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The Difference Between a Travel Alert and a Travel Advisory

Determine if your trip is still on after a travel alert or "do not travel" advisory from the U.S. State Department.

The U.S. State Department issues travel advisories to every country around the world. Each advisory is ranked on a scale that includes four standard levels of advice, from "Exercise normal precautions" to "Do not travel." When an alert or "do not travel" advisory includes a destination you were planning to visit, you likely have questions and concerns. But before you imagine the worst-case scenario and cancel a trip, here's what you need to know.

First of all, a travel alert is different from a travel advisory, and the biggest difference between the two is time. According to the State Department , an alert is issued by U.S. embassies and consulates abroad "to inform U.S. citizens of specific safety and security concerns in a country." Temporary situations, such as a disease outbreak, a public demonstration, or a weather event are among the things that could lead to a travel alert.

Travel advisories take into consideration more ongoing issues, like civil unrest or a rise in crime. When that happens, the U.S. State Department will rank that country a three or a four because it wants you to either reconsider travel or not travel at all . If a country is ranked one or two on the travel advisory scale, then you may feel free to travel but exercise caution and be aware of any heightened risks.

For example, Russia currently has a level four travel advisory due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, while a Labor Day demonstration in Greece got an alert even though the country's travel advisory level is one.

Although this information should never be taken lightly, understanding the events behind both alerts and warnings will give travelers context for planning their own itinerary. One thing to remember is that not every part of a continent or country with a high travel advisory is dangerous.

"Countries generally don't fit in a one-size-fits-all category," John Rendeiro, former Vice President of Global Security and Intelligence at International SOS, told USA Today back in 2016 . "Variable levels of risks exist within countries, as there are safer and more dangerous parts of the United States as well."

As an example from personal experience, I recently visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although the U.S. government advises "to reconsider travel to the DRC due to crime and civil unrest," I visited the country's Virunga National Park, but I didn't blow off the recommendations. Prior to finalizing my plans, I e-mailed the park directly, and through our correspondence, a ranger assured me that a member of the park's team would escort me into the Congo at the border and I'd be accompanied by an armed guard throughout the entire trek. Overall, the park was extremely well run and I had no issues doing what I came to do: see the gorillas.

After being a few feet away from a gorilla family and watching one of the babies spin from a tree branch, I'd say it was one of the best experiences I've ever had.

No matter where travelers go, they should always prioritize their safety and exercise caution. When in a foreign country, keep in mind the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and the long list of U.S. embassies worldwide, which are there to help and inform citizens about how to handle themselves when visiting other countries.

Everything you need to know about State Department travel advisories

When traveling abroad, the top concern for many Americans is safety.

Whether it is due to ongoing conflict, special events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics , natural disasters like a volcano currently erupting in Iceland or an uptick in crime , conditions of countries can change rapidly, affecting both travelers and locals.

To help keep American travelers safe, the U.S. Department of State issues and maintains travel advisories for U.S. citizens based on current circumstances.

These advisories can be particularly helpful for first-time and younger travelers, though the agency encourages all people to review them for their desired destination ahead of travel.

What are travel advisories based on?

Although travel warnings originate from the State Department and live on its website , they are a joint effort between the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services and U.S. consulates and embassies worldwide.

"We've got our diplomats and consular officers on the ground in all those places, who have more up-to-date information than anyone in Washington could have," said Angela Kerwin, deputy assistant secretary for Overseas Citizens Services, during a Zoom interview Thursday. "But we use a variety of information in order to look at the criteria that go into our travel advisories around the world."

In addition to crime reports, nongovernmental organization reports and those from international organizations such as the United Nations, the government considers nine risk factors in determining the level at which each country's advisory should be set:

• C — Crime : Widespread violence or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.
• T — Terrorism : Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups or other targets may exist.
• U — Civil Unrest : Political, economic, religious and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions and/or safety risks.
• H — Health : Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country's medical infrastructure. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Health Notice may also be a factor.
• N — Natural Disaster : A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.
• E — Time-limited Event : Short-term events, such as elections, sporting events or other incidents that may pose safety risks.
• K — Kidnapping or Hostage Taking : Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.
• D — Wrongful Detention : The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals exists.
• O — Other : Potential risks are not covered by previous risk indicators. Read the country's travel advisory for details.

Although the most recently added category, Wrongful Detention, only applies to a handful of countries, it's an important criterion for travelers to note when a country has detained a U.S. citizen without cause.

Level 1 to 4 tiered warning system

Based on that nine-rubric system, plus reports and input from U.S. consulates and embassies in these countries, the agency assigns each country a Level 1 to 4 tiered warning , with 1 being the lowest level, indicating relative safety, and 4 being the highest, meaning travelers should not visit.

Level 1: Exercise normal precautions

This is the lowest level a country can achieve, making it among the safest for Americans to visit. As with any travel, there is always some risk, so every country will always have at least a Level 1 advisory.

Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Under a Level 2 designation, a country has increased safety or security risks, but they likely won't preclude you from traveling there.

Level 3: Reconsider travel

A Level 3 advisory tells travelers to potentially defer trips to the country in question, as serious potential risks exist.

Level 4: Do not travel

The most serious advisories are Level 4 recommendations, which alert you to avoid travel to designated countries and areas due to a greater threat of potentially life-threatening risks and limited resources to help Americans.

What else to know about travel advisories

In addition to the State Department's general travel advisory, a country's information page will also provide any timely alerts from the corresponding U.S. embassy and/or consulate to consider.

There are also certain countries where the agency can provide "carve-outs" to communicate information related to specific areas or regions within a particular country.

"Perhaps the country itself is a Level 3 country, but there is one particular border area that has ongoing kinetic activity of some sort, and we'd say that would be a Level 4," Kerwin explained.

These carve-outs are most often found in Mexico , as the U.S. shares a border with the country and more Americans travel to Mexico for tourism than elsewhere.

"Mexico is a special case. We also have more U.S. consulates than we do in any other country in the world, and for that reason, we are able to provide state-by-state travel advisory levels in Mexico," Kerwin said. "[With] other countries around the world, [we] just simply don't have the ability to have that level of detail; the specificity is greater for Mexico."

Because data is the main source of information for crafting these advisories, not all alerts can be created equally.

"It is impossible to say that we can apply all nine criteria exactly the same in country A as we do in country B. You're going to have more statistical data of a reliable type for ... Germany than you would Chad," Kerwin explained. "So to compare the exact same report for Germany with the exact same report for Chad is not something that makes sense because it's generally not going to be available."

In those cases, the government relies on its embassies and consulates, which are present in most of these countries, to help inform its alerts.

"We've got people on the ground who are often best positioned to help us evaluate the number of kidnappings, the level of civil unrest, how many terrorist attacks reported or not reported," she said.

Note that a lack of readily available or accurate data doesn't make the country inherently riskier or more dangerous for travelers.

"It just means that we don't have the exact type of data that we would have in another country," Kerwin said. "We would have to rely more heavily on embassy reporting and our folks there, but it does not necessarily mean it is a more dangerous country."

Does a Level 4 alert mean I should avoid traveling there?

In short, the answer is yes.

At the time of publication, there were 19 countries with Level 4 alerts, per the State Department.

"These are the places we deem as the most dangerous for U.S. citizens to travel to, and we would really like U.S. citizens to look at other destinations," Kerwin said. In part, that's because of the limited consular or embassy services available in these places should an American need help.

"Every U.S. citizen gets to make up their own mind on where they want to travel. That's all we can do as a government," she continued. "If a U.S. citizen finds themselves in a situation where they need to travel to one of these countries for whatever reason, we would ask that they look at our travel advisories in advance, read our country information sheet. We would certainly recommend if we have a functioning embassy, that they save that information on their phone so they can contact the embassy if necessary."

But overall, travelers should avoid traveling to Level 4 countries if possible.

"Each of these Level 4 countries will tell you what our concerns are with these countries and [that] our criteria has been met," Kerwin said. "We believe it is quite dangerous to go there."

How often are State Department travel advisories updated?

When viewing a travel advisory, you'll note at the top the date it was last updated, as alerts are updated on a rolling basis.

Generally speaking, Level 4 and Level 3 alerts are updated at least once every six months, while Level 1 and Level 2 alerts are examined at least once per year, pending evolving circumstances.

"If something changes or some precipitating event, we would do it earlier as needed," Kerwin said.

For example, on Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Reykjavik issued its own alert regarding a volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland that morning. When embassy alerts are issued for isolated events in a particular region of a country, it does not necessarily reflect the overall level of the country as a whole.

Despite the volcano warning, Iceland remained at Level 1 , as it has since July. If it had been a more widespread eruption affecting general European air travel, that would have prompted the agency to update the travel advisory as a whole.

"Right now, by sending out that security alert, we're saying stay away from the volcano, but if you wanna go have dinner in Reykjavik, follow our regular information we have on our travel advisory," Kerwin said.

That volcano alert also went out via the agency's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program , which sends relevant security updates from the nearest U.S. Consulate, and which Kerwin advised travelers to enroll in as another way to stay safe abroad.

"So anybody who is registered in STEP traveling to or who is living in Iceland would've gotten an email to say, 'Hey, be aware the volcano erupted again today, we're watching it closely; pay attention,'" she explained. "We have those various security alerts that we can send out at any time in a country based on late-breaking events."

Special events, such as the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, will also trigger additional and/or more frequent alerts.

"We will be paying special attention to that. We expect there will be a large number of U.S. citizens that are headed in that direction to cheer on our team, and we want to make sure that we are giving them the best information we can about their time when they're traveling," Kerwin said.

Other things to consider when traveling abroad

As with travel in general, the State Department advises Americans heading overseas to prepare in advance.

"We have a slogan we've been using, and I like it; it's called 'travel smart from the start,' and that starts even before you decide what destination," Kerwin said. That slogan applies to details like checking that you have enough validity on your passport (most countries require six months at the time of entry) and buying travel insurance.

Kerwin also advises procuring the contact information for the nearest U.S. government presence (i.e., the embassy or consulate) via the State Department's list of U.S. embassies and consulates .

"Jot down on paper, take a picture on your phone and save the U.S. Embassy/Consulate phone number or email address so you can get in contact with us if there's a problem," she said. "And always be aware of your surroundings ... a heightened level of awareness ... is important for travelers no matter where they're going."

Bottom line

With travel comes an inherent risk, and the government aims to help travelers remain safe domestically and abroad.

While the decision to travel is ultimately up to the traveler, these travel advisories should be taken seriously.

"Our goal is to always provide the best advice and information we can for U.S. citizens so they can make their decisions as to where they wish they travel," Kerwin said.

Therefore, heed these travel warnings from the State Department via U.S. embassies, consulates and the department's STEP program.

"The final thing — and this is an important one — is to have fun," Kerwin added. "Travel is fantastic — you get to see new cultures, and you get to experience new languages and beautiful countries and beautiful cities. We want U.S. citizens to travel and have fun on their adventures around the world."

Related reading:

• Cancun travel advisory: State Department issues warning to US travelers heading to Mexico
• The difference between CDC and State Department travel warnings
• US issues worldwide travel advisory — here's what you should know
• Finally: US passport processing back to pre-pandemic time frame

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Is it safe to go there? The U.S. travel advisory system, explained

If you’re planning an international trip, here’s how to use the State Department’s country-by-country guide to minimize your risk of encountering crime, violence, or civil unrest.

On October 19, the U.S. Department of State issued a rare advisory that Americans overseas “exercise increased caution” due to heightened tensions and chances of terrorism around the world, spurred by the Israel-Hamas war. It’s part of a system of travel warnings that’s been around in some form since 1978, designed to help citizens assess how safe a destination might be at a given time.

The current version of the system, which launched in 2018, gives fluid rankings from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), indicating how risky countries (and in some cases, regions) are for Americans to visit. Rankings are based on factors such as crime rates, civil unrest, and the threat of terrorism. They are meant to give “clear, timely, and reliable information about every country in the world so they can make informed travel decisions,” says a State Department spokesperson.  

Not surprisingly, on October 14, the State Department moved Israel and the West Bank to Level 3 (reconsider travel) and Gaza to Level 4.  

Here’s how the advisories work and how to use them.

What is a travel advisory?

