aruba, you have the option to take an at-home, saliva-based Vault PCR Molecular COVID-19 test. All U.S. travelers also must purchase Aruba Visitor Insurance to ensure they are covered if health issues arise during their stay. This insurance cost varies depending on each traveler's age and length of stay; to find out how much it costs, check out the Aruba Visitor Insurance calculator .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Aruba .]

Americans can enter this European nation without having to quarantine if they provide proof of vaccination and a booster shot. Those who are vaccinated but have not received a booster shot must provide proof of vaccination in addition to a negative test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel. Those who are not vaccinated must present proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before travel and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival at their own expense. Unvaccinated individuals are barred from entering most public venues in Austria including hotels, restaurants and museums. For additional info, see the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Austria .]

The Bahamas

A popular tourist destination among stateside citizens, t he Bahamas are welcoming American visitors to the picturesque islands. Travelers must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. This negative pretesting requirement extends to all travelers older than 11 (including vaccinated travelers). Visitors are also required to opt-in to health insurance that will cover them for the entirety of their stay (the cost of which depends on your vaccination status). Additionally, those who travel around the Bahamas without wearing face coverings will be subject to fines. Learn more about traveling details on the tourism website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in the Bahamas .]

U.S. citizens may travel to Bahrain without prior testing. However, all travelers older than 6 (aside from those who can prove they have recovered from COVID-19) must submit to and pay for a coronavirus test upon arrival. Travelers must also download the BeAware Bahrain app before travel. For more information, visit the embassy website .

U.S. citizens must take a COVID-19 test within 48 hours of traveling to Bangladesh and prove the negative results with the appropriate documentation in order to enter the country. Even with proof of a negative test, unvaccinated travelers must complete a 14-day home quarantine period upon arriving in the country. Visit this website to learn more about Bangladesh's entry and exit requirements.

As long as travelers (older than 5) complete a travel form online no less than 24 hours before their flight and provide a negative coronavirus test result taken within 72 hours of their entrance to the island, they can vacation in this Caribbean paradise. Starting Jan. 7, negative results from a rapid PCR test taken one day before travel will also be accepted. Even with a negative result in hand, travelers must quarantine in an approved hotel or villa for a minimum of three days at which time they can take another test to be released. Fully vaccinated travelers will still need to take a test prior to traveling, but they can skip the quarantine and the fourth day coronavirus test. They might still be randomly tested upon arrival at the airport as well. Visit the Barbados website for more information regarding traveling during the pandemic.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Barbados .]

U.S. citizens can travel to Belarus with some restrictions. Travelers need a negative coronavirus test no more than three days prior to arrival. Travelers will also be subject to health screenings, including temperature checks, at the port of entry. A seven-day self-quarantine is also required for unvaccinated travelers; vaccinated travelers can bypass quarantine. Note: The U.S. issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Belarus, and the nation’s land borders are closed to travelers. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Belarus website for additional information.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Belarus .]

As of Sept. 1, only vaccinated Americans can visit picturesque cities like Brussels , Bruges and Antwerp. A test no more than 72 hours prior to travel, a test upon arrival and a period of self-quarantine pending receipt of a negative test result are also required, as is a second test again on day seven. Travelers will have to complete a Passenger Locator Form and submit to health screenings at the airport. For more information, visit the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Belgium .]

American travelers (anyone 5 and older) will be required to present a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 96 hours prior to departure to Belize. (Rapid antigen tests taken no more than 48 hours before arrival are also accepted.) If you don’t present a negative test, you’ll have to front a $50 fee (paid in cash) and take a test upon arrival. A negative test means visitors can proceed to their Gold Standard Hotel. As of Feb. 15, all travelers regardless of vaccination status must purchase health insurance from a local insurance company. Keep in mind, a curfew is in effect from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. (9 p.m. until 4 a.m. in select areas). For more information, visit the Belize tourism website or the U.S. Embassy in Belize website .

Americans don’t need a test before traveling to this African nation, but they will be subject to a rapid test and a PCR test upon arrival. They must also undergo a third test on day 15 of their stay. For more information, visit the embassy website .

This Atlantic paradise welcomes Americans to its pristine beaches as long as the travelers (ages 2 and older) present negative results from a COVID-19 test taken no more than four days before arrival. As of Dec. 13, all travelers (ages 12 and older) must also be fully vaccinated to enter Bermuda . Vaccinated travelers who tested negative prior to traveling must then take an arrival test and quarantine until they receive negative results. If you are vaccinated but did not come prepared with a pre-arrival test, you must quarantine until you receive negative results from a test on day four of your trip. Visit the U.S. Consulate in Bermuda website for additional information. The Bermuda tourism board also has a website that outlines how to travel safely and responsibly to the island.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Bermuda .]

This country allows Americans to visit as long as they show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before travel. Masks are required in public spaces, and travelers should expect health screenings at the airport. All unvaccinated visitors must test again 72 hours after arrival and quarantine until they receive negative results. Check for any updates on the embassy website .

Bonaire requires all visitors 13 and older to provide negative test results taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. They must also complete a health declaration form, take a self-test upon arrival and take a test five days after arrival. Travelers who are not vaccinated must quarantine until they receive negative results from the test on day five. Bonaire considers the U.S. to be a high-risk country. Additional information is available on the <u class="rte2-style-underline">Bonaire crisis website</u> , which outlines specifics for travelers.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Bonaire .]

Bosnia and Herzegovina

The U.S. Embassy in Bosnia-Herzegovina states the country is open to American visitors as long as they can provide either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery from the coronavirus or proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before entry.

Americans who provide proof of negative coronavirus test results taken no more than 72 hours before departure can travel to Botswana. All visitors are also subject to a rapid antigen test upon arrival. Visitors should expect some restrictions on interstate travel between the country's different zones. For more information visit the country’s U.S. Embassy website .

Travelers from the U.S. (older than 12) must show proof of vaccination as well as a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the plane to Brazil. They must also complete a Traveler’s Health Declaration form. There are some health screening procedures in place at airports but no required quarantine period upon arrival. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Brazil website for more information.

British Virgin Islands

These picturesque islands are now open for visitors. Any unvaccinated Americans (over age 5) planning to travel here must first show proof of a negative test taken three to five days prior to arrival. Completion of and payment for travel authorization certificate is also required. Unvaccinated visitors must be tested upon arrival, quarantine for seven days, and submit to a test on day seven, the results of which will determine if they can travel around the islands. Vaccinated travelers must show proof of a negative test taken no more than five days before arrival, but they can bypass quarantine and will not need to fill out the authorization certificate. For more information, visit the U.S. embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in the British Virgin Islands .]

Americans can once again travel from the U.S. to Bulgaria for tourism purposes. Bulgaria considers the U.S. a “red zone” country, so Americans must show either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel in order to enter. To see the list of exceptions, visit the U.S. embassy in Bulgaria website .

Travelers from the U.S. must obtain a visa to travel to Cambodia. The country has suspended its visa-on-arrival program until further notice, but travelers can now obtain visas online prior to travel. Travelers to Cambodia must be fully vaccinated and they must take a test 72 hours prior to arrival as well as upon arrival. Keep tabs on updates via the embassy website .

