There are limitless options available if you have a knack for travelling or exploring a new country. However, going to a new place accompanies multiple considerations and responsibilities that you must be aware of. Packing your things to visit a new nation is undoubtedly the easy and exciting part. But finding out that your dream destination has set some international travel restrictions for foreign tourists after you have booked your ticket is more worrisome than exciting. 

Besides the latest travel restrictions by different countries, another essential and concerning factor you should pay heed to is your safety and security while travelling. There are certainly multiple ways you can protect yourself; for instance, purchasing traveller’s insurance to lessen the risk and by using a zero forex markup international card like the Niyo Global card to avoid unnecessary chargesexpenses. This way, you are financially secured while you travel.

If you are planning your next trip and feel unsure about where to set your feet, worry not! Read this article to learn about the list of countries on the do not travel list and the international travel restrictions imposed on them.!

Which are the most unsafe countries to visit in 20232?

The Institute of Economics and Peace annually crafts a report known as Global Peace Index (GPI), which measures how safe or dangerous a particular country is, depending on various indicators and parameters. GPI report assesses and evaluates 163 countries comprising over 99.7 percent of the population worldwide. The primary factors used to calculate the danger level of a nation can be categorized into three parts: Safety and security, militarisation, and ongoing conflicts. 

The following factors assist in compiling this report—- external and internal conflicts, political instability, level of distrust, homicides, military expenses as a percentage of GDP, and the potential of terrorist acts. A higher score implies the nation is unsafe for travel visits, while a lower score portrays the country as safe. In a way, the report marks a short and factual list of countries on the do not travel list you must avoid visiting. 

1. Afghanistan

   Afghanistan remains the most unsafe and dangerous, with a score of 3.554 in 2022. This war-torn nation, caught in civil strife, revolution, and war for decades, holds this title for the fifth year. It has the highest number of deaths from terrorism and war than any other country, which is severely shocking given that Russia and Ukraine have been at war for the last several months. 

   Travel Advisory: Level 4- Do not travel

   You must avoid visiting Afghanistan due to internal unrest, armed conflicts, kidnappings, abductions, terrorism, and crime. Travelling to this nation is highly unsafe as it has a high level of crime rate against tourists. 

2. Yemen

   Yemen is now experiencing the world’s greatest humanitarian catastrophe, per the United Nations. The ongoing military conflict has forced over 4.3 million people to flee their homes. Moreover, the inner turmoil left 14 million people at risk of famine and severe illness. Approximately 80% of Yemen’s population requires humanitarian aid.

   Travel Advisory: Level 4- Do not tTravel

   Do not visit Yemen because of health risks, armed forces, civil unrest, landmines, ongoing civil war, and terrorism. Yemen is affected by cholera and currently suffers from inadequate medical supplies and treatment..

3. Syria

   Syria’s civil war has become the second-deadliest war of the 21st century since March 2011. The ongoing war led to 5.7 million people fleeing Syria, with over 6 million internally displaced in 2019. Syria’s continued conflict, civil upheaval, and widespread violent crime, such as robberies, assaults, carjackings, and kidnappings, contribute to its present GPI (Global Peace Index) of 3.356. Armed warfare exists primarily between the government and rebel groups, with little to no rule of law or order outside Juba, the country’s capital.

   Travel Advisory: Level 4- Do not travel

   No part of Syria is safe from violence. It is advisable to eliminate Syria from your traveling list due to armed conflict, unjust detention, kidnapping, and terrorism. 

4. Russia

   While the combat in the Russo-Ukrainian War takes place in Ukraine, Russia is arguably the more threatening of the two countries. It is because Russian army deaths in Ukraine are counted against the former’s risk level and pre-existing economic difficulties and the notably adverse government’s actions toward its citizens. Furthermore, trade restrictions and other international sanctions imposed on Russia have hampered its economy and food commerce, putting a significant burden on the Russian people..

   Travel Advisory: Level 4- Do not travel

   Do not visit Russia due to the unfair and unjustified invasion of Ukraine by Russian military forces, the possibility of harassment by Russian government security staff, including detention, the arbitrary application of local laws, and the restricted number of flights into and out of Russia.

International Travel Ban

Many countries have lowered the restrictions on tourism given the reduced Covid cases. However, you must adhere to rules and the latest travel restrictions by the country you are visiting. Such rules differ from country to country. Let’s explore the travel ban rules for the following countries: 

United States of America

The former president, Donald Trump, signed Executive Order 13780, also known as the Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States Order, on 6th March 2017. As per the order, there are seven countries on the travel ban list of the United States of America. It includes Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Venezuela, Syria, and Libya. 

• Europe

  Tourism in Europe is gradually returning to pre-pandemic levels. Most nations have abolished or eased sanctions, thanks to the mild symptoms Omicron produces. The European Parliament implemented a digital Covid certificate to facilitate travelers. The virtual document acts as proof when an individual has been vaccinated and tested negative. These Covid rules are, however, applicable to multiple cities and nations. They include Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland. 

• United Kingdom

  No one knew the pandemic would knock on the doors globally in late 2020. Covid-19 and Omicron brought tons of international travel restrictions worldwide. The United Kingdom was no exception. The country penned a travel red list mentioning countries whose citizens and flights would not be permitted until the situation was good. In late 2021, there were 11 countries left on the red list of travel ban countries. They were South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Angola, and Namibia.  However, there are no countries on the red list at present. 

• India

  India has significantly relaxed its arrival regulations for travelers following the reduction in omicron and Covid cases. The government of India had released a list last year in agreement with 115 countries that outlines the nations permitted inside the boundary. However, multiple regions that required additional measures on their arrival were South Africa, Brazil, Botswana, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Mauritius, China, New Zealand, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Israel, and European countries, including the UK.