The U.S. State Department inaugurated the travel advisory system in 1978, initially aiming warnings at airlines and travel companies. The system was scrutinized after the 1988 bombing of a Pan Am flight from London to New York , which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland , killing all 259 passengers and crew plus 11 people on the ground.  

Investigations found U.S. authorities had been aware of a credible threat to a Pan Am flight but hadn’t informed the public. In response, the media and consular offices began issuing travel warnings. In 2018 the U.S. introduced its current four-tier advisory system. There are near-identical versions in Canada , Australia , and New Zealand .

To determine rankings, the State Department considers a nation’s political volatility, crime trends, medical care standards, and the threat of kidnappings or terrorism. (Politics also ends up playing an unspoken role.) Some countries, such as Russia , receive a Level 4 ranking partly because the U.S. government may have limited ability to assist citizens there. Others rise to Level 4 due to a crisis, such as the military coup that recently rocked Niger .  

When the travel advisory system relaunched in 2018, it also included state-by-state evaluations for Mexico , which draws more than 11 million American travelers a year. “Some Mexican states are quite safe for U.S. tourists, while others are riskier due to narco-trafficking violence,” says Ryan Larsen , executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement at Western Washington University. Yucatán and Campeche states are currently at Level 1, while six other Mexican states are at Level 4, including Sinaloa.

( Solo female travelers share tips for staying safe on the road .)

Epidemics and natural disasters also can prompt a travel advisory number to rise. Americans may be prompted to reconsider visiting a country recovering from a tsunami or major wildfires, since their presence could hinder rehabilitation efforts. This occurred after the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey . Such advisories can remain in place for weeks or months.

The strictest-ever advisories came in April 2021, amid the COVID-19 pandemic , says Larsen, who did a thesis   on U.S. travel warnings. At that time, about 80 percent of the world’s countries were at Level 4.

At press time, about 70 percent of the world’s countries were rated Level 1 or Level 2 by the State Department, indicating they’re relatively safe. There are currently 21 countries at Level 3 and 21 at Level 4.

How to use travel advisories

Before booking an international trip, consult the State Department website to see where your destination ranks. While Level 1 and 2 countries are considered relatively safe, you should still register with the U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) . This lets Americans overseas use their smartphone to receive travel advisory updates and alerts about emerging dangers in their destination (protests, extreme weather).

Level 3 countries are considered more dangerous for foreign visitors, who should “reconsider travel,” according to the State Department. If you are headed to a Level 3 country, which currently includes Pakistan and Colombia , do wider research on its safety and on the places you’ll visit there, advises Jun Wen , a professor of tourism at Australia’s Edith Cowan University. For instance, while some remote areas in the Colombian Amazon still suffer from drug-related violence, cities such as Cartagena and Medellín are relatively safe. Going on a fully guided group or individual tour can also help you navigate destinations where political unrest or crime might impact your safety.

Travelers should study not only the advisories provided by their own country, but also by the U.S., United Kingdom, and Australia to broaden their understanding of the risks in Level 3 countries, Wen says. As for Level 4 countries, that “Do Not Travel” advice couldn’t be any clearer.

Other countries also issue warnings to their citizens about visiting the U.S. Canada recently informed its LGBTQ travelers they may be affected by laws in certain U.S. states. Australia, meanwhile, cautions its citizens visiting the U.S. to be wary of higher crime rates and gun violence, and even to learn safety strategies for active shooter scenarios.

People who visit countries with Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisories don’t just risk their safety. They also may have travel insurance complications, says Linchi Kwok , tourism management professor at California State Polytechnic University Pomona.

( How travel insurance can—and can’t—help when your plans change .)

They must pay much higher premiums, and their insurance can be invalidated if the advisory for their destination is elevated. “Medical coverage can be minimal, too, particularly if the travel advisory is put up against a disease or an outbreak,” says Kwok. “I encourage Americans to think twice before they travel to Level 3 and especially Level 4 destinations.”

Warnings and their impact on tourism

Travel advisories can be biased, Larsen argues. His research found that, while the U.S. didn’t often overstate the risk of travel to countries with which it had poor relations, it did often understate the danger of visiting nations that were its close allies. Elevating a travel advisory can stoke diplomatic tensions between two countries. Once a country is raised to Level 3 or 4, many tourists will avoid visiting, and many American universities won’t let students join study abroad programs.

The economic ramifications of a level change impact individual businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and travel agencies. For instance, J 2   adventures , a Jewish-focused tour company, saw most of its fall group trips to Israel canceled after the start of the Israel-Hamas war (and the higher advisory level), says cofounder Guy Millo. “This is not just because of the violence on the ground, but because of practical considerations like accessibility of commercial airline flights,” he says. “Most tourists from North America and places around the globe simply couldn’t get here even if they wanted to.”  

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What Every Traveler Should Know About Travel Advisories and Alerts

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

These days, you’re probably not planning a trip to Iraq or Afghanistan—most nations are currently advising citizens against all non-essential travel to these countries. And due to the current COVID-19 outbreak , governments around the world are issuing even more travel advisories and alerts than usual.

Though global crises such as pandemics should always be taken seriously, not every government travel warning means you need to immediately cancel a trip to a particular part of the world. In fact, within the past few years the governments of the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. have released travel advisories and alerts about the following popular tourist destinations: Thailand, Mexico, China, India, and even the United States.

Before you decide to avoid these countries altogether, it’s worth taking a closer look at what a government’s travel advisories and alerts mean, why they’re released, and how to evaluate them.

What Is a Travel Advisory?

Governments issue travel advisories to let their citizens know about safety concerns that may affect travel to a particular country or region. Travel advisories may also note parts of the world where a government does not have the ability to respond to the problems of citizens traveling there—for example, if the government doesn’t have an embassy in a particular country, or if the functioning of its embassy is threatened by local violence.

In the United States, travel advisories are issued by the State Department.

The State Department’s travel advisories detail a variety of potential risks in a given destination, including terrorism, natural disasters, political unrest, wars, health concerns, and outbreaks of crime. The State Department offers travel advisories for all countries across the globe, along with a risk level for each on a scale of one (“exercise normal precautions”) to four (“do not travel”). In some cases, certain regions of a country may have a higher rating than the country as a whole.

The State Department uses eight different letters to denote the reasons for its travel advisory levels:

• T: Terrorism
• U: Civil unrest
• H: Health risks
• N: Natural disaster
• E: Time-limited event
• K: Kidnapping or hostage taking

Travel advisories may remain static for months at a time, or they may change rapidly when circumstances demand.

Governments occasionally publish global or worldwide travel advisories in extraordinary circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic , which pushed countries such as the United States, Canada, and New Zealand to advise their citizens against any non-essential international travel.

What Is a Travel Alert?

Travel alerts are issued to cover “specific safety and security concerns in a country, such as demonstrations, crime trends, and weather events,” according to the State Department . Alerts often come from embassies and consulates and may cover breaking news or shorter-term problems for travelers.

Alerts don’t necessarily mean “don’t travel,” but rather contain information that’s worth knowing about so you are prepared.

Unlike travel advisories, which can remain in place for months, alerts tend to be much shorter-lived; most alerts on the State Department’s country pages are less than a month old.

How to Evaluate Travel Advisories and Alerts

In general, a travel advisory—no matter how strongly worded—cannot legally stop you from traveling to a particular place. After reading an advisory, it is up to you to decide whether to heed or ignore the advice, and to determine whether your planned trip is essential or not. While your government will usually try to help you if you run into trouble abroad, you will always be traveling at your own risk.

Not all travel warnings are created equal. When deciding how seriously to take a particular travel advisory, below are a few questions to ask yourself.

Is the Entire Country Affected?

In many cases, violence, unrest, or natural disasters are confined to a particular region while the rest of the country is still safe and welcoming to tourists. For example, in recent years the U.K. has cautioned visitors against traveling in Gulf Coast states of the U.S. during hurricane season. And while Mexico’s recent struggles with violence are well publicized, government warnings apply only to select states; many popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera have remained safe.

While your well-being always comes first, keep in mind that the fallout from an isolated act of violence can affect an entire country’s tourist industry—and have a disproportionate effect on the economy of a developing nation.

What’s the Danger?

For travel advisories dealing with violence or terrorism, pay attention to what kind of attacks are taking place and who the targets are. Assaults that specifically pinpoint foreign tourists should raise a bigger red flag than civil unrest among locals. If violence generally happens away from primary tourist locations, there may be less risk for visitors.

How Up to Date Is the Warning?

If you’re looking at a travel alert that’s more than a few months old, it may be worth doing a little research to check the current situation on the ground and see if there’s been any improvement. The websites of international newspapers are often a good source of accurate and up-to-date information. Searching Google News can help you find these. (Compare multiple sources to avoid being taken in by less reputable publications.)

Is the Warning Corroborated by Other Governments?

To get a fuller sense of what’s happening in a particular country, check travel warnings from multiple sources (see our links below). Critics have speculated that some advisories are unduly influenced by politics, so checking a U.S. advisory against a Canadian or an Australian one can give you a fresh perspective—or confirm that a threat is cause for a change in your travel plans.

Will You Have a Safety Net?

Find out whether your home country has an embassy or consulate in the place you want to visit, and make sure it’s fully staffed and functioning. If the worst happens, you don’t want to be stranded in a foreign country without an embassy to help with emergency evacuation or to get you in contact with family and friends at home.

Is Travel Insurance an Option?

Keep in mind that travel insurance may not cover you in all countries or circumstances. According to TripInsuranceStore.com , most policies do not cover acts of war, riots, or civil disorder. Other exclusions apply too, so read your policy carefully before purchasing.

Travel Insurance Coverage: 17 Things Your Policy Won’t Cover

What Happens If You Decide to Ignore Travel Advisories

Each year, many tourists choose to visit certain countries despite their government’s warnings. If you decide to do the same, consider taking the following safety precautions.

Register Yourself

Let your government know when and where you will be traveling so that you can be reached in an emergency. U.S. citizens can register themselves here ; Canadians can do so here . Other countries have similar programs.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with family or friends at home so that they know where you’re supposed to be and when. Stay in touch on a regular basis by email, phone, text, or Skype.

Stay Informed

It can be tempting to take a complete break from the world when you’re on vacation, but if you’re in a place where conditions are unstable, you’ll want to keep yourself posted on what’s happening by following the news on your phone.

Be Prepared

Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Find your home country’s embassy or consulate in the area you’ll be visiting and store its contact details in your phone. But be aware of what the embassy—and your home government—can and cannot do. (For example, if you’re injured, the State Department can help you find medical assistance in your destination, but you or your relatives will have to foot the bill.)

Protect Yourself

Purchase a travel insurance policy after reading carefully to see what is and isn’t covered. Consider getting a policy with a “cancel for any reason” option so you can back out of your trip without penalty if you feel uneasy. Check out 10 Smart Ways to Carry Money While Traveling to help shield yourself against crime. Finally, do your research; read up on the political or cultural situation of the area you’re visiting and know exactly which threats you might face.

How to Be Safe and Culturally Sensitive When You Travel

Where to Find Travel Warnings, Advisories, and Alerts

Below are a few governments offering travel advisories in English. (Keep in mind that the State Department does not offer information about U.S. territories such as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, so you’ll need to turn to foreign governments for any advisories about these destinations.)

• United States
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand

The downside of travel alerts and advisories is that they can strike more fear into travelers than necessary. But read as a precaution, travel warnings and alerts can provide even the most seasoned travelers with the latest information, and are a good refresher for how to handle an emergency should you encounter one.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 6 Ways to Get Home Safely from Abroad in an Emergency
• What to Do If You’re Caught in an Emergency Overseas
• The One Thing You Need to Add into Your Phone Before Traveling Abroad

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Follow Sarah Schlichter on Twitter @TravelEditor for more travel tips and inspiration.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2017. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Kate Sitarz contributed to this story.

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CONSULAR INFORMATION PROGRAM

(CT:CON-1005;   04-09-2024) (Office of Origin:  CA/OCS)

7 FAM 010 APPENDIX A  SUMMARY AND AUTHORITIES

7 FAM 011 Appendix A  What is the Consular Information Program?

(CT:CON-772;   01-05-2018)

a. One of the U.S. Department of State's highest priorities is to protect the safety and security of U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad.

b. The Consular Information Program (CIP) is a public outreach program through which the Department of State, through the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA), and U.S. embassies and consulates, inform U.S. citizens and nationals of potential threats to their health or safety abroad and provide information about consular services. 