As of Aug. 9, vaccinated American travelers can travel to Canada. Visitors to this northern nation must be fully vaccinated with a Canada-approved vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, J&J or AstraZeneca) and submit proof electronically through the ArriveCAN app. They must also show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to entering. Select travelers may also be chosen at random to complete a test upon arrival. Americans can fly to Canada or choose to cross at a land border. Anyone who submits false vaccination records can be fined up to $750,000 and potentially face jail time. For more information, check out the Canadian government updates here .

Travelers from the U.S. can visit Cape Verde as long as they provide proof of a negative test (either PCR or antigen) taken no more than 72 hours before travel. There are no quarantine requirements upon arrival. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Americans can enter Chad as long as travelers over age 12 show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to traveling. They must also pay $40 for a test upon arrival. Travelers staying for more than seven days must take another test at their own expense. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Chile has reopened to American travelers as long as they can show proof of a negative coronavirus test (only PCR tests are accepted) taken within 72 hours of boarding the final flight to Chile. They must also obtain a Mobility Pass prior to arrival, part of which includes uploading proof of full vaccination; these passes can take two to three weeks to obtain, so it’s best to apply early. They also need to show a completed Affidavit of Travelers electronic form and proof of health insurance. Travelers must quarantine for five days upon arrival. For more information, visit the U.S. Embassy in Chile website .

U.S. citizens over age 18 must present proof of vaccination to enter Colombia. Testing is only required in certain situations, such as if a traveler is only partially vaccinated. However, the U.S. Embassy in Colombia website states travelers should be prepared for further health screening upon arrival.

This Central American country, favored by Americans for its lush landscape and pristine beaches, welcomes all U.S. citizens. (Previously, only residents of select states were allowed entry.) Costa Rica no longer requires visitors to submit a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 72 hours before their visit. However, visitors are required to purchase or show proof of medical insurance to cover any possible coronavirus-related costs they may incur and complete health pass forms, according to the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica website . As of Aug. 1, the health insurance requirements are waived for those younger than 18 and for any American traveler who can provide a vaccination card. The Costa Rican government also holds authority to shorten the length of tourists’ stays. Additional details are available on Costa Rica's tourism board website as well.

Côte d’Ivoire

As long as American travelers come prepared with a completed Air Travel Declaration Form and proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than five days before travel, they can enter Côte d’Ivoire. For more information, visit the U.S. embassy website .

Americans are once again allowed to visit Croatia, with some restrictions. You must show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours (or 48 for antigen test) prior to arrival or take a test upon arrival and quarantine while awaiting results. If you’re fully vaccinated, you can provide proof of vaccination instead of a test. Or, if you can prove you have recovered from the coronavirus within the past 12 to 270 days, you won’t need to provide test results. Also, you must provide documented evidence of an accommodation paid in advance. If you can’t prove vaccination, recovery or a negative test, you must take an arrival test and quarantine for 10 days. Visit the Croatian government's specific COVID-19 website to learn more about how the country is dealing with the pandemic.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Croatia .]

Americans are permitted to enter Curacao as long as they show negative test results taken within 48 hours of departure. Travelers must also have insurance and complete an online immigration card as well as a Health Department passenger locator card before traveling. A test on the third day is also required. Keep in mind there is a curfew in place from midnight until 4:30 a.m. every night. Additional details are available on the U.S. Embassy in Curacao website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Curacao .]

Vaccinated individuals may travel from the U.S. to Cyprus as long as they provide proof of vaccination (or recovery from coronavirus). If you are not vaccinated, you must show proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel and take another test upon arrival at the airport; you’ll also have to quarantine for seven days at your own expense. All travelers must have an approved Cyprus Flight Pass and are subject to random testing upon arrival at their own expense. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has reopened to American travelers as long as they complete a Personal Locator Form. Travelers who are vaccinated and have received the booster can bypass the pre-travel coronavirus test. (The country considers a vaccine valid as long as it has been nine months since the final dose.) Those who haven’t received the booster or are completely unvaccinated must show proof of a negative test taken prior to travel. There are no quarantine requirements nor travel restrictions within the country. However, many public establishments require visitors to show proof of vaccination or negative tests. For the most up to date information, visit the Ministry of the Interior website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Czech Republic .]

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Travelers to this Central African country who are 11 or older must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than three days prior to departure. They will be subject to another test upon arrival in the Congo and must quarantine until they receive another negative result. Proof of health and medical evacuation insurance is also required in addition to completion of a form. There are also exit requirements in place: Travelers must present negative test results taken no more than three days before leaving the country. All required tests will be paid out-of-pocket by travelers. Visit this website for the most up-to-date information.

Vaccinated Americans can enter this Scandinavian country without testing or quarantine. Unvaccinated visitors must submit to testing upon arrival and quarantine for 10 days (or they can end quarantine early with a negative test on day six). For more information, head to the embassy website or to Denmark’s designated COVID-19 protocol page .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Denmark .]

Americans traveling to Djibouti must test negative for coronavirus no more than 72 hours before boarding the plane and no more than 120 hours before arriving in Djibouti. Passengers will be subject to health screenings and a rapid COVID-19 saliva test for $30 upon arrival. Only travelers who test negative will be allowed to enter the country; those who test positive will either depart on the next flight or enter isolation and treatment. Learn more by visiting the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti website .

Americans are allowed to visit Dominica if they answer a health questionnaire and present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Unvaccinated travelers will be antigen tested upon arrival and required to quarantine at a government facility or government-approved hotel for at least five days. They’ll be subject to a test on day five; if negative, travelers will be considered medically cleared and free to explore. Fully vaccinated Americans must upload a vaccination certificate and complete an online form in addition to the required testing. They will also submit to antigen testing upon arrival (for $100), and if results are negative, no quarantine is necessary. Additional info on health and safety protocols for travelers is available here . More details are also available on the U.S. Embassy in Dominica website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Dominica .]

Dominican Republic

American travelers are permitted to visit this island nation, whose popular tourism spots include Punta Cana , Puerto Plata and Santo Domingo , with few restrictions. While the country doesn't require a negative coronavirus test before visiting, travelers will be chosen at random for coronavirus tests upon arrival at the port of entry. If you have proof of a negative coronavirus test or proof of vaccination, you will be exempt from these random tests. Health screening procedures, such as temperature checks, are also in place. Travelers must also state they haven’t experienced any COVID-related symptoms in the last 72 hours and provide contact details for the next 30 days in the form of a Traveler’s Health Affidavit. There are curfews in place around the island, but times vary by location. The latest visitor information is available on the tourism board's website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Punta Cana ; the Best Hotels in Puerto Plata ; the Best Hotels in Santo Domingo .]

American travelers visiting Ecuador must present proof of vaccination or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test or rapid antigen taken within three days of their arrival. A health declaration is also required. Passengers who show COVID-19 symptoms will be evaluated by health officials (regardless of a negative test) and may be subject to isolation and further testing. Alternatively, fully vaccinated travelers can show proof of vaccination instead of negative test results. If you’re looking to visit the Galápagos Islands, you’ll need proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival (if you are 16 or older), and you’ll need to complete a transit control card. Learn more about protocols in Ecuador on the U.S. embassy website .

