Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Ukraine and More Listed in UK’s Urgent Travel Advisory Amid Growing Risks of Conflict, Crime and Instability Across Key Global Destinations

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Ukraine, and other key global destinations have been flagged in the UK’s latest travel advisory due to escalating concerns over conflict, crime, and political instability. As a result, the UK government is urging travelers to reconsider their plans to these regions, highlighting the increasing risks that could jeopardize both personal safety and travel experiences. The advisory is particularly focused on areas affected by ongoing wars, insurgencies, and terrorism, as well as regions experiencing severe social unrest or a higher likelihood of foreign nationals being arrested. By issuing this warning, the FCDO aims to ensure that British travelers are fully informed of the risks, allowing them to make safer decisions and prioritize their well-being before embarking on international trips.

The UK government has issued an updated travel advisory, urging British passport holders to carefully reconsider their travel plans to 55 destinations worldwide due to concerns about safety, political instability, armed conflict, and crime. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) consistently monitors global events and issues travel advice to help UK citizens make informed decisions. While UK citizens can travel visa-free or with visas to more than 180 destinations, the government emphasizes that the availability of travel options does not equate to safety.

Before booking any trip, the FCDO advises travelers to check three essential factors: the validity of their passport, travel insurance coverage, and whether their chosen destination is deemed safe according to the official UK guidance. Countries and regions can be added to the FCDO’s restricted list for various reasons, including terrorism, civil unrest, armed conflict, natural disasters, or the heightened risk of arrest for foreign nationals.

The FCDO warns that traveling to regions listed as unsafe or against its advice can lead to the invalidation of travel insurance and significantly limit the UK government’s ability to assist should travelers encounter difficulties abroad.

As of December 2025, 55 destinations are subject to either full or partial travel restrictions, down from over 70 earlier in the year, following reassessments of certain regions. The updated list reflects improvements in security in some areas, while others remain subject to serious concerns.

Countries Where the FCDO Advises Against All Travel:

For UK passport holders, the following countries are completely off-limits due to extreme levels of conflict or instability:

• Afghanistan
• Belarus
• Burkina Faso
• Haiti
• Iran
• Mali
• Niger
• Russia
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

These destinations have been deemed too dangerous for travel due to ongoing wars, civil unrest, or government suppression, with significant risks to both personal safety and political safety.

Countries with Partial Travel Restrictions:

While the FCDO does not prohibit travel to entire countries, certain regions within several nations are flagged as unsafe. The FCDO recommends only essential travel to the following areas:

• Algeria: Regions within 30km of the borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, and Tunisia due to heightened risks of terrorist activities.
• Armenia: Areas within 5km of the border with Azerbaijan, where conflict persists.
• Azerbaijan: The zone within 5km of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, which has been a site of frequent clashes.
• Benin: The northern border regions, where criminal activities and trafficking have been reported.
• Burundi: Specific provinces, including Cibitoke and Bubanza, due to violent unrest.
• Cameroon: Regions such as the Bakassi Peninsula and areas near the Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria borders, plagued by armed groups.
• Central African Republic: Travel outside the capital, Bangui, is strongly discouraged due to ongoing instability.
• Chad: Areas near the borders with Libya, Sudan, and others, marked by heavy military presence and insecurity.
• Congo: The regions near the Central African Republic border, where armed groups operate.
• Egypt: The North Sinai Governorate and areas near the Libya border, affected by terrorism.
• Eritrea: Border areas due to ongoing tensions with neighboring Ethiopia.
• Ethiopia: International border regions and several areas impacted by conflict in the Tigray region.
• Israel: Areas in Gaza, the West Bank, and Northern Israel, due to the ongoing conflict.
• Kenya: Border regions near Somalia, where al-Shabaab and other groups have targeted civilians.
• Lebanon: Parts of Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley, where political instability persists.
• Libya: Most of the country remains off-limits, with only a few cities like Benghazi and Misrata considered relatively safer.
• Moldova: The Transnistria region, where tensions with Russia remain high.
• Mozambique: Cabo Delgado Province, where insurgency activities are ongoing.
• Nigeria: Borno, Yobe, and several northern states suffering from insurgency and banditry.
• Pakistan: Regions near the Afghanistan border and areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, heavily affected by militant activity.
• Philippines: Parts of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, where insurgent groups operate.
• Somalia: Western regions, where al-Shabaab and other armed groups pose a significant threat to travelers.
• Sudan: Except for certain regions like the Hala’ib Triangle, travel is highly restricted due to internal conflict.
• Syria: The entire country remains off-limits, with exceptions for specific travel zones deemed safe by the local authorities.

Additionally, the FCDO places specific areas of the following countries under partial restrictions:

• Mexico: States including Baja California and Michoacán due to drug cartel violence and gang activity.
• Tunisia: Western Tunisia near the Algerian border and parts near Libya, where terrorist activities have been reported.
• Ukraine: Most regions, except for some western parts, remain highly unsafe due to ongoing conflict with Russia.

Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Kenya, Mexico, Ukraine, and other regions are now highlighted in the UK’s latest travel advisory due to rising concerns over conflict, crime, and instability, urging travelers to reconsider their plans for safety.

Important Guidelines for UK Travelers:

The UK government’s travel advisory is not just a precaution but a vital tool for protecting citizens abroad. The FCDO continuously updates its advice as the situation on the ground changes, providing UK travelers with the necessary information to make informed decisions. Travelers are urged to follow these recommendations and adjust their plans accordingly.

Staying up to date on FCDO advisories and monitoring local news are essential steps in ensuring a safe trip. UK travelers are also encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance, which is particularly important when traveling to regions with heightened risks.

In summary, while the world offers numerous exciting destinations, safety must always be a priority. The FCDO’s travel advisory helps British citizens navigate the complexities of global travel and avoid potentially dangerous situations.

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