Reissued after annual review.
Exercise increased caution in Bolivia due to civil unrest. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do not travel to:
- Chapare region due to crime.
Country Summary: Demonstrations, strikes, and roadblocks can occur at any time in Bolivia. Demonstrations can result in violence. Roadblocks and strikes may cut off traffic and restrict the flow of goods and services around the country. Domestic and international flights may be delayed or unexpectedly cancelled.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Bolivia.
If you decide to travel to Bolivia:
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Contact your airline or travel agency prior to travel.
- Avoid demonstration and crowds.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
- Review the Country Security Report for Bolivia.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Chapare Region: Do Not Travel
Due to a high level of violent crime, the U.S. government is limited in its ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Chapare region. U.S. government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.
Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.
Read the Taiwan International Travel Information page for additional information on travel to Taiwan.
If you decide to travel to Taiwan:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the U.S. Department of State on Facebook and Twitter/X.
- Follow the American Institute in Taiwan Taipei Main Office and Kaohsiung Branch Office on Facebook.
- Review the security report for Taiwan from the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Updated to reflect the risk of unjust detention and updates to the Syrian conflict.
Do not travel to Syria due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, armed conflict, and unjust detention.
Country Summary: The U.S. government suspended operations in 2012. The Czech Republic serves as the protecting power for the United States in Syria. The U.S. government is unable to provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria. Do not travel to Syria for any reason.
On December 8, 2024, the Assad regime fell, and Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) assumed control over much of Syria. Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence. Hostage taking by armed groups, unjust detentions, the use of chemical warfare, shelling, mine fields, and aerial bombardment of civilian centers pose significant risk of death or serious injury. The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities has also increased hardships inside the country. The interim entities in Syria currently cannot provide even the most routine public services.
The U.S. government strongly warns private U.S. citizens against traveling to Syria to engage in armed conflict. The U.S. government does not support this activity. U.S. citizens who undertake such activity face extreme personal risks, including hostage taking by armed groups, unjust detentions, injury, or death.
Terrorist groups are active in Syria. Parts of Syria have experienced recent increases in incidents of bombings, IEDs, and assassinations. Fighting on behalf of or providing other forms of support to designated terrorist organizations, including ISIS and al-Qa’ida (AQ) affiliates, can constitute the provision of material support for terrorism or a foreign terrorist organization, which is a crime under U.S. law that can result in penalties including prison time and large fines. The United States continues to designate Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a terrorist group.
There is an ongoing risk of hostage taking of U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals throughout the country. U.S. citizens continue to be targets of abduction and unjust detention by interim entities and other armed groups. Those in detention may not have access to fair judicial process or medical attention. Former Assad regime detention centers were known to be unsanitary facilities where widespread cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment of detainees had been documented, as well as torture and extrajudicial killings. Detention center conditions under interim entities are unclear but could be harsh and unsanitary. Only Syrian diplomatic missions abroad can issue a valid entry visa to Syria. Failure to obtain a legitimate entry visa directly from the Syrian diplomatic missions could result in detention.
Due to risks of operating civilian aircraft within or in the vicinity of Syria, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Syria.
If you decide to travel to Syria:
- Visit our website on Travel to High Risk Areas.
- Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
- Familiarize yourself with and respect local laws and customs. Foreign travelers may face increased risk of detention and harassment.
- Establish a proof of life protocol with your family, so that if you are taken hostage, your family knows specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive and to rule out a hoax.
- Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.
- Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones. This is so they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States. Review thoroughly this list of documents to prepare for your trip.
- Check local media for breaking events. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization so that they can monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. This plan should specify who you would contact first, and how they should share the information.
- Enroll your trip in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
- We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage.
Updated to reflect changes in the Do Not Travel section.
Exercise increased caution in Armenia due to areas of armed conflict. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Do Not Travel To:
- The border region with Azerbaijan.