If you're visiting Egypt from America, you'll need to present physical proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken ideally no more than 72 hours before arrival. Travelers who arrive without proof of a negative test must be tested upon arrival and quarantine until they receive a negative test result. There is no required quarantine for American travelers. Learn more about specific interstate travel restrictions on the embassy website .

El Salvador

This Central American country no longer requires U.S. citizens (2 and older) to take a negative COVID-19 test to enter. Visitors will also be subject to various medical screenings at their port of entry before beginning their travels through El Salvador. There is no required quarantine period for U.S. travelers, according to the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador website .

Equatorial Guinea

U.S. citizens are allowed to visit Equatorial Guinea without any need for quarantine upon arrival as long as they provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival in the country, according to the U.S. Embassy website . An exit PCR test is required as well.

Estonia is open to Americans with some restrictions. Vaccinated passengers with documented proof can bypass all testing and quarantine requirements. Unvaccinated individuals can only travel to Estonia for an approved purpose (not for tourism), and they will have to undergo testing and quarantine. Visit the embassy website for more information.

Travelers to this East African country must present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 120 hours prior to flying, according to the embassy website . There are health screenings in place at the ports of entry, and if any traveler exhibits coronavirus-like symptoms, they will be taken to temporary isolation. Even with proof of a negative test, travelers must quarantine for seven days upon arrival. Note: Travel to Ethiopia is not advised, as the U.S. has placed the country on the Level 4: Do Not Travel list due to civil unrest and terrorism concerns.

Travelers can once again visit France and pay a visit to the Louvre, the Palace of Versailles, wine regions, beaches and numerous other attractions. Entry will be granted to travelers who have completed a full vaccination course and show proof of vaccination at the airport. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers from a list of orange countries (which includes the U.S.) can also enter France only if they have a compelling reason for travel. (See details on what is classified as a compelling reason here.) Unvaccinated travelers must provide proof of a negative PCR test performed 48 to 72 hours before departure. All travelers must complete a French Health Pass as well. For more information, visit the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in France .]

French Polynesia

Vaccinated Americans can visit idyllic islands like Tahiti , Mo'orea and Bora Bora . They must present a negative COVID-19 test result, taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure, to their airline. They are then subject to testing upon arrival. Vaccinated travelers do not have to quarantine but unvaccinated travelers must isolate for seven days. They must also receive prior authorization to travel to French Polynesia. Additional forms may also be required. Learn more about the current French Polynesian COVID-19 protocols on the tourism website .

Americans can travel to this west African country as long as they provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than five days prior to travel. Visitors must also take a test upon arrival at their own cost ($36) and quarantine until they receive a negative result. For more information, visit the U.S. Embassy website .

American travelers to The Gambia must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. They will also be subject to a rapid test upon arrival, as the U.S. is considered a hot spot country. There are no quarantine restrictions. Learn more on the U.S. Embassy in The Gambia website .

Unvaccinated visitors to the country of Georgia must provide proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival, get a follow-up PCR test taken on the third day (at their own expense) and submit a form with contact info and travel history details. Those who don’t test on the third day run the risk of getting fined more than $600, according to recent reports. Vaccinated American travelers can enter without proof of a test, but they must show documentation confirming they have received two full doses of the vaccine. For more information, visit the U.S. embassy website .

Americans must be fully vaccinated to travel to Germany. If not fully vaccinated, they must have an important reason for traveling to Germany – tourism is not considered important. Travelers must show either proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 48 to 72 hours prior to traveling. For more information, visit the country’s Federal Foreign Office coronavirus website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Germany .]

Americans looking to travel to Ghana must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before leaving for their trip. Additional health screenings are in place upon arrival in Ghana, and all arriving passengers must take another rapid COVID-19 test for $150 to fully enter the country (paid for at their own expense online; travelers must present proof of this to the airline before boarding). Learn more about what your trip to Ghana will look like on the U.S. Embassy website .

Travelers from the U.S. will be happy to know they can now enter this scenic country, known for its historic cities and vibrant islands. Travelers older than 5 must present results from a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arriving in Greece or a rapid antigen test no more than 24 hours before arrival. Everyone must also complete a Passenger Locator Form prior to entering the country. Travelers should note that many restaurants, stores and nightclubs in Greece have started requiring proof of vaccination to enter. For more information, visit the U.S. Embassy in Greece website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Greece .]

All visitors to Grenada must show proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. All visitors must also apply for a Travel Authorization Certificate online to enter the country. Vaccinated individuals traveling must show proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated visitors 13 or older must test upon arrival and quarantine at an approved accommodation until they receive negative results, allowing them to move around Grenada . Find out more on the Grenada entry protocol website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Grenada .]

In addition to partaking in health screenings at ports of entry and completing a health pass form online, U.S. citizens traveling to Guatemala who are 10 or older must present proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. They must also show proof that their second vaccine dose was administered more than two weeks prior. Once in the country, visitors won't have to quarantine, and there are no restrictions on travel within Guatemala, according to the embassy website .

Those traveling from the U.S. to Guinea must provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. If a traveler fails to provide proof, they will be tested upon arrival and required to quarantine for two weeks. Learn more on the embassy website .

Americans planning to visit Guyana must provide proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before traveling. Visitors age 12 and older must also show proof of full vaccination. Before arrival in this South American country, visitors must also complete a passenger locator form to ensure easy contact tracing in the case of infection. For more information, visit the U.S. embassy website .

Commercial flights from the United States to Haiti are now operating, although keep in mind this island nation is labeled with a Level 4 advisory from the State Department, due to crime, kidnapping and civil unrest. Passengers are required to provide a negative PCR or antigen coronavirus test result taken no more than 72 hours before boarding a flight to Haiti. Travelers are subject to health screenings upon arrival and may be contacted up to three times based on the information disclosed in their health declaration to monitor for signs of disease, according to the embassy website .

Americans will need a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before travel and a completed immigration form to enter Honduras. (If fully vaccinated, travelers can present a vaccine card in lieu of test results.) Visitors should note there will be health screenings in place at the airport, curfews around the country, and restrictions on certain essential activities, such as shopping. Learn more about what your trip to Honduras will look like on the U.S. Embassy website or visit the Honduras government website for additional details.

Vaccinated Americans can enter Iceland as long as they provide proof of vaccination, proof of a negative coronavirus test (either a rapid test or PCR test) and complete a preregistration form. Unvaccinated travelers can only enter for essential reasons or under specific circumstances. If unvaccinated individuals have previously tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered, they can visit Iceland with proof of a negative coronavirus test result and a completed preregistration form. For more information on traveling to Iceland, see the country's guide to travel or visit the government's official website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Iceland .]

Americans can venture across the pond to Ireland after showing proof of full vaccination or recovery from the coronavirus within the past 180 days in addition to proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel. Those who enter without a test can face fines and even jail time. There are no quarantine requirements. However, keep in mind Ireland officials advise against all nonessential travel. See up-to-date information on the Ireland tourism board website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Ireland .]

