The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for British tourists, with a total of 31 countries now on the 'do not travel' list due to safety and security risks. Out of the near 200 nations globally, these 31 are flagged as no-go zones for UK travellers, where risks span from warfare and terrorism to severe weather phenomena. Officials warn that ignoring this advice and travelling to these high-risk areas will void conventional travel insurance, leaving individuals without any form of protection.
Besides travel advisories, the Foreign Office also offers guidance on entry stipulations, health hazards, and legal disparities experienced in these jurisdictions.
The reasons behind these warnings are multiple conflicts and political unrest lead the list, along with the ever-present danger of terrorist attacks, reports the Express. Natural disasters, including wildfires, tornadoes, and tsunamis, have necessitated numerous travel advisories. For instance, parts of Israel and the regions it occupies are off-limits according to current travel advisories due to ongoing strife.
Do Not Travel List: 31 Countries to Avoid
The countries on the UK's 'no travel' list have been revealed - with 29 put on red alert by the Foreign Office. The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to large parts of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, as well as other countries in the Middle East, in Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia, Birmingham Live reports. The reasons for the 'do not travel' warnings are anything from safety and security risk fears to wars and conflicts.
There are the threat of terrorism and terror attacks in some locations, while in others, extreme weather poses a risk - from wildfires and tornadoes to tsunamis. Travelling against Foreign Office advice means any normal travel insurance will be immediately invalidated.
Europe
- Belarus - do not travel
- Kosovo - all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country
- Russia - do not travel
- Ukraine - do not travel
Middle East
- Iraq - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Iran - do not travel
- Israel - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Lebanon - do not travel
- Occupied Palestinian territories - do not travel
- Syria - do not travel
- Yemen - do not travel
Africa
- Burkina Faso - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Cameroon - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Chad - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Central African Republic - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Ethiopia - do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country
- Libya - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Mali - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- Mauritania - do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country
- Niger - do not travel
- Nigeria - do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country
- Somalia - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
- South Sudan - do not travel
- Sudan - do not travel
- Western Sahara - do not travel warning for significant parts of the country
Americas
- Haiti - do not travel
- Venezuela - do not travel and all but essential travel warning
Asia
- Afghanistan - do not travel
- Myanmar - do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country
- North Korea - all but essential travel warning; borders have not reopened since Covid
- Pakistan - do not travel and all but essential travel warning for significant parts of the country
Beyond the 'Do Not Travel' List: Further Travel Advice
Even if a country isn't on this list, there could still be restrictions in place, for example at contentious borders or in a particular region. So before you plan a trip, check the Foreign Office website for the latest travel warnings and restrictions. The UK Foreign Office has advised against any travel to 31 countries due to a number of factors including Covid, terrorism and natural disasters. Here's the full list of 'do not travel' destinations
Travellers have been urged to avoid heading to 31 countries by the UK Government. The Foreign Office's red list of no-go zones highlights areas of the world where the risk of serious injury, death, disease, being imprisoned or a whole host of other horrible outcomes are high, even for tourists.
Holidaymakers daring to venture into these locales do so at their peril, as they'll be voiding any insurance cover and potentially dangling on a thread without supportive assistance if things go south. Those who risk it all in these destinations might very well end up gambling with their own lives, Foreign Office officials warn.
The UK Foreign Office has updated its advisory, placing 31 countries on a "no travel" list due to a spectrum of safety and security concerns. Out of the nearly 200 nations globally, these destinations have been earmarked as no-go zones for UK travellers, with threats encompassing terrorism, conflict and severe weather phenomena.
Officials have cautioned that non-compliance with this guidance can render a traveller's standard insurance void, essentially leaving them without protection. Beyond travel advisories, the Foreign Office also offers insight into necessary entry requirements, local health hazards and unique legal frameworks in these territories. The basis for these government alerts ranges from active warfare and unsettled politics to the looming threat of terror activities, reports the Express. Environmental dangers such as rampant wildfires, violent tornadoes, and devastating tsunamis are also factored into these considerations. For instance, parts of Israel and the occupied Palestinian areas are on the list, primarily owing to persistent hostilities.
A Recent Example: Exit Bans in Vietnam
Earlier this month the UK Foreign Office sounded the alarm on 'exit bans' affecting Brits abroad, updating its travel advice for those jetting off to Vietnam. A worrisome trend of tourists finding themselves unable to leave the country and having their passports confiscated sparked the government's renewed guidelines. Holidaymakers caught in such dilemmas are urged to seek legal counsel and get in touch with the closest British embassy or consulate.
A government spokesperson cautioned: "Vietnamese authorities may place an exit ban on certain individuals to prevent them from leaving the country. Your passport will be seized until the case is fully investigated." In case of being snagged by an exit ban, the advice is clear: "If you are unable to leave the country because of an exit ban, consult a lawyer and contact your nearest British embassy or consulate."
Staying Safe and Informed
The Foreign Office's do not travel list has expanded over the years with a number of countries added, but 31 countries are now on the no travel list for Brits. The UK Foreign Office has designated 29 nations as too dangerous for British tourists, urging travellers to steer clear due to a variety of perilous conditions. With almost 200 countries worldwide, the 'no-go' list presents numerous places Britons should avoid. Reasons sparking these travel advisories range from fears over security and safety, active warfare and conflict zones, to the risk of terrorist strikes. On top of that, extreme weather phenomena also create hazardous conditions from raging wildfires and violent tornadoes to threatening tsunamis.
The Foreign Office warns: "Get advice and warnings about travel abroad, including entry requirements, safety and security, health risks and legal differences." Ignoring this guidance could invalidate typical travel insurance policies immediately. Among the areas where the Foreign Office discourages all visits are vast swaths of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, among a notable list of other countries, reports Birmingham Live.
The Foreign Office has expanded its travel advice to include 31 nations which it advises UK citizens should not travel to, with a further 21 being added to the red list. The UK Foreign Office has issued a 'do not travel' and 'all but essential travel' warning for several countries in Africa. These include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and significant parts of Western Sahara. The Foreign Office is currently advising against all travel to Lebanon. In addition, those in the country should consider leaving while there are still commercial flights available.
The Foreign Office is advising against all travel to large parts of Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories, and all but essential travel to the rest of the country. The ‘do not travel’ regions include Gaza, the West Bank, and areas that border Syria and Lebanon. You can see the full updated list on the Foreign Office advice pages. It says: "There are continued exchanges of rocket, drone and small arms fire over Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and a potential increase in rocket attacks and other incidents of violence across Israel and the OPTs, including the West Bank. On 27 July, a strike on the town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights killed at least 12 civilians.
We recognise this a fast-moving situation that poses significant risks. The situation has potential to deteriorate quickly and without warning, and could result in instructions to shelter in place. This could disrupt air and road links out of the country. We strongly encourage you to check you and your dependents have the required documentation to travel at short notice. If your reason to remain in Israel and the OPTs is not essential you should consider leaving if it is safe to do so."
Key Takeaways
Before planning your next trip, it's essential to check the Foreign Office website for the latest travel advisories and restrictions. This ensures you stay safe and informed about the potential risks involved in international travel.
