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Current Travel Warnings
Travel Warnings are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.
Tropical Storms Hanna and Ike 09/02/2008
Georgia 08/23/2008
Algeria 08/22/2008
Kenya 08/22/2008
Yemen 08/13/2008
Colombia 08/07/2008
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 07/23/2008
Timor-Leste 07/21/2008
Saudi Arabia 07/09/2008
Uzbekistan 07/03/2008
Chad 06/23/2008
Sri Lanka 06/13/2008
Iraq 06/13/2008
Eritrea 06/11/2008
Cote d'Ivoire 06/09/2008
Lebanon 05/30/2008
Somalia 05/20/2008
Nepal 05/07/2008
Haiti 04/30/2008
Burundi 04/22/2008
Syria 04/15/2008
Central African Republic 03/25/2008
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 03/19/2008
Sudan 03/14/2008
Philippines 02/13/2008
Afghanistan 02/06/2008
Iran 01/03/2008
Nigeria 10/30/2007
Pakistan 09/21/2007
This Travel Warning is being issued to urge U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands at this time due to the threat posed by Tropical Storm Hanna and Tropical Storm Ike. The Department of State authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and eligible family members of the U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas. The storm currently is affecting the Turks and Caicos and is predicted to pass over The Bahamas as a category 1 hurricane during the September 3 ? 4 timeframe. Tropical Storm Ike is expected to impact the Bahamas on September 6 - 9, 2008. Updates on the storms? tracks and intensities can be found at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/.
The U.S. Embassy in Nassau will be available early on Wednesday, September 3 for emergency American Citizens Services, but may suspend operations without notice. U.S. citizens in the central and northern Bahamas Islands likely to be impacted by Tropical Storms Hanna and Ike who do not have access to adequate and safe shelter should consider departing while commercial flights are still available. Seating capacity on commercial flights is extremely limited. Flights into and out of Nassau and Freeportinternational airports may be suspended at any time.
If staying in The Bahamas, U.S. citizens are urged to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. Visitors to The Bahamas should be familiar with their hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans, policies, or procedures. Please see the Hurricane Travel Alert regarding hurricane season, dated May 30, 2008, on the Department's website at http://travel.state.gov and http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/hurricane_season/hurricane_season_3795.html
U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents (e.g., U.S. passport, birth certificate, picture ID's, etc.) with them at all times or secure them by placing them in a safe, waterproof location. Additionally, all U.S. citizens in the area are reminded to stay in contact with friends and family in the United States to keep them apprised of their current whereabouts.
Americans living or traveling in The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.
Updated information on travel in The Bahamas may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States, or 1-202-501-4444 from abroad. For further information please consult the Country Specific Information for The Bahamas and The Turks and Caicos Islands available via the Internet at http://travel.state.gov or contact the U.S. Embassy in Nassau at(242) 322-1181, after hours (242-357-7004).
This Travel Warning updates information on the current security situation in Georgia to include the return of U.S. Embassy eligible family members to Tbilisi, the resumption of visa services, and the status of roads within the country. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning for Georgia issued August 12, 2008. The Department of State authorized the return of U.S. Embassy eligible family members to Tbilisi on August 23, 2008. However, since Russian troops remain in some parts of the country near Poti, Zugidi and Senaki as well as in the conflict zones, Embassy staff and family members will travel outside of Tbilisi only with the concurrence of the Regional Security Officer. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens in Georgia to exercise caution while traveling.
American citizens currently in Georgia are urged to continue to review their personal security situations to take appropriate action to ensure their safety. Given the recent upheaval in Georgia, American citizens should take precautions in case of an increase in violent crime. Private American citizens are encouraged to follow the precautions detailed below and to remain in close communication with the American Embassy in Tbilisi for more detailed information.
On August 10, 11, and 14 three Embassy-coordinated convoys departed Georgia for Armenia. There are no additional convoys currently scheduled at this time. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy suspended visa processing, but will resume visa services on August 27. The Peace Corps temporarily relocated trainees and volunteers to Armenia on August 11, however, the Peace Corps office in Tbilisi remains open for business.
American citizens in Georgia are advised to register with the Department of State on-line at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Travel in some parts of western Georgia remains unpredictable.
American citizens should monitor the U.S. Embassy website http://georgia.usembassy.gov and stay in contact with family and friends in the United States. American citizens in Tbilisi may also tune in to Radio Syndicati at FM 104.3 or throughout Georgia at Radio Green Wave at FM 107.4 for updated U.S. Embassy warden message information.
Family members and friends unable to verify the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens in the affected area should call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or from other areas via a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. U.S. citizens in the area are urged to monitor the local news. Those residing or traveling in Georgia are reminded to register with the U.S. Embassy either online at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or in person at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the embassy to contact them in case of emergency.