U.S. Embassy Employees and their families remain prohibited from any non-essential travel to the following areas:
- Gegharkunik region east of Vardenis.
- Syunik region east of Goris;
- Syunik region south of Kapan;
- Travel through Yeraskh village in Ararat region is allowed, stopping is not.
Country Summary:
U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in Armenia. Further military activity could occur in the region.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Armenia.
If you decide to travel to Armenia:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Armenia.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Border with Azerbaijan – Level 4: Do Not Travel
There is the potential for armed conflict near the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. U.S. citizens should avoid the area. Exercise caution on roads near Armenia’s border with Azerbaijan. Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice. The U.S. embassy has prohibited embassy employees and their families from non-essential travel to the border region, as well as other areas of Armenia listed above.
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Updated to reflect a shift to Level 2 “Exercise increased caution” for Mainland China.
Summary: Exercise increased caution when traveling to Mainland China due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans.
Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Reconsider travel to the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services. Exercised increased caution when traveling to the Macau SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
See specific risks and conditions in each jurisdiction.
Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.
Exercise normal precautions in Zambia.
Read the country information page for additional information about travel to Zambia.
If you decide to travel to Zambia:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Follow the U.S. Embassy in Zambia on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Zambia.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
Reissued after periodic review without changes.
Exercise normal precautions in Iceland.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Iceland.
If you decide to travel to Iceland:
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
- Review the Country Security Report for Iceland.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Reissued after periodic review with minor updates and information about dual nationality.
Exercise increased caution in Tajikistan due to terrorism, unexploded landmines, occasional violence near the border with Kyrgyzstan, and limited ability to assist U.S.-Tajik dual nationals. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Reconsider travel to:
- Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan
- Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast
Country Summary: Terrorist organizations are known to have a presence in the region and have targeted foreigners and local authorities in the past.
Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.
Unexploded landmines and cluster munitions are a hazard along the Afghan-Tajik and Uzbek-Tajik borders, as well as in the Vakhsh and Rasht valleys. Heed land mine warning signs. Do not venture off the road into areas marked with red and white plastic tape. Avoid roadside ditches, shoulders, and unmarked trails in these regions. Never touch anything resembling unexploded munitions.
Be cautious when traveling near and along the Tajikistan-Kyrgyzstan border. There have been several instances of armed skirmishes between Tajik and Kyrgyz border guards over the past five years, particularly in the Isfara area and the Vorukh enclave.
Tajikistan does not recognize dual nationality with the United States. Dual U.S.-Tajik citizens and U.S. citizens of Tajik descent may be subject to additional scrutiny and harassment from local authorities and may be denied access to U.S. consular officials while in detention.
Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Tajikistan.
If you decide to travel to Tajikistan:
- Enter Tajikistan on your U.S. passport and keep it with you.
- Have a plan to depart Tajikistan which does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
- Keep a low profile.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.
- Do not touch unknown metal objects and avoid traveling off well-used roads, tracks, and paths due to risk of unexploded ordnance.
- If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Review the Country Security Report for Tajikistan.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
- Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Border Areas with Afghanistan – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel in proximity of Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan due to terrorism. The current political situation in Afghanistan creates a challenging and unpredictable environment in the border areas due to evolving security conditions. Travel in the mountainous region along the Afghan border can be dangerous due to the proximity of militant groups across the border. U.S. citizens should remain alert and avoid activities that develop predictable patterns of movement. If documenting travel on social media, please ensure your privacy settings are appropriately set.
Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO)– Level 3: Reconsider Travel
The challenging and unpredictable environment in northern Afghanistan has the potential to spill over insecurity into neighboring Tajikistan’s GBAO region. GBAO is a restricted region for non-Tajik citizens, requiring a travel permits from Tajik authorities. Violent clashes with security forces erupted in GBAO in recent years, and the government of Tajikistan can suspend travel permits for non-Tajik citizens on short notice.
Please visit our website for information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.