As of Jan. 9, U.S. citizens are allowed to enter Israel provided they are fully vaccinated and boosted (or they have recovered from the coronavirus). They must also complete an entry statement form and show negative results from a test taken no more than 72 hours (24 if antigen test) prior to travel. For more information, visit the country’s Ministry of Health website or the U.S. embassy website. For more information, visit the country’s Ministry of Health website or the U.S. embassy website .

As of Aug. 30, vaccinated Americans with proof of immunization (or recovery) and a negative (molecular or antigen) coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of travel can visit Italy. American travelers must also complete a self-declaration form. Those who are not vaccinated must abide by the same testing requirements and quarantine for five days upon arrival. They can leave quarantine if they test negative on the fifth day. For more information, visit Italy’s government website or the U.S. embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Italy .]

Anyone over the age of 12 traveling to Jamaica from the U.S. will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test from an accredited medical lab (can be a PCR test, a Nucleic Acid Amplification test, an RNA or molecular test, or an antigen test) taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. They must also apply for travel authorization within seven days of their trip. The country has established “resilient corridors” which include destinations like Negril and Montego Bay; quarantine requirements differ depending if you stay inside or outside of the corridor, according to the tourism board website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Jamaica .]

As long as travelers from the U.S. provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival and submit to a second test upon arrival at their own expense, they can enter Jordan. Health insurance to cover any coronavirus related expenses is also required for every visitor. For more information, visit the U.S. Embassy in Jordan website .

As long as they can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of arriving in the country and arrive without a fever or cough, trouble breathing and flu-like symptons, Americans can travel to Kenya for touristic purposes. According to the embassy website , there are health screenings, including temperature checks, in place at the Kenyan airports as well.

Travelers to Kosovo must present either proof of full vaccination, proof of partial vaccination paired with a negative test, proof of recovery within the last 90 days or a negative test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. There are no quarantine requirements. Visitors should also expect medical screenings at the airport. Learn more about travel in Kosovo on the U.S. embassy website .

Visitors to Kyrgyzstan must provide proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. There are also health screenings in place at airports, but there are no daily restrictions or curfews in place. For more information, visit the embassy website .

American travelers coming from the U.S. can only enter Latvia for tourism purposes if they can prove they are fully vaccinated. Testing is not required. To learn more about entrance to Latvia, visit the embassy website .

Lebanon allows people to travel from the United States as long as they provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48 hours of traveling to this Middle Eastern country. Vaccinated travelers can bypass testing requirements. However, there are travel restrictions in place throughout the country as well as a curfew, as stated on the embassy website .

To enter Liberia, visitors must complete a health screening arrival form online and pay $75 for a coronavirus test to be taken upon arrival in Liberia. Authorities recommend completing the payment online before arrival. They will also be subject to temperature checks at the Liberian airports. However, there is no required quarantine period nor restrictions on interstate travel. A tourist visa is required for travel, according to the embassy website .

Lithuania is welcoming only vaccinated U.S. tourists. Vaccination is considered valid as long as it has been less than 270 days since the final dose. There are no testing or quarantine requirements website .

U.S. citizens are only allowed to visit Luxembourg if they are fully vaccinated. For the most up to date information, visit the embassy website .

Many resorts and hotels have reopened in the Maldives, and American travelers can experience a once-in-a-lifetime vacation here after providing proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 96 hours before arrival. They must also complete a Traveler Health Declaration form. For more information, visit the country's tourism board updates page .

[Read: The Most Beautiful Maldives Resorts .]

Only vaccinated Americans are permitted to visit Malta. Travelers must provide their CDC vaccination card and fill out a public health form. As of Aug. 1, vaccination cards must be approved through the VeriFLY app. If you arrive without a vaccination card, you’ll be subject to testing and forced to quarantine for 14 days at a government-mandated hotel (or otherwise face a fine). Find the most up-to-date information on the embassy website .

Americans can visit this island nation as long as they provide proof of negative test results taken within 72 hours of travel. They must also stay in an approved resort . Unvaccinated visitors must remain in their hotel room (meals will be delivered to you) for 14 days, with tests on day seven and day 14. Vaccinated visitors are allowed to move about the island after testing negative on day seven. After day 14, all visitors can explore the island. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Americans can embark on a vacation in Mexico without taking a COVID-19 test prior to traveling. While travel across the land border between the U.S. and Mexico remains limited to essential trips, nonessential travel has resumed via air. Travelers will be subject to health screenings upon arrival and should note there are some cities around the country that have curfews and other health restrictions in place. Additionally, cases are on the rise in some Mexico states, so be sure to travel with caution. Learn more about traveling while in Mexico at the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Mexico .]

This Eastern European country is now open to American travelers as long as they provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before travel. Those who can provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of recovery are exempt from the testing requirements. There are no quarantine requirements or travel restrictions once in the country. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Anyone entering this ritzy city-state from the U.S. must show either proof of full vaccination course, proof of recovery from coronavirus (between 11 days and six months prior). For more information, visit Monaco’s government website .

A negative COVID-19 test or a coronavirus antibody test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival is required for Americans visiting Montenegro. (Those who are vaccinated do not have to take a test but must show proof that vaccination occurred at least seven days prior to traveling. A positive antibody test can also replace proof of PCR test.) Visitors should be careful not to stop in any of the banned countries before arriving in Montenegro, though. Find the restricted countries on the Institute of Public Health in Montenegro website .

Morocco, the African country most frequented by tourists, has reopened to Americans. Visitors must show proof of a negative test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel and submit to rapid antigen testing upon arrival. Learn more about the rules applying to specific travelers on the embassy website ; additional info is available on the Morocco tourism board website as well.

Tourists (ages 5 and older) entering Namibia must provide a negative COVID-19 test performed no more than 72 hours before their initial flight, according to the embassy website . There are additional health screenings in place at airports but no restrictions on travel within the country once a tourist has passed all these tests.

As long as you show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to boarding your flight, you can visit Nepal from the U.S. Travelers must also show proof of insurance as well as a tourist visa. Read more on the embassy website .

The Netherlands

The Netherlands considers the U.S. a “very high-risk” country, so American travelers can only enter the country if they can show proof of full vaccination and proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to travel. They must also quarantine for 10 days, unless they test negative on day five.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Netherlands .]

Americans are allowed to enter Nicaragua as long as they provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before entry. . For more information, visit the U.S. embassy website .

Visitors to Niger must present a negative COVID-19 test result taken no more than 72 hours prior to landing in this West African country. The embassy website also states American visitors will be subject to medical screening measures upon entry.

American travelers older than 10 must provide negative COVID-19 test results taken within the previous 48 hours before departure to this country. Fully vaccinated travelers can show proof of immunization instead of testing. They must also sign a health declaration before traveling and pay out of pocket for a retest after spending seven days in Nigeria, according to the embassy website .

North Macedonia

As of Sept. 1, American travelers must provide either a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to travel or a certificate of recovery issued within the previous 45 days. They may be subject to medical screening at the airport, according to the embassy website .

