U.S. issues new travel advisory

The U.S. Department of State updated several country travel advisories in early April, with new or revised warnings for destinations including Nigeria, Oman, Ethiopia, Barbados and Bermuda. (travel.state.gov) The State Department says a travel advisory is a country-by-country risk notice for U.S. citizens, using four levels from Level 1, “Exercise Normal Precautions,” to Level 4, “Do Not Travel.” It says advisories can be revised whenever conditions change substantially, including changes to U.S. government staffing or security restrictions. (travel.state.gov) Nigeria’s advisory was updated on April 8, 2026 and remained at Level 3, “Reconsider Travel.” The State Department said Plateau, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger and Taraba states were added to its “Do Not Travel” list, and it authorized non-emergency U.S. personnel and family members to leave Embassy Abuja because of a deteriorating security situation. (travel.state.gov) Oman’s advisory was updated on April 9 and also stayed at Level 3. The State Department said its summary was revised to reflect embassy operating changes after it ordered non-emergency U.S. employees and family members to leave on March 13, citing safety risks, and it warned of drone and missile threats and flight disruptions after hostilities between the United States and Iran began on February 28. (travel.state.gov) Ethiopia’s advisory was updated on April 1 and remained at Level 3. The State Department said it added “exit bans and communication disruptions” to the “other” risk indicator and warned that Americans can face internet and phone shutdowns, limited consular access outside Addis Ababa, and immigration fines that in some cases have exceeded $100,000. (travel.state.gov) Barbados and Bermuda were both updated on April 10, but both stayed at Level 1, the lowest advisory tier. In Barbados, the State Department said petty crime such as purse snatching and pickpocketing is common in tourist areas; in Bermuda, it said the island is generally safe and updated only the advisory summary. (travel.state.gov, travel.state.gov) The updates landed during a broader worldwide caution the State Department issued on March 22, 2026. That alert told Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution because periodic airspace closures and attacks on U.S. diplomatic facilities could disrupt travel. (travel.state.gov) For travelers, the practical change is not a blanket ban but a more detailed set of country pages that can shift even when a headline level does not. The State Department tells Americans to check the destination page before departure and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP, for embassy alerts. (travel.state.gov, state.gov)