U.S. Travel Advisory Updates

The State Department rolls out a new travel warning system and website for travelers.

On January 10, the U.S. State Department unveiled a new Travel Advisories system, replacing the previous Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts classifications. Every country is now ascribed a travel advisory level, ranging from Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) to Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”).

Depending on conditions, locations within a country may also be classified. A country with a Level 2 status (“Exercise Increased Caution”) could have a particular city or area within it at Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”). Letters—such as C for crime or T for terrorism—explain why a country has received its classification.

Travelers will still receive emergency messages and security messages about specific safety concerns, such as a natural disaster, but these will now be known as alerts. The State Department also launched a mobile-friendly site redesign in December that hosts the travel advisories and recent alerts along with an interactive map.