---
title: "U.S. State Department travel advisory levels"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: U.S. Department of State, \"Travel Advisories\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: travel
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Travel Advisories"
    publisher: U.S. Department of State
    url: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# U.S. State Department travel advisory levels

## Summary
State Department travel advisories rate destinations from Level 1 (exercise normal precautions) to Level 4 (do not travel), with letter codes for specific risks such as crime (C) or terrorism (T). Check the destination's advisory before booking and consider enrolling in STEP.

> **General information, not legal or travel advice. Rules, fees, and processing times change; confirm with travel.state.gov, TSA, or CBP before you travel.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: Level 1 is exercise normal precautions, Level 2 exercise increased caution, Level 3 reconsider travel, and Level 4 do not travel.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: Level 4 means life-threatening risks, and the U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3
  claim: Advisories at Levels 1–2 are reviewed every 12 months and at Levels 3–4 at least every 6 months, plus whenever conditions change substantially.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: Risk indicators include Crime (C), Terrorism (T), Unrest (U), Health (H), Natural Disaster (N), Time-limited Event (E), Kidnapping or Hostage-Taking (K), Wrongful Detention (D), and Other (O).
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Advisories assess risk for U.S. citizens, not foreign nationals.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F6
  claim: The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) sends email updates from the local U.S. embassy or consulate.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Current level for a specific country (changes often; not cached here)
  where: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
  access: open