(1)  The CIP includes all public consular information disseminated by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) and U.S. embassies and consulates to inform U.S. citizens.  The CIP provides centralized coordination and management of information products, dissemination methods, and clearance processes.  CIP products include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a)  Travel Advisories;

(b)  Country Information:  International Travel, Adoption, and Abduction;

(c)  General Information:  Special events, weather events, health issues, and local holidays;

(d)  Worldwide Cautions;

(e)  Alerts;

(f)   Routine Information:  Town hall meeting notices, voting information, federal benefits, and information about U.S. citizens' legal obligations (taxes, selective service registration).

(2)  Sub-sections below provide detailed information on drafting, clearing and disseminating specific types of CIP products. 

c.  All information provided to the public through the CIP represents the Department's objective assessment of conditions in a given country based on reliable information available at the time of publishing, as reported by posts, various Department bureaus, other U.S. government agencies and departments, foreign governments, and credible open sources.

d. Information provided through the CIP, including Travel Advisories and Alerts for U.S. citizens, is based on the overall assessment of the situation in country.  By necessity, this analysis is undertaken without regard to political or economic considerations .  See 7 FAM 014 Appendix A Working With the Host Government.

7 FAM 012 Appendix A  Authorities

a. The Department's Consular Information Program is not mandated by statute, but relevant U.S. laws include those codified at: 

(1) 22 U.S.C. 2651a (Organization of the Department of State);

(2)  22 U.S.C. 2656 (Management of foreign affairs);

(3)  22 U.S.C. 2656e (Terrorism-related travel advisories);

(4)  22 U.S.C. 2615 (Procedures regarding major disasters and incidents abroad affecting United States citizens);

(6)  22 U.S.C. 4802 (Responsibility of Secretary of State);

(6)  22 U.S.C. 1731 (Protection to Naturalized Citizens Abroad);

(7)  22 U.S.C. 9227 (Travel recommendations for United States citizens to North Korea); and

(8)  49 U.S.C. 44905 (Information about threats to civil aviation)

b. Additional relevant authorities include:

(1)  Department Delegation of Authority 78, from the Secretary to the (now) Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs (technical direction for the consular program of the Foreign Service, including protection and welfare of American citizens and interests);

(2)  22 CFR 71.1 (Protection of Americans abroad);

(3)  22 CFR 71.6 (Services to distressed Americans); and

(4)  Executive Order 12656 (Assignment of Emergency Preparedness Responsibilities)

c.  In June 2003, the Department's report to Congress on actions taken in response to the Amman, Jordan Accountability Review Board (ARB) undertook to review Consular Information Program documents “to ensure there are no political statements" and that documents "reiterate personal security safeguards and the need to be vigilant"; The report provided that "the Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs will be authorized to determine the final wording of the Consular Information Program documents.”

7 FAM 013 Appendix A  Roles and Responsibilities

(CT:CON-925;   05-05-2022)

a. The Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs has overall responsibility for the Consular Information Program (CIP), to include supervising and managing the program, and is authorized to determine the final wording of all products. 

b. The Department expects all posts, regional bureaus, and appropriate functional bureaus to cooperate fully in and with the CIP.

c.  Within the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Directorate of Overseas Citizens Services (CA/OCS) has primary responsibility for the CIP.  ( 1 FAM 255 c.)

d. Roles of DS, CT, MED, INR, EB, T, OES, DRL :  The Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT), Bureau of Medical Services (MED), Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB), Office of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security (T), Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), and Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) should inform CA/OCS of conditions that may warrant inclusion on an International Travel Country Information page or that may necessitate a Travel Advisory change, Alert, or new web page.

e. Role of Posts :  To ensure that the Department and posts avoid providing contradictory information to U.S. citizens and nationals, post must coordinate with the Department on public dissemination of information.  The consular section, the Regional Security Officer (RSO), other U.S. government sources, and at times the Public Affairs Section (PAS), must establish and adhere to standard operating procedures that ensure close coordination on disseminating information to the official and private U.S. citizen communities.  Post need not send notices to the official and private communities at the same time.  However, once a post distributes a security notice to the official community that might trigger a security alert to the private community in accordance with the No Double Standard policy, post should endeavor to clear and distribute as quickly as possible.  See 7 FAM 050 for further details about the No Double Standard policy.

f.  Roles of Other U.S. Government Agencies :  Other U.S. government agencies may also contribute information about conditions that CA may consider for inclusion in consular products.  For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have contributed to CIP documents related to certain health hazards. 

g. Travel Advisory Review Committee (TARC):  The Travel Advisory Review Committee (TARC) reviews the need for a change in the advice level(s) for a country due to threat information provided by Diplomatic Security or others.  When security information comes to light, the TARC uses decision point criteria to decide if a country’s Travel Advisory should be adjusted.   Intra-Department disputes will be raised within the TARC and will be resolved to the extent possible through consensus, with the Under Secretary for Management (M) being the final arbiter.  The TARC is chaired by CA and standing committee members will include representatives from:

·          Bureau of Diplomatic Security, (DS/TIA/ITA);

·          Post’s regional bureau;

·          The Office of the Under Secretary for Political Affairs;

·          The Office of the Under Secretary for Management;

·          Representatives from other bureaus as appropriate based on the threat, to include:

·          Coordinator for Counter Terrorism (CT), when the threat is terrorism related;

·          Medical Services, when the threat is health related;

·          Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB/TRA/OP), if there are aviation issues;

·          The Office of the Legal Advisor for Consular Affairs (L/CA), when there are legal issues;

·          The Office of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security (T), when there is a nuclear issue;

·          Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), when the threat is environmental; and

·          Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), if threat presents human rights concerns, such as LGBTI issues.

7 FAM 014 Appendix A  Working With the Host Government

a. Consular safety and security products are not indicative of our bilateral relations with a country.  They are part of our commitment to protect U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad. 

b. Consular safety and security information products are apolitical.  The analysis of safety and security risks to U.S. citizens must be undertaken without regard to political or economic considerations.  Host country officials occasionally express concern, dismay, or resentment about the U.S. government’s public dissemination of CIP materials, including information regarding their country's safety and security issues.  Consular officers may explain that the Department has no higher responsibility than the safety and security of U.S. citizens, and that we share information to assist U.S. citizens to make informed decisions about their own safety and actions within the country. 

c.  Posts and regional offices may inform the host government in the capital and through missions in the United States up to72 hours in advance of the release of a CIP product.  If special circumstances exist requiring more advance notice, post/desk must seek prior permission from CA/OCS Managing Director through the CA/OCS/ACS regional division.  

d. When engaging the host government, you must make clear that the CIP product update is intended to assist U.S. citizens to make informed decisions about their own safety and actions within the country.  Advance notice of the release of a CIP product is a courtesy; these products are never subject to negotiation with or censoring by the foreign government.  Post leadership should take advantage of conversations regarding CIP products to highlight fact patterns indicating heightened risk to U.S. citizens and to suggest actions that could diminish such risk in the future.  It is important to stress that it is the observed results of any actions the host country takes, rather than the actions themselves, that will prompt future changes in CIP risk assessments.

e. As the decision to issue a CIP product and how to convey information must be undertaken without regard to political or economic considerations, posts must not allow adjacent concerns to color the decision of whether to issue information products or how information is presented.

7 FAM 020 appendix A  NO DOUBLE STANDARD POLICY AND THE CONSULAR INFORMATION PROGRAM

 (CT:CON-904;   04-21-2021)

See 7 FAM 050 for guidance about the No Double Standard Policy.  For questions about the No Double Standard policy, contact L/CA.

7 FAM 030 Appendix A  DRAFTING AND DISSEMINATING CONSULAR INFORMATION PRODUCTS

7 FAM 031 Appendix A  CA Style Guide

a. Drafters should follow all Department and CA guidance when drafting or editing documents, including the use of plain language.  See the CA style guide for guidance on plain language.  Drafters are to follow these guidelines:  

(1)  Write with audience in mind.  Make concise, clear points in short sentences; paragraphs should be no longer than four sentences.

(2)  Use “you” (second person voice) to address readers directly, rather than “U.S. citizens” or “people” (third person voice) when possible.  Likewise, use “we” (first person voice) rather than “the Department of State” or “the Embassy/Consulate.”

(3)  Determine what information is vital and keep that information at the top of the page.  Use bold text to emphasize key points; do not underline text or use italics.  Cut extraneous information.  Link directly to other U.S. government agencies' websites, such as the CDC, instead of summarizing information from other sources.

(4)  Use bullets to break up text and display lists in a more user-friendly format.

7 FAM 032 Appendix A  Dissemination of Consular Information Products

Travel Advisories, Country Information, Worldwide Cautions, General Information, Alerts, and Routine Messages are disseminated widely both abroad and in the United States.  Methods of distribution include the following:

a. CA internet website: travel.state.gov (TSG)

(1)  CA/OCS maintains the website pages on OCS topics.  Inquiries and content update requests can be sent to [email protected].  Officers requiring after-hours TSG content updates should call the OCS duty officer.

(2)  Banners:  CA/OCS can leverage the Emergency Alert Banner function on TSG, allowing the team to post low, medium, and high priority information across any or all pages on TSG.

b. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP):  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a digital service through which U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad can enroll to receive Alerts, routine messages, and Travel Advisories for the countries they select.  STEP also helps posts to locate citizens in an emergency.  STEP is maintained by CA/CST and managed by CA/OCS.  See 7 FAM 040 .

c.  MASCOT:  The Message Alert System for Citizens Overseas Tool (MASCOT) is an application that allows consular staff to send Alerts, routine messages, and Travel Advisories to U.S. citizen travelers who enrolled a trip in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) or within a particular consular district. 

(1)  Overseas and domestic consular staff can disseminate messages through MASCOT by accessing it through the Consular Consolidated Database (CCD). 

(2)  MASCOT's key features include:  Pulling email addresses of active registrants automatically, allowing posts or CA/OCS to send messages on behalf of other posts, creation of custom templates, creating custom distribution lists for specific warden zones, and tracking the delivery of messaging.

d. Post website:  Embassy websites are hosted by the Office of International Programs (IIP) and managed at each post by the Public Affairs Section.  These websites are a primary source of information for U.S. citizens in the country.

e. Social Media:  Social media is a valuable tool for routine, safety, and crisis messaging.  Each post manages its own social media platforms, and CA/P manages the CA Bureau social media platforms.  CA/P offers support for post social media crisis communications.

(1)  Post Social Media:  The post Public Affairs Section manages social media accounts. In consultation with the Public Affairs Section, the Consular Section may post safety and security messaging as well as a variety of routine messaging.  Post should share cleared Alerts on social media within one hour of dissemination of the Alert via MASCOT.  Posts should either re-post @TravelGov's Travel Advisories for their respective country and Worldwide Caution social media posts, or create new posts when these products are published. 

