Milla logo

Create an account

  • Gain access to free articles
  • Daily free newsletter(s)
  • Ability to comment on most articles
  • Build your 3D avatar and gain points

Logo Narcity Pro

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.

Forgot password

Please enter your email and we'll send you a new password request code.

Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

User Avatar

, time to level up your local game.

We have a favour to ask.

Narcity is looking to transition to a more sustainable future where we are no longer as reliant on advertising revenue. Upgrade now and browse Narcity ad-free and directly support our journalism.

Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with narcity pro., these countries are on canada's do not travel list & here's what you need to know about them.

Here's what the advisory means.👇

​A person pulls a suitcase. Right: A plane takes off from Toronto Pearson Airport.

A person pulls a suitcase. Right: A plane takes off from Toronto Pearson Airport.

Canada has issued and updated multiple travel advisories in recent days, providing guidance for Canadians travelling abroad in several different countries.

What you may not know, however, is that Canada also has a list of countries that it advises residents to avoid all travel to because their safety and security could be at risk.

According to the Government of Canada, travel advisories give residents official information and advice on situations in other places that could affect their well-being, including when security or health conditions in a destination have changed.

There are four kinds of risk levels that the advisories are sorted by; level one, which advises Canadians to take normal precautions, level two, which advises taking a high degree of caution, level three, which advises against non-essential travel, and level four, the highest level, which warns Canadians to avoid any and all travel to a country.

"You should not travel to this country, territory or region. 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," the government website says.

While you may be aware of some countries on Canada's do not travel list, others may come as a surprise. Here are eight countries currently on the do not travel list and why Canadians should avoid them.

Details: The Canadian government advises against all travel to Venezuela due to a significant level of violent crime in the country, as well as unstable political and economic situations and a "decline in basic living conditions, including shortages of medication, gasoline and water."

The country has one of the world's highest homicide rates, according to the government. It warns that violent crimes are particularly frequent in the capital, Caracas, and they occur against both visitors and locals alike.

Gang and organized criminal activity is also rampant in the country.

Worsening the situation are power outages, which are said to be common in many parts of the nation.

During these outages, communication and transportation can be impacted, and the government warns that rioting, fighting and theft can occur.

Find out more

Burkina Faso

\u201c#DYK? Our #TravelAdvice and Advisories site provides key information on your #destination, including issues that may affect #WomenTravellers. It\u2019s always best to know before you go! \n \nhttps://t.co/OwjPApExmd\u201d — Travel.gc.ca (@Travel.gc.ca) 1672945224

Details: Canadians are advised to avoid all travel to the West African country Burkina Faso due to the risk of violence amid an evolving political situation.

The country experienced a coup d'etat , or a sudden violent overthrow of government, in Ouagadougou (the country's capital) in September 2022, when the president of the transition in Burkina Faso was removed from office by soldiers.

Canada warns that demonstrations in the capital are likely and that even peaceful protests can turn violent.

Kidnapping is also a threat in northern areas of the country, the government warns.

The threat of terrorism persists too, with possible targets including tourist attractions, restaurants, shopping centres, hotels and other sites visitors may frequent.

Central African Republic 

Details: All travel to the Central African Republic should be avoided due to "extremely unstable" security conditions and violent crime, the Canadian government says.

A nationwide curfew is currently in effect in the country amid the situation. According to the goverment, armed groups, who are present throughout the country, are responsible for the deaths of thousands of people since 2012, including humanitarian workers.

Canada warns that security forces aren't able to guarantee the safety of civilians, particularly outside of the country's capital, Bangui.

Demonstrations may also occur in the country and can easily turn violent.

Details: Canadians have been advised to avoid all travel to Yemen since May 2009, due to "ongoing armed conflict, terrorist attacks, and kidnapping."

According to the Government of Canada, an ongoing civil war in the country has created a "highly unstable" security situation.

"If you attempt to travel to Yemen, you expose yourself to grave risk. In addition to threats from war, terrorism and kidnapping are ongoing threats."

