• Afghanistan
• Belarus
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Russia
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to Brits advising against travel to nine countries due to severe safety and security risks. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides detailed information on safety, security, health concerns, entry requirements, and differences in law from the UK for 226 countries or territories. The latest guidance from the FCDO may lead to individuals facing danger and invalidating their travel insurance.

• Neglecting the guidance from the FCDO could place individuals in danger and also lead to invalidation of travel insurance.
• FCDO advice is available for 226 countries or territories.

The FCDO issues reasons for the foreign office’s directives to avoid particular destinations, including potential arrests, armed conflicts, natural disasters, and political turmoil. Depending on the severity of the conditions, the advice might range from avoiding “all travel” to a nation to excluding “all but essential travel”. It is crucial to consult the FCDO advice before planning any trips, as non-compliance can result in travel insurance cover being invalid.

The FCDO advises that the reasons for the Foreign Office’s directives to avoid particular destinations include potential arrests, armed conflicts, natural disasters, and political turmoil. In a recent development, nine countries have been added to the list of destinations where travel is strongly advised against due to severe safety and security risks. The FCDO provides detailed information on safety, security, health concerns, entry requirements, and any differences in law from the UK for 226 countries or territories. As reported by Express.co.uk, the reasons for the Foreign Office’s directives to avoid particular destinations include potential arrests, armed conflicts, natural disasters, and political turmoil. For example, in Afghanistan, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the extremely dangerous and volatile security environment. The FCDO states: “Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous and border crossings may not be open. There is an increased possibility of British nationals being detained in Afghanistan, a nation that has been governed by the Taliban since 2021.”
Similarly, in Belarus, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the significant risk of arrest for activities deemed illegal by the Belarusian authorities. The FCDO also cautions that there’s a “low risk” that the conflict in Ukraine could extend to Belarus, which is situated in Eastern Europe. In Haiti, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the volatile security situation and limited consular assistance. The absence of consular officials in Haiti means that assistance would be “severely limited”, according to the FCDO. In Iran, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the significant threat to British and British-Iranian dual nationals. The FCDO states: “Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.” The Foreign Office also warns that the British Government’s ability to assist those in “difficulty” in Iran is limited, noting that last year Iran launched missiles at Israel and was targeted in return. The FCDO advises against all travel to Libya due to the fragile security environment and intense fighting. The Foreign Office states: “The local security situation is fragile and can quickly deteriorate, with intense fighting starting without warning.” British nationals in Libya have received strong advice from the authorities: “Any travel to, from or within Libya is at your own risk. If you are a British national in Libya, we strongly advise you to consider leaving.”
Regarding Russia, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the high probability of terrorism, limited return flights, and limited governmental support capabilities. The FCDO states: “The unfolding circumstances due to the war in Ukraine put it onto the no-go list.”
In South Sudan, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the threats of armed violence and crime. Britons finding themselves in South Sudan are being told to leave amid warnings that the country’s political and security landscape “remains unpredictable”. Travel routes could be cut off if conditions in South Sudan worsen, leading to potential last-minute cancellations of flights. In Syria, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the conflict and the need to shelter in place until a “safe” exit route becomes apparent. In Yemen, the FCDO advises against all travel due to the high threat level and constant danger of abduction. The threat level is described as “heightened” in regions where Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and Islamic State-Yemen maintain tribal connections, particularly in areas such as Abyan, Marib, Hadramawt, and Shabwah. Potential terror attacks could target locations frequented by foreigners, encompassing hotels, supermarkets, airports, and other transportation hubs. Moreover, there exists a “constant” danger of Westerners being abducted throughout Yemen, with a “high” likelihood that terror factions might capture foreigners and sell them to AQAP, an organisation known for executing some of its hostages. Despite a de-facto ceasefire between the rebel Houthis and the Yemeni government, Yemen’s political and security landscape remains “uncertain and volatile”.