International

12 November 2025 | 6:00 pm

There was no change to the advisory level. The “health” and “unrest” risk indicators were added. Advisory summary was updated.

Do not travel to South Sudan due to risk of unrest, crime, kidnapping, landmines, and health threats.

Advisory summary

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in South Sudan.

• U.S. government personnel working in South Sudan are under a strict curfew.
• U.S. government personnel must use armored vehicles for nearly all movements.
• Official travel outside Juba is limited.
• Because of the serious crime threat in Juba, walking is restricted to a small area near the embassy during the day.

Unrest
Armed conflict is ongoing and includes fighting between various political and ethnic groups. Weapons are readily available to the population. In addition, cattle raids occur throughout the country, often leading to violence.

Journalists regularly report being harassed in South Sudan and many have been killed while covering the conflict. Reporting in South Sudan without the proper documentation from the South Sudanese Media Authority is illegal. Any journalistic work there is very dangerous.

Crime
Violent crime is common throughout South Sudan, including Juba. This includes carjackings, shootings, ambushes, assaults, robberies, and kidnappings.

Foreign nationals have been the victims of rape, sexual assault, armed robberies, and other violent crimes.

Kidnapping
Criminal groups have kidnapped and threatened to kill or hurt people in order to force a third party, like a government, to act or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.

Kidnapping for ransom happens occasionally in South Sudan. Criminal groups most frequently target local citizens.

Landmines
Landmines are sparsely located throughout the country. While most locations are marked, unmarked unexploded ordinance remains a threat and causes multiple casualties each year.

Health
Medical services in South Sudan are extremely limited. Adequate medical treatment, as well as access to routine and emergency procedures, is often unavailable, and even minor health issues could require medical evacuation. All medical services, including medical evacuation, are at your expense. If you purchase additional medical insurance, be sure to keep records of all medical services paid for and provided.

For U.S. citizens in South Sudan:

• Do not travel to South Sudan for any reason.
• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on crisis and evacuations.
• Review our information on travel to high-risk areas, crime, and for victims of crime.
• Avoid locations where landmines are known to exist. Be alert to signs that mark unexploded landmines. Be aware that locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not known, marked, or easy to recognize.
• Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Draft a will. Designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or draft a power of attorney.
• Develop a communication plan with your family, your employer, or your host organization. List how and when you will confirm you are safe (text or call). Specify how often you will do this.
• Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm you are being held captive and alive.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
• Make sure your insurance includes specific coverage for medical evacuation from South Sudan.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. government. Enrolling helps the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for South Sudan.
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the latest Travel Health Information for South Sudan.
• Whether you are a first-time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.

9 November 2025 | 6:00 pm

Advisory summary

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Central African Republic.

• U.S. government employees working in the Central African Republic must get special authorization to travel outside of Bangui. They are required to travel in armored vehicles in Bangui and are subject to a curfew.
• Family members cannot join U.S. government employees who work in the Central African Republic.

Unrest

There is a continuing risk of civil unrest, demonstrations, and election-related violence. This includes renewed outbreaks of armed conflict occurring throughout the country.

• Unrest can happen in the capital of Bangui.
• Armed groups and opposition forces control large areas of the country. They regularly kidnap, injure, or kill civilians.
• Airport, land border crossings, and road closures may occur without warning.

Crime

Violent crime is common. It includes homicide, kidnapping, armed robbery, aggravated battery, and larceny.

Kidnapping

Criminal gangs and armed groups kidnap for ransom on a frequent basis, mainly outside of Bangui. Local law enforcement officials are not equipped or trained to handle the threat of kidnapping.

Other - Landmines

Unexploded landmines are unmarked. They are a known risk. Landmines may be present anywhere outside Bangui, particularly:

• Along the border with Cameroon
• In the tri-border region with Chad in Sector West
• Near Bambari in Sector East

Health

Medical services in the Central African Republic are extremely limited. There is no adequate medical treatment available for routine and emergency procedures. Even minor health issues could require medical evacuation at your expense.

• Make sure you know if your health insurance plan covers any medical expenses coverage abroad. Most U.S. plans do not. 
• If you purchase medical travel insurance, you are responsible for seeking reimbursement from your medical insurance. Be sure to follow their guidance and instructions for filing claims. 
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Vaccinations

Make sure you are up to date on all routine vaccines before every trip.  Travelers are required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination for all arriving travelers (at least 9 months old). CDC recommends that travelers going to the Central African Republic take prescription medicine to prevent malaria.

