Travel Destinations: Where Can I Go?

Travelling to other countries can be a thrilling experience, but it's important to be aware of any restrictions or requirements that may apply. For instance, Americans are currently prohibited from travelling to certain countries due to sanctions, visa requirements, or safety concerns. North Korea is one such country, with the US government restricting travel due to safety concerns following the death of an American college student who was arrested while visiting. Additionally, there are countries with strict or complex visa requirements for American citizens, such as Cuba, where travel is legally prohibited unless for specific purposes such as official government business or humanitarian projects. It's also important to consider the US State Department's travel advisories, which indicate security challenges or strained diplomatic relations. As of August 2024, the Central African Republic and North Korea are under a Level 4 advisory.

When planning international travel, it's crucial to ensure that your travel documents are up-to-date and to understand the visa requirements for your destination. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your visit. Additionally, certain countries have specific regulations regarding medications, including prescription drugs. It's essential to contact the consulate or embassy of your destination to ensure that your medications are permitted and to obtain any necessary documentation.

Visa requirements for American citizens

As of 2024, US passport holders can travel to 186 countries and territories without a visa or with a visa on arrival. The US passport ranks 8th in terms of travel freedom.

However, US citizens are not allowed to enter North Korea and require a visa to enter 19 countries, including:

• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Sudan

US citizens can obtain an eVisa for 22 countries, including:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Brazil
• Bhutan

For 35 countries, US citizens can get a visa on arrival, including:

• United Arab Emirates
• Laos
• Uganda

To enter certain countries, US citizens must meet specific requirements. For example, when travelling to Bhutan, there is a "Sustainable Development Fee" of US$100 per day for visitors. When entering Canada, anyone with a criminal record may not be able to enter without first obtaining approval for rehabilitation or a Temporary Resident Permit.

To find out the visa requirements for your destination, you can use the US State Department's Learn About Your Destination search tool.

Countries with sanctions against American citizens

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is part of the United States Treasury Department and manages the US government's sanctions and embargo programs. The US sanctions countries that violate human rights or sponsor terrorism. Sanctions can be either comprehensive or selective, using the blocking of assets and trade restrictions to accomplish foreign policy and national security goals.

As of June 2023, the US had active sanctions programs covering the following countries:

• Central African Republic
• Democratic Republic of Congo
• Russia
• Ukraine
• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Syria

Comprehensive sanctions are currently in place targeting Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and certain conflict regions of Ukraine, which heavily restrict nearly all trade and financial transactions between US persons and those regions. US citizens are prohibited from conducting certain activities with the listed individuals and entities without prior OFAC authorization.

US sanctions programs vary in scope. Some are broad-based and oriented geographically (e.g. Cuba, Iran). Others are "targeted" (e.g. counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics) and focus on specific individuals and entities. These programs may encompass broad prohibitions at the country level as well as targeted sanctions.

The US does not maintain a specific list of countries that US persons cannot do business with because its sanctions program varies in scope depending on the sanctions program. However, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) maintains a Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) with approximately 12,000 names connected with sanctions targets. US persons are prohibited from dealing with SDNs regardless of location, and all SDN assets are blocked.

Safety concerns for American citizens

As an American citizen, you are allowed to travel to Qatar without a visa. This is due to Qatar's recent inclusion in the US visa waiver programme, which allows citizens of both countries to travel visa-free for up to 90 days. However, there are several countries that American citizens are prohibited from travelling to or require strict visa requirements. These include:

Sanctioned Countries:

North Korea: The US government restricts all travel to North Korea for American citizens due to safety concerns. This advisory was issued after the death of Otto Warmbier, an American college student who was arrested while on a tour of North Korea and returned to the US in a coma.

Countries with Strict or Complex Visa Requirements:

Cuba: Travel to Cuba is legally prohibited for Americans unless they are working with a licensed operator for specific purposes such as family visits, journalism, humanitarian projects, or educational purposes.