In addition to this, the feds warn that their ability to provide consular services to Canadians in the country is "extremely limited."

Details: Canadians have been advised by the government to avoid all travel to Haiti due to the threat of kidnappings, gang violence and "the potential for civil unrest throughout the country."

The security situation in the country is described as "volatile."

According to NPR , Haiti has had no president since its last one, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021.

The country is currently experiencing shortages of fuel, water and food, and "access to cash and commodities of all kinds" is limited.

Kidnappings are said to be common in the country. Since September 2020, hundreds of Canadians and other foreign nationals have been abducted, according to the government.

\u201c#DYK? If you are a Canadian abroad in need of emergency #ConsularAssistance, you can now contact our Emergency Watch and Response Centre through #Telegram and #WhatsApp. \n\nFind out how you can request consular assistance: https://t.co/zOE9ERn9xi\u201d — Travel.gc.ca (@Travel.gc.ca) 1673550019

Details: With the exception of the capital, Niamey, Canadians are warned to avoid all travel to the West African country Niger due to the risk of terrorism and kidnapping.

Travelling outside of the capital is not advised, particularly after dark. According to the government, nighttime attacks on tourists have occurred in most parts of of the country.

Kidnapping is a risk throughout the country.

"There’s a high threat of kidnapping from terrorist groups throughout Niger. This includes the capital, Niamey," says the advisory.

Terrorist groups have also kidnapped foreign nationals.

Details: "Avoid all travel to Somalia," warns the Canadians government. "If you are currently in Somalia despite this advisory, you should leave immediately."

The security situation in Somalia has been described as "volatile," amid an unpredictable political situation and an existing threat of terrorism.

The rule of law in the country is said to be "virtually non-existent."

Canada's advisory also warns that travellers to the country will not be able to receive consular assistance if in distress as there is no resident Canadian government office in Somalia.

Details: Canadians are advised against travelling to Libya due to "armed conflict, a high risk of terrorist attacks, an unpredictable political situation and a high crime rate."

Particularly, there is a high threat of terrorism and kidnapping in the country, with foreigners being common targets.

Demonstrations, which take place throughout the country, can turn violent and cause disruptions to transportation, the government warns.

Those in the country are advised to leave by commercial means as soon as it's safe to do so.

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.

  • Canada Has Issued New Travel Advisories For These Countries & Here's What You Need To Know ›
  • Canada Has Issued A Travel Advisory For Jamaica & Here's What Tourists Should Know ›
  • Canada Issued A New Travel Advisory For Mexico After Violence Erupts In Several Regions ›
  • Here Are The Countries Canadians Should Avoid In 2023 & Some Destinations May Surprise You - Narcity ›
  • Canada Issued Travel Advisories For These 7 Tourist Hot Spots & It Could Affect Your Trip ›
  • Canada Has Upgraded Its Mexico Travel Advisory & Here's What Tourists Should Know - Narcity ›
  • Two Friends Accidentally Booked Tickets To The Wrong Country & TikTokers Love The Mix-Up - Narcity ›
  • New Canada Travel Advisory Says To 'Avoid All Travel' To Haiti & Canadians Should Leave ASAP - Narcity ›

Already have an account? Log in

Create an account to keep reading.

Narcity Pro logo

  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron 🙏

6 Popular Destinations That Canada Has Issued Travel Advisories For

Canada has issued travel advisories for these 5 spots & it could affect your fall vacation, 7 popular destinations canada has issued travel advisories for, from mexico to france, canada issued travel advisories for these 7 tourist hot spots & it could affect your plans, 9 us travel advisories to know about if you're thinking of booking a vacation.

canada do not travel list

Health | Canada added to ‘do not travel’ list, and other…

Share this:.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Today's e-Edition

  • Latest News
  • Environment
  • Transportation

Breaking News

Health | dungeness crab season in bay area, central coast will come to an early end, health | canada added to ‘do not travel’ list, and other changes in cdc’s risk categories.

