United States Issues New 'Do Not Travel' Warning

The United States Department of State has an expansive and extensive database of travel advisories covering hundreds of countries across the globe. These advisories provide crucial information to travelers, giving them all the information they need to ensure their safety while abroad.

Sometimes, these advisories warn against traveling to a particular country completely, and that was the case this week when the United States issued an updated “do not travel” warning to one African country following a coordinated attack from a terrorist extremist group.

United States Travel Advisories

The United States categorizes its travel advisories into four distinct levels, spanning from the less serious Level 1 to the most severe Level 4 warnings.

A Level 1 travel advisory serves as a gentle reminder for travelers to “exercise normal precautions” while abroad. Destinations given this category are generally considered safe and include countries like Canada, Australia, and Greece.

Level 2 advisories are a bit more severe, urging visitors to “exercise increased caution” in locations where issues such as theft or minor crime are more prevalent. Countries such as Brazil, France, Italy, and India currently fall under this classification.

At Level 3, the warning becomes more serious, with travelers advised to “reconsider travel” because of heightened safety concerns. This category includes countries like Colombia, Pakistan, and Uganda.

Level 4 advisories are the most severe, plainly warning travelers to “do not travel” due to extreme risk. Nations assigned this level include Iran, North Korea, and Russia.

Do Not Travel to Niger

Niger is home to several adventurous destinations, including W National Park, which is one of Niger’s top nature destinations and part of a UNESCO-listed complex. The vast wildlife reserve is great for safaris, allowing travelers to see elephants, lions, hippos, giraffes, and hundreds of bird species.

Additionally, Niger is home to the Historic Centre of Agadez, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that is iconic for its mud-brick architecture and desert culture, including narrow streets and traditional markets.

While there are plenty of reasons to travel to Niger and experience its beauty and culture, the United States has advised against it.

On Jan. 30, the United States issued a level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning for Niger, warning Americans not to travel to the country "for any reason" due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health, and kidnapping.

"On January 30, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to leave Niger due to safety risks," the advisory reads. "The U.S. government cannot offer routine or emergency services to U.S. citizens outside of Niamey due to safety risks."

The advisory comes after a coordinated assault on Diori Hamani International Airport and the adjacent military base in Niamey, the capital. Islamic State-linked militants have claimed responsibility for the attack.

All restaurants and open-air markets are off-limits to U.S. government employees working in Niger. Additionally, government employees are to abide by a curfew and travel only in armored vehicles. All U.S. citizens in the country are advised to take the same precautions.