International Travel Risk Policy Country Warning Levels
Please review the International Travel Risk Policy for information on how country warning levels are determined and their impact on the MIT community.
The list below is updated regularly. Dates in parentheses reflect the date a warning is issued or updated by the U.S. State Department (DoS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or World Health Organization (WHO).
Global/regional warnings and alerts
Worldwide Caution (as of 12/06/17)
Issued by U.S. State Department. No MIT warning level. Please read Worldwide Caution
CDC Global Health/Medical Travel Notices
No MIT warning level. Please review CDC notices for countries or regions impacted by Zika and other diseases.
Country-specific ratings
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Afghanistan (7/09/18)
Entire country.
Albania (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
The southern town of Lazarat.
Algeria (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
Areas near the eastern and southern borders, & areas in the Sahara Desert.
- Avoid travel to rural areas within 50 km (31) miles of the border with Tunisia and within 250 km (155) miles of the borders with Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania.
Antarctica (1/10/18)
Armenia (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
- Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Azerbaijan (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
Nagorno-Karabakh region.
Bahamas (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Balkans-related Sanctions
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Bangladesh (7/3/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Dhaka
- Southeast Bangladesh, including Chittagong Hill Tracts
Belarus
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Belgium (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Belize (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Benin (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
Urban areas.
Bosnia-Herzegovina (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Brazil (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Areas within 150 kms of Brazil's land borders with Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, and Paraguay.
- "Favela" neighborhoods.
- Brasilia's "satellite cities" of Celandia, Santa Maria, Sao Segastiao, and Paranoa during non-daylight hours.
- Recife's Pina Beach from Dona Benvinda de Farias Street to the Brasilia Teimosa neighborhood after dark.
Burkina Faso (3/2/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
The northern Sahel border region shared with Mali and Niger.
Burma (Myanmar) (07/24/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Bhamo township in Kachin state;
- Minbya and Mrauk-U townships in Rakhine State;
- Hopang, Kyaukme, Manton, Mongkaung, Muse, Namhsan, Namtu, and Nankhan townships in Shan State.
- Maungdaw, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, and Buthidaung townships in Rakhine state;
- Paletwa township in Chin State;
- Hpakan, Mansi, Momauk, Sumprabum, Tanai, and Waingmaw townships in Kachin State;
- Shadaw township in Kayah State;
- Hlaingbwe, Hpapun, and Thandaung townships in Kayin State;
- Konkyan, Kutkai, Laukkaing, Matman, Mongmao, Namphan, Pangsan, and Pangwaun townships in Shan State.
Burundi (08/29/18)
Entire country.
Cambodia (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
- Phnom Penh
- Very remote areas of Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Pursat, Siem Riep, Pailin, and Kampong Thom
Cameroon (4/11/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
The Far North, North, Northwest and Southwest regions and parts of the East and Adamaoua regions.
- In Adamawa Region, this includes any area to the north or east of Ngaoundere, especially in areas bordering northern Nigeria and the Central African Republic (CAR);
- also within 60 miles of the border with Nigeria’s Adamawa State in the North and Adamawa Regions of Cameroon, the border area with Chad, and the border areas with the CAR.
Central African Republic (5/24/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Chad (07/31/18)
Entire country.
China (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Colombia (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
Note State Department travel restrictions for U.S. Government Personnel apply to MIT student travel.
- Antioquia department north of Medellin,
- Caqueta department,
- Casanare department,
- Cesar department (except increased caution [medium] in Vaalledupar),
- Cordoba department (except increased caution [medium] in Monteria),
- Guainia department,
- Guaviare department,
- Meta department,
- Nariño department (increased caution [medium] in Pasto),
- Putumayo department,
- Valle del Cauca department (increased caution [medium] in Cali and the metropolitan area),
- Vaupes department,
- Vichada department.
- Arauca,
- Cauca (except Popayan),
- Choco (except Nuqui), and
- Norte de Santander (except Cucuta).
