to Pakistan due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

On March 3, 2026, the Department of State ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees and the family members of U.S. government personnel from U.S. Consulates Lahore and Karachi to leave Pakistan due to safety risks.  There is no change to the status of Embassy Islamabad.

Armed Conflict

Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights. 

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Pakistan. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Violent extremist groups have carried out attacks in Pakistan. Terrorist attacks typically happen in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former FATA, but they have also occurred in major cities such as Karachi and Islamabad. 

• Terrorists may strike without warning. They target transportation hubs, hotels, markets, malls, military and security forces sites, airports, trains, schools, hospitals, places of worship, tourist spots, and government buildings.

Demonstrations

Local law prohibits protesting or demonstrating without a permit.

• Being near a protest can draw scrutiny from Pakistani security forces.
• U.S. citizens have been detained for participating in protests. You can also face detention for posting content on social media viewed as critical of the Pakistani government, military, or officials.
• Internet and mobile phone service outages are common, especially during protests.

Crime

Pakistan’s security environment remains fluid. It sometimes changes without notice and can be a serious threat.

• There are greater security resources and infrastructure in the major cities. Security forces in these areas may be more readily able to respond to an emergency compared to other areas of the country.
• The most reported crimes are pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and phone theft. 

Limited U.S. consular assistance

The Government of Pakistan restricts the travel of U.S. government personnel working in Pakistan.

• U.S. government employees working in Pakistan are required to use armed escorts and armored vehicles when traveling in certain parts of the country, both for official and personal travel.  
• The U.S. government has a limited ability to assist or provide services to U.S. citizens in the KP Province, Balochistan Province, Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, and most areas outside of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.
• U.S. government personnel working in Pakistan must obtain special authorization from the host government to travel to most areas outside of Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.
• Additional restrictions on movements can occur suddenly and at any time. This depends on local circumstances and security conditions. 
• U.S. government employees working in Pakistan are generally prohibited from attending most large gatherings, such as political rallies or religious ceremonies. 

Dual nationals

The U.S. embassy and consulates have a limited ability to provide consular services to dual U.S.-Pakistani citizens who have been arrested or detained. Pakistani law considers such individuals to be exclusively citizens of Pakistan.

Do Not Travel to:

• Balochistan Province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), due to terrorism and kidnapping.
• The immediate vicinity of the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.

The advisory level was increased to 3. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. Mission operations.

Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Do Not Travel to the Yemen border due to threat of Terrorism.

Advisory summary
On March 3, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety risks.  

U.S. Citizens should complete the Crisis Intake Form to let the U.S. Embassy or consulate know they are requesting assistance. Do not submit this form more than once. The form is available at the following link: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.

Armed conflict
Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.

The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia due to the safety risks.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions near Yemen

• U.S. government employees working in Saudi Arabia are not allowed to travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border due to safety risks.
• U.S. government employees are not allowed to travel to Qatif for non-official travel due to safety risks
• The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in the Yemen border region due to the safety risks.
• U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia are advised to take the same precautions.

Terrorism
There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Terrorism is a concern in Saudi Arabia. Attacks can occur with little or no warning, especially around holidays. They can involve knives, firearms, and vehicles.

Potential targets include:

• Important political, cultural, or religious locations
• Places visited by U.S. citizens and other foreigners
• Tourist locations and large gatherings
• Transportation hubs
• Markets and shopping malls
• Entertainment venues
• Government facilities

Terrorists may use violence to respond to direct attacks against them or other military operations in the region.

Missile and drone attacks from Yemen
The Houthis in Yemen have launched missile and drone attacks into Saudi Arabia. Past attacks have targeted cities, infrastructure, airports, military bases, and energy facilities throughout the country.  The Houthis have previously conducted missile and drone attacks in Saudi Arabia, the last in 2022.

Recent Houthi attacks have targeted vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis have threatened to attack Saudi Arabia again.

Falling debris from intercepted drones and missiles are also a risk. U.S. citizens living and working near energy infrastructure and military bases may be at increased risk, especially closer to the Yemen border.

Exercise increased caution due to exit bans
U.S. citizens have been prevented from leaving Saudi Arabia. Exit bans may be related to pending criminal and civil investigations and cases, including, but not limited to unpaid visa overstay fees, domestic family disputes, and other financial and labor disagreements.

• Exit bans prevent individuals from leaving the country. These can last for many years.
• In some cases, exit bans can continue even after a criminal sentence has been fully served or a private suit is settled.

