How the U.S. State Department’s Travel Advisory Actually Works—and Whether or Not It Should Shape Your Travels

As of May 7, the U.S. Department of State has 21 countries listed on its “Do Not Travel” list. The list includes Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen. Both North Korea and Burkina Faso were recently added due to increased concerns over wrongful detentions and terrorist activity.

But how, exactly, does this list get made in the first place—and what should travelers really take away from it?

There are four important levels in the advisory system.

The Department of State has issued its travel advisories since 1978, National Geographic reports. The program was initially launched with the intent of keeping airlines and travel companies informed, however, it has since evolved to be traveler-facing as well. The system, got a revamp in 2018, making it easy for all travelers to search advisories and warnings by country on the Department of State’s website.

The system, Carrie Pasquarello, a safety strategist and CEO of Global Secure Resources Inc., explained to Travel + Leisure, is broken down into four advisory levels to help people assess risk. “The first level is ‘exercise normal precautions,’ Level 2 means to ‘exercise increased caution,’ Level 3 is ‘reconsider travel,’ and Level 4 [means] ‘do not travel,’” Pasquarello said. “There are nine risk indicators that help the State Department decide which advisory level rating the country will receive.” 

These factors include everything from rates of crime and terrorism to natural disasters and occurrences of wrongful detention. Countries that are given a Level 1 and 2 rating are reviewed annually, while Level 3 and 4 countries are evaluated every six months. Understanding the risks, Pasquarello added, is key to determining whether visiting a location is worth it or not for travelers

There is some nuance in how the advisories are determined. 

While travel advisories are widely respected, experts say it’s critical to also understand the context in which they are given. Tom Abraham, the cofounder of the travel planning website World Travel Index, noted that “too often they are diplomatic, political, or logistical limitations in disguise more than they are on-the-ground conditions for travelers.”

That’s why many Level 3 and Level 4 countries often have subtler regional distinctions. “Mexico is a prime example,” John Rose, chief risk advisor at Altour (a business travel management company), said. “Some areas are marked as ‘Do Not Travel,’ while others, such as popular tourist regions, are classified as ‘Exercise Normal Precautions.'”

Level four isn’t a travel ban, but rather, a warning. 

Just because a country has a Level 3 or Level 4 advisory doesn’t mean it’s entirely off-limits. “The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory system is a risk communication tool, not a mandate,” Gene Petrino, co-owner of the security consulting business Survival Response LLC, told T+L. “They are broad-level assessments, not tailored to individual circumstances.”

Still, a Level 4 should give travelers pause. “Level 4 advisories should make you think twice,” Paul Stewart, founder of overseas luggage shipping company My Baggage, said. “Those are not taken lightly and usually mean very serious safety concerns.” 

Pasquarello added that one of her own “tripwires” for deciding not to go to a destination is whether she would be able to be medically evacuated if need be. “Medical evacuation memberships are often excluded from evacuation from Level 4 and some Level 3 destinations,” she said. That means if you were injured in a nation with a Level 4 warning, you could be on your own. 

“A Level 4 (Do Not Travel) advisory should be taken very seriously. It typically reflects extreme risk due to war, widespread crime, government instability, or a high likelihood of kidnapping or terrorism,” Petrino said.

As for Level 3? “It doesn’t automatically mean cancel,” Petrino said, “But it does mean travelers should conduct serious, case-specific planning and risk mitigation.”

Make sure to do a little homework beyond reading the advisories.

All these experts unanimously agreed that government-issued advisories should only act as a starting point in understanding whether or not you should travel to a destination. “

“Astute travelers supplement State Department advisories with various sources of information,” Stewart said, who also recommends registering with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive real-time alerts. 

For Petrino, it’s also worth it to dive into a destination’s advisories before deciding to book—or not book—that upcoming trip.

“Security is layered,” Petrino said. “Most risks are manageable with the right mindset and preparation. Travel advisories are just one input … Monitor local news, talk to hotel staff, and stay flexible. And most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.”