Comoros (07/27/18)
Moroni, Capital City.
Areas outside of Moroni, the Capital City.
Congo, Democratic Republic of (DRC) (2/28/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- the Eastern Congo and
- the three Kasai provinces of Kasai Oriental, Kasai Central, and Kasai Occidental.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Congo, Republic of (Brazzaville) 1/10/18
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- The Pool Region, particularly the southern and western districts,
- Pointe Noire’s beaches
Costa Rica (09/04/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- Central neighborhood in Limon.
- Liberia city.
- Desamparado neighborhood in San Rafael.
- Pavas and Hospital neighborhoods in San Jose.
Cote d'Ivoire (1/10/18)
- Abidjan
Other areas
Cuba (08/23/18)
Overall country.
Please see Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) / Export Control Guidance Documents for Travel To Cuba information.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Denmark (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Dominican Republic (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Ecuador (4/18/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
Provinces of Sucumbíos, Carchi, and Esmeraldas.
Egypt (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- The Sinai Peninsula
- The Western Desert
- Egyptian border areas
El Salvador (7/13/18)
Entire country.
Eritrea (3/13/18)
Entire country.
Ethiopia (06/07/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- The East Harange region or Oromia state.
- The Danakil Depression region in the Afar
- Border areas with Kenya, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea.
- The border areas with Eritrea in the Tigray and Afar regions.
- The border with Kenya in the Oromia region.
- Gambella
- Benishangul Gumuz adjacent to the Sudan border.
- Somali Regional State.
France (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Gabon (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
- Libreville and Port Gentil due to crime.
Gambia (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- The Gambia's southern border with the Casamance Region of Senegal.
Georgia (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
- South Ossetia and
- Abkhazia
Germany (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Ghana (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
Certain precincts of Accra:
- Agbogbloshie, Avenor, Ashaiman, Nima, Sowutuom, Sukura
Certain areas of Upper West, Upper East, Northern Volta, Western, Brong Ahafo, and Ashanti:
- Upper West: Lawra and Wa Central
- Upper East: Bawku
- Northern: Bimbila, Bunkprugu, Tolon, Sagnarigu, and Yendi
- Volta: Nkwanta South, Hohoe, Ho Central, Adaklu, and Ketu South
- Western: Jomoro and Bia West
- Brong Ahafo: Techiman South, Tain, Berekum West, and Berekum East
- Ashanti: Bantama, Asokwa, Nhyiaeso, Manhyia North, Manhyia South, Suame, Oforikrom, and Asawase
Guatemala (07/27/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
The following departments are high risk
- Chiquimula
- Escuintla
- Guatemala (includes capital city)
- Izabal
- Quetzaltenango
- Peten
Guinea (2/16/18)
Entire country.
Guinea-Bissau (08/02/18)
Entire country.
Guyana (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Haiti (07/27/18)
Entire country.
Honduras (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Gracias a Dios Department.
India (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- The state of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital Leh).
- Within 10 kilometers of the India-Pakistan border.
Indonesia (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Central Sulawesi and Papua.
Iran (1/10/18)
Entire country.
***Due to revised and more strict US Government Sanctions against the Government of Iran, as of August 6, 2018, International SOS will provide limited assistance and information for travelers in Iran.***
Please contact MIT's International Safety and Security Program manager if you are planning a trip (internationalsafety@mit.edu).
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Iraq (08/18/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Israel (1/10/18)
Within Israel, restrictions on U.S. Government Employee Travel are applicable to students, if you have questions contact the MIT International Safety and Security Manager (Todd Holmes: tholmes@mit.edu) or the MISTI Israel program manager (David Dolev: ddolev@mit.edu).
- Jerusalem: Prohibition from transiting public parks in central Jerusalem during the hours of darkness.
- Travel to the Old City in Jerusalem is allowed (only during daylight hours. No travel during Fridays during the holy month of Ramadan). Entrance only via the Jaffa Gate.