(2)  CA/P's Digital Engagement Team can amplify messaging from the Bureau's social media accounts. 

f.  Electronic Notice Distribution:  CA uses an electronic mail delivery system that allows emails to be sent to lists of subscribed users.  This delivery method is intended for non-urgent messages targeted to users with a particular interest in a topic.

g. Text and Short Messaging Services (SMS):  SMS refers to the use of third-party vendors (telecommunication companies) to distribute text/SMS messages when other means, such as MASCOT, are not available.  When possible, posts should use CA’s systems, with social media amplification, as the primary means to disseminate Alerts to U.S. citizens.  Alternative methods, such as SMS text messaging, should only be used when CA’s systems are not a reliable or effective.  Consult with CA/OCS/ACS.  NOTE : Before any non-Department-owned application may be used to send messages regarding consular cases involving personally identifiable information (PII), including Privacy Act protected information, Department approval is required. Contact your country officer in CA/OCS/ACS for assistance.

h. In-Person Outreach:  In-person outreach involves a CA subject matter expert engaging with the public or Congress to convey consular messages in a speaking event, via face-to-face, video, webinar, or audio contact.  Examples of in-person outreach include a formal presentation, travel show event, video webinar, or conference call. 

i.  American Liaison Network:  An established American Liaison Network provides a way to reach U.S. citizens in the event of an emergency, disaster, or threat, and to distribute information of interest to the private U.S. citizen community.  Citizen Liaison Volunteers help amplify messaging published by post including Alerts, routine messages, and Travel Advisories.

j.  Consular Affairs Call Centers:  CA maintains a public call center to provide U.S citizens with information.

k. Locally Developed IT Solutions:  Consular staff at many overseas posts and domestic offices may use Information Technology (IT) approaches to help manage growing workloads and address shortcomings of legacy consular applications.  CA’s Technology Innovation Policy (CTIP) governs all locally-developed information technology solutions that access CA systems or use information derived from CA systems.  Consult with Consular Systems and Technology (CA/CST) on locally-developed IT solutions. 

l.  OSAC Website:  Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) maintains public websites with crime and safety information through the Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

7 FAM 040 Appendix A  Safety and Security INformation Produced by CA/OCS

7 FAM 041 Appendix A  Travel Advisory

a. Travel Advisories are issued for each country based on country-specific risk indicators.  The Travel Advisories provide levels of advice and are written in concise, easy-to-understand, plain language.  They contain actionable advice for U.S. citizens.

b. Travel Advisory levels can change in advance of or in response to temporary events, such as natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and political events.  All advisories must follow a worldwide standard format that enables the clearance process to work efficiently and allows U.S. citizens to access and understand it effectively. 

7 FAM 042 Appendix A  Travel Advisory Definition

(CT:CON-930;   09-07-2022)

a. Travel Advisories contain specific advice for U.S. citizens considering travel to a country.  The four levels of standard advice offered U.S. citizens in Travel Advisories are:

(1)  Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions :  This is the lowest advisory level.  Conditions in country may differ from those in the United States.  Conditions in any country may change at any time.

(2)  Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution :  Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.  The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas.  Conditions in any country may change at any time.

(3)  Level 3 – Reconsider Travel:  Travel only when absolutely necessary due to serious risks to safety and security .  The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas.  Conditions in any country may change at any time.

(4)  Level 4 – Do Not Travel :  This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.  During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance.  The Department of State advises U.S. citizens not to travel to these areas, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.  The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory.  Conditions in any country may change at any time.

b. Travel Advisories at Level 2-4 will show which risk indicators apply and provide more detail about security concerns in the specific country, such as:

(1)  E – Time-limited Event:  Short-term events, such as elections, sporting events, or other incidents which may pose risks.

(2)  C – Crime:  Widespread violent crime and/or organized crime are present in country.  Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.

(3)  T – Terrorism:  Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.

(4)  U – Civil Unrest:  Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions and/or safety risks.

(5)  N – Natural Disaster:  A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger. 

(6)  H – Health:  Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that temporarily disrupts a country’s medical infrastructure, are present.  The issuance of a CDC Travel Notice may also be a factor.

(7)  K - Kidnapping or Hostage Taking:  Criminal or terrorist individuals or groups have threatened to and/or have seized or detained and threatened to kill, injure or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do or abstain from doing something as a condition of release.

(8)  D - Wrongful Detention:  The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by a foreign government exists.  Wrongful detentions are determined by the Secretary of State (S) or Deputy Secretary of State (D) by designation in accordance with (SBU) 7 FAM 1824 . 

(9)  O – Other:  There are potential risks not covered by previous Risk Indicators.  Read individual Travel Advisories for specific details.

7 FAM 043 Appendix A  Travel Advisory Roles and Responsibilities

 (CT:CON-772;   01-05-2018)

a. Lead office :  CA/OCS is charged with ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of each Travel Advisory.  The Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (CA/OCS/ACS) country officers are responsible for drafting Travel Advisories and clearing them with posts, regional bureaus, Diplomatic Security, and others as necessary. 

b. Timing :  CA/OCS/ACS reviews the need for a change in Travel Advisory level when information comes to its attention that may impact the safety and security of U.S. citizens in that country.  At minimum, Level 1 and Level 2 Travel Advisories are to be reviewed every 12 months.  Level 3 and Level 4 Travel Advisories are to be reviewed every 6 months.  

7 FAM 044 Appendix A  Travel Advisory Procedures

a. Determining Travel Advisory Levels of Advice :  Travel Advisory levels are determined by assessing the country’s safety and security situation, as it affects U.S. citizens.  The assessment includes reliable threat information gathered from multiple sources, as reported by posts, various Department bureaus, other U.S. government agencies and departments, foreign governments, and credible open sources.  Decisions regarding U.S. government personnel are taken into account, for example:

(1)  Whether personnel receive danger and/or hardship pay (when the latter is related to safety or security considerations);

(2)  The operating status of the mission ( 12 FAH-1 H-743.1 ; 12 FAH-1 H-743.6 ) (Travel Advisories must be at level 3 or 4 when posts are on authorized or ordered departure);

(3)  Limits and security restrictions on personnel, Eligible Family Members (EFMs), and Members of Household (MOH);

(4)  Other decisions made to protect personnel based on the security environment; and  

(5)  If non-essential official travel has been deferred based on safety and security concerns.

Information on U.S. personnel restrictions due to safety and security issues must be reported through consular information products (Travel Advisories and/or Alerts.)  See 7 FAM 050 for further information about No Double Standard Policy.

b. Travel Advisory Template :  The Travel Advisory format and language are based on a worldwide template so that U.S. citizens can easily understand and compare them. 

(1)  In order to maintain that worldwide standard, templated language may not be edited in the clearance process.  See 7 FAM 046.1 Appendix A Exhibit Travel Advisory Template.

(2)  Level 2, 3, and 4 Travel Advisories must display at least one of the following risk indicators that is the reason for the level of advice.  The selected reason will appear as a single-letter risk indicator (C, T, U, H, N, E, D, O) on the Travel Advisory and be spelled out in the text. (See 7 FAM 046.1 Appendix A Exhibit Travel Advisory Template.) 

(a)  Crime;

(b)  Terrorism;

(c)  Civil Unrest;

(d)  Health;

(e)  Natural Disaster;

(f)   Time-limited event (examples: elections, large event);

(g)  Kidnapping or hostage-taking;

(h)  Wrongful detention; and

(i)   Other (examples:  armed conflict, landmines).

(3)  Level 2, 3, and 4 Travel Advisories must contain text explaining the relevant safety and security information.

(4)  Travel Advisory Review Committee (TARC):  The Travel Advisory Review Committee (TARC) brings Department stakeholders together to discuss security information and how it is relayed via Travel Advisories.  The TARC is chaired by CA/OCS.  (See 7 FAM 013 Appendix A

7 FAM 045 Appendix A  Travel Advisory Clearing Offices

(CT:CON-1005;   04-09-2024)

a. CA/OCS/ACS clears Level 1 and 2 Travel Advisories with the following offices/bureaus:

(1)  CA/OCS;

(2)  Diplomatic Security (DS/IP/ITA);

(3)  Regional bureau;

(5)  Bureau of Public Affairs (PA);

(6)  Office of the Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs (L/CA); and

(7)  Other bureaus/offices as appropriate, to include:

(a)  Coordinator for Counter Terrorism (CT), if the threat is terrorism related;

(b)  Medical Services, if the threat is health related;

(c)  Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB/TRA/OP), if there are aviation issues;

(d)  The Office of the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security (T), if there is a nuclear issue;

(e)  Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES), if the threat is environmental;

(f)   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), if there are human rights concerns, such as LGBTI issue;

b. CA/OCS/ACS clears Level 3 and 4 Travel Advisories with the following offices:

(2)  Regional bureau;

(3)  Diplomatic Security (DS);

(6)  M Staff;

(8)  D Staff;

(9)  P Staff;

(10)       S/P Policy and Planning;

(11)       S/ES-O/CMS;

(12)       Office of the Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs (L/CA); and

(13)      Other bureaus/offices as needed, to include:

(f)   Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), if there are human rights concerns, such as LGBTI issue; and

(g)  Office of the Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs (L/CA), if there may be legal issues implicating U.S. or international law, including but not limited to circumstances involving a Geographic Travel Restriction on use of a U.S. passport, warnings of arbitrary detentions of U.S. citizens, or existence/issuance of an FAA NOTAM.  

7 FAM 046 Appendix A  Travel Advisory Dissemination

(CT:CON-973;   03-24-2023)

For more information on dissemination procedures, please see 7 FAM 032 Appendix A .

a. Required Dissemination by CA/OCS

(1)  Travel.state.gov International Travel country information page;

(2)  Travel.state.gov Travel Advisory page;

(3)  STEP notification;

(4)  CA/OCS/ACS country officer sends the final Travel Advisory to DS, regional desk, and other relevant stakeholders.

b. Optional Dissemination:

CA social media when a Travel Advisory changes or remains at a current level following a review.

c.  Required Dissemination by post: 

(1) Send via MASCOT; and

(2) Publish on post's website.

d. Optional dissemination by post:  Posts may publish Travel Advisories on their official social media accounts.

7 FAM 046.1 Appendix A   Travel Advisory Template

(CT:CON-883;   10-22-2019)

7 FAM 046.2 APPENDIX A  INTERNATIONAL COUNTRY INFORMATION

a. International country information web pages serve as a key resource to provide safety and security information for U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad.

b. The information is intended to assist U.S. citizens in making informed decisions about travel to or movement within a particular country.

7 FAM 046.3 Appendix A  International Country Information Definition

a. CA/OCS produces and posts information for every country in the world on travel.state.gov.  These pages include, but are not limited to:

(1)  Contact information for the U.S. embassy and consulate(s), or protecting power information, as applicable;

(2)  Entry and exit requirements and customs information;

(3)  Crime and safety information; and

(4) Transportation safety information.

b. The page will also display the current Travel Advisory for the country and recent Alerts.

7 FAM 046.4 Appendix A  International Country Information Roles and Responsibilities

a. Lead office : CA/OCS/ACS is charged with ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of each international travel country information page. ACS country officers draft country information by drawing on insights from ACS, regional and functional bureaus, and posts.  CA/OCS/ACS country officers also consult with subject matter experts on specific topics, for example, EB for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assessments, Office of Medical Services (MED) and CDC for health assessments, and DS and CT for security and terrorism related information.

b. Timing : CA/OCS/ACS reviews the international travel country information at least annually.  ACS updates pages when information comes to its attention that may impact the safety and security of U.S. citizens in a given country.

7 FAM 046.5 Appendix A  International Country Information Procedures

a. Both CA/OCS/ACS and post analyze facts and conditions that regularly impact U.S. citizens abroad to ensure inclusion of relevant information.  For example:

(1)  Has there been an increase or change in crime against U.S. citizens or generally?

(2)  Have immigration requirements changed?

(3)  Is there a new law in the host country that U.S. citizens should know about?

b. Posts should consult with CA/OCS/ACS country officers to update international country information.

7 FAM 046.6 Appendix A  International Country Information Clearing Offices

a. CA/OCS/ACS clears country information with the following offices:

(4)  Bureau of Public Affairs (PA);

(5)  Diplomatic Security (DS/TIA/ITA);

(6)  Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB/TRA/OP);

(7)  Office of the Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs (L/CA); and

(8)   CA/P.

b. As appropriate, other offices may request or be asked to clear, such as:

(1)  Office of Medical Services (MED);

(2)  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) (required if LGBTI language is other than the standard text);

(3 )  Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H); and

( 4 )  Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) (required if terrorist groups/incidents are mentioned).

7 FAM 046.7 Appendix A  International Country Information Dissemination

(1)  Required Dissemination by CA/OCS:  Post to TSG;

(2)  Required Dissemination by CA/P:  None Required;

(3)  Required Dissemination by post:  None Required;

(4)  Optional dissemination by CA/OCS:  If a significant change is made, CA/OCS may send a STEP notification; and

(5)  Optional dissemination by post:  If a significant change is made, post may update the embassy website, disseminate through social media and/or send an Alert or routine message, as appropriate, via MASCOT.

7 FAM 047 APPENDIX A  Worldwide Caution (WWC)

As part of CA's continuous efforts to provide U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad with information about safety and security events, we produce the Worldwide Caution (WWC) with information on universal travel risks including the threat of terrorist action against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.