The U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi is located at 11 George Balanchine Street (in Didi Dighomi), Tbilisi 0131, Georgia, tel: 995-32-27-70-00. The after-hours emergency number is 995-99-57-39-69, or, if dialing locally on a mobile telephone, 899-57-39-69.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs internet web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Country Specific Information, and health information resources can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
This Travel Warning updates information on the current security situation in Algeria and warns American citizens against travel to the Kabylie region of the country.The threat from terrorism continues to pose a significant security risk.This supersedes the Travel Warning issued on March 26, 2008.
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens who travel to Algeria to evaluate carefully the risks posed to their personal safety.Terrorist attacks including bombings, false roadblocks, kidnappings, ambushes, and assassinations occur regularly.Since early 2007, the use of suicide bomb attacks, particularly vehicle-borne attacks, has emerged as a terrorist tactic in Algeria, including in the capital.The group that claimed credit for the December 11, 2007, suicide car-bomb attacks in Algiers has pledged more attacks against foreign targets, and specifically against American targets.
The Department of State warns American citizens against travel to the Kabylie region of Algeria.Since June 2008, the Kabylie region has seen a series of bombing and other terrorist attacks of increasing size and frequency, including a suicide car-bomb attack at a gendarmerie school in Issers on August 19 that killed at least 44 people.While many of the attacks have targeted Algerian security forces, other targets have included a bus transporting the employees of a foreign company, and many of the victims of the attacks have been civilians.
The Department of State recommends that U.S. citizens avoid overland travel in Algeria.Americans who reside or travel in Algeria should take prudent security measures while in the country, including making provisions for reliable and experienced logistical support.Visitors to Algeria are advised to stay only in hotels where adequate security is provided.All visitors to Algeria should remain alert and adhere to prudent security practices such as avoiding predictable travel patterns and maintaining a low profile.
The U.S. Government considers the potential threat to U.S. Embassy personnel assigned to Algiers sufficiently serious to require them to live and work under significant security restrictions.These practices limit, and may occasionally prevent, the movement of U.S. Embassy officials and the provision of consular services in certain areas of the country.The Government of Algeria requires U.S. Embassy personnel to seek permission to travel to the Casbah within Algiers or outside the province of Algiers and to have a security escort. Travel to the military zone established around the Hassi Messaoud oil center requires Government of Algeria authorization.Daily movement of Embassy personnel in Algiers is limited, and prudent security practices are required at all times.Travel by personnel within the city requires prior coordination with the Embassy's Regional Security Office.American visitors are encouraged to contact the Embassy's Consular Section for the most recent safety and security information concerning travel in the city of Algiers.
Americans living or traveling in Algeria are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Algiers through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Algeria.Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.The U.S. Embassy is located at 5 Chemin Cheikh Bachir El-Ibrahimi in the El Biar district of Algiers.The telephone number is [213] 770 08 20 00, which can also be reached after hours.The fax number is [213] 21 98 22 99.
Updated information on travel and security in Algeria may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Algeria and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on safety and security conditions in Kenya.The temporary suspension of the United States Peace Corps program in Kenya has been lifted and volunteers have now returned to the country.The U.S. Department of State continues to recommend that private American citizens in Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing threats from terrorism and crime.This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning of March 21, 2008.
Current Situation
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The power-sharing agreement signed on February 28 has been widely accepted throughout Kenya; parliament ratified it on March 18. Implementation of the agreement is proceeding and members of the coalition government continue to adhere to the terms of the accord.The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi will continue to monitor the political climate and update travel information for American citizens as necessary.
Crime and Terrorist Acts
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Kenya has a high rate of violent crime and remains susceptible to attacks from terrorists in the region.The U.S. Government continues to receive indications of potential terrorist threats aimed at American, western, and Kenyan interests.Terrorist acts could include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings, attacks on civil aviation, and attacks on maritime vessels in or near Kenyan ports.Many of those responsible for the attacks on the U.S. Embassy in 1998 and on a hotel in Mombasa in 2002 remain at large and continue to operate in the region.
Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings and home invasions/burglaries, can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in Nairobi.As recently as June 2008, U.S. Embassy personnel were victims of carjackings.In the short-term, the continued displacement of thousands of people by the recent civil unrest combined with endemic poverty and the availability of weapons could result in an increase in crime, both petty and violent.Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate such acts or prosecute perpetrators.
American citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship.Americans should also remain alert in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya are encouraged to register through the State Department?s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; fax (254) (20) 363-6410.In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254) (20) 363-6170.The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Kenya may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444.For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Kenya and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.