International

17 May 2030 | 7:00 pm

Reissued with updates after periodic review.

Do not travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Department of State continues to advise U.S. citizens to not travel to frontline regions of Ukraine and areas along Ukraine’s border with Belarus due to presence of Russian and Belarusian military and security forces on the Belarusian side of the border, proximity to active ground combat, frequent shelling, missile and drone attacks on populated areas and civilian infrastructure, and limitations on the Embassy’s ability to provide assistance to U.S. citizens in those areas. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Some regions may have lower level of risk due to air defense capabilities and distance from active combat zones.

Level 3: Reconsider Travel to the regions of Volyn, Lviv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr.
Russia’s unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues, and even non-frontline regions remain subject to Russian missile and drone attacks. Travelers should react to air alerts and seek appropriate shelter. The security situation can change quickly, and travelers should be prepared to depart immediately with little to no warning. Closed airspace restricts travel options, and non-frontline regions are still subject to martial law restrictions, such as a nationwide curfew. U.S. government employees are subject to movement, curfew, and activity restrictions that may be more limited than Ukrainian government restrictions under martial law.

All U.S. citizens should carefully monitor U.S. government notices and local and international media outlets for information about changing security conditions and alerts to shelter in place. The security situation in Ukraine remains unpredictable.

U.S. citizens in Ukraine should stay vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness in the event of military attacks. Download and turn on notifications for free mobile applications – which U.S. government personnel in Ukraine are required to have and monitor – that announce air alerts in real time, such as Air Raid Siren and Alarm Map. The U.S. Embassy does not have the ability to provide real-time alerts to the general U.S. citizen community of air threats. Know the location of your closest shelter at all times. In the event of mortar, missile, drone, or rocket fire, follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately. If you feel your current location is no longer safe, you should carefully assess the potential risks involved in moving to a different location.

On February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency. Each region (oblast) decides on measures to be implemented according to local conditions. Measures could include curfews, restrictions on the freedom of movement, ID verification, and increased security inspections, among other measures. Follow any oblast-specific state of emergency measures.

Ukrainian law does not recognize dual nationality, and Ukraine will not recognize your U.S. citizenship if you are also a citizen of Ukraine. Dual citizens will be treated as Ukrainian citizens while in Ukraine and will be required to use a Ukrainian passport upon entry and exit of the country. Men aged 18-60 with Ukrainian citizenship are also subject to exit restrictions and possible mobilization during the period of martial law. The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has received numerous reports of dual U.S.-Ukrainian citizens encountering significant difficulties both entering and exiting Ukraine. Travelers with family ties to Ukraine should consult the nearest Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate regarding potential citizenship obligations before entering Ukraine. For more information on traveling with dual nationality, please visit our Travelers with Dual Nationality page.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over Ukraine. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the FAA’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices.

U.S. citizens seeking assistance, including routine services, should email KyivACS@state.gov. Please review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas.

The Embassy is open and operating in Kyiv; however, Embassy personnel are subject to movement, curfew, and activity restrictions, which may cause delays in provision of consular assistance to U.S. citizens outside of Kyiv.

Occupied Territories:
Most of the international community, including the United States and Ukraine, do not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea in 2014, nor the September 2022 purported annexation of four other Ukrainian oblasts -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in many parts of these oblasts. There are also abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s occupation.

There are instances of Russian forces and their proxies singling out U.S. citizens in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine for detention, interrogation, or harassment because of their nationality. U.S. citizens have also been singled out when evacuating by land through Russia-occupied territory or to Russia or Belarus.

Although Russia’s occupation severely restricts the Embassy’s access and ability to provide services in these areas, the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continue to remotely provide certain emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Ukraine.

Travel to High-Risk Areas:
If you choose to travel to Ukraine, you should consider taking the following steps:

• Visit our website on Travel to High-Risk areas.
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.
• Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
• 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.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.

If you are currently in Ukraine:

• Read the Department’s country information page on Ukraine.
• Familiarize yourself with information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas.
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Download free mobile applications to alert you of air alerts in your area such as Air Raid Siren and Alarm Map.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Notices related to your travel.
• Get a COVID vaccine to facilitate your travel.
• Understand the COVID testing and vaccine requirements for all countries that you will transit through to your destination.
• 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 Ukraine.
• Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk areas.

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.

30 October 2025 | 7:00 pm

The advisory level was increased to 4. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations. 

Do not travel to Niger for any reason due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health, and kidnapping. 

Advisory summary
Do not travel to Niger for any reason. On October 30, 2025, the Department of State authorized the departure of all family members of U.S. government employees in Niger due to safety risks.

The U.S. government cannot offer routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Niamey due to safety risks.

A state of emergency and movement restrictions are in place in many regions throughout Niger. 

• Nigerien authorities require military escorts for any foreigners traveling outside Niamey, including U.S. government personnel.
• Areas under a state of emergency are off-limits and subject to change.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions 
U.S. government employees working in Niger must: 

• travel in armored vehicles for all movements, and
• observe a mandatory curfew.

All restaurants and open-air markets are off-limits to U.S. government employees working in Niger.

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

Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Niger. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Terrorism to learn more.

Terrorists continue to plot attacks and use kidnapping for ransom as a business model. They target vulnerable groups and U.S. interests. 

Terrorists and their supporters are active in planning kidnappings in Niger and they may attack anywhere. Recent attacks and kidnappings have occurred in:

• Niamey
• The Malian border area (Tillabéri Region, Tri-Border Zone)
• The Diffa Region (Lake Chad Basin)
• Northern Agadez
• The southern border corridor along the Niger-Benin oil pipeline

Kidnapping
Terrorist groups continue planning kidnappings of foreigners in Niger.

Crime
Violent crimes can happen at any time. Crimes include armed robbery and residential break-ins.

Unrest
Demonstrations may take place in response to political or economic issues. They may also occur on holidays and during large events. 

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable. 
• The Nigerien government limits or does not authorize large gatherings. It increases security presence around planned protests. This includes stationary checkpoints and roadblocks.

Health
Medical services in Niger are limited. Adequate trauma and ambulance services are not widely available. There is limited access to medicines including antibiotics. Even a minor health issue may require medical evacuation at your expense. 

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

For U.S. citizens in Niger: 

• Review our information on Terrorism.
• Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime.
• Research how to arrange a Nigerien military or police escort if traveling outside Niamey.
• 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 Niger.
• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations.
• 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.
• Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
• Stay aware of your surroundings.
• Keep a low profile.
• Stay alert in tourist spots.
• 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.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Niger.
• 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.