- Tel Aviv: No transit via neighborhoods near the New Central Bus Station between dusk and dawn.
Additional restrictions may be enacted through MIT / your program management based on information in U.S. Embassy alerts or other policy risk resources. This is a reminder that enrollment in STEP is strongly recommended to ensure travelers receive U.S. Embassy alerts.
The West Bank
- MIT travel is not permitted on public and intercity buses (and associated bus terminals) in the West Bank.
Israel (areas within):
- The Golan: on or east of Route 98;
- Lebanese border: within 1.5 miles of the border;
- Gaza buffer (within Israel): within 7 miles of the Gaza demarcation line;
- East Jerusalem: predominantly Palestinian neighborhoods such as Sheikh Jarrah, Shufat, Shufat Refugee Camp, Beit Hanina, Mt. of Olives, As Suwaneh, Abu Deis, Silwan, Issawiyeh, Tsur Baher, "seam areas", where Palestinians and Israelis intersect, refugee camps.
The Gaza Strip
Italy (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Jamaica (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Some areas of Kingston.
- Downtown Kingston, which is defined as the areas between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads, and includes Trench Town, Tivoli Gardens, and Arnett Gardens; Standpipe, Grants Pen, and Cassava Piece.
- Some areas of Montego Bay
- Flankers, Canterbury, Norwood, Rose Heights, Clavers Street, and Hart Street.
- Spanish Town
Jordan (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Refugee camps
- The border with Syria and Iraq (w/in 10 kms).
Kenya (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
-
Nairobi neighborhood of Eastleigh
-
Mombasa's Old Town.
- Kenya-Somalia Border Counties and Coastal Areas:
- Border counties of: Garissa, Mandera, Wajir
- Coastal areas:
- Tana River county, Lamu county, Areas of Kilifi county north of Malindi.
Kosovo (2/27/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- North Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zubin Potok, and Zvecan.
Kuwait (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- The desert region near the border with Iraq.
- City of Al Jahra in north of Kuwait City.
- Jaleeb al Shoyoukh in Kuwait City.
Laos (7/11/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
Exercise increased caution in:
- Remote areas along the border with Burma.
- Areas of Savannakhet, Xieng Khouang, Saravane, Khammouane, Sekong, Champassak, Houaphan, Attapeu, Luang Prabang, and Vientiane provinces as well as along Route 7 (from Route 13 to the Vietnam border), Route 9 (Savannakhet to the Vietnam border), and Route 20 (Pakse to Saravane).
- Xaisomboun Province due to civil unrest.
Lebanon (09/04/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- The border with Syria.
- The border with Israel.
- Refugee settlements.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Liberia (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- Urban areas and public beaches.
Libya (08/08/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Madagascar (07/31/18)
Entire country.
Malawi (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
The districts of:
- Mulanje, Thyolo, Chiradzulu, Nsanje, Phalombe, rural Blantyre (outside Blantyre city), and rural Zomba (outside Zomba city).
Malaysia (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
Eastern Sabah province and southern Sulu Sea area
Maldives (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Mali (08/13/18)
Entire country.
Mauritania (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Mexico (7/16/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
Ratings for these states per the state-by-state travel advisory. If uncertain contact the MIT International Safety Program Manager (Todd Holmes: tholmes@mit.edu):
- Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Estado de Mexico, Jalisco, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Sonora , Zacatecas.
These states:
- Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas.
Moldova (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- Transnistria
Monaco (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Mozambique (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- Maputo
Nepal (7/5/18)
Entire country.
Nicaragua (09/12/18)
Entire country.
Niger (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Nigeria (1/10/18)
Entire country.
North Korea (1/18/10)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Oman (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
The Saudi Arabia and Yemen border areas.
Pakistan (08/01/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Balochistan province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).
- The Azad Kashmir area.