Author

(CNN) — Canada was moved to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s highest-risk category for travel on Monday.

Canada has seen a steep rise in cases as the Omicron variant spreads. The country recorded 294,437 new cases for the week ending January 8, according to Johns Hopkins University figures , its highest weekly total of the pandemic.

Canada was joined by one other destination — the Caribbean island of Curaçao — in moving Monday to the CDC’s Level 4 category, indicating “very high” COVID risk.

The CDC places a destination at Level 4 when more than 500 cases per 100,000 residents are registered in the past 28 days. The CDC advises travelers to avoid travel to Level 4 countries.

Canada had been at Level 3 since August 30, 2021. Curaçao, a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, had been at Level 3 since November 22, 2021.

On December 15, Canada issued an advisory to its citizens asking that they avoid all nonessential international travel. Last week, a group of air travelers partying maskless en route to Mexico from Montreal earned a rebuke from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Most international visitors to Canada are required to be vaccinated and to have a negative COVID-19 test result.

In addition to new entries Canada and Curaçao, some of the biggest travel names remain firmly lodged at the CDC’s Level 4 for now:

• France • Iceland • Ireland • Italy • Netherlands • Portugal • South Africa • Spain • Switzerland • United Kingdom

More than 80 destinations were rated Level 4 as of January 10. You can view the CDC’s risk levels for global destinations on its travel recommendations page .

The CDC does not include the United States in its list of advisories, but it was color-coded at Level 4 on January 10 on the agency’s map of travel risk levels .

In its broader travel guidance , the CDC has recommended avoiding all international travel until you are fully vaccinated.

On December 30, the CDC increased the risk for cruise ship travel to Level 4 and said it should be avoided, regardless of vaccination status.

Last week, two large cruise lines canceled upcoming sailings on numerous ships as Covid-related interruptions mounted.

Level 3 additions

The Level 3 category — which applies to destinations that have had between 100 and 500 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days — saw 10 new additions on Monday from a variety of regions:

• Armenia • Bahrain • Belarus • Cape Verde • Ethiopia • Lesotho • Singapore • United Arab Emirates • Zambia • Zimbabwe

The Level 3 designation was actually good news for Armenia and Belarus, which had previously been at Level 4.

It was also good news for Lesotho and Zimbabwe, two of eight southern African countries that landed at Level 4 at the end of November after the Omicron variant was discovered in the region. The US travel ban affecting those countries was lifted on December 31 .

It was a move in the wrong direction for Bahrain, Cape Verde, Ethiopia and Zambia, which had been at Level 2. The United Arab Emirates jumped up two risk levels from Level 1.

And Singapore, which was listed as unknown last week because of a lack of information, moved into Level 3.

Destinations carrying the “Level 2: Covid-19 Moderate” designation have seen 50 to 99 Covid-19 cases per 100,000 residents in the past 28 days. That level saw eight new additions Monday, five of them in Africa:

• Democratic Republic of the Congo • El Salvador • Fiji • Kuwait • Liberia • Rwanda • São Tomé and Príncipe • Togo

Level 1 and Unknown

In the category of “Level 1: Covid-19 Low” destinations, fewer than 50 new cases per 100,000 residents have been logged over the past 28 days. There were no updates to that category on Monday.

Finally, there are destinations for which the CDC has an “unknown” risk because of a lack of information. Usually, but not always, these are small, remote places. No new destinations were listed in the “unknown” category on Monday.

The-CNN-Wire ™ & © 2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

  • Report an error
  • Policies and Standards

More in Health

The International Court of Justice issued two new so-called provisional measures in a case brought by South Africa accusing Israel of acts of genocide in its military campaign launched after the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas.

World News | UN court orders Israel to open up more land crossings for Gaza aid

It is estimated that a quarter of all adults have a fear of needles that began in childhood. Sixteen percent of adults refuse flu vaccinations because of a fear of needles.