Before jetting off to this sunny Central American nation, travelers must present their Electronic Health Affidavit, according to the tourism website . However, unvaccinated visitors must show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of their trip. If the test is expired, travelers will be subject to further testing at the airport at their own cost. They also have to quarantine in a hotel for 72 hours. Note that upon arrival, there are additional health screening measures in place, including temperature checks.

You can travel from the U.S. to Paraguay without any quarantine requirements as long as you can show proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated visitors are not permitted to enter. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Americans can enter Peru as long as they provide results of a negative real-time COVID-19 test, a negative antigen test result or a medical certificate of epidemiological discharge no more than 48 hours old. Proof of vaccination can be presented in lieu of test results. Health screenings are also in place at airports. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Philippines

Americans can now travel to the Philippines if they have valid visas. Vaccinated visitors must show proof of vaccination and a negative test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. Unvaccinated American visitors must abide by the same testing requirements, complete a facility-based quarantine and submit to repeat testing on the fifth day. For more information, visit the Philippine Airlines website .

Americans are allowed to travel to Poland as long as they can show proof of negative test results taken no more than 24 hours before landing in Poland. A seven-day quarantine is mandatory except for those who provide a negative antigen or PCR test taken within 24 hours of crossing the border and are considered fully vaccinated (or recovered). For more information, visit the embassy website .

U.S. citizens can visit Portugal’s charming cities and scenic coastline as long as they show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours (or 48 hours for antigen tests) before arrival, regardless of vaccination status. Rules may differ in the Azores and Madeira, so be sure to check for updates on your specific destination. Stay up to date on the regulations – which are reviewed every two weeks – by visiting the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Portugal .]

Puerto Rico

American travelers who show proof of vaccination and submit a completed Travel Declaration Form are free to explore the island, according to the tourism board website . Unvaccinated travelers must show proof of a negative test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival. Anyone who doesn’t test within this time period must quarantine for seven days. Travelers will have to follow rules in public spaces regarding social distancing and mask-wearing. It’s also important to note that proof of vaccination is required at many public establishments across the island.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Puerto Rico .]

All travelers to Qatar must take a negative coronavirus test no more than 72 hours prior to boarding. Once in the country, unvaccinated American travelers must quarantine for five days. If vaccinated, you can bypass quarantine requirements. For more information, see the country’s Ministry of Public Health website or the U.S. embassy website .

Americans visiting Romania must either show proof of immunization, proof of recovery within the last 180 days or proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Those who show proof of a negative test must also quarantine for five days. Vaccinated visitors can bypass these testing and quarantine requirements. For more information, visit the Romania tourism board website .

Americans can travel to Russia as long as they provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than two days prior to travel and obtain a travel visa. There is no required quarantine upon arrival, but each local jurisdiction can set its own quarantine requirements. Note if not flying directly to Russia, Americans must transit through certain government-approved countries to be allowed entry. Keep in mind, the U.S. State Department still discourages travel to Russia due to terrorism and has placed a Level 4 Do Not Travel warning on the country. For more information on applying for a tourist visa and traveling to Russia, visit the U.S. embassy website .

While American tourists are allowed to visit Rwanda, the country's government goes to great lengths to reduce the spread of coronavirus from tourism, according to the embassy website . First, tourists must present negative coronavirus test results taken within 72 hours of their trip, and they must fill out a Passenger Locator Form, which details their passport information and travel plan. Upon arrival, Americans will partake in health screenings at their port of entry, and will then travel to a designated transit hotel as they await the results of a second COVID-19 test (paid at their own expense). Self-isolation is required until the results of this second test prove to be negative.

Saudi Arabia

All travelers regardless of vaccination status must show proof of a negative test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival in Saudi Arabia. While in the country, vaccinations and booster shots are required to enter most public spaces. For the most up-to-date information, visit the embassy website .

U.S. citizens entering Senegal from the states must provide negative coronavirus test results taken no more than five days before their arrival. Proof of immunization is accepted in lieu of test results. Health screenings are also in place at Senegal's ports of entry. Use the guidelines provided on the embassy website to plan your trip to Senegal.

This Balkan nation is allowing American visitors as long as they provide results of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival (or proof of vaccination). To curb the spread of coronavirus, many businesses and restaurants operate under restricted hours. Learn more at the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Serbia .]

This pristine group of islands off the coast of Africa has opened its doors to American travelers who obtain a Health Travel Authorization visa and can show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken 72 hours prior to travel. Visit the Seychelles tourism board website for more information.

Sierra Leone

Before visiting Sierra Leone, Americans must show negative COVID-19 test results received no more than a week before departure. American travelers should also be prepared to take two COVID-19 tests upon arrival – a rapid diagnostic blood sample test and a diagnostic nasal swab test. The tests cost $80 at the traveler’s expense. For more information about Sierra Leone’s policies, visit the embassy website .

Singapore allows Americans to visit as long as they show proof of a negative test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival. They must also submit to testing upon arrival. Americans can apply to the Vaccinated Travel Lane and, if approved, they will not face quarantine restrictions. In order to apply for the VTL, travelers must be vaccinated. Learn more at the embassy website or on Singapore’s government website .

Sint Maarten

Vaccinated American travelers who have received a booster can enter the Dutch Sint Maarten without testing. Those who are vaccinated but not boosted – and those who are unvaccinated – must show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. Everyone must complete an EHAS application to enter. For more information, visit the country’s government website .

Americans can travel to Slovakia without prior testing. However, unvaccinated travelers will be subject to a five-day quarantine upon arrival. Vaccinated travelers are exempt from quarantine. Learn more on the country’s immigration website .

South Africa

This popular African vacation destination is once again open to American visitors. Any travelers to South Africa will need to present a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before departure. If they don’t provide test results, they will be required to quarantine at their own cost. There is a nightly curfew in place, and social distancing is strictly enforced. Note: The U.S. Department of State has moved South Africa, as well as some other nearby countries, to the Level 4: Do Not Travel list due to concerns about the omicron variant. For more information about what your trip to South Africa will look like, visit the embassy website .

South Korea

Travelers from the United States are permitted to visit South Korea as long as they show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken within 48 hours of travel. There is a mandatory seven-day quarantine requirement, but select travelers may apply for quarantine exemptions. Travelers must also answer daily health questions through a mobile app to help the government monitor the spread of disease. Learn more at the embassy Learn more at the embassy website .

Vaccinated American travelers can now sip sangria and sample tapas in this popular European vacation destination. Testing is not required, but as of Sept. 6 showing proof of vaccination is mandatory to visit Spain. American travelers also need to obtain a QR code from the online Spain Travel Health portal to gain entry. For more information and updates, visit the U.S. embassy in Spain website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Spain .]

Sri Lanka is now open to American citizens, providing they show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. There will be health screenings in place at the airport and there are curfews in different regions throughout the country. Vaccinated individuals can stay anywhere in the country, but unvaccinated people must stay for eight days and seven nights at an approved accommodation. They can only visit specified tourist sites. For more information, visit the country’s official protocol website .

Fully vaccinated Americans can visit St. Barts as long as they show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before traveling. Visit the embassy website for more travel specifics.