Stay up to date with the vaccines recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• CDC Travelers’ Health
• World Health Organization Travel Advice

Terrorism

Ineffective border controls may allow criminal and terrorist groups to seek temporary refuge in the Central African Republic. Be alert to your surroundings. Terrorists can attack without warning. They may target foreign and local government facilities as well as tourist areas.

For citizens in the Central African Republic:

• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• Review our information on Terrorism.
• There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in the Central African Republic. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.
• Due to the risk of landmines, avoid travel to rebel-controlled areas near the border with Cameroon and Chad.
• Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Keep a low profile.
• Stay alert in tourist spots.
• Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. List how and when you'll confirm you're safe (text or call). Specify how often you’ll do this.
• Draft a will. Designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or draft a power of attorney.
• Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. If you are taken hostage, your loved ones will know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to confirm that you are being held captive and alive.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Do not display signs of wealth, like expensive watches or jewelry.
• Do not answer your door at your hotel or residence unless you know who it is.
• Stay alert when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage.
• Bring enough supply of over the counter and prescription medicines to cover the duration of the trip.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. government. Enrolling helps the U.S. government contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for CAR.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for CAR.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.

2 November 2025 | 6:00 pm

There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations and hurricane damage.

Reconsider Travel to Jamaica due to Crime, Health, and Natural Disaster risks. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Advisory summary
The U.S. Embassy in Kingston has resumed normal operations following Hurricane Melissa. 

Natural disaster
Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica on October 28, 2025, causing widespread damage. Some airports, including the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston have reopened for commercial flights. Other airports were severely damaged and remain closed or offer only limited operations. U.S. citizens are advised to contact their transportation providers for confirmation of availability. The Black River community was heavily damaged, as well.

• Consider rescheduling planned travel to Jamaica at this time. If you plan to travel, confirm availability with your transportation provider and at your destination before you leave.
• Some areas, such as Black River and Montego Bay, are in varying stages of recovery from Hurricane Melissa. Until repairs are complete, fewer hotels and transportation options may be available.  Services may also be limited.

Enroll in STEP to receive updates on conditions in Jamaica from the U.S. embassy. Previously issued STEP updates are available on the embassy website.

Crime
Violent crime in Jamaica has decreased since 2024, but it remains statistically high throughout the country. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

• Tourist areas generally see lower rates of violent crime than other parts of the country.
• Armed robberies and sexual assaults are common.
• The U.S. Embassy routinely receives reports of sexual assaults, including from U.S. citizen tourists at resorts.
• U.S. citizens report slow or unsatisfactory response to serious criminal incidents.
• When arrests are made, cases are infrequently prosecuted to a final verdict and sentence.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions
U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to:

• use public buses; or
• drive between cities at night.

U.S. citizens in Jamaica are advised to take the same precautions.

Health
Basic and specialized medical care may not be available in many parts of Jamaica. This includes slower emergency service response times and less availability of care for illness or injury.

• Private hospitals require payment up front before admitting patients and may not have the ability to provide specialized care.
• Ambulance services are not always staffed with EMTs and are not always readily available, especially in rural areas.
• U.S. citizens should bring extra prescription medication as common medications, such as insulin, can be difficult to obtain.
• U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.
• Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.
• Air ambulance service to the United States can range from $30,000-$50,000.
• 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.

The Department of State does not pay medical bills.

Level 4 - Do Not Travel - High crime areas

Do Not Travel to high crime areas due to risk of crime.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions

• U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are not allowed to travel to the below high risk areas.
• U.S. citizens in Jamaica are advised to take the same precautions. Do not travel to these areas for any reason.

St. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios.

St. Catherine’s Parish - Spanish Town, Central Village, areas within Portmore, including: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford.

Clarendon Parish - all of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.

St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth.

Hanover Parish - Logwood and Orange Bay.

St. James Parish/Montego Bay - Inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park.

Kingston and St. Andrew Parish - Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August Town, and downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.

Manchester Parish - Green Vale and Gray Ground neighborhoods of Mandeville.

St. Thomas Parish - Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs, Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway.

Trelawny Parish - Clarks Town.

Westmoreland Parish - Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road), Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril.

Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

If you decide to travel to Jamaica:

• Do not attempt to bring firearms or ammunition. This includes stray rounds, shells, or empty casings. The penalties for carrying firearms or ammunition, even by mistake, are severe, and can include long prison sentences.
• Have a plan to depart in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• Avoid walking or driving at night.
• Avoid public buses.
• Avoid remote places.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep a low profile.
• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas, Crime Abroad, and for Victims of Crime.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Jamaica.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Jamaica.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.