Health | Needle pain is a big problem for kids. One California doctor has a plan

Does the virus damage the heart because it directly infects heart tissue or because of systemic inflammation? The answer might save lives.

Health | COVID-19 can damage the heart, even without infecting it, study says

With more people living longer and with greater needs and opportunities, the explosion of age-related information will only grow. 

Health | People are living longer. Here’s how to stay current on the topic of aging

  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to site information

Language selection

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

Traveller's checklist for travelling outside Canada

Visit Travel.gc.ca for travel information and advice.

Go to Travel.gc.ca/destinations to find your destination’s risk level and information on:

  • safety and security
  • entry and exit requirements
  • laws and culture
  • natural disasters and climate
  • local emergency services and the nearest Canadian office

Travel documents

  • Check your passport’s validity and the validity requirements for your destination.
  • Check if you need a visa to enter your destination and, if so, apply for one well in advance.
  • Carry a consent letter for children travelling without one of their parents of guardians. Find a sample consent letter at Travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter.
  • If you’re a dual citizen, find out what documentation you need to enter your destination. You may not need your Canadian passport to enter another country, but you need it to return to Canada.

Health and safety

  • Visit a travel health clinic or health care provider at least 6 weeks before your trip.
  • Get travel insurance, even if it’s for a short trip across the border.
  • Carry or have access to extra funds in case of emergency.
  • Leave a copy of your itinerary with friends or family, along with copies of your passport’s identification page and insurance policy.

Stay connected

  • Register your trip to receive important information and advice in case of an emergency at your destination at Travel.gc.ca/register .
  • Follow us on X: @TravelGoC
  • Like us on Facebook: Travel.gc.ca – Travel advice from the Government of Canada

In case of an emergency outside Canada

  • Learn about the types of services available to you from the Government of Canada at Travel.gc.ca/emergencies.

Traveller's Checklist

  • Tour Operators
  • Destinations
  • Hotels & Resorts
  • Agent Feedback
  • Deals & Incentives
  • On Location
  • Industry Experts
  • Sphere – HomeBased
  • Digital Editions
  • Subscribe today!

canada do not travel list

  • Hotels and Resorts
  • Types of Travel
  • Subscribe Now

canada do not travel list

Canada lands on U.S. ‘Do Not Travel’ list as scrutiny at the border ramps up

Post date: Apr 23 2021

Date: Apr 23 2021

By: Travelweek Group

TORONTO — While travel is ramping up exponentially within the U.S., the situation at the Canada-U.S. border is very different as government officials on both sides work to make restrictions against cross-border travel even tougher than they already are.

As restrictive as Canada’s travel measures already are – and even with the new inter-provincial restrictions now in effect in many parts of the country – the premiers of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and B.C. have asked the federal government to do even more.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Quebec Premier Francois Legault, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and B.C. Premier John Horgan have all signed a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urging him to close the loophole at the Canada-U.S. border, and strengthen measures against inter-provincial travel.

Reports of travellers who aren’t essential workers re-entering Canada by flying to a U.S. border city, then crossing the land border, sometimes on foot, to avoid the 3-night hotel quarantine, have been ramping up. A CBC News analysis of stats from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) shows that some 20,000 have crossed the land border since Feb. 21.

While both land and air arrivals have to show proof of a negative 72-hour PCR test, only air arrivals must wait out the results of their on-arrival PCR test with the 3-night hotel quarantine, part of the 14-day quarantine that all arrivals, air and land, must complete.

Meanwhile Quebec, Ontario, B.C. and PEI are among the provinces that have also enacted interprovincial travel restrictions including, for Ontario, checkpoints at Ontario’s borders with Quebec and Manitoba .

INDIA, PAKISTAN FLIGHT BAN

Premier Legault told reporters in Quebec City yesterday that he and his counterparts across the country sent the letter to Trudeau amid concern about flights coming from regions where variants of concern are rampant, like India and Brazil.

