Travel Alerts & Warnings

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What is a Travel Alert?
The U.S. Department of State issues Travel Alertsfor short-term events they think travelers should be aware of when planning a trip. Typically, Travel Alerts will be issued due to a volatile election season with strikes, demonstrations or disturbances; a health alert like an outbreak of H1N1; or evidence of risk of terrorist attacks. Once the short-term events have settled, the U.S. Department of State will cancel the Travel Alert.

What is a Travel Warning?
The U.S. Department of State issues Travel Warnings when they want travelers to carefully consider traveling to a specific country. Typically, the U.S. Department of State will issues these warnings due to unstable governments, civil war, ongoing intense crime or violence, or terrorist attacks. Travel Warnings remain in place, sometimes for years, until the situation in the country changes. Travel Warnings are designed to strongly urge travelers to reconsider travel plans to a country.