U.S. expands travel warnings
The U.S. State Department updated travel guidance this week, urging caution for roughly 23 countries and raising advisory levels for at least two nations since the Iran war began (azcentral.com). Industry reporting adds that 12 countries were specifically flagged for heightened risk and names places including Nigeria, Oman, Ethiopia, Barbados and Bermuda—Bermuda guidance also repeats warnings about rip currents, crime precautions and prescription‑drug differences ( ).
The United States widened its travel warnings in April, updating advisories across multiple regions and raising at least two countries to “Level 3: Reconsider Travel.” (travel.state.gov, travel.state.gov) The State Department says a Travel Advisory is a destination-by-destination risk notice for U.S. citizens, and it updates those notices when conditions change substantially, including when the U.S. government changes staffing or movement rules for embassy personnel. (travel.state.gov) Azerbaijan was raised to Level 3, with the State Department citing terrorism, armed conflict and landmines, and telling Americans not to travel to the southern border region unless it is their best overland exit from Iran. (travel.state.gov) São Tomé and Príncipe was also listed at Level 3 in an advisory published six days ago, and the State Department said U.S. mission personnel have needed special permission to travel there since March 24, 2026 because of safety risks and unrest. (travel.state.gov, travel.state.gov) Nigeria’s advisory was updated on April 8, 2026, and the State Department authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members to leave Embassy Abuja because of what it called a deteriorating security situation. (travel.state.gov, ng.usembassy.gov) That Nigeria notice kept the country at Level 3 overall, but the State Department told Americans not to travel to a long list of states because of terrorism, kidnapping, crime and unrest, including Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Rivers outside Port Harcourt. (travel.state.gov) Oman’s advisory, published five days ago, says the State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. personnel and family members to leave on March 13, 2026, after hostilities between the United States and Iran began on February 28 and raised the threat of drone and missile attacks. (travel.state.gov) The State Department’s broader Middle East guidance now tells Americans in the region to follow the nearest embassy or consulate and use the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP, for security updates and help with travel options home. (travel.state.gov) Not every update meant a higher warning level. Barbados and Bermuda were both updated on April 10 and remained at Level 1, the lowest tier, while the State Department repeated advice about petty crime, local laws and emergency planning. (travel.state.gov, travel.state.gov) Bermuda’s notice says the island is generally safe but tells travelers to review local guidance, while Barbados’ notice warns that most crimes against foreigners are opportunistic thefts such as purse snatching and pickpocketing. (travel.state.gov, travel.state.gov) The practical effect is that U.S. travelers now face a denser map of country-specific warnings just as the State Department says conditions in any destination can change at any time and travelers should check the latest advisory before departure. (travel.state.gov, travel.state.gov)