Late yesterday afternoon Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced Canada’s new flight ban from India and Pakistan that took effect last night. The ban will be in place for at least 30 days and applies to all passenger and commercial flights into Canada from India and Pakistan.

Asked about flights from Brazil, Minister Alghabra said there are currently no flights from Brazil. “But we will not hesitate to ban flights from other countries,” said Alghabra. “Border restrictions can change at any time. You can be stuck in another country,” he said.

Added Premier Legault yesterday: “Second, for people coming from the United States on the ground, we would like to see more measures, including quarantine, to make sure we prevent the increase in the number of people infected in Canada.”

CANADA LANDS ON U.S. ‘DO NOT TRAVEL’ LIST

While government officials here in Canada are determined to strengthen the border even more than it already is, the U.S. seems to agree, including Canada in its new ‘do not travel’ list.

Earlier this week the U.S. State Department urged Americans reconsider any international travel they may have planned and said it would issue specific warnings not to visit roughly 80% of the world’s countries due to risks from the coronavirus pandemic.

canada do not travel list

Canada is now on that list, at ‘Level 4’ or ‘do not travel’, not surprisingly as third wave COVID-19 numbers here climb. Previously Canada was listed at Level 3.

Other destinations also on the ‘do not travel’ list include U.S. travel favourites France, the UK, Germany and Mexico.

The advice issued by the department isn’t a formal global advisory. Instead, it says the State Department will start using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards as it prepares health and safety guidelines for individual countries. Because of those standards, about 80% of countries are classified as ‘Level 4’ or ‘do not travel.’

Travel is discouraged for the remaining 20%. The advisory says people with plans to visit those countries should reconsider before proceeding.

DOMESTIC TRAVEL A BOON FOR AMERICAN CARRIERS

Rapidly rising levels of domestic travel within the U.S. have been a boon for American carriers in the past couple of months.  

More than half of all American adults have now received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination.

Southwest Airlines, heavily invested in domestic travel and catering to the leisure market, is the first major U.S. airline to report a profit since the pandemic started, and airline executives say that the industry is on course to recover from a financial crisis caused by the pandemic.

Southwest Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly said Thursday that his airline has seen steady improvement in U.S. leisure-travel sales since mid-February. He credited rising vaccinations and falling new cases of COVID-19.

“We believe the worst is now finally behind us,” he said.

Southwest reported net income of $116 million in the first quarter, although it would have lost $1 billion without federal aid to help cover labour costs.

American Airlines posted a $1.25 billion loss, but its CEO also sounded upbeat heading into the peak summer-travel season, when airlines usually earn most of their money. The airline is aggressively expanding its schedule for summer and recalling employees from leave.

“We are starting to see light at the end of this very dark tunnel,” said CEO Doug Parker.

About 1.4 million people are passing through U.S. airport checkpoints each day this month, double the number of air travellers in January. Low fares are spurring demand and leisure travel in the U.S. is already nearly back to pre-pandemic levels.

With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press

Travel Week Logo

Tags: Border restrictions, Canada US Border, Lead Story

canada do not travel list

  • Skip to main content
  • Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

The novel coronavirus, first detected at the end of 2019, has caused a global pandemic.

Coronavirus Updates

The coronavirus crisis, u.s. issues more than 115 'do not travel' advisories, citing risks from covid-19.

Bill Chappell

canada do not travel list

Global travel continues to be risky because of the coronavirus. Earlier this year, passengers from Taiwan wear protective gear as they arrive at France's Charles de Gaulle Airport, and just this week, the U.S. issued over 100 new travel advisories. Francois Mori/AP hide caption

Global travel continues to be risky because of the coronavirus. Earlier this year, passengers from Taiwan wear protective gear as they arrive at France's Charles de Gaulle Airport, and just this week, the U.S. issued over 100 new travel advisories.

The U.S. State Department has vastly expanded its "Do Not Travel list," issuing new Level 4 advisories for more than 115 countries and territories this week. The agency cites "ongoing risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic."