Panama (05/07/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
Certain parts of the "Mosquito Gulf"
- The “Mosquito Gulf” is an extremely remote and inaccessible area along part of the north (Caribbean) coast. Do not travel within 10 miles of the coastline, between Boca de Rio Chiriqui to Cocle del Norte.
Certain parts of the Darién Region
- All areas south of Jacque to Manene to Yaviza to Lajas Blancas cities to the Colombian border
- The city of Lajas Blancas
- The city of El Salto
Papua New Guinea (07/25/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Panguna Mine in Bougainville, the Autonomous Region of Bougainville
- The Highlands Region
- The Southern Highlands Province and Hela Province.
Paraguay (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- Amambay, Alto Parana, Canindeyu, San Pedro, and Conception departments.
Peru (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- Areas outside cities at night by car.
- The Colombian - Peruvian border are in the Loreto Region.
- The area in central Peru known as the Valley of the Rivers Apurimac, Ene, and Mantaro (VRAEM).
Philippines (1/24/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Other areas of Mindanao: The Philippine government has declared martial law throughout the Mindanao region. The Philippine government also maintains a state of emergency and greater police presence in the Cotabato City area, and in the Maguindanao, North Cotabato, and Sultan Kudarat provinces.
- The vicinity of Mayon Volcano in Albay Province, Luzon.
- The Sulu Archipelago, including the Southern Sulu Sea.
- Marawi City in Mindanao.
Russia (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- The North Caucasus, including Chechnya and Mount Elbrus.
- The north Caucasus region includes Chechnya, North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya, Mount Elbrus.
- Crimea.
(Magnitsky Sanctions) - If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Rwanda (03/22/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- The Rwanda-Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) border.
Saudi Arabia (4/16/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Within 50 miles of the Yemeni border, including the cities of Jizan and Najran;
- Qatif in the Eastern province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah; and
- Hofuf and its suburbs in the al Hasa governorate.
Senegal (05/23/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy
Casamance
Sierra Leone (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Somalia (7/09/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
South Africa (09/12/18)
Entire country.
South Sudan (6/28/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Spain (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Sudan (7/2/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
The Darfur Region, Blue Nile state and Southern Kordofan state.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Syria (09/10/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Tajikistan (08/03/18)
Entire country.
Tanzania (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Thailand (1/10/18)
Aside from the specific area(s)/region(s) below, the rest of this country does not have a travel warning as described in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy.
- Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, and Songkhla provinces.
Togo (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Trinidad and Tobago (2/22/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queen's Park Savannah in the Port of Spain.
Tunisia (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Within 30 kms of southeastern Tunisia along the border with Libya.
- Mountainous areas in the country's west, including Chaambi Mountain National Park.
- The desert south of Remada.
- Jendouba south of Ain Drahem and west of Route Nationale (RN) 15, el Kef, and Kasserine, next to the Algerian border.
- Sidi Bou Zid in central Tunisia.
Turkey (6/28/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- As this is a high risk country warning in the MIT International Travel Risk Policy, even transit airline flights through Istanbul to other destinations cannot be ticketed for student travelers.
- Areas along the Turkey-Syria border and the southeastern provinces of Hatay, Kilis, Gaziantep, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Diyarbakir, Van, Siirt, Mus, Mardin, Batman, Bingol, Tunceli, Hakkari, and Bitlis.
Turks and Caicos (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Uganda (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Ukraine (1/10/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- Crimea
- The eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, especially the non-government controlled areas.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
United Kingdom (1/10/18)
Entire country.
Venezuela (5/29/18)
Overall country warning level except for other areas listed below.
- On roads after dark outside Caracas.
- To certain neighborhoods within Caracas.
- The State Department Venezuela Travel Advisory specifies which neighborhoods in Caracas are designated.
- Within 50 miles of the Colombian border.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Yemen (07/05/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
Zimbabwe (7/2/18)
Entire country.
If you travel to a sanctioned country, review these tips for International travel and conferences and consult MIT’s Export Control Officer in the Office of Sponsored Programs.