7 FAM 047.1 Appendix A  Worldwide Caution Definition

(CT:CON-851;   09-21-2018)

The WWC reminds U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to bolster their personal security while overseas.  It also informs U.S. citizens of ongoing, global, security concerns, including the continual threat of terrorist actions and violence against U.S. citizens and U.S. citizen interests overseas.  Current information is available on the Worldwide Caution Web Page.

7 FAM 047.2 Appendix A  Worldwide Caution Roles and Responsibilities

a. Lead Office : CA/OCS/ACS drafts the WWC to include universal risk information applicable to all U.S. citizen travelers.  It is not necessary to include specific country or regional risks, as those are included in each country's Travel Advisory.

b. Timing : The WWC is updated at least annually to ensure current safety and security information is available to the U.S. citizen public.

c.  CA/OCS/ACS, in consultation with relevant bureaus and offices, analyzes patterns in problems confronted by U.S. citizens abroad on a regular basis to ensure inclusion of relevant information.  For example:  Has there been a global increase in terrorism against U.S. citizens?

7 FAM 047.3 Appendix A  Worldwide Caution Clearance Procedures

a. CA/OCS/ACS clears the Worldwide Caution with the following offices:

(3)  Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS);

(4)  Bureau of Counter-Terrorism (CT);

(5)  Regional bureaus (EUR, EAP, WHA, AF, NEA, SCA);

(6)  Under Secretary for Management (M);

(7)  Under Secretary for Political Affairs (P);

(8)  Bureau of Public Affairs (PA);

(9)  Deputy Secretary of State (D);

(10) Policy and Planning (S/P); and

(11) Crisis Management and Strategy (CMS).

(1)  Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB);

(2)  Office of Medical Services (MED);

(3)  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL);

(4)  Office of the Legal Adviser (L); and

(5)  Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H).

7 FAM 047.4 Appendix A  Worldwide Caution Dissemination

For more information on dissemination procedures, please see 7 FAM032  Appendix A.

a. Required Dissemination by CA/OCS: 

(1)  Post to TSG; and

(2)  Send via STEP notification.

b. Required Dissemination by CA/P: 

(1)  Media Note for dissemination from the Department; and

(2)  Posting on CA social media accounts.

c.  Required Dissemination by post:  None required;

d. Optional dissemination: 

(1)  Post to official social media accounts; and

(2)  Post on post's webpage.

7 FAM 050 APPENDIX A  OTHER SAFETY AND SECURITY INFORMATION

7 FAM 051 Appendix A  Crisis Information

In a crisis, CA/OCS provides crisis-specific information on travel.state.gov to assist U.S. citizens affected by the event and their loved ones, and to direct them to the most efficient methods of communicating with Washington and post.

7 FAM 052 Appendix A  Crisis Information Definition

(CT:CON-772;   01-05-2018) 

The CA crisis-specific web page includes information relevant to the event including:

(1)  Location of event;

(2)  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs);

(3)  Links to STEP enrollment; and

(4)  Emergency contact information.

7 FAM 053 Appendix A  Crisis Information Roles and Responsibilities

(CT:CON-925;   05-05-2022) 

a. Lead Office : CA/OCS/ACS or designated Consular personnel on the State and/or Consular Task Force, if convened, drafts the content for the crisis-specific information page.  CA/OCS is responsible for ensuring the crisis-specific information page is activated as quickly as possible at the onset of a crisis.

b. Timing : CA/OCS/ACS monitors, reviews, and ensures the crisis-specific page content stays current and relevant to the public throughout the crisis.  CA/OCS/ACS removes the page when it is no longer necessary.

7 FAM 054 Appendix A  Crisis Information Procedures

CA/OCS considers the following factors when activating a crisis-specific page on TSG:

(1)  A drawdown of post (Authorized or Ordered Departure);

(2)  A U.S. government-coordinated evacuation of private U.S. citizens;

(3)  Activation of a State or Consular Task Force;

(4)  Availability of commercial transportation options (land, sea, air);

(5)  Status of telecommunications (landline, internet, cell/mobile lines);

(6)  Border closures;

(7)  Number of U.S. citizens in the crisis location; and

(8)  Volume of calls seeking crisis-specific information and welfare/whereabouts assistance to the OCS Contact Center; CA/OCS/ACS and/or the CA/OCS Duty Officer; volume of calls to post; volume, profile, and tenor of press, social media, and/or Congressional inquiries; and volume of visa and/or passport inquiries.

7 FAM 055 Appendix A  Crisis Information Clearing Offices

a. CA/OCS or designated Consular Task Force Representative clears the crisis information page with the following offices:

(2)  Regional bureau; and

b. As necessary, other offices may clear, such as:

(1)  Bureau of Public Affairs (PA);

(2)  Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (EB);

(3)  Office of Medical Services (MED);

(4)  Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL);

(5)  Office of the Legal Adviser (L);

(6)  Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H);

(7)  Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT); and

(8)  Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS).

7 FAM 056 Appendix A  Crisis Information Dissemination

a. For more information on dissemination procedures, please see 7 FAM 032   Appendix A.

b. Required Dissemination by CA/OCS:  Post to TSG.

c.  Required Dissemination by CA/P:

(1)  CA social media; and

(2)  Coordinate with PA on broader messaging.

d. Required Dissemination by post: 

(1)  Send an Alert via MASCOT; and

(2)  Publish on post website.

e. Optional dissemination:

(1)  Emergency Banner on TSG;

(2)  Post social media; and

(3)  Post should include link to the travel.state.gov crisis page when disseminating related Alerts.

7 FAM 057 Appendix A  Health Information

Safeguarding the health of U.S. citizens traveling and living abroad is one of the Department's highest priorities.  CA/OCS will include medical and health information through consular information products depending upon its urgency and lifespan.

7 FAM 057.1 Appendix A  Health Information Definition

When health concerns rise to the level of significant threat to U.S. citizens, CA/OCS publishes a web page describing the health-related threat and resources.  Examples include:

·          Ebola Virus information page

·          Avian Influenza Z (H5N1) and Pandemic Influenza information page

·          Responding to Radiological and Nuclear Incidents information page

7 FAM 057.2 Appendix A  Health Information Roles and Responsibilities

a. Lead Office :  CA/OCS/ACS will work with the Department of State Office of Medical Services (MED), Regional Medical Officers (RMO) at post, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other offices as appropriate to draft and release global health information pages. 

b. Timing :  CA/OCS/ACS monitors, reviews, and updates the health information pages to ensure the pages contain the most up-to-date information and resources. Health information pages are reviewed annually or as needed. 

c.  Removal :  In coordination with MED and CDC, the global health information page should be updated to reflect that the health concern is over, and subsequently removed from travel.state.gov when the demand for information abates.  

7 FAM 057.3 Appendix A  Health Information Procedures

a. CA/OCS/ACS will coordinate with relevant posts, Department bureaus, U.S. government partners, foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations as necessary.

b. When possible refer and link directly to official sources and subject matter experts for current and accurate information.

7 FAM 057.4 Appendix A  Health Information Clearing Offices

a. CA/OCS/ACS must clear the health information page(s) with the following offices:

(3)  Office of Medical Services (MED); and

b. Other clearances as appropriate, such as

(1)  Bureau of Oceans and Environmental Science;

(2)  International Health and Bio-Defense (OES/IHB);

(3)  Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN), in the case of a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) event;

(4)  Regional bureau(s);

(5)  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and

(6)  U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

7 FAM 057.5 Appendix A  Health Information Dissemination

a. For more information on dissemination procedures, please see section 7 FAM 032   Appendix A.

b. Required Dissemination by CA/OCS:  Post to TSG

c.  Required Dissemination by Post: 

d. Optional dissemination:

(1)  CA social media accounts; and

(2)  Post social media accounts and website.

7 FAM 058 Appendix A  Large Event Information

The Department of State is regularly called upon to coordinate the U.S. government presence and/or response to major events overseas. 

7 FAM 058.1 Appendix A  Large Event Definitions

The Department publishes large event information to describe consular services and risks during events where large crowds of U.S. citizens participate; for example, sporting events, concerts, and rallies.  Large event web pages have included:

(1)  Olympics;

(2)  World Cup; and

(3)  World Youth Day.

7 FAM 058.2 Appendix A  Large Event Information Roles and Responsibilities

a. Lead office :  CA drafts large event resources based on input from post, DS, regional bureau and other appropriate bureaus, and event organizers. 

b. Timing :  Begin planning for large events at least a year before the scheduled event is to occur, if possible.  A best practice is to publish large event information pages at least three months in advance.

c. Removal :  In coordination with post the event page should be updated to reflect all current security concerns, and subsequently be removed from travel.state.gov at the end of the event.

7 FAM 058.3 Appendix A  Large Event Information Procedure

a. CA will coordinate with relevant posts, Department bureaus, U.S. government partners, foreign governments, and non-governmental organizations as necessary.

b. When possible information should refer and link directly to official sources and subject matter experts for current and accurate information.

7 FAM 058.4 Appendix A  Large Event Information Clearance Process

a. CA must clear large event Information with the following offices:

(3)  Diplomatic Security; and

b. Other clearances as appropriate, such as: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Public Affairs (PA).

7 FAM 058.5 Appendix A  Large Event Information Dissemination

a. For more information on dissemination procedures, please see 7 FAM 032 Appendix A .

b. Optional Dissemination by CA/OCS:  post to TSG;

c.  Optional Dissemination by CA/P:  CA social media and PA for larger messaging;

d. Required Dissemination by post:  Not applicable;

(1)  Send an Alert via MASCOT;

(2)  Post website and social media accounts; and

(3)  Media note.

7 FAM 060 Appendix A  Safety and Security Information produced by post

7 FAM 061 Appendix A  Alerts

Alerts (formerly known as Security Messages and Emergency Messages) are created by posts to alert U.S. citizens to safety or security information in or directly impacting that consular district.

7 FAM 062 Appendix A  Alerts Definitions

Alerts provide safety and security information to U.S. citizens.  Examples include alerting U.S. citizens to: 

·          Criminal activity

·          Demonstrations, strikes, and protests

·          Dangerous weather conditions

·          Health threats of a short-term or localized nature

·          Terrorist events

·          Terrorist threats;

·          Suspicious packages

·          Natural disasters

·          Extraordinary measures by local authorities, such as martial law

·          Post closures, Authorized/Ordered Departures, and/or closures to the public

·          Upcoming holidays (if there is a specific threat)

·          Major events

7 FAM 063 Appendix A  Alerts Procedures

(CT:CON-904;   04-21-2021)

Posts are responsible for drafting and clearing Alerts.  Officers at post should follow the below guidance to determine whether an Alert is warranted.  Officers can consult the CA/OCS/ACS country officer with questions.

a. No Double Standard Policy:  The Department's “No Double Standard” policy ( 7 FAM 050 ) is an essential factor in determining whether to send an Alert.  Officers should review 7 FAM 050 and consult the CA/OCS/ACS Country Officer and L/CA for further guidance.

b. Safety and Security Information Only:

(1)  Alerts are intended to make U.S. citizens aware of safety and security information.  They should not be used to share events trending in the news or information that does not have the potential to impact the safety and security of U.S. citizens.  Long-term trends or advice should be included in the country pages.

(2)  Administrative information that is not related to safety and security and needs to be sent to U.S. citizens (for example:  voter registration or town hall announcement) should be sent as a routine message ( 7 FAM 071 Appendix A for information on Routine Messages).

(3)  Any U.S. personnel restriction associated with a security threat generally should be included in the Alert pursuant to the No Double Standard policy ( 7 FAM 050 ).  If Chief of Mission personnel are banned from a commercial airline, Alerts should be sent in all affected consular districts.  Longer-term U.S. personnel restrictions based on safety and security can be included within the Travel Advisory, Country Information, or other CIP product.

c.  Temporary Closure to the Public :  If a security situation requires a post to temporarily close to the public, even for a short period, posts must send an Alert.  (See 12 FAH-1 H-743 and 7 FAM 063. )  The Alert must include the following:

(1)  Circumstances that caused reduced operations/closure, using unclassified and publicly releasable information;

(2)  Effective date/time of reduced services/closure, and expected re-opening date/time, if known.  Note days post is already scheduled to be closed because of local holiday/normal weekend closures (e.g., “effective date of closure to the public is May 5, with expected re-opening day of May 7.  May 6 is a local holiday, and post is scheduled to be closed.”);

(3)  Sections affected by reduced operations/temporary closure (e.g., “passport and visa services, library, and FCS office closed”);

(4)  Contact information for U.S. citizens if they require emergency consular assistance; and any provisions made for emergency consular services for U.S. citizens.