St. Kitts & Nevis

As of May 29, only fully vaccinated American travelers can enter St. Kitts & Nevis. Previously, all Americans could enter but restrictions changed as a result of new coronavirus cases on the island. (Note: Unvaccinated travelers 18 or younger can still enter the country if they’re traveling with fully vaccinated guardians.) Travelers must complete a travel authorization form by uploading proof of vaccination as well as negative coronavirus test results taken no more than 72 hours before traveling. They also must vacation in place for until they receive negative results from their arrival test. The St. Kitts tourism website and the Nevis tourism website are frequently updated with information regarding entry.

[Read: The Best Hotels in St. Kitts & Nevis .]

Armed with a negative coronavirus test taken no more than five days before their trip to St. Lucia , Americans (5 and older) can visit this picturesque island nation. Before arrival, travelers will have to fill out a travel registration form, confirm reservations at a certified property and upload their negative test results in an online portal. Travelers must also adhere to the medical screening procedures at the country's airport and unvaccinated travelers must stay in place at an approved facility for at least 14 days or the duration of their vacation. However, fully vaccinated travelers are free to leave their hotels and explore the island. Visit the embassy website or the tourism board website before traveling to learn more specifics.

[Read: The Best Hotels in St. Lucia .]

This Caribbean nation allows Americans to visit as long as they provide negative test results taken no more than 120 hours prior to departure, depending on which airport they’ll be flying to. In addition, travelers must fill out a mandatory health authorization application prior to departure. St. Maarten also requires travelers to have health insurance coverage that will cover COVID-19 related expenses. Unvaccinated travelers must quarantine for seven days upon arrival, but vaccinated travelers can bypass this requirement. Find more details on the U.S. embassy website and the country’s entrance website, which is frequently updated with the most recent travel entry requirements.

[Read: The Best Hotels in St. Martin – St. Maarten .]

St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Americans looking to visit St. Vincent and the Grenadines will be subject to many coronavirus tests, according to the embassy website . The first must be taken no more than 72 hours before arrival in the island nation. If you are unvaccinated, another test might be administered upon arrival and a 14-day quarantine period in an approved hotel is mandatory. Visitors must take another test between four and seven days after arrival, then continue to vacation in place.

[Read: The Best Hotels in St. Vincent and the Grenadines .]

Americans can enter this Nordic country as long as they show proof of vaccination and show proof of negative test results taken no more than 48 hours prior to travel. There are no quarantine requirements. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Switzerland

This popular tourist destination is open to Americans who complete an entry form, show proof of vaccination and provide proof of a negative coronavirus test. If you are not vaccinated, you cannot enter solely for tourism purposes. To enter many public spaces, everyone needs a Swiss vaccine certificate; you can use the information provided here to apply for a certificate. For more up to date information, visit the embassy website or the Swiss government website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Switzerland. ]

American tourists visiting Tanzania will be required to partake in health screenings upon arrival. They must also provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than three days before arrival in the country. Visit the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania website before planning a trip here.

Thailand is now open to all vaccinated visitors and has no quarantine requirements in place. However, before traveling, you must book a stay in a government-approved hotel for the first and fifth nights of your trip; you’ll also need to prepay for two coronavirus tests. Visitors must also show proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. For more information, visit the U.S. embassy website. For more information, visit the country’s official tourism website .

Trinidad and Tobago

As of July 17, fully vaccinated American travelers are permitted to enter Trinidad and Tobago. They must take present a negative coronavirus test result for entry and register for a travel pass at least 72 hours prior to arrival; visitors will be subject to health screenings upon arrival as well. For more information, visit the embassy website.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago .]

This North African country, known for its Mediterranean climate, is now open to American visitors. Americans must show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Additionally, visitors will be required to complete a 14-day self-quarantine before setting out to explore Tunisia (or they can test out of quarantine on the seventh day). Travelers should also note there is a nationwide curfew from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. every night. Learn more on the embassy website .

Unvaccinated American visitors to Turkey must show proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before their flight. Vaccinated travelers can bypass testing by showing their vaccine cards. Passengers will also be required to fill out an entry form within 72 hours of their flights. Note: Many establishments in Turkey require guests to be fully vaccinated to enter. Learn more about travel to Turkey on the embassy website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Turkey .]

Turks and Caicos

A popular vacation spot among Americans, Turks and Caicos allows visitors from the states as long as all travelers older than 16 are fully vaccinated. Everyone must also show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival. Travelers also must share health information in the form of a questionnaire. Learn more about COVID-19 in Turks and Caicos on the country's tourism website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in Turks and Caicos .]

Americans can travel to Uganda if they provide proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 120 hours before departure. They also must take another test upon arrival at their own expense and quarantine until results are available. For more information, visit the U.S. embassy website .

Americans entering Ukraine must show either proof of a negative test taken no more than 72 hours before travel, proof of a negative rapid antigen test or proof of vaccination. They must also demonstrate they have adequate health insurance to cover any coronavirus costs before entering the country, according to the U.S. embassy in Ukraine website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in the Ukraine .]

United Arab Emirates

All travelers arriving from the U.S. must still show proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival. Each emirate has differing quarantine requirements for incoming travelers. There are advanced medical screening measures in place at the ports of entry. Additionally, there are varying measures and interstate travel restrictions in place depending which emirate you're traveling to. To help safely plan your trip to the UAE, visit the embassy website .

United Kingdom

Fully vaccinated Americans must provide proof of vaccination and a passenger locator form to enter the U.K. Unvaccinated travelers must provide proof of a negative test taken no more than 48 hours prior to arrival and pay for another test to be taken within two days after arrival. Many major airports in the U.K. offer walk-in or drive-thru testing sites at the airport so you can test upon arrival and receive your result within 24 hours. For more information, visit the U.K.’s coronavirus website .

[Read: The Best Hotels in England ; the Best Hotels in Wales ; the Best Hotels in Scotland ; the Best Hotels in Northern Ireland .]

U.S. Virgin Islands

Americans can visit this U.S. territory in the Caribbean after showing proof of a negative COVID-19 test result taken within five days of travel and providing their travel authorization certificate from the USVI Travel Screening Portal. Tests are required for all travelers 5 and older. Upon arrival, all U.S. Virgin Islands visitors will have their temperature taken and must complete a traveler screening questionnaire. Visit this website for more information on traveling here.

[Read: The Best Hotels in the U.S. Virgin Islands .]

Americans can visit this country in Central Asia after providing proof of a negative coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours prior to traveling. Additional health screenings are in place at ports of entry but there are no quarantine requirements. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Americans can now enter Venezuela as long as they come prepared with a negative coronavirus test taken within 48 hours of arrival in this South American country. There are no curfews or quarantine requirements in place. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Zambia now allows all international travelers to enter the country. Those visiting from America need to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours of travel. If you exhibit coronavirus symptoms upon arrival, you'll be subject to a 14-day quarantine period in a government-appointed area. Learn more about travel to Zambia on the embassy website .

Americans can travel to Zimbabwe after taking a coronavirus test and receiving a negative result issued no more than 48 hours prior to arrival. There is no required quarantine for travelers (in most cases) but there is a daily curfew from 6:30 p.m. until 6 a.m. There are also restrictions in public spaces like restaurants. For more information, visit the embassy website .