The U.S. Do Not Travel list now includes Canada, Mexico, Germany and the U.K. A Level 3 warning is in place for a smaller group of nations, such as China, Australia and Iceland. Japan is also on the Level 3 list, despite a worrying rise in new coronavirus cases there.

Just a week ago, only 33 countries were on the U.S. Do Not Travel list, according to a cached version of the advisory site . But the State Department warned on Monday that the list would soon include roughly 80% of the world's countries.

More than 150 highest-level travel advisories are in effect — more closely reflecting guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the State Department says.

The CDC's own travel health notices also use a four-tier warning system. For many countries newly added to the State Department's Level 4 list, the CDC cites "a very high level of COVID-19."

As of last week, Brazil and Russia were two of the only large COVID-19 global hotspots on the State Department's most serious warning list. They're now joined by India and virtually all of Europe — places that have seen alarming spikes in new cases.

Bhutan is the only international destination designated as Level 1 — "exercise normal precautions" — on the State Department's travel advisory list.

Sixteen countries are categorized as Level 2 — meaning travelers should exercise increased caution when visiting places such as Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Belize and Grenada.

Many of the new or updated Do Not Travel notices cite high levels of coronavirus transmission in the relevant country. But the State Department says it also takes other factors into account, from the availability of coronavirus testing to any travel restrictions the countries might have against U.S. citizens.

In roughly 35 countries or destinations, the CDC says, details about the level of COVID-19 risk are unknown. The health agency urges Americans to avoid traveling to those spots, which include Afghanistan, Nicaragua and the Solomon Islands.

Regardless of a particular country's advisory status, the State Department wants all U.S. citizens to reconsider any travel abroad.

"The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose unprecedented risks to travelers," the agency said.

More than 3 million people have died from COVID-19 worldwide, according to the World Health Organization . Nearly 144 million coronavirus cases have been reported globally, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University .

canada do not travel list

Canada added to U.S. 'Do Not Travel' list

canada do not travel list

Canada is among more than 100 countries added to the U.S. State Department's "Do Not Travel” advisory list.

The list more than quadrupled Tuesday, citing the "very high level of COVID-19" now in some 80% of countries worldwide.

The pandemic has been especially devastating in India. The country on Wednesday reported nearly 315,000 new infections in 24 hours, a record.

Click here to see the complete "Do Not Travel" list.

The United States on Tuesday also extended the ban on non-essential travel at the Canadian and Mexican borders for another 30 days.

Read the Latest on Page Six

latest in US News

Woman pleads for separate waiting rooms for miscarriages because it's hard seeing new moms: 'Like it absolutely sucks'

Woman pleads for separate waiting rooms for miscarriages because...

Army probes Special Forces soldier appearing to wear Nazi symbol in social media post: 'Clear violation of our values'

Army probes Special Forces soldier appearing to wear Nazi symbol...

Veteran English teacher, 50, resigns after school district discovers OnlyFans, Fansly accounts

Veteran English teacher, 50, resigns after school district...

NYC man caught with whopping 123 pounds of marijuana during traffic stop in Virginia

NYC man caught with whopping 123 pounds of marijuana during...

Another State Department official resigns over Biden’s ‘horrific’ support for Israel’s war against Hamas

Another State Department official resigns over Biden’s...

Biden pokes fun at Boeing, quips, ‘I don’t sit by the door’ on Air Force One 

Biden pokes fun at Boeing, quips, ‘I don’t sit by the door’...

Councilman Francisco Moya backs Mets owner Steve Cohen's $8B Queens casino plan

Councilman Francisco Moya backs Steve Cohen's $8 billion casino...

Video shows teen gunman lean out car window and open fire in shooting that killed Vegas mother

Video shows teen gunman lean out car window and open fire in...

Us reportedly adds canada to ‘do not travel’ advisory list amid covid.

  • View Author Archive
  • Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Vehicles line up to enter Canada at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada.