(5)  If post is closing for non-security reasons (for example, a local holiday), this information is shared with U.S. citizens via a routine Message (see 7 FAM 071 Appendix A ).

(6)  Since Alerts are a primary method for officers at post to maintain contact with the U.S. citizen and national community in a country, post’s Emergency Action Plan should incorporate strategies to keep this channel of communication open and appropriately active when post is under a state of emergency or during events such as a temporary closure to the public.

d. Message Fatigue :

(1)  Sending out multiple Alerts about an ongoing event can dull the impact of those messages with the audience and lead to message fatigue.  Message fatigue is especially of concern for a post that sees significant political instability, frequent demonstrations, or frequently occurring severe natural events (e.g., cyclonic storms, minor volcanic or seismic activity).

(2)  Posts should reduce the frequency of messages by including text in the country information noting that the activity occurs frequently and/or multiple disruptive events occur in a particular area.  For example, demonstrations related to elections or the anniversary of an important event in the country may recur periodically or even annually.  Including this type of information in the country information will ensure that the public has already had the opportunity to learn about a potentially dangerous place or time to travel and can take preventive action.  The creation of a separate webpage on a crisis or event can also reduce the need to send a large number of Alerts in a short period of time.

7 FAM 064 Appendix A  Drafting Alerts

a. When using the Department-approved templates ( 7 FAM 067 Appendix A Exhibit), post may send an Alert without clearances from the Department, except in limited circumstances (see 7 FAM 065   Appendix A).  The templates capture the majority of security-related communications to U.S. citizens around the world.  Officers can choose the template and language most relevant to the situation or threat. Whenever appropriate, CA encourages the use of previously cleared language from previous Alerts, Country Information, Travel Advisories, or Worldwide Cautions.

b. Template: (see also 7 FAM 067 Appendix A Exhibit Alert Template Language and 7 FAM 069 Appendix A Alert Examples) 

(1)  Title:  “XX Alert – U.S. Embassy YY (Release Date: Month, Day, Year)”.  Select the appropriate type of Alert (e.g. Security Alert, Demonstration Alert, Weather Alert, Health Alert) to be used in the title from the templated language.  Use the date the message will be released, not the date of the event or threat.

(2)  Location:  Use bullet points to list the locations involved.

(3)  Event:  Briefly describe the event or threat in a short phrase or word.  Include the essential information U.S. citizens need to know at the beginning of the Alert.  Make it “tweetable.”  Use template language as much as possible and keep your message simple and brief.  If applicable provide information about restrictions on U.S. government personnel and post's operations such as temporary closure to the public or limited consular services.  Aim to make the entire paragraph no longer than 2-3 sentences.

(4)  Actions to Take:  In collaboration with the Regional Security Officer (RSO), choose one or more relevant actions from the approved list and put them in bullet form.

(5)  Assistance:  Include post’s contact information at the bottom of each message.  Be sure the hyperlinks work.

c.  Never use classified language.  Unless the Department can obtain an unclassified version of the information, it cannot be disseminated beyond those with a need to know for investigative or assessment purposes. 

d. Avoid referring to reports as “unconfirmed.”  If reports are unconfirmed, post should not disseminate them to the public.

e. Avoid referring to threats as "credible, specific, and non-counterable."  While the Department uses these terms to evaluate threat information, the public doesn’t necessarily understand what they mean in this context.

f.  When consular warden networks are used to disseminate Alerts, post should remind consular wardens to not paraphrase Alerts, but deliver them verbatim.

7 FAM 065 Appendix A  Alerts Clearance Process

a. Alerts must be cleared at post, even when using an approved template.

b. Alerts drafted in accordance with one of the pre-approved templates do not need to be approved by the Department, with the following exceptions:

(1)  Alerts concerning terrorist or criminal threat/incidents must be cleared by the Department.  These threats usually involve intelligence or sensitive information, so proper care must be taken to ensure sources and methods are protected.  Post should clear the Alert at post first then send the draft Alert to the CA/OCS/ACS country officer for Department clearance.  (Alerts regarding terrorist or security incidents that concern active incidents which pose an immediate and ongoing threat to U.S. citizen safety do not require Department approval.).

(2)  If the Alert is related to a crisis for which a State and/or Consular Task Force has been established, the Alert must be cleared through the appropriate Task Force(s).  If a State and/or Consular Task Force has not yet been established, but is likely to be convened in response to the situation, the Alert must be cleared by the Department as outlined in this section.

(3)  If the Alert deviates from the templates in a substantive way, Department clearance is required.  Post should consult the ACS country officer if there is uncertainty.

(4)  Post must clear messages that may be politically sensitive in nature with the Department.  Examples of politically sensitive messages include, but are not limited to, protests with anti-American sentiment or aimed at U.S. policy, threats towards Embassy or mission personnel, and threats at or near a U.S. Embassy, Consulate, or other mission abroad.  Consult the ACS country officer if there is uncertainty.  As noted above, all alerts should be sent without regard to any political or economic considerations . 

c.  If an Alert requires Department clearances, after the Alert has been fully cleared at post, CA/OCS/ACS country officers clear Alerts with the following offices:

(1)  CA/OCS/ACS;

(2)  Diplomatic Security (DS/IP, DS/TIA, DS/HTP);

(3)  Regional bureau; and

(4)  Others as appropriate.

If the Alert requires after-hours Department clearance, post should contact the Operations Center at 202-647-1512 and request to speak to the CA/OCS Duty Officer.  Once approved by the CA/OCS Duty Officer, the Operations Center will convene a conference call to obtain the necessary clearances.

7 FAM 066 Appendix A  Alerts Dissemination

b. Required Dissemination by CA/OCS:  CA/OCS/ACS country officer emails a copy of the Alert to the regional bureau and DS/TIA/ITA division for their awareness.

c.  Required Dissemination by CA/P:  None Required

d. Required Dissemination by post:

(1)  Distribute to U.S. citizens via MASCOT.

(2)  Upload the Alert to post's website.  (TSG will automatically pull the Alert from post's website onto the TSG country information page.)

(3)  If afterhours at post or otherwise unable to upload to the embassy website, email [email protected] with the request to upload the Alert to post’s website.  Be sure to attach the text of the message, as well as the link where the Alert should be posted.

(4)  Email the final Alert to [email protected] and the CA/OCS/ACS country officer.

(5)  Warden network.

(2)  Post social media.

7 FAM 067 Appendix A  Exhibit Alert Template Language

Please also see for examples of Alerts.

7 FAM 068 Appendix A  Alert Actions Menu

(CT:CON-1002;   02-22-2024)

Officers and posts drafting an Alert should select one or more appropriate recommended actions from the below pre-cleared language menu to include in part 5 of the Alert.  Use hyperlinks when possible.  Direct U.S. citizens to websites or provide contact information where they can learn more.  Alerts are not limited to only this list.  When drafting additional advice based on specific information, text should be short, direct, and actionable.

7 FAM 069 Appendix A  Alerts examples

The following sections provide examples of Alerts.  Posts must follow this template without alterations and use Times New Roman size 14.  The title of the message must appear in both the subject line and the body of the message.

7 FAM 069.1 Appendix A  Example of Security Alert (Crime)

Security Alert - U. S. Embassy Libreville, Gabon (December 13, 2017)

Location: Libreville, Gabon

Event: The U.S. Embassy in Libreville advises U.S. citizens of a new crime trend in Libreville.  Individuals will loiter near busy streets and observe passing cars in order to spot potential slowly moving targets.  Once identified, an assailant will approach the target car on foot and reach in the window or open the door to snatch an item.

Actions to Take:

·          Use caution when walking or driving at night

·          Keep a low profile

·          Be aware of your surroundings

·          Do not physically resist any robbery attempt

·          Review your personal security plans

Assistance:

·          U.S. Embassy Libreville , Gabon

+241 01 45 71 00

+241 07 38 01 71 (after hours)

[email protected]

State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

·          Gabon Country Information

·          Enroll in Safe Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

·          Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

7 FAM 069.2 Appendix A  Example of Security Alert (Terrorism)

Security Alert - U. S. Embassy United Kingdom (May 24, 2017)

Location: United Kingdom, countrywide 

Event: The UK government has raised its assessment of the threat level for terrorism to “critical.”  This is the highest level in the UK government’s threat-level system and indicates a further attack is imminent.  UK authorities have announced they will deploy military units and a heightened police presence near large public gatherings, major public venues, and transportation hubs.

·          Visit the MI5 Security Service website [insert link] for information.

·          Monitor local media for updates.

·          U.S. Embassy London, United Kingdom

+(44)(20) 7499-9000

[email protected]

[U.S. Embassy web page]

·          State Department – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

·          United Kingdom Country Information

·          Enroll in Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates

7 FAM 069.3 Appendix A  Example of Security Alert (Terrorist Event)

Security Alert - U. S. Consulate General St. Petersburg, Russia (April 3, 2017)

Location: Sennaya and Technological Institute Metro stations, St. Petersburg, Russia 

Event: Media report explosions.  Local authorities have shut down the metro.

·          Avoid the area.

·          Be aware of your surroundings.

·          U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg, Russia

+7 (812) 331-2600

+7 (812) 331-2600 (after hours)

[email protected]

·          State Department - – Consular Affairs

888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

·          Russia Country Information

7 FAM 069.4 Appendix A  Example of Security Alert (Upcoming Holiday)

Security Alert - U. S. Embassy Moscow, Russia (May 25, 2017)

Location: Russia, countrywide 

Event: Victory Day celebrations will take place over the extended holiday weekend.  Police officers will likely be conducting regular identification checks, especially near tourist attractions and near rallies.  You should carry proper identification at all times – a U.S. passport with a current Russian visa.

·          Carry proper identification at all times, including a U.S. passport with a current Russian visa

·          U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia

+7 (495) 728-5577

[email protected]

·          State Department - – Consular Affairs 888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

·          Kuwait Country Information [insert link to country information page]

7 FAM 069.5 Appendix A  Example of Demonstration Alert

Demonstration Alert - U. S. Embassy Caracas, Venezuela (July 13, 2017)

Location: Announced gathering points include, but are not limited to, the following neighborhoods in Caracas, Venezuela:

·          Altamira

·          La Carlota

·          Las Mercedes

·          Campo Alegre

Event: Demonstrations expected to take place on July 13 beginning at 5 p.m.  The groups intend to protest the Venezuelan government. Recent protests have encountered a strong police/security force presence, the use of tear gas, and the use of rubber bullets.

U.S. government personnel are advised to avoid those areas during the late afternoon and evening hours.

·          Avoid the areas of the demonstrations.

·          Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.

·          Monitor local media for updates

·          Keep a low profile.

·          Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Caracas, Venezuela

+(58) (212) 975-6411

+(58) (212) 907-8400 (after hours)

[email protected]

·          State Department - – Consular Affairs888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444

·          Venezuela Country Information

7 FAM 069.6 Appendix A  Example of Weather Alert

Weather Alert - U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Burma (April 16, 2017)

Location: Rakhine State; possible heavy rains country-wide.

Event:  There is a cyclone system developing in the Bay of Bengal. The storm is currently expected to make landfall in Burma in the late evening hours of April 16. Expect heavy rains and strong winds with possible flooding, landslides, power outages and difficult travel conditions in Rakhine State.  Expect increased rainfall levels and winds throughout the country.

Actions to Take: 

·          Avoid travel to Rakhine State until the storm has dissipated.

·          Monitor the local news for updates.

·          Seek secure shelter.

·          Visit the Joint Typhoon Warning Center [insert link] and Tropical Storm Risk (TSR) [insert link] for updated storm tracking information.Assistance:

·          U.S. Embassy Rangoon, Burma

+95 1 536 509

+95 (0)95124330, or +95 1 500 547 (after hours)

[email protected]

·          Burma Country Information [insert link to country information page]

·          Follow us on Facebook and Twitter [insert links]

7 FAM 069.7 Appendix A  Example of Health Alert

Health Alert - U. S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin (March 2, 2017)

Location: Tchaourou (Borgou region) and Tanguieta (Atacora region)

Event:  The Ministry of Health in Benin announced one confirmed and one suspected case of Lassa Fever, a rare but potentially life-threatening viral hemorrhagic disease. 