Domestically

Keep in mind, you don't need to leave the country to have a memorable vacation. While international destinations are tempting, there are plenty of enjoyable places to safely vacation around the U.S. Trade the Maldives for Maui, Hawaii , the Swiss Alps for Vail, Colorado , or an African safari for an adrenaline-filled Jeep ride through the desert of Sedona, Arizona . You can even find many lesser-known destinations around the country – such as St. Augustine, Florida ; Leavenworth, Washington; or Holland, Michigan – that feel more like Europe than America.

Choosing a domestic vacation has its perks, especially during a pandemic. You won't have to worry about visa restrictions, issues with entry or last-minute country closures ruining your trip. (Though note some states are imposing their own travel restrictions and quarantine rules.) Not to mention, you might find a little slice of paradise close to home that you can continue to visit.

You may also be interested in:

• The 15 Best Face Masks for Travel
• Where Can You Travel if You're Vaccinated?
• When Will Cruises Resume?
• Is It Safe to Travel? How to Vacation Safely During the COVID-19 Pandemic
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies
• The Cheapest Travel Insurance Companies
• What to Do If Your Flight is Canceled

Tags: Coronavirus , Vacation Ideas , Travel Tips

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

Flight canceled or delayed what to do.

Amanda Norcross April 26, 2024

The Best Beach Hats

Megan Johnson and Sharael Kolberg April 26, 2024

The Best Florence Tours

John Rodwan April 25, 2024

The 9 Best Louisiana Swamp Tours of 2024

John Rodwan April 24, 2024

How Much Does a Cruise Cost?

Gwen Pratesi April 24, 2024

The Best Whale Watching in Cape Cod

Lyn Mettler April 24, 2024

Best Whale Watching Tours in Maine

Marisa Méndez April 23, 2024

The Best Wineries in Napa Valley

April 23, 2024

The Best East Coast Beaches

April 19, 2024

The Best Carry-on Luggage

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

Daily updated travel advisories - Worldwide

We collect the official travel advisories issued by governments across the globe. These are aggregated and normalized to form an assessment of a countries safety. Last advisory check for all countries: Monday, 29. April 2024 @ 08:03 am

• Welcome to Travel-Advisory.info - Your source for up-to-date travel advisories.

Recent Changes

Travel is usually safe.

On March 23rd 2020 risk assessment stayed the same, but advisories have been updated.

gathered from 0 sources.

On March 22nd 2020 risk assessment stayed the same, but advisories have been updated.

Reconsider travelling.

On March 16th 2020 the total risk score increased by 4.0 to 4.0 (from 0.0).

gathered from 1 sources.

Do not travel.

On March 16th 2020 the total risk score increased by 5.0 to 5.0 (from 0.0).

On March 14th 2020 the total risk score increased by 5.0 to 5.0 (from 0.0).

Countries with lowest threat level

no advisories found

Countries with highest threat level

gathered from 9 sources.

gathered from 7 sources.

gathered from 8 sources.

gathered from 4 sources.

gathered from 6 sources.

Global Risk Score

Average risk rating of all countries. Based on 1,044 country travel advisories.

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

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 “Do not travel.”

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 — a man from Houston, Texas — 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 Swidan’s case said there were no drugs on him or in his hotel. Last year, the Republic of China’s Jiangmen Intermediate Court denied Swidan’s 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 Department’s 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.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

United Arab Emirates struggles to recover after heaviest recorded rainfall ever hits desert nation

The United Arab Emirates is struggled to recover from the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation, as its main airport worked to restore normal operations even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and roads. (AP video/Malak Harb)

A man walks along a road barrier among floodwater caused by heavy rain on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

• Copy Link copied

A man carries luggage through floodwater caused by heavy rain while waiting for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

An abandoned vehicle stands in floodwater caused by heavy rain with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, seen on the background, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

People wait for transportation amidst floodwater caused by heavy rain on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man carries a child through floodwater caused by heavy rain while waiting for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Vehicles drive through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain on an onramp to Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Vehicles drive through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

People wait for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

People walk through floodwater caused by heavy rain while waiting for transportation on Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Abandoned vehicles stand in floodwater caused by heavy rain along Sheikh Zayed Road highway in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

An abandoned vehicle stands in floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A flooded street by heavy rain is seen, with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, on the background, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man walks through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain with the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, seen in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man walks through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A group of people work to recover an abandoned vehicle taken by floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

Vehicles drive through standing floodwater caused by heavy rain in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded, a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

A man walks through floodwater in the Mudon neighborhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Civil defense officials bring water on a raft to a family in the Mudon neighborhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Dubai civil defense officials drive through floodwater in the Mudon neighborhood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, April 18, 2024. The United Arab Emirates attempted to dry out Thursday from the heaviest rain the desert nation has ever recorded — a deluge that flooded out Dubai International Airport and disrupted flights through the world’s busiest airfield for international travel. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The United Arab Emirates tried to wring itself out Thursday after the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation , with its main airport allowing more flights even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and communities.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel , allowed global carriers on Thursday morning to again fly into Terminal 1 at the airfield. And long-haul carrier Emirates, crucial to East-West travel, began allowing local passengers to arrive at Terminal 3, their base of operations.

However, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said in an interview with The Associated Press that the airfield needed at least another 24 hours to resume operations close to its usual schedule. Meanwhile, one desert community in Dubai saw floodwaters continue to rise Thursday to as much as 1 meter (3 feet) as civil defense officials struggled to pump out the water.

“We were looking at the radar thinking, ‘Goodness, if this hits, then it’s going to be cataclysmic,’” Griffiths said of the storm. “And indeed it was.”

The airport ended up needing 22 tankers with vacuum pumps to get water off its grounds. Griffiths acknowledged that taxiways flooded during the rains, though the airport’s runways remained free of water to safely operate. Online videos of a FlyDubai flight landing with its reverse thrust spraying out water caught the world’s attention.

“It looks dramatic, but it actually isn’t that dramatic,” Griffiths said.

Emirates, whose operations had been struggling since the storm Tuesday, had stopped travelers flying out of the UAE from checking into their flights as they tried to move out connecting passengers. Pilots and flight crews also had a hard time reaching the airport given the water on roadways.

But on Thursday, Emirates lifted that order to allow customers into the airport. That saw some 2,000 people come into Terminal 3, again sparking long lines, Griffiths said.

Others who arrived at the airport described hourslong waits to get their baggage, with some just giving up to head home or to whatever hotel would have them.

Two men walk through floodwater in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

The UAE, a hereditarily ruled, autocratic nation on the Arabian Peninsula, typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. However, a massive storm forecasters had been warning about for days blew through the country’s seven sheikhdoms.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.

Meanwhile, intense floods also have struck neighboring Oman in recent days. Authorities on Thursday raised the death toll from those storms to at least 21 killed.

The UAE’s drainage systems quickly became overwhelmed Tuesday, flooding out neighborhoods, business districts and even portions of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road highway running through Dubai.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.”

In a message to the nation late Wednesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, said authorities would “quickly work on studying the condition of infrastructure throughout the UAE and to limit the damage caused.”

