US Expands Level 4 ‘Do Not Travel’ List to 23 Nations

The United States now advises its citizens not to travel to 23 countries worldwide, with fresh attention on Uganda and Sudan as both nations remain under the highest Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning due to security and health risks, according to newly compiled public advisory data as of November 9, 2026.

Level 4 Warning: What “Do Not Travel” Means

Publicly available information from the U.S. Department of State describes Level 4 advisories as its most severe category, reserved for destinations where risks from conflict, crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health emergencies or government restrictions are considered extreme. For travelers, a Level 4 notice signals that U.S. citizens should avoid all travel to those countries, and those already present are urged to consider departing when it is safe to do so.

The consolidated snapshot of advisories on November 9, 2026, shows 23 countries flagged at Level 4. Independent trackers that monitor the State Department’s live advisory feed list Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Uganda, Ukraine and Yemen as carrying the “Do Not Travel” designation.

Level 4 warnings often reflect a mix of overlapping risks. Many of the 23 destinations are affected by active armed conflict or internal instability, while others are cited for widespread violent crime, high kidnapping and terrorism risk, or the possibility of arbitrary detention of foreign nationals.

In addition to the broad safety considerations, the Level 4 label signals that the U.S. government’s ability to assist its citizens in those countries may be severely constrained. This can be due to reduced diplomatic staffing, evacuation of personnel, or local conditions that make it unsafe for consular services to operate.

Uganda and Sudan Under Heightened Scrutiny

Uganda and Sudan stand out among the 23 countries due to a combination of security and health concerns. The State Department’s Uganda advisory, last updated to Level 4 on June 4, 2026, highlights risks connected to terrorism, crime, unrest and health issues. Public information notes limited capacity for emergency consular support in parts of the country, making it more difficult for U.S. travelers to obtain rapid assistance in a crisis.

Sudan’s advisory was raised to Level 4 on May 15, 2026, reflecting the impact of prolonged internal conflict, breakdown of basic services and threats from crime and kidnapping. Fighting between rival armed groups has disrupted transport, damaged infrastructure and displaced civilians. Reports indicate that routine and even emergency consular services for U.S. nationals in Sudan are heavily restricted or unavailable in many areas.

For both countries, advisory summaries emphasize that security conditions can deteriorate quickly, with sporadic violence, checkpoints and potential targeting of foreigners near sensitive sites. Travelers are also warned about health system strain and limited access to reliable medical care, particularly outside major urban centers.

Regional spillover effects add to the concern. Neighboring South Sudan and several states in the broader Sahel and Horn of Africa regions are also listed at Level 4, creating larger geographic zones that U.S. officials consider unsafe for nonessential travel.

Why the US “Do Not Travel” List Matters to Travelers

Although U.S. citizens are not legally barred from traveling to Level 4 destinations, the advisory carries practical consequences. Many travel insurance policies either exclude coverage for trips to countries under top-tier warnings or impose higher premiums and strict exclusions. Some operators cancel tours or flights into affected regions, and airlines may scale back routes as risk indicators worsen.

Advisory data also influences decisions by universities, humanitarian groups and corporations. Study abroad programs commonly prohibit placements in Level 4 destinations, while businesses may suspend nonessential travel or rely on remote operations instead. Security teams use the official advisories, along with third party risk assessments, to shape internal travel approvals and evacuation planning.

For independent travelers, the Level 4 designation is a strong signal that conditions on the ground are volatile or unpredictable. Reports compiled by travel risk analysts for countries such as Haiti, Ukraine and parts of the Sahel note that basic factors such as access to airports, secure ground transport and functioning hospitals cannot be taken for granted and may worsen with little warning.

The advisory system is dynamic, with levels adjusted when situations change. However, monitoring projects that track State Department updates show that many of the current 23 Level 4 countries have remained at that status for extended periods, underscoring the persistence of underlying conflicts and governance challenges.

Key Risks Driving the 23-Country Warning

The list of 23 “Do Not Travel” destinations reflects a concentration of several recurring threats. Armed conflict and civil wars are central factors in countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen, where ongoing fighting, airstrikes or shelling create direct physical danger for residents and visitors alike. Damage to roads, bridges and airports compounds the risk by limiting escape routes.

Widespread crime and lawlessness are cited for multiple entries, including Haiti, parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya and the Central African Republic. Public advisories describe situations in which armed groups or criminal gangs exert de facto control over neighborhoods or transport corridors, increasing the danger of robbery, carjacking and kidnapping.

Terrorism concerns shape advisories for countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Niger, Mali and Somalia, where insurgent groups retain the capability to launch attacks against government facilities, civilian venues and transport hubs. In some cases, foreign nationals may be targeted for kidnapping, extortion or propaganda purposes.

Separate from security threats, the State Department highlights health risks and weak medical infrastructure in several Level 4 destinations. Recent updates for Uganda and other countries reference outbreaks that strain hospitals and limit access to reliable treatment, while also noting that evacuation for complex medical care may be extremely difficult or impossible under current conditions.

Guidance for US Travelers Assessing High-Risk Destinations

Public travel guidance encourages U.S. citizens to consult the State Department’s online advisory map and individual country pages before making any international plans, and again shortly before departure. These resources provide current alert levels, summaries of the main risks and the dates of the most recent updates, which can signal whether a situation is worsening or stabilizing.

Travel risk platforms that aggregate official advisories from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia indicate that some countries on the U.S. Level 4 list are also rated at the highest caution level by other governments. For destinations such as Russia, Iran and Uganda, these cross referenced assessments show broad international concern over security and political conditions affecting foreign visitors.

For individuals who decide to travel despite the U.S. warning, security specialists recommend making contingency plans that account for airport closures, sudden border restrictions or curfews, and disruptions to electronic payment systems. Registrations with relevant consular enrollment services, where available, can help travelers receive alerts if conditions deteriorate further, although such systems may not function fully in the most fragile states.

Analysts monitoring the advisory landscape note that the current count of 23 Level 4 destinations places 2026 among the more turbulent years for international travel risk in recent memory. With conflicts and geopolitical tensions still unfolding, travelers and industry operators alike are watching closely for any further additions or removals from the U.S. “Do Not Travel” list in the months ahead.