·          Consult a medical professional if you have been in direct contact with an infected person within the past three weeks and have symptoms of Lassa Fever.

·          Visit CDC’s website on Lassa Fever Assistance:

·          U.S. Embassy Cotonou, Benin

+(229) 21-30-75-00

[email protected]  

·          Benin Country Information

7 FAM 070 Appendix A  General information produced by post

7 FAM 071 Appendix A  Routine Messages

Routine Messages also known as Messages to U.S. Citizens provide information to U.S. citizens about a variety of non-safety and security related topics.

7 FAM 072 Appendix A  Routine Messages Definition

Routine Messages cover administrative topics such as voter registration, income tax season, new passport procedures, town hall announcements, and other non-emergency, non-safety/non-security issues of interest to the local U.S. citizen community.

7 FAM 073 Appendix A  Routine Messages Roles and Responsibilities

(CT:CON-890;   12-18-2019)

a. Posts have discretion to determine whether to draft and release routine messages, unless otherwise stated.  Additionally, at times the Department may provide text and instruct posts to release a routine message.

b. The CA/OCS/ACS country officer will provide guidance to post on procedures to send routine messages about voting.  For more information about voting, ACS collective email:  [email protected]

c.  CA/OCS/MSU provides guidance to post on federal benefits and U.S. citizens' legal obligations such as taxes and selective service.  CA/OCS/MSU will provide instructions to post about income tax season and links to IRS materials.  MSU will clear such language with the IRS.  For more information about federal obligation programs, MSU collective email:  [email protected]. 

d. Posts may send routine messages when there is a significant change to ACS hours or a temporary closure at post due to non-safety and security issues such as, but not limited to, facilities or systems maintenance work, changes in appointment systems, federal benefits procedures.

e. Posts should send routine messages when there is a significant change to ACS processes, including but not limited to changes in appointment systems, passport requirements, or Consular Report of Birth Abroad procedures. 

g. Posts may publicize closures for local holidays, U.S. citizen town halls, or offsite ACS passport/CRBA acceptance events via routine messages. 

h. Routine messages can cover a wide range of topics, and it may seem prudent to send them out regularly.  Officers at post should keep in mind that sending out too many messages may lead to "message fatigue" and dull the impact of important messages. 

i.  Posts should consider including several announcements in one routine message as a kind of ACS newsletter.  Even if the announcements are unrelated, posts can send announcements on a monthly basis in order to reduce the number of messages U.S. citizens receive.  Include hyperlinks to outside resources when appropriate.  

7 FAM 074 Appendix A  Routine Messages Clearing Offices

a. Non-emergency messages for U.S. citizens that contain routine information unrelated to safety or security do not need to be approved by CA/OCS or others in the Department.

b. Posts should always email an info copy of the message to their CA/OCS/ACS country officer. 

7 FAM 075 Appendix A  Routine Messages Dissemination

b. Required Dissemination by CA/OCS:  None Required

c.  Required Dissemination by post:

(1)  Post to embassy website;

(2)  Send an Alert via MASCOT; and

(3)  Consular warden network.

d. Optional dissemination

(1)  Post social media accounts; and

(2)  CA social media.

7 FAM 076 Appendix A  through  7 FAM 079 Appendix A  Unassigned

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Risk Management and Safety

1000 E. University Avenue

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307) 766-5767

Fax: (307) 766-3024

Email: [email protected]

Definitions of Travel Advisories

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution : Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security. The Departments of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

Level 3 - Reconsider Travel : Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

Level 4 – Do Not Travel : This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance. The Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. The Department of State provides additional advice for travelers in these areas in the Travel Advisory. Conditions in any country may change at any time.

US State Department - Travel information, registration, and definitions

Illinois International International Safety and Security

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Categorizing or quantifying risk is difficult, particularly for individual travelers and unique locations. The university uses the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories as a baseline for initial identification of high-risk destinations. 

The university values Department of State expertise. University staff review and consider advisories and warnings as an experienced source of information. At the same time, travel advisories address travel at a basic level. Consequently, the university assesses identified destinations on a case-by-case basis (see Approving Travel to High-Risk Destinations ).

Understanding Department of State Advisories

The U.S. Department of State assesses destinations from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel). The levels are assigned based prevailing indicators and degree of risk. The country and regional advisories, as well as the risk indicators, are explained below. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Frequently Asked Questions.

Country Levels

The U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory system has four advisory levels, each with a corresponding color. Every country receives an advisory. Regions and cities may also receive an advisory level. Remember: Conditions and advisory levels may change at any time.

• Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions (Blue): This is the lowest advisory level. There is risk for all international travel but travelers should be able navigate these risks.
• Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution (Yellow): Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.
• Level 3 - Reconsider Travel (Orange): Avoid travel due to serious risks to safety and security.
• Level 4 – Do Not Travel (Red): This is the highest advisory level due to greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. During an emergency, the U.S. government may have very limited ability to assist travelers. The U.S. Department of State advises that U.S. citizens not travel to the country or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.

Regional Levels

The U.S. Department of State assigns a Travel Advisory Level to countries, but risk (and the associated advisory) may vary within a country. For instance, an advisory may advise travelers to “Exercise increased caution” (Level 2) in a country, but to “Reconsider travel” (Level 3) to a particular region or city based on specific hazards.

• Read the travel advisory. This is preferred as travelers must understand the affected area, the associated risk, and potential mitigation advice. Travel Advisories with regional differences clearly state “Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire advisory.” The advisory lists and describes the variations.
• Review World at a Glance Map. The map displays each country by color. (Countries with no color are Level 1, Exercise Normal Caution.) Countries with a diagonal crosshatch (//////) have a region with elevated risk higher than the country designation. Travelers to these countries must read the Travel Advisory to understand the elevated risk.

Risk Indicators

Travel Advisories at Levels 2-4 contain clear reasons for the level assigned, using established risk indicators and specific advice to travelers who choose to those destinations.

C – Crime : Widespread violent or organized crime is present in areas of the country. Local law enforcement may have limited ability to respond to serious crimes.

T – Terrorism : Terrorist attacks have occurred and/or specific threats against civilians, groups, or other targets may exist.

U – Civil Unrest : Political, economic, religious, and/or ethnic instability exists and may cause violence, major disruptions, and/or safety risks.

H – Health : Health risks, including current disease outbreaks or a crisis that disrupts a country’s medical infrastructure, are present. The issuance of a Centers for Disease Control Travel Notice may also be a factor.

N – Natural Disaster : A natural disaster, or its aftermath, poses danger.

E – Time-limited Event : Short-term event, such as elections, sporting events, or other incidents that may pose safety risks.

D – Wrongful Detention : The risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals by a foreign government exists.

O – Other : There are potential risks not covered by previous risk indicators. Read each country’s Travel Advisory for details.

Graduate and Undergraduate Students: Identifying High-Risk Destinations

The identification of high-risk destinations is the same for all University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign students. International Safety and Security monitors insurance enrollments and attempts to assist students in identifying high-risk destinations but responsibility remains on the student.

• Open the Department of State’s Country Information webpage and select the advisory for each country to be visited.
• On each country page, observe two things:
• Color and Advisory Level. Observe the color of the country banner (blue, yellow, orange, or red) and the associated level (Exercise Normal Precautions, Exercise Increased Caution, Reconsider Travel, or Do Not Travel).
• Areas of Higher Risk. In the first two lines of the advisory, look for: “Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.”
• The destination is high-risk if:
• The country color and advisory level is Orange (Level 3) or Red (Level 4).
• The country color and advisory level is Blue (Level 1) or Yellow (Level 2) but the advisory for the intended destination (city or region) is Reconsider Travel or Do Not Travel.
• Travelers that identify the destination (country, region or city) as Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or Level 4 (Do Not Travel) submit a travel request as explained at Approving Travel to High-Risk Destinations.

Note: If a country is Level 1 or Level 2 with areas of higher risk (Level 3 or Level 4) that will not be visited, the travel is not to a high-risk destination and no further action is required. It is only travel to a high-risk destination if a traveler intends to visit a destination identified as Level 3 or Level 4. If unsure, the traveler should contact International Safety and Security to discuss the situation.

Faculty-Staff: Identifying High-Risk Destinations

The university encourages faculty and staff to review the risks associated with their intended destinations and plan accordingly. International Safety and Security is available to consult with travelers on any destination. While the university affords faculty and staff significant personal discretion for travel, some destinations have significant risk that makes travel of interest to the university for the well-being of the traveler.

Consequently, International Safety and Security works with faculty-staff to identify travel to high-risk destinations during enrollment in the university-approved international insurance. However, we encourage faculty-staff to review the travel advisory for each intended destination to plan their travel. Travel advisories can be reviewed at the Department of State’s Country Information webpage.

For questions regarding a Travel Advisory or university approval, contact International Safety and Security for more information.

• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of travel advisory in English

• The governor's office issued a travel advisory on Thursday afternoon urging people not to make unnecessary trips .
• Many people ignored the travel advisory and tried to flee the state as the hurricane made landfall .
• The government's travel advisory warns against all but essential travel to the war-torn country .
• advice column
• advice columnist
• advisability
• advise against doing something
• agony uncle
• brain trust
• Monday-morning quarterback idiom
• on the advice of someone/something
• piece of advice
• Privy Councillor
• run over/through something

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

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to be involved with many activities or jobs at the same time or to make certain that there are always several possibilities available

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Travel advice and advisories by destination

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

The Government of Canada’s official source of travel information and advice, the Travel Advice and Advisories help you to make informed decisions and travel safely while you are outside Canada. Check the page for your destination often, because safety and security conditions may change. See Travel Advice and Advisories – FAQ for more information.

Where are you going?

Take normal security precautions

Exercise a high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Travel advice from other countries

Travel advice is also provided by the governments of Australia , New Zealand , the United Kingdom and the United States .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Elliott Report

Home » Commentary » What is a travel advisor and do you you need one?

What is a travel advisor and do you you need one?

By Christopher Elliott

Published December 6, 2018

Updated January 29, 2024

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) explains

Travelers are lukewarm to name change, internal divisions threaten shift from agents to travel advisors, how can you tell if your agent is a travel advisor, they do more than book travel, they specialize, they customize, they offer concierge services, they charge a consulting fee, are agents now travel advisors.

Christopher Elliott

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Update April 12, 2024

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Mexico Travel Advisory

Travel advisory august 22, 2023, see state summaries.

Reissued after periodic review with general security updates, and the removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links.

Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

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

Do Not Travel To:

• Colima state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Guerrero state  due to  crime .
• Michoacan state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Sinaloa state due to  crime  and  kidnapping
• Tamaulipas state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping.
• Zacatecas  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Reconsider Travel To:

• Baja California  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Chihuahua state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Durango state  due to  crime .
• Guanajuato state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Jalisco state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Morelos state  due to  crime .
• Sonora state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes  state due to  crime .
• Baja California Sur state  due to  crime .
• Chiapas state  due to  crime .
• Coahuila state  due to  crime .
• Hidalgo state  due to  crime .
• Mexico City  due to  crime .
• Mexico State  due to  crime .
• Nayarit state  due to  crime.
• Nuevo Leon  state due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Oaxaca state  due to  crime .
• Puebla state  due to  crime  and  kidnapping .
• Queretaro state  due to  crime .
• Quintana Roo state  due to  crime .
• San Luis Potosi state  due to  crime and kidnapping .
• Tabasco state  due to  crime .
• Tlaxcala state due to  crime .
• Veracruz state  due to  crime .

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche state
• Yucatan state

Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .

If you decide to travel to Mexico:

• Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
• Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
• Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• 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 .
• Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Mexico.
• Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime  advisories  and  alerts , which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel. 

Aguascalientes state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.

Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

• Mexicali Valley:  U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions.  The boundaries of the restricted area are: to the east, the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders; to the south, from La Ventana (on Highway 5) due east to the Colorado River; to the west, Highway 5; and to the north, Boulevard Lazaro Cardenas/Highway 92/Highway 1 to Carretera Aeropuerto, from the intersection of Highway 1 and Carretera Aeropuerto due north to the Baja California/California border, and from that point eastward along the Baja California/California border.
• Travelers may use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours.  Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.

There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. These include high-traffic tourism areas of border and coastal communities, such as  Tijuana ,  Ensenada , and  Rosarito .

Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.

Campeche state – Exercise Normal Precautions

Exercise normal precautions.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.

Chiapas state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Chiapas state.

Chihuahua state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

U.S. government employee travel is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Ciudad Juarez:  U.S. government employees may travel to the area of Ciudad Juarez bounded to the east by Bulevar Independencia; to the south by De los Montes Urales/Avenida Manuel J Clouthier/Carretera de Juárez; to the west by Via Juan Gabriel/Avenida de los Insurgentes/Calle Miguel Ahumada/Francisco Javier Mina/Melchor Ocampo; and to the north by the U.S.-Mexico border.  Direct travel to the Ciudad Juarez airport (officially called the Abraham González International Airport) and the factories located along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres is permitted.  Travel to San Jerónimo is permitted only through the United States via the Santa Teresa U.S. Port of Entry; travel via Anapra is prohibited.

U.S. government employees may only travel from Ciudad Juarez to the city of Chihuahua during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with stops permitted only at the Guardia Nacional División Caminos station, the Umbral del Milenio overlook area, the border inspection station at KM 35, and the shops and restaurants on Federal Highway 45 in the city of Ahumada.

• U.S. government employees may travel between Ciudad Juarez and Ascension via Highway 2.
• Nuevo Casas Grandes Area (including Nuevo Casas Grandes, Casas Grandes, Mata Ortiz, Colonia Juárez, Colonia LeBaron, Paquimé and San Buenaventura):  U.S. government employees may travel to the Nuevo Casas Grandes area during daylight hours via Mexico Federal Highway 2, and subsequently Federal Highway 10, to Nuevo Casas Grandes.  Employees are permitted to stay overnight in the cities of Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes only.
• City of Chihuahua:  U.S. government employees may travel at any time to the area of the city of Chihuahua bounded to the north by Avenida Transformación; to the east by Avenida Tecnológico/Manuel Gómez Morín/Highway 16/Blvd.José Fuentes Mares; to the west by the city boundary; and to the south by Periférico Francisco R. Almada.
• U.S. government employees may travel on Highways 45, 16, and 45D through the city of Chihuahua and to the Chihuahua airport (officially called the General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport). 
• U.S. government employees may travel to Santa Eulalia to the east of the city of Chihuahua, as well as to Juan Aldama via Highway 16 to the northeast.
• U.S. government employees may travel south of the city of Chihuahua on Highway 45 to the southern boundary of Parral, including each town directly connected to Highway 45, including Lázaro Cárdenas, Pedro Meoqui, Santa Cruz de Rosales, Delicias, Camargo, Ciudad Jiménez, and Parral itself.
• U.S. government employees may only travel on official business from the city of Chihuahua on Highway 16 to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc bounded by Highway 21 to the north and east, Highway 5 to the west, and Bulevar Jorge Castillo Cabrera to the south. 
• Ojinaga:  U.S. government employees must travel to Ojinaga via U.S. Highway 67 and enter through the U.S. Port of Entry in Presidio, Texas.
• Palomas:  U.S. government employees may travel to Palomas via U.S. highways through the U.S. Port of Entry in Columbus, New Mexico, or via Highway 2 in Mexico.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Chihuahua, including  Copper Canyon .

Coahuila state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. 

U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities : U.S. government employees may not travel to these municipalities.
• Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña:  U.S. government employees must travel directly from the United States and observe a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. in both cities.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state.

Colima state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.  

Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.  

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with noted restrictions: 

• Manzanillo:   U.S. government employee travel is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo.  
• Employees traveling to Manzanillo from Guadalajara must use Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours.  

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state. 

Durango state – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel due to crime.

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state.

• West and south of Federal Highway 45:  U.S. government employees may not travel to this region of Durango state.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Durango state.

Guanajuato state – Reconsider Travel

Gang violence, often associated with the theft of petroleum and natural gas from the state oil company and other suppliers, occurs in Guanajuato, primarily in the south and central areas of the state.  Of particular concern is the high number of murders in the southern region of the state associated with cartel-related violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Areas south of Federal Highway 45D:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in:  San Miguel de Allende ,  Guanajuato City , and  surrounding areas.

Guerrero state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime.

Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions:

• Taxco:  U.S. government employees must use Federal Highway 95D, which passes through Cuernavaca, Morelos, and stay within downtown tourist areas of Taxco. Employees may visit Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park during the day with a licensed tour operator.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in  Acapulco ,  Zihuatanejo , and  Ixtapa .

Hidalgo state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.

Jalisco state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Jalisco-Michoacan border and Federal Highway 110:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area between Federal Highway 110 and the Jalisco-Michoacan border, nor travel on Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan, Jalisco, and the Michoacan border.
• Federal Highway 80:  U.S. government employees may not travel on Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Jalisco state which includes tourist areas in:  Guadalajara Metropolitan Area ,  Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit) ,  Chapala , and  Ajijic .

Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.

Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.

Michoacan state – Do Not Travel

Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

• Federal Highway 15D:   U.S. government employees may travel on Federal Highway 15D to transit the state between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
• Morelia:  U.S. government employees may travel by air and by land using Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D.
• Lazaro Cardenas:  U.S. government employees must travel by air only and limit activities to the city center or port areas.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Michoacan, including the portions of the  Monarch Butterfly Reserve  located in Michoacan.

Morelos state – Reconsider Travel

Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.

Nayarit state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Nayarit state.

Nuevo Leon state – Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.

Oaxaca state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state.

U.S. travelers are reminded that U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

• Isthmus region:  U.S. government employees may not travel to the area of Oaxaca bounded by Federal Highway 185D to the west, Federal Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca-Chiapas border to the east.  This includes the cities of Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa.  
• Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa:  U.S. government employees may not use Federal Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees to other parts of Oaxaca state, which include tourist areas in:  Oaxaca City ,  Monte Alban ,  Puerto Escondido,  and  Huatulco .

Puebla state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.

Queretaro state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.

Quintana Roo state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.  Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. 

While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.  Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

San Luis Potosi state – Exercise Increased Caution

Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.  U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.

Sinaloa state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based in and operating in Sinaloa. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Mazatlan:  U.S. government employees may travel to Mazatlan by air or sea only, are limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport and sea terminal.
• Los Mochis and Topolobampo:  U.S. government employees may travel to Los Mochis and Topolobampo by air or sea only, are restricted to the city and the port, and must travel via direct routes between these destinations and the airport.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Sinaloa state.

Sonora state – Reconsider Travel

Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.  Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora.

• Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales:  U.S. government employees may travel between the U.S. Ports of Entry in Nogales and Hermosillo during daylight hours via Federal Highway 15 only. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures. Travelers should exercise caution and avoid unnecessary stops as security incidents, including sporadic, armed carjackings, and shootings have been reported along this highway during daylight hours. Travelers should have a full tank of gas and inform friends or family members of their planned travel.
• Nogales:  U.S. government employees may not travel in the triangular area north of Avenida Tecnologico, west of Bulevar Luis Donaldo Colosio (Periferico), nor east of Federal Highway 15D (Corredor Fiscal). U.S. government employees also may not travel in the residential and business areas to east of the railroad tracks along Plutarco Elias Calle (HWY 15) and Calle Ruiz Cortino, including the business area around the Morley pedestrian gate port-of-entry. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Nogales due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.  
• Puerto Peñasco:  U.S. government employees may travel between Puerto Peñasco and the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry during daylight hours via Federal Highway 8 only. They may not travel on any other route to Puerto Peñasco. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in Puerto Peñasco. due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Triangular region near Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry:  U.S. government employees may not travel into or through the triangular region west of the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry, east of Sonoyta, and north of Altar municipality.
• San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta : U.S. government employees may travel directly from the nearest U.S. Port of Entry to San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea (via Douglas Port of Entry), and Agua Prieta, but may not go beyond the city limits. Travel is limited to daylight hours only. Travel between Nogales and Cananea via Imuris is not permitted. U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these cities due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
• Eastern and southern Sonora (including San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos):  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora east of Federal Highway 17, the road between Moctezuma and Sahuaripa, and State Highway 20 between Sahuaripa and the intersection with Federal Highway 16. U.S. government employees may travel to San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos; travel to Alamos is only permitted by air and within city limits.  U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora south of Federal Highway 16 and east of Federal Highway 15 (south of Hermosillo), as well as all points south of Guaymas, including Empalme, Guaymas, Obregon, and Navojoa.  U.S. government employees may not use ANY taxi services, public buses, nor ride-share applications in these areas due to a lack of secure vetting and/or dispatching procedures and the danger of kidnapping and other violent crimes.

U.S. government employees may travel to other parts of Sonora state in compliance with the above restrictions, including tourist areas in: Hermosillo , Bahia de Kino , and Puerto Penasco .

Tabasco state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.

Tamaulipas state – Do Not Travel

Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments.

Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo.  In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state.

U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo:  U.S. government employees may only travel within a limited radius around and between the U.S. Consulates in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros, their homes, the respective U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown sites, subject to an overnight curfew.
• Overland travel in Tamaulipas:  U.S. government employees may not travel between cities in Tamaulipas using interior Mexican highways. Travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey is limited to Federal Highway 85D during daylight hours with prior authorization.

U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state.

Tlaxcala state – Exercise Increased Caution

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.

Veracruz state – Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common.

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.

Yucatan state – Exercise Normal Precautions

There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in:  Chichen Itza ,  Merida ,  Uxmal , and  Valladolid .

Zacatecas state – Do Not Travel

Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

• Zacatecas City : U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, and employees may not travel overland to Zacatecas City.
• U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Zacatecas state.

Travel Advisory Levels

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Travel Advisory or Travel Warning definition

Examples of travel advisory or travel warning in a sentence.

Your arrival into a country for which a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department has been issued preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip, or if a country is an Excluded Country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip.

NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION This Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation Benefit is not available if a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department is issued for a country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip, or if a country is an Excluded Country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip.

COVERAGE FNON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATIONThis Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation Benefit is not available if a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department is issued for a country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip, or if a country is an Excluded Country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip.

These benefits will not duplicate any other benefits payable under the Policy or any coverage(s) attached to the Policy.NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION This Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation Benefit is not available if a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department is issued for a country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip, or if a country is an Excluded Country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip.

COVERAGE FNON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION This Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation Benefit is not available if a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department is issued for a country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip, or if a country is an Excluded Country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip.

Your arrival into a country for which a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department has been issued preceding Your arrival into that country.

Your arrival into a country for which a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department has been issued preceding your arrival into that country.

NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATION This Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation Benefit is not available if a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department is issued for a countrypreceding the Insured’s arrival into that country on the Insured’s Trip, or if a country is an Excluded Country preceding the Insured’s arrival into that country on the Insured’s Trip.

NON-MEDICAL EMERGENCY EVACUATIONThis Non-Medical Emergency Evacuation Benefit is not available if a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department is issued for a country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip, or if a country is an Excluded Country preceding Your arrival into that country on Your Trip.

YOUR arrival into a country for which a formal recommendation in the form of a Travel Advisory or Travel Warning from the U.S. State Department has been issued preceding YOUR arrival into that country.

Related to Travel Advisory or Travel Warning

Business Travel Policy means our business travel policy. A copy of our current Business Travel Policy is attached as Schedule 1 to Exhibit B.

Investment Facilitators/Advisors means an individual, firm, corporate or other entity appointed by the Management Company to identify, solicit and assist investors in investing in the Scheme. The investment facilitator/advisor is not authorized to perform the Distribution Functions. The Management Company shall compensate the Investment Facilitators.

Interscholastic Activities means athletic or non-athletic/academic activities where students compete on a school vs. school basis.

Educator means a person licensed and certified by the State under 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 to engage in the practice of instruction, administration or other related professional support services in Delaware public schools, including charter schools, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Professional Standards Board and approved by the State Board of Education. The term 'educator' does not include substitute teachers.