Where are you going?
We'll tell you what to know.

Mali is a Do Not Travel destination. Every security category is at maximum risk — terrorism, kidnapping of Westerners, armed conflict, and a visa suspension for U.S. citizens. The U.S. government cannot provide emergency services outside Bamako. JNIM and ISIL-linked groups have specifically targeted foreigners for kidnapping and attack. Any travel to Mali requires a professional security organization, vetted armed escort, and medevac infrastructure. Travel outside Bamako is prohibited for U.S. government employees and should be considered off-limits for all civilians.

Exceptionally safe EU country. TBE: start TICOVAC 8+ weeks before departure. Tick checks after every forest walk. Mountain safety in Triglav. Vršič Pass closed October-May. August-September flash flood risk.

Safe destination. Hepatitis A/Typhoid vaccination essential. Bottled water only. Officially marked taxis only (Yandex or MaxTaxi). Registration within 3 days. Currency: exchange officially only. Photography: mosques ask permission; government buildings prohibited. Dress modestly in Khiva/Bukhara.

Crime: State Department Level 2 as of 10 July 2026, with crime the named risk indicator. Violent crime can occur anywhere on the island, including at tourist resorts - armed robbery, assault, burglary and rape have all been reported against foreigners, and U.S. citizens have been killed in some cases. Police response times are slower than in the United States. Petty crime, including pickpocketing and purse snatching, is common in tourist areas. Do not physically resist a robbery attempt. Avoid walking alone at night, on beaches, or in poorly lit or isolated areas; use only clearly marked taxis; do not display expensive watches, jewelry or large amounts of cash; stay alert at banks and ATMs. LGBTQ+: consensual same-sex activity decriminalized July 2025 (Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court); no legal recognition of relationships; social attitudes conservative. Road safety: hire a driver for Castries-Soufriere; there is no national roadside assistance, and night driving is unsafe. Sulphur Springs: stay on marked paths. Local law: firearms, ammunition, spent casings and CBD products are illegal to bring in, and camouflage clothing is banned outright, including accessories and for children - items can be confiscated and you can be arrested, fined or denied entry. Aviation: the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has assessed that Saint Lucia does not meet international standards for aviation safety oversight.

Registration requirement (>24 hours in private accommodation). Organized crime awareness. Mountain roads: slow; headlights on; never at night. Currency declaration >10000 EUR. Adventure: reputable operators only.

State Department Level 4 - Do Not Travel applies to the entire country as of 15 July 2026, not only the eastern provinces. All travel outside Kinshasa requires security assessment and host organization support. Eastern DRC (Kivu, Ituri) must not be accessed under any circumstances — armed conflict, kidnapping, and mass atrocity are ongoing, and these provinces are also the centre of the Ebola outbreak. Even Kinshasa has significant crime risk including robbery, carjacking, and armed home invasion. Police cannot respond effectively. Avoid demonstrations. Never photograph government buildings, military sites, or border areas (arrestable offense).

Level 3 – Reconsider Travel (advisory dated August 28 2026). No ordered departure and no depart-now guidance are in effect. State Department guidance: maintain a departure plan that does not rely on US government assistance; monitor US Embassy Doha alerts; register with STEP. State Dept 24/7: +1-202-501-4444. Crisis intake: mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.

State Dept Level 3 — Reconsider Travel — for armed conflict and terrorism, reissued 30 August 2026; risk indicators Terrorism and Other. The March 2026 ordered departure has been stood down: as of 30 August 2026 family members may join U.S. government employees working in Oman, and State Dept records no change to the advisory level or the risk indicators at this reissue. Following the 28 February 2026 hostilities between the United States and Iran there is an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran, and the FAA has issued an ongoing Special Federal Aviation Regulation and Notice to Airmen. Do not travel to the Yemen border area — State Dept designates it Level 4: Do Not Travel due to terrorism and armed conflict. Local laws: State Dept reports that same-sex relationships in Oman are criminalized and subject to a jail term of six months to three years, and that strict dress codes are enforced in most government buildings and some public spaces, where sleeveless shirts and shorts should not be worn. Alcohol is restricted and public intoxication is a criminal offence. Other hazards: extreme summer heat; road safety, including high-speed accidents and camels on roads at night; flash flooding in wadis. MERS-CoV: avoid camel contact. Emergency services: 9999 for police, ambulance or fire. U.S. Embassy Muscat: +968-2464-3400 (main and emergency after hours).