American travelers have been given updated advice about visiting two countries, while 23 nations continue to appear on the US’ ‘do not travel list’.
When a destination is placed on the ‘do not travel list’, the US government advises people to ‘not travel to the country, or leave as soon as it is safe to do so’.
This is the most serious warning level issued by the Department of State, which says officials ‘may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency’.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Libya are the latest countries to receive updated warnings, prompting questions over what US passengers should be aware of before making any plans.
The Department of State has published fresh travel guidance for both African nations, while maintaining its recommendation that US citizens avoid going there.
As of July 2026, the State Department’s travel advisory list includes 23 destinations at Level 4, the highest risk category. The advisories for the DRC and Libya were both still in effect this week, with the DRC advisory updated on June 4, 2026, and the Libya advisory last issued on July 16, 2025.
Travel to the DRC is being discouraged because of ‘health, crime, unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping’. The guidance also notes that, because of the Ebola outbreak, ‘US citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC within a 21-day period [are prevented] from boarding commercial flights into the United States’.
Libya is also subject to the strongest warning, with US citizens told not to visit ‘due to crime, terrorism, unexploded landmines, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict’.
The State Department’s website explains:
“There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Libya. Terrorist attacks could occur with little or no warning, targeting public spaces like tourist locations, hotels, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and government facilities.”
The advisory also highlights the danger posed by unexploded ordnance and the limited ability of the US government to assist citizens in many parts of the country.
The State Department’s travel advice is regularly updated and can change as conditions on the ground shift, meaning travelers are urged to check the latest guidance before booking or departing.