On Thursday, people waded through oil-slicked floodwater to reach cars earlier abandoned, checking to see if their engines still ran. Tanker trucks with vacuums began reaching some areas outside of Dubai’s downtown core for the first time as well. Schools remain closed until next week.

Vehicles sit abandoned in floodwater covering a major road in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell)

Authorities have offered no overall damage or injury information from the floods, which killed at least one person.

However, at least one community saw the effects of the rainfall only get worse Thursday. Mudon, a development by the state-owned Dubai Properties, saw flooding in one neighborhood reach as much as 1 meter. Civil defense workers tried to pump the water out, but it was a struggle as people waded through the floodwater.

Residents of Mudon, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity given the UAE’s strict laws governing speech, described putting together the equivalent of nearly $2,000 to get a tanker to the community Wednesday. They alleged the developers did nothing to help prior to that, even as they called and emailed. They also said a nearby sewage processing facility failed, bringing more water into their homes.

“A lot of people were in denial of how bad it was,” one homeowner said as civil defense officials waded through the water, bringing bottled water on a raft.

Dubai Holding, a state-owned company that has Dubai Properties as an arm, did not respond to questions. It’s part of a wider nexus that U.S. diplomats have called “Dubai Inc.” — all properties overseen by the city-state’s ruling family.

The flooding sparked speculation that the UAE’s aggressive campaign of cloud seeding — flying small planes through clouds dispersing chemicals aimed at getting rain to fall — may have contributed to the deluge. But experts said the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding.

Scientists also say climate change is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world. Dubai hosted the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks just last year.

Abu Dhabi’s state-linked newspaper The National in an editorial Thursday described the heavy rains as a warning to countries in the wider Persian Gulf region to “climate-proof their futures.”

“The scale of this task is more daunting than it appears even at first glance, because such changes involve changing the urban environment of a region that for as long as it has been inhabited, has experienced little but heat and sand,” the newspaper said.

US State Secretary Blinken to travel to Saudi Arabia next week

• Medium Text

Sign up here.

Reporting By Lucia Mutikani and Eric Beech; Editing by David Gregorio and Deepa Babington

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab

World Chevron

US implicates 5 Israeli units in rights violations before Gaza war, no restrictions on assistance

The United States found five units of Israel's security forces responsible for gross violations of human rights, the first time Washington has reached such a conclusion about Israeli forces, the State Department said on Monday, though it has not barred any of the units from receiving U.S. military assistance.

• Weather App
• Interactive Radar
• 7 Day Forecast
• Hour by Hour
• Current Temperatures
• Closings & Delays
• Report School or Business Closing
• School administrators: Create a closings account
• Watch Live News
• Breaking Stream
• The $pend $mart Stream
• Law & Crime
• Curiosity NOW
• Share Your Photos and Videos
• Karen Read Murder Trial
• 25 Investigates
• New England's Unsolved
• Boston Bruins
• Boston Celtics
• Boston Red Sox
• New England Patriots
• Furever Friday
• Boston 25 Gets Real
• Steals and Deals
• Submit a news tip
• Advertise with Us
• TV & Stream Schedule
• Work at Boston 25 (Opens in new window)
• Visitor Agreement
• Privacy Policy
• Around Town
• Stuff the Bus

Boston 25 Now

What is the International Criminal Court and why it has Israeli officials worried

International Court Gaza Explainer FILE - Exterior view of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. Israeli officials sound increasingly concerned that the International Criminal Court could issue arrest warrants for the country's leaders more than six months into the Israel-Hamas war. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File) (Peter Dejong/AP)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — (AP) — Israeli officials sound increasingly concerned that the International Criminal Court could issue arrest warrants for the country's leaders more than six months into the Israel-Hamas war .

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote Friday in general terms about ICC action against Israeli troops and officials, and Israel's foreign ministry has said it is also tracking reports of pending action.

The ICC was set up more than a decade ago to tackle impunity for war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and other grave crimes when states don't prosecute them. Without a police force, the ICC relies on member states to arrest suspects.

Netanyahu said on the social platform X Friday that Israel “will never accept any attempt by the ICC to undermine its inherent right of self-defense.”

“While the ICC will not affect Israel’s actions, it would set a dangerous precedent,” he wrote.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said late Sunday that it had informed missions abroad of " rumors " that the court could order the arrest of senior Israeli political and military officials. The ministry did not give a source for the rumors.

In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, the court's prosecution office declined to comment in detail.

The ICC's 124 member states signed on to a 2002 treaty called the Rome Statute. Dozens of countries did not sign and do not accept the court's jurisdiction over war crimes, genocide and other crimes. They include Israel, the United States, Russia and China.

The ICC becomes involved when nations are unable or unwilling to prosecute crimes on their territory. Israel argues that it has a functioning court system, and disputes over a nation's' ability or willingness to prosecute have fueled past disputes between the court and individual countries.

In 2020, then-President Donald Trump slapped economic and travel sanctions on the ICC prosecutor and another senior prosecution office staffer. The ICC staff were looking into U.S. and allies' troops and intelligence officials for possible war crimes in Afghanistan.

President Joe Biden, whose administration has provided crucial military and political support for the Gaza offensive, lifted the sanctions in 2021.

The ICC has 17 ongoing investigations, has issued a total of 42 arrest warrants and taken 21 suspects into custody. Its judges have convicted 10 suspects and acquitted four.

In its early years, the court was criticized for focussing on crimes in Africa — 10 of its investigations are in African nations — but now has investigations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

Israel often levies accusations of bias at international bodies such as the United Nations. The ICC is not a U.N. body but accepted “The State of Palestine” as a member in 2015, a year after the Palestinians accepted the court's jurisdiction.

The court's chief prosecutor at the time announced in 2021 that she was opening an investigation into possible crimes on Palestinian territory. Netanyahu slammed the decision as hypocritical and antisemitic.

Current ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan visited Ramallah and Israel in December, meeting Palestinian officials and families of Israelis killed or taken hostage by Hamas militants in the Oct. 7 attack that sparked the Israel-Hamas war.

Khan called Hamas' actions “some of the most serious international crimes that shock the conscience of humanity, crimes which the ICC was established to address,” and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.

Khan said that “international humanitarian law must still apply" in the Israel-Hamas war and "the Israeli military knows the law that must be applied.”

A year ago after the court issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of responsibility for the abductions of children from Ukraine. Russia responded by issuing its own arrest warrants for Khan and ICC judges.

Other high-profile leaders charged by the court include ousted Sudanese strongman Omar al-Bashir on allegations including genocide in his country’s Darfur region. Former Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was captured and killed by rebels shortly after the ICC issued a warrant for his arrest on charges linked to the brutal suppression of anti-government protests in 2011.

Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Check your wallet! These rare $1 bills could be worth up to $150,000

‘Privacy nightmare’: Your car is collecting a lot of information about you

Day one of prosecution testimony concludes in Karen Read murder trial

Recall alert: More than 8,000 pounds of frozen pizza recalled over soy concern

18-year-old student arrested for stabbing staff member at KIPP Academy in Lynn, police say