Foreign Office 'Do Not Travel' List: Essential Guide for UK Travellers
When organising a holiday, it is crucial to verify three key elements before heading to the airport: ensure your passport is valid, confirm your travel insurance remains active, and check that your destination is deemed safe by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Political conflicts, natural disasters, and safety concerns are primary reasons why the UK Foreign Office may recommend British nationals avoid specific locations.
The FCDO issues various travel advisories, including warnings against "all travel" and "all but essential travel" to entire nations or specific regions across Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Out of 226 countries or territories with foreign travel advice pages, 76 are currently flagged as having no-go zones due to security issues, health risks, and legal differences with the UK.
If you decide to travel against FCDO advice, your travel insurance will be invalidated, and you may face a lack of consular support in emergencies overseas. Below is the comprehensive list of countries on the Foreign Office's 'do not travel' list to review before planning any trip.
FCDO Advises Against All Travel
The FCDO strongly advises against all travel to the following countries due to severe risks:
- Afghanistan – "The security situation is volatile."
- Belarus – "You face a significant risk of arrest."
- Burkina Faso – "Due to the threat of terrorist attacks and terrorist kidnap."
- Haiti – "Due to the volatile security situation."
- Iran – "British nationals are at significant risk of arrest."
- Iraq – "Due to recent escalation in regional conflict."
- Israel – "Regional escalation poses significant security risks."
- Mali – "Due to unpredictable security conditions."
- Niger – "Due to the rise of reported terrorist and criminal kidnappings."
- Palestine – "Regional escalation poses significant security risks."
- Russia – "Due to the risks and threats from its continuing invasion of Ukraine."
- South Sudan – "Due to the risk of armed violence and criminality."
- Syria – "Ongoing conflict and unpredictable security conditions."
- Yemen – "Unpredictable security conditions."
FCDO Advises Against All Travel to Parts
For these countries, the FCDO advises against all travel to specific regions:
- Algeria – within 30km of borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Tunisia.
- Armenia – within 5km of the eastern border with Azerbaijan, the M16/H26 road between Ijevan and Noyemberyan.
- Azerbaijan – within 5km of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border.
- Benin – northern border regions.
- Burundi – Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces, former Kayanza province, former Bujumbura Rural province, RN5 road north of Melchior Ndadaye airport.
- Cameroon – Bakassi Peninsula, parts of Far-North, North-West, South-West Regions, within 40km of Central African Republic, Chad, Nigeria borders.
- Central African Republic – against all travel except to Bangui.
- Chad – Borkou, Ennedi Ouest, Ennedi Est, Tibesti provinces, Kanem Province, Lake Chad region, within 30km of all borders.
- Congo – within 50km of the Congo-Central African Republic border in Likouala Region.
- Côte d'Ivoire – within 40km of borders with Burkina Faso and Mali.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo – within 50km of the border with Central African Republic, Kasaï Oriental, Kwamouth territory, provinces in Eastern DRC.
- Djibouti – Djibouti-Eritrea border.
- Egypt – within 20km of Egypt-Libya border, North Sinai Governorate.
- Eritrea – within 25km of land borders.
- Ethiopia – international border areas, Tigray, Amhara, Afar, Gambela, Oromia, Somali, Central, Southern, Sidama, South West regions, Benishangul-Gumuz region.
- Georgia – South Ossetia and Abkhazia.
- India – within 10km of India-Pakistan border, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Indonesia – Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, Mount Sinabung, Mount Marapi, Mount Semeru, Mount Ruang, Mount Ibu.
- Jordan – within 3km of border with Syria, all but essential travel to other areas.
- Kenya – Kenya-Somalia border, northern parts of east coast.
- Lebanon – areas in Beirut, Mount Lebanon, South, Nabatiyeh, Beqaa, Baalbek-Hermel, Akkar Governorates, Tripoli, Palestinian refugee camps.
- Libya – against all travel except Benghazi and Misrata.
- Mauritania – Eastern Mauritania, within 25km of Malian border.
- Moldova – Transnistria.
- Mozambique – Cabo Delgado province, parts of Nampula, Niassa provinces.
- Myanmar (Burma) – Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine, Sagaing, Magway, Tanintharyi, Shan State North, North Mandalay Region.
- Nigeria – Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Katsina, Zamfara states, riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River states.
- Pakistan – within 10 miles of Afghanistan border, areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan Province.
- Philippines – western and central Mindanao, Sulu archipelago.
- Saudi Arabia – within 10km of Yemen border.
- Somalia – against all travel except Awdal, Maroodijeh, Sahil regions.
- Sudan – against all travel except Hala'ib Triangle, Bir Tawil Trapezoid.
- Togo – within 30km of Burkina Faso border.
- Tunisia – parts of Western Tunisia, Tunisia-Algeria border, Southern Tunisia, Tunisia-Libya border.
- Turkey – within 10km of Turkey-Syria border.
- Ukraine – all regions except some western areas.
- Venezuela – border areas, Orinoco Mining Arc, south of Orinoco river, Zulia state, all but essential travel to remaining areas.
- Western Sahara – within 30km of 'the Berm' boundary line, areas south and east of it.
FCDO Advises Against All But Essential Travel
The FCDO defines 'essential travel' as decisions based on individual circumstances and risks, such as urgent family or business commitments. Countries with this advisory include:
- Bahrain – "Regional escalation poses significant security risks."
- Cuba – "Severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure."
- North Korea – "The security situation can change quickly with no advance warning."
- Kuwait – "Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals should immediately shelter in place."
- Qatar – "Due to reported missile attacks, British nationals should immediately shelter in place."
- United Arab Emirates – "Regional escalation poses significant security risks."
FCDO Advises Against All But Essential Travel to Parts
For these nations, the advisory applies to specific regions:
- Angola – Cabinda Province except Cabinda city, border areas in Lunda Norte Province.
- Bangladesh – Chittagong Hill Tracts.
- Bolivia – Chapare region.
- Brazil – four river areas in Amazonas State: Amazon River west of Codajás and east of Belém do Solimões, Itaquaí River, Japurá River, Rio Negro north or west of Barcelos.
- Cambodia – within 20km of Thailand border.
- Colombia – within 5km of borders, parts of northern, central, southern Colombia, Pacific Coast.
- Ecuador – seven coastal provinces, within 20km of Ecuador-Colombia border.
- Ghana – Bawku Municipality.
- Guatemala – within 5km of Mexican border, towns of Santa Ana Huista, San Antonio Huista, La Democracia.
- Kosovo – municipalities of Zvečan, Zubin Potok, Leposavic, areas of Mitrovica north of river Ibar.
- Laos – Xaisomboun Province.
- Malaysia – Eastern Sabah coastal islands.
- Mexico – parts of Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Michoacán, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, Chiapas.
- Papua New Guinea – Hela, Southern Highlands provinces, Enga Province except Wabag District.
- Peru – within 20km south of Peru-Colombia border, Valley of Apurímac, Ene, Mantaro River.
- Rwanda – Rusizi district.
- Tanzania – within 20km of border with Cabo Delgado Province in Mozambique.
- Thailand – parts of south near Malaysia border, within 20km of Cambodia border.
This information was updated on 9 March 2026. Always consult the latest FCDO travel advice before making any travel arrangements to ensure safety and compliance with insurance requirements.
