Full list of countries with Foreign Office 'do not travel' warning

Risk of arrest, armed violence, natural disasters and political conflicts are among the reasons the Foreign Office gives when advising you should stay away from certain countries

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to Brits advising against travel to nine countries due to severe safety and security risks. Neglecting the guidance from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) could place individuals in danger and also lead to invalidation of travel insurance.

FCDO advice is available for 226 countries or territories, providing detailed information on safety, security, health concerns, entry requirements, and any differences in law from the UK. As reported by Express.co.uk, reasons for the Foreign Office's directives to avoid particular destinations include potential arrests, armed conflicts, natural disasters, and political turmoil.

Depending on the severity of conditions, the advice might range from avoiding "all travel" to a nation to excluding "all but essential travel" It is important to consult this advice before planning any trips, as non-compliance can nullify travel insurance cover.

At present, nine out of the 266 locations with travel advisories are listed under the Foreign Office's "do not travel" category.

Listed alphabetically, the initial country specified is Afghanistan, which is described to have a "volatile" security environment by the Foreign Office. The body informs: "Travel throughout Afghanistan is extremely dangerous and border crossings may not be open."

Furthermore, it alerts about an increased possibility of British nationals being detained in Afghanistan, a nation that has been governed by the Taliban since 2021.

Belarus is highlighted as a destination where Brits could face a "significant risk" of arrest for activities deemed illegal by the Belarusian authorities, regardless of when they occurred. The Foreign Office also cautions that there's a "low risk" that the conflict in Ukraine could extend to Belarus, which is situated in Eastern Europe.

Haiti is third on the list with its security situation described as "volatile". The absence of consular officials in Haiti means that assistance would be "severely limited", according to the Foreign Office.

Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, is largely under the control of violent gangs. The UN reports that the combination of violence, political instability, and economic crisis has led to the displacement of over 700,000 individuals.

Iran follows, posing a significant threat to British and British-Iranian dual nationals who may be subject to arrest, interrogation, or detention. The Foreign Office advises: "Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you."

It also warns that the British Government's ability to assist those in "difficulty" in Iran is limited, noting that last year Iran launched missiles at Israel and was targeted in return.

Next, Libya has been on the Foreign Office's no-travel list since 2014, advising against all travel to the country. The Foreign Office has issued a stark warning concerning the precarious security environment in Libya, stating: "The local security situation is fragile and can quickly deteriorate, with intense fighting starting without warning."

British nationals in Libya have received strong advice from the authorities: "Any travel to, from or within Libya is at your own risk. If you are a British national in Libya, we strongly advise you to consider leaving."

Regarding Russia, the unfolding circumstances due to the war in Ukraine put it onto the Foreign Office's no-go list. Citing a "high" probability of terrorism, drone assaults, struggles with Russian air defence systems, the lack of available return flights to the UK, and limited governmental support capabilities, the Foreign Office gives multiple reasons to avoid visiting Russia.

The Foreign Office also lists South Sudan, advising against all travel there due to the threats of armed violence and crime. Britons finding themselves in South Sudan are being told to leave amid warnings that the country's political and security landscape "remains unpredictable".

Travel routes could be cut off if conditions in South Sudan worsen, leading to potential last-minute cancellations of flights.

Syria follows on this list; with the country mired in conflict, the official guidance for those caught in hostilities is to shelter in place until a "safe" exit route becomes apparent.

Yemen completes the list, a nation where the Foreign Office notes that assistance for British citizens is "severely limited". The threat level from terrorists aiming to strike in Yemen is described as "very likely".

The threat level is described as "heightened" in regions where Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and Islamic State-Yemen maintain tribal connections, particularly in areas such as Abyan, Marib, Hadramawt, and Shabwah.

Potential terror attacks could target locations frequented by foreigners, encompassing hotels, supermarkets, airports, and other transportation hubs. Moreover, there exists a "constant" danger of Westerners being abducted throughout Yemen, with a "high" likelihood that terror factions might capture foreigners and sell them to AQAP, an organisation known for executing some of its hostages.

Despite a de-facto ceasefire between the rebel Houthis and the Yemeni government, Yemen's political and security landscape remains "uncertain and volatile".

There are also multiple countries that have Foreign Office warnings in place for travel to "parts" of the nation. For updated information and travel advice, it's recommended to consult gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.