Exercise increased caution due to local laws

• Saudi authorities may detain you if they consider your social media posts or other online activity to be critical, offensive, or disruptive to the public order.
• U.S. citizens have been arrested for past social media activity, including comments posted while outside of Saudi Arabia. This may include posting, re-posting, or liking comments critical of the Saudi government or its leaders and policies. This also may apply to comments

The advisory level was increased to 3. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations.

Reconsider travel to Cyprus due to the threat of armed conflict and limited U.S. embassy assistance for Americans in the Turkish Cypriot Administered area.

Advisory Summary    

On March 3, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Cyprus due to the safety risks. 

Armed Conflict 

Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there have been significant disruptions to commercial flights.  

A drone struck a building on the British Sovereign Base Area on Cyprus on March 2.

Turkish Cypriot-Administered Area 

• The U.S. Embassy in Nicosia has limited ability to help U.S. citizens in this area.

• Human rights reports show that central prison and police detention facilities do not meet international standards.

Since 1974, the southern part of Cyprus has been under the control of the internationally recognized Government of the Republic of Cyprus. However, the northern part of Cyprus is administered by Turkish Cypriots. It proclaimed itself the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus” (“TRNC”) in 1983. 

The United States does not recognize the “TRNC,” nor does any country other than Türkiye. A buffer zone, patrolled by the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus, separates the 2 sides. 

For U.S. citizen travelers:

• Enter and exit the island of Cyprus only at Larnaca and Paphos airports or at the seaports of Limassol, Larnaca, and Paphos. The Republic of Cyprus does not consider entry or exit via Ercan Airport or by a seaport in the north to be legal. U.S. citizens who leave the island from Ercan could face challenges returning to the Republic of Cyprus in the future.

• You cannot receive a residency permit from the Republic of Cyprus to live in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots.

• The Republic of Cyprus does not recognize residence permits issued by Turkish Cypriots. If you arrive to the island at a north seaport or Ercan airport or stay in the Turkish Cypriot-administered area for over 90 days, you may be denied entry into the Republic of Cyprus.

• The U.S. Embassy has limited ability to help U.S. citizens in the area administered by Turkish Cypriots. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus does not control the area. Travelers should consider this when planning their activities. 

  If you decide to travel to Cyprus:  

• Visit our website for information on Travel to High-Risk Areas. 

• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis Response and Evacuations.

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. 

• Monitor local media for breaking events and be prepared to adjust your plans.  

• Develop a communication plan with family, your employer, or host organization. Plan together how and when you'll confirm you are safe (text or call).   

• Keep travel documents up to date and easy to access.  

• Make back-up plans to leave the country.  

• Be aware of your surroundings.  

• Stay alert especially in places visited by large groups of people and travelers or tourists.  

• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information before you travel.  

• You should make a safety plan for emergencies. Read the Traveler’s Checklist.  

• We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.   

The advisory level was increased to 3. There were no changes to the risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated to reflect changes to U.S. embassy operations.

Reconsider travel to Oman due to risk of armed conflict and terrorism.

Do Not Travel to the Yemen border area due to terrorism and armed conflict.

Advisory summary

On March 3, 2026, the Department of State authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and U.S. government employee family members to leave Oman due to safety risks.  

U.S. Citizens should complete the Crisis Intake Form to let the U.S. Embassy or consulate know they are requesting assistance. Do not submit this form more than once. The form is available at the following link:  https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake.

Armed Conflict

Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights.

Terrorism

There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks in Oman. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.

Terrorism is a concern in Oman. Attacks can occur with little or no warning, especially around holidays. They can involve knives, firearms, and vehicles.

Potential targets include:

• Important political, cultural, or religious locations
• Places visited by U.S. citizens and other foreigners
• Tourist locations and large gatherings
• Transportation hubs
• Markets and shopping malls
• Entertainment venues
• Government facilities

Terrorists may use violence to respond to direct attacks against them or other military operations in the region.

Aviation Safety

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an ongoing Special Federal Aviation Regulation and Notice to Airmen (NOTAM). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby Yemen. For more information Americans should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

Risks in specific areas

Level 4 – Do Not Travel

The Yemen border region

Do Not Travel to the Yemen border area due to terrorism and armed conflict.

Do not travel to this area for any reason.

Terrorist attacks and armed conflict continue in Yemen. Crossing the Oman-Yemen border can be dangerous. Americans who attempt to cross the border, from either Oman or Yemen, may be detained by Omani authorities.

Review our information on  Terrorism and travel to High-Risk Areas.

If you decide to travel to Oman:

• Review our information on Terrorism and travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Oman.
• Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis Response and Evacuations.
• Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Oman.
• Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist.
• We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
• Please be sure to visit our website for Crisis Response and Evacuations.