Canada travel advisory warns against travel to these destinations

If you’re considering travelling internationally, it’s essential to consult the latest Canada travel advisory before planning your trip.

Currently, Canada has a travel advisory in place for almost two dozen countries, urging travellers to “avoid all travel.” These high-level warnings shouldn’t be ignored, as travelling to these countries could put your life at risk.

“You should not travel to this country, territory or region,” reads the government’s advisories website. “Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.”

Reasons for these warnings vary from arbitrary arrests, armed conflict, kidnappings, and terrorist attacks. It’s also important to note that your travel insurance could be affected if a travel advisory has been issued for your destination.

Below is the full list of countries currently under Canada’s highest travel advisory.

Canadians are being urged to avoid all travel to Afghanistan because of the unstable security situation, ongoing conflict, terrorist attacks, high risk of kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and detention, high crime rate, and widespread human rights violations by the de facto authorities. Women are also at high risk of abuse and harassment, while 2SLGBTQI+ persons are discriminated against and could be arrested under several charges.

The government is warning Canadians about travelling to Myanmar due to the risk of politically-motivated violence, kidnapping, terrorist attacks, civil arrest, and arbitrary arrest and detention. Canadians who are currently in Myanmar are urged to leave immediately if they can do so safely.

Canadians are urged to avoid travel to Niger due to the ongoing political instability and risk of terrorism and kidnapping. According to the government, the political and security situation in Niger remains unpredictable, and travellers are urged to leave by commercial means. The situation has also led to shortages of necessities.

Since there’s no resident Canadian government office in North Korea, Canadian citizens are urged to avoid all travel to the country. Tourists risk arbitrary detention, and the country’s nuclear weapons development program has created an unstable security situation and a highly repressive regime. You also have no right to privacy, and movements and communications may be under surveillance.

YuTphotograph/Shutterstock

Russia’s armed conflict with Ukraine has resulted in armed incursions, shelling, drone strikes, fires, and explosions near the Russian-Ukrainian border. Canadians in Russia are urged to leave by commercial means. Terrorist attacks have also occurred in the North Caucasus region, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Canadians are urged to avoid all travel to Mali, including the capital Bamako, because of the threat of terrorism, kidnapping, and banditry. The security situation in the country remains unstable; therefore, travellers should consider leaving by commercial flights if it’s safe to do so.

The latest government of Canada travel advisory warns Canadians to avoid travelling to Iraq as the situation remains volatile due to ongoing tensions in the region, with an ongoing threat of terrorism and kidnappings. According to the government, “2SLGBTQI+ persons face extreme discrimination, harassment and violence.” Women who are travelling alone may also face harassment and verbal abuse.

Haiti faces potential civil unrest, making it dangerous for tourists who risk being victims of kidnappings and gang violence. Toussaint-Louverture Airport in Port-au-Prince reopened in the summer after it was attacked by gangs.

“The security situation remains extremely volatile in Haiti,” warns the advisory. “Gang violence is high in Port-au-Prince and in Artibonite Department.”

Completely avoid travel to Sudan due to armed conflict, civil unrest, and a volatile security situation. The Embassy of Canada in Sudan has temporarily suspended operations, and the Canadian government has already suspended evacuation flights.

Violent crime and unstable security conditions have prompted the Canadian government to warn people against travelling in the Central African Republic.

“Local authorities have imposed a nationwide curfew, with the exception of Bangui, in effect from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. to stabilize the situation,” reads the advisory.

Dave Primov/Shutterstock

Avoid travel to Burkina Faso due to the threat of terrorism, unstable political situation, and the risk of kidnapping. Terrorist attacks happen frequently throughout the country and target security forces and civilians.

Canadians in Yemen are urged to leave if it’s safe to do so, while others are warned against travelling there. Tensions in the region, armed conflict, terrorist attacks, and kidnapping has made the country extremely dangerous.

The current government advisory states, “If you are currently in Somalia despite this advisory, you should leave immediately.”

Canada’s latest travel advisory for the country warns that the rule of law is “virtually non-existent” in the country, and violent demonstrations, suicide bombings, attacks, and military activity occur frequently. There’s currently no Canadian government office in Somalia.

Travellers should avoid travelling to South Sudan as the security situation in the country remains volatile. There’s also the risk of armed conflicts, inter-ethnic violence, and high levels of violent crime.

“If the armed conflict intensifies, commercial means to depart the country may be impacted,” reads the advisory. “The Government of Canada’s ability to provide consular services during an active conflict may be limited.”

Travellers in Belarus face the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local law. Security conditions are also unpredictable due to the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The country doesn’t have a Canadian government office.

twabian/Shutterstock

Ongoing tensions in the region and the risk of arbitrary detention have made travel to Iran dangerous for travellers, and Canada currently doesn’t have a government office in the country. Authorities have arrested and detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, to “exert political or diplomatic influence on their governments.” It’s also important to note that tensions could result in flight cancellations and airspace closures.

The security situation in Libya remains volatile, making it unsafe for travellers. According to the latest travel advisory from the government of Canada, there’s a risk of unannounced clashes between rival armed groups, terrorist attacks, high crime rates, arbitrary arrest, and political instability.

Completely avoid all travel to Syria as the country faces ongoing tensions in the region, making security unpredictable. The travel advisory warns of armed clashes, airstrikes, criminality, kidnappings, and threats of terrorism.

Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine has made it dangerous to travel to the country. Russia has launched missile and drone strikes against city centres and populated areas, including Kyiv.

“The ongoing Russian invasion poses a significant security risk, even if you are not near the front lines,” states the advisory.

Avoid travelling to Venezuela due to high levels of violent crime and an unstable political and economic situation. The government of Canada also warns of the risk of arbitrary detention, as well as the decline of basic living conditions due to a shortage of medication, gasoline, and water. The Canadian Embassy has temporarily suspended operations in the country.