As Americans make summer 2025 vacation plans, travel advisories from the U.S. State Department remain an important consideration for international travelers. The State Department utilizes a four-tiered system to categorize travel risks to different countries.
The advisory levels range from Level 1, which advises travelers to exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which explicitly warns Americans not to travel to those destinations. Level 2 recommends increased caution due to heightened safety and security risks, while Level 3 suggests reconsidering travel plans altogether due to serious security concerns.
Recently, on May 6, 2025, the U.S. government added two new countries to its "Do Not Travel" list, bringing the total to 21 nations Americans are advised to avoid completely. The newly added countries are North Korea and Burkina Faso. Other Level 4 countries include Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Iraq, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Venezuela, and Haiti.
For travelers interested in popular destinations, many European locations including France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Germany currently carry Level 2 advisories. Similarly, destinations like mainland China, South Africa, Morocco, Peru, and The Bahamas also fall under the Level 2 category. Countries with Level 3 advisories include Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, and Jamaica.
The State Department reviews Level 1 and 2 travel advisories at least every 12 months, while Level 3 and 4 advisories are reviewed at minimum every six months. Travel advisories can be updated anytime there is a change in U.S. government posture, particularly related to ongoing security concerns.
Several factors determine these advisory levels, including crime rates, terrorism threats, civil unrest, health issues, and potential natural disasters. For instance, on April 16, the travel advisory for Burkina Faso was revised to highlight specific dangers for individuals with dual nationality, noting that "travelers with nationality, authorities may your U.S. nationality you are a national of Burkina Faso."
Before planning international trips, travelers can check for current advisories on the State Department's website, which provides a searchable list and an interactive map displaying advisories worldwide. Additionally, travelers can register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service from the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs that provides email updates with news, alerts, and travel advisories about destination countries.
STEP also enables direct contact with U.S. embassies during emergencies and helps travelers stay connected with family and friends in crisis situations. Registration requires personal information including name, date of birth, passport number, and emergency contact details.
Most recent travel advisory updates include the Philippines (May 8, 2025), Paraguay (April 30, 2025), Morocco (April 21, 2025), Niger (March 21, 2025), and Georgia (March 13, 2025). These regular updates reflect the Department's commitment to providing Americans with the most current safety information for international travel.
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