Countries on the US State Department Level 4 Travel Advisory:

The US State Department assigns travel advisory levels to countries, ranging from 1 ("Exercise Normal Precautions") to 4 ("Do Not Travel"). The Level 4 advisory is given to countries facing significant security challenges or having strained diplomatic relations with the US. As of August 2024, the following countries are under this advisory:

• Central African Republic
• North Korea

When travelling abroad, safety should be a top priority for American citizens. Here are some important considerations and precautions to keep in mind:

Transportation and Road Safety:

• Motor vehicle accidents pose the greatest risk to international travellers, according to the CDC. This is due to factors such as poor roadway design, unskilled drivers, and unfamiliarity with local roads and driving conditions.
• Always wear a seatbelt when travelling in a car, and request a car with airbags if possible.
• Check the condition of the vehicle, including tires, windshield wipers, brakes, and headlights, before travelling.
• Avoid driving or riding at night, and refrain from drinking alcohol before driving.
• Use a safety helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
• Enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides US citizens with safety and security information and alerts from local embassies or consulates.

Health and Sanitation:

• Be cautious of sanitation issues such as non-potable water.
• Be aware of local insect-borne illnesses and diseases. Use insect repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito netting when necessary.
• Avoid swimming in freshwater streams, canals, and lakes, as well as in warm, dirty water, to prevent infectious diseases.
• Only swim in pools with chlorinated water.

Crime and Violence:

• Crime is one of the most common threats to the safety of US citizens abroad. Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, especially in areas of poverty or civil unrest.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewellery that may attract unwanted attention.
• Avoid travelling alone at night, and vary your routine to avoid becoming a target.
• Stay informed about local scams and crime trends by checking the Overseas Security Advisory Council Country Security Reports.
• In the event of a crime, contact the local authorities and the nearest US embassy or consulate for assistance.

Cultural and Legal Differences:

• Language, culture, and local laws can present challenges when seeking help in an emergency.
• Be respectful of local laws and customs, as US citizens are subject to these laws during their travel.
• Understand that local government responses to accidents or crimes may differ from what you are used to in the United States.
• For LGBTQ+ travellers, review the Human Rights Report before travel, as laws and attitudes in some countries may negatively affect safety and ease of travel.

Medication allowances when travelling

When travelling, it is important to plan ahead and ensure that you can bring your medication with you to your destination country and determine if your medication is available where you are going, in case it is lost, stolen, or becomes unusable. Each country has its own laws related to medicines, and non-compliance can result in confiscation, deportation, jail time, or even the death penalty.

Firstly, it is important to research the medication laws of your destination country. Many countries have strict lists of banned or restricted medications, including the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Turkey, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Malaysia. Narcotics, sedatives, amphetamines, and other common over-the-counter medications are often banned or restricted. You can check the website of your destination country's embassy in your home country to find out more about their medication laws. It is also a good idea to check with your airline, as some have specific prohibitions on certain medications.

Secondly, if any of your medications are on the banned or restricted list of your destination country or your airline, you will need to talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives. Make sure that any alternative medications are legally permitted and readily available in your destination country. You may need to obtain a letter from your healthcare provider explaining your medical treatment and necessity, translated into the language of your destination country if necessary.

Thirdly, ensure that you have all the necessary documentation for your medication. For prescription medication, always take a copy of your prescription, and check if it needs to be translated into the local language of your destination. Some medications may also require you to carry a letter from a healthcare professional. The name on the prescription should match the name on your travel documents and identification.

Finally, when packing your medication, keep it in your carry-on luggage and in its original, labelled containers. Do not combine multiple medications into one container. Pack enough medication to last the length of your trip, plus extra in case of delays, but no more than personal-use quantities. If you are travelling with liquid medication that is over 100ml, you will likely need to contact your airline and all airports you will travel through for special permission, and you will need documentation from a healthcare professional supporting your need for the liquid medication.

Countries with Level 4 Travel Advisory

As of 2024, the US State Department has issued a Level 4 ("Do Not Travel") advisory for the following countries:

• Afghanistan
• Belarus
• Burkina Faso
• Central African Republic
• Myanmar (formerly Burma)
• Gaza
• Haiti
• Iran
• Iraq
• Libya
• Mali
• Mexico (six states: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas)
• North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)
• Russia
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Ukraine
• Venezuela
• Yemen

Level 4 is the highest level of warning, indicating that there is a high risk to personal safety in these countries. Common risk factors include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism. The US government may have a "very limited ability" to help US citizens in these countries should their safety or security be at risk.

Frequently asked questions