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Level 3 – Reconsider Travel (advisory dated August 29 2026). State Department guidance for travelers: enroll in STEP; monitor local media; maintain an emergency departure plan that does not rely on US government assistance; obtain travel insurance. No ordered departure and no shelter-in-place guidance are in effect under the current advisory. State Dept 24/7: +1-202-501-4444. Separately: UAE controlled-substance law is strict and applies to prescription medications. Verify every medication you intend to carry against UAE regulations before entry and carry supporting documentation.

Learn your hotel's earthquake assembly point on check-in — this is the most important safety step for Taiwan travelers. Monitor the Taiwan Central Weather Administration (CWA) website and app for typhoon warnings throughout May-November. Sign up for AIT (not technically STEP but the equivalent): https://www.ait.org.tw/. Typhoon itinerary: have a flexible plan. Major typhoons can close Taipei and the island completely for 24-72 hours — it is completely manageable but inflexible itineraries risk being stranded. Low personal crime risk throughout Taiwan.

State Dept Level 3 — Reconsider Travel — for terrorism and armed conflict, reissued 29 August 2026; risk indicators Terrorism, Crime and Other. The March 2026 ordered departure has been stood down: as of 29 August 2026 family members may join U.S. government employees working in Jordan, and U.S. Embassy Amman is operating. 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 significant disruptions to commercial flights. Practical guidance: (1) monitor jo.usembassy.gov security alerts — shelter-in-place instructions have been issued during regional escalations; (2) avoid all protests and large gatherings, which occur with varying frequency; (3) do not travel to Mansheyat al Ghayyath, Ruwayshid or the border with Syria and Iraq, designated Syrian refugee camps, Rusayfah City, or the Baqa'a neighborhood of Ayn Basha — all are Level 4: Do Not Travel; (4) Zarqa City and Ma'an City and Governorate carry heightened risk without a separate designation; U.S. government employees there may travel at night only on major highways, must keep to daylight hours within 3.5 km of the Jordan–Syria border, and follow embassy restrictions for official travel along Highway 40 toward the Iraq border; (5) confirm flight status before relying on a departure routing, and expect airspace disruption with limited notice. Emergency services: 911. U.S. Embassy Amman +962-6-590-6000; emergency after hours +962-6-590-6500.

Exit ban risk is the single most important non-medical safety issue for China travelers — particularly business travelers; journalists; academics; and anyone with any relationship to subjects under Chinese government scrutiny. Never consent to surrendering your passport to an employer. Avoid political discussions; photography of government buildings or military installations; and any appearance of political organizing. Drug laws are strict — death penalty applicable for trafficking. Keep all digital devices secured; VPN use is technically illegal in China though widely used. Downloading encrypted communications before entry is advisable.

Security situation now stable — Level 2 as of March 31 2026; September 2025 demonstrations have ended. Register with STEP; follow Embassy Kathmandu alerts; book with reputable trekking companies. Trek routes are unaffected by political conditions. On the mountain: follow the golden rules of altitude illness — never ascend with symptoms; descend immediately with HAPE or HACE symptoms. Every trekker should know these rules by heart before leaving Kathmandu.

South Korea is extremely safe for US travelers. Petty crime (pickpocketing) is low by international standards. Scams targeting tourists are rare. Demonstrations occur occasionally in central Seoul near City Hall and Gwanghwamun Square — avoid and monitor news. The December 2024 martial law crisis resolved rapidly and the political situation has normalized. Drug laws are strict — some ADHD medications may require documentation; verify with the South Korean Embassy before travel. Same-sex relationships are not recognized legally — no specific safety risk for LGBTQ travelers in tourist areas.

DO NOT TRAVEL to Northern or Middle Sinai Peninsula — Level 4 active ISIS activity with limited US government emergency response capability. DO NOT travel to Western Desert except with licensed tour company. DO NOT travel to Egyptian border military zones. Egypt is OPEN for tourism in Cairo; the Nile corridor; and Red Sea resorts — Cairo's US Embassy is functioning normally. Avoid all demonstrations; be aware that proximity to any protest — even passive — has resulted in arrest of US citizens in Egypt. Do not post social media critical of Egypt or its allies. Do not bring any drone of any size. Dual US-Egyptian citizens: be aware that Egyptian law treats you as Egyptian — US Embassy assistance in arrest or detention situations is limited. Carry copies of passport and visa at all times. All travelers to Egypt: polio booster is now specifically required given circulating poliovirus status.

Never walk in downtown Johannesburg; Cape Town CBD; or Durban after dark — these areas have very high robbery and assault risk. Use Uber or hotel taxis rather than hailing taxis on the street. Keep car doors locked and windows up in city traffic — smash-and-grab is specifically reported at traffic lights. Never display phones; cameras; or valuables in public. ATMs: only use drive-through ATMs inside shopping centers; never use street ATMs; never use ATMs after dark. Carjacking: if your vehicle is surrounded or someone approaches your car aggressively; do not resist — give up the vehicle. Report crimes to local police and contact the US Consulate. Demonstrations can occur without warning — avoid large gatherings and monitor news.