Guilia Velez
The U.S. government has issued Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisories for several countries, including Yemen and Mexico. Level 4 is the highest advisory level issued by the State Department and indicates a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on government employee travel and make contingency plans to leave the country without government assistance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Advisory level | Level 4 is the highest advisory level issued by the State Department |
| Who is it issued by? | The State Department |
| Who is it issued to? | U.S. citizens |
| What does it advise? | Not to travel to a nation or region |
| What does it indicate? | A greater likelihood of life-threatening risks |
| What are some examples of Level 4 countries? | Yemen, Mexico, Israel |
| What are some restrictions for U.S. government employees? | No travel between cities after dark, no hailing taxis on the street, must rely on dispatched vehicles |
| What should U.S. citizens do if they are travelling to a Level 4 country? | Make contingency plans to leave the country without U.S. government assistance, draft a will, make a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Travel advisories for US citizens
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for several countries, including Yemen, Mexico and Israel. This is the highest advisory level and indicates a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. The advisory urges U.S. citizens not to travel to these nations or regions and is issued when the State Department believes travellers are more likely to encounter civil war, terrorism, civil unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, or other dangerous conditions.
U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. These include not travelling between cities after dark, not hailing taxis on the street, and relying on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services and regulated taxi stands.
If you are planning to travel to a Level 4 country, it is important to take extra precautions and be aware of your surroundings at all times. The U.S. government recommends making contingency plans to leave the country without government assistance, drafting a will, and designating appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney. It is also important to make a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, and belongings, and to share important documents, login information, and points of contact.
You can also enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
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Travel warnings for Mexico
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for certain areas of Mexico, warning U.S. citizens not to travel to these regions. This is the highest advisory level issued by the State Department and indicates a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. The advisory for Mexico is due to violent crime related to drug cartels, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, which are widespread and common in the country.
The advisory specifically warns against travel to the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and four cities within the state: Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and San Fernando. The warning was issued due to increasingly frequent gun battles and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in these areas.
Other regions of Mexico under the Level 4 advisory include Zacatecas, Sinaloa, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Colima.
If you are planning to travel to Mexico, it is important to follow the latest travel advice and warnings from official sources, such as the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico. It is also recommended that you enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency.
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Travel warnings for Yemen
The US State Department has issued a Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisory for Yemen, urging US citizens not to travel to the country. This is the highest advisory level issued by the State Department and indicates a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also advises against all travel to Yemen, warning that travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against this advice. The Australian government advises against travel to Yemen, including the island of Socotra, due to the dangerous security situation and the threat of armed conflict, kidnapping and terrorism.
The security situation in Yemen is unpredictable and could deteriorate with little or no warning. There is a high risk of kidnapping, especially on the highway connecting the cities of Sanaa, Ta’izz and Aden, and foreigners have been targeted. Military operations against Houthi targets are continuing in Yemen and the Red Sea area. Demonstrations and protests can take place at any time and place, and even peaceful events can turn violent without warning.
Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Drivers may not respect traffic laws and may often drive on the wrong side of the road. Vehicles are poorly maintained, and roaming animals pose hazards. Roadblocks and checkpoints may be set up without warning, and local authorities may close access to certain areas without notice. If you are involved in an accident resulting in death or injuries, you may be jailed or fined.
If you are in Yemen, you should leave immediately.
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Restrictions for US government employees
A Level 4 travel advisory is the highest warning issued by the US State Department. It urges US citizens not to travel to a nation or region and indicates a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.
The US government has issued Level 4 'Do Not Travel' advisories for several countries, including Yemen, due to ongoing civil wars, unpredictable attacks by terrorist groups, and other threats such as crime, health risks, and kidnapping.
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Contingency plans for travel to high-risk areas
A Level 4 travel advisory is the highest level of warning issued by the U.S. State Department. It indicates a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks and urges U.S. citizens not to travel to a nation or region. As of March 2025, 21 countries and regions were under a Level 4 advisory, including Mexico, Israel and Yemen.
If you are planning to travel to a high-risk area, it is important to make contingency plans in case of an emergency. The U.S. government recommends that travellers to Level 4 areas make plans to leave the country without government assistance if necessary. This includes drafting a will and designating appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney. It is also important to make a plan with loved ones regarding the care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, and non-liquid assets. Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to.
When travelling to a high-risk area, it is crucial to be aware of your surroundings at all times and to establish a personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organisation. Consider consulting with a professional security organisation for additional guidance. Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer, and enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
State-specific restrictions may also apply in Level 4 areas. For example, U.S. government employees in some areas may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles or app-based services. It is important to review and adhere to any restrictions that may be in place for your destination.
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Frequently asked questions
It is the highest advisory level issued by the State Department and indicates a greater likelihood of life-threatening risks. U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to a nation or region under a Level 4 advisory.
The U.S. government advises citizens to make contingency plans to leave the country without government assistance, draft a will, and make a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, and belongings.
As of March 2025, Yemen, Mexico, and Israel are under a Level 4 advisory.
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 and regulated taxi stands.
The U.S. government advises citizens to adhere to the restrictions on U.S. government employee travel and to be aware of their surroundings at all times.