The US State Department has raised the threat level for Americans traveling to Canada , adding the destination to its “do not travel” list amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a report said Tuesday.

The travel advisory for the neighboring country has been upgraded to “Level 4 – do not travel” status, according to a statement obtained by Reuters.

The agency’s website, however, still has Canada’s advisory listed as “Level 3 — reconsider travel” on Tuesday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also had the country’s travel recommendation rating at a Level 3.

“Because of the current situation in Canada, all travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants,” the advisory said.

The country has recorded more than 21,000 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, according to data released on Monday.

Canada reopened borders for fully vaccinated Americans earlier this month, but the US has yet to do the same for its neighbors.

The US extended land border restrictions, which were implemented at the start of the pandemic, until at least Sept. 21.

With Post wires

Share this article:

canada do not travel list

U.S. adds 116 countries to its ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory list

Travelers at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac

Get weekly news and analysis on the U.S. elections and how it matters to the world with the newsletter On the Campaign Trail. Sign up here.

Reporting by David Shepardson

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab

Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore

Russian veto points to 'grim future' for North Korea sanctions enforcement

Russia's move to effectively disband the panel of experts monitoring longstanding United Nations sanctions against North Korea points to a "grim future" for the sanctions enforcement, three former members of the panel told Reuters.

Russian missile and drone attacks hit thermal and hydro power plants in central and western Ukraine, power grid operator Ukrenergo said on Friday, the latest assault on the already damaged power infrastructure.

A woman holding up her baby is silhouetted against the backdrop of N Seoul Tower in Seoul

  • Meet our partners
  • Advertise with us

Canada adds more countries to travel ban list over Omicron variant concerns

canada do not travel list

On November 30, the Canadian government announced several more countries have been added to the list of those currently subject to stricter border measures.

The countries added to the list are Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi. They join a list of seven southern African countries that had restrictive measures imposed on them this past Friday.

The 10 affected countries are:

  • Mozambique;
  • South Africa; and

Discover if You’re Eligible for Canadian Immigration

Foreign nationals who have travelled to these countries over the last 14 days will be forbidden from entering Canada. Canadian citizens and permanent residents that have been in any of these countries over the last 14 days will need to receive a negative PCR test in a third country before being allowed to travel to Canada, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Upon arrival to Canada, all Canadians who have been to these countries will have to complete a COVID-19 test. They will also have to quarantine for 14 days, and complete a test on day 8.

Travellers arriving by air will need to stay in a designated quarantine facility while they wait on their arrival test results. They will be allowed to leave once their test results come back negative.

Those arriving by land may be allowed to go directly to the quarantine location named on their quarantine plan. If they do not have a suitable quarantine plan, they will have to go to a designated quarantine facility.

In a media release , the government says there will be increased scrutiny of quarantine plans for travellers from these countries and rigorous monitoring to ensure travellers are complying with quarantine measures.

Health Canada will be contacting travellers who have entered Canada from these countries in the past two weeks to tell them they need to get tested and quarantine while they wait on their results.

Travellers from all other countries

All air travellers (except those coming from the U.S.), irrespective of their Canadian immigration and vaccination status, will need to undergo testing at the airport in which they land in Canada. They will need to self isolate until a negative test has been confirmed. This is in addition to the pre-arrival PCR tests that they need to get within 72 hours of travel to Canada.

These new measures also apply to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, even those that are fully vaccinated. Canadian government ministers said during a press conference they will give further consideration to potentially adding these requirement to travellers entering Canada from the U.S. by air and/or land.

As of November 30, vaccination is required for travel within and outside of Canada. Officials will no longer accept a valid COVID-19 molecular test as an alternative to vaccination unless travellers are exempt due to a medical inability to get vaccinated.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who depart and re-enter Canada within 72 hours do not have to provide a pre-entry molecular test result.

All travellers must still submit their travel documents to the ArriveCAN app on their phones, or on the website .

Omicron in Canada

The stricter measures come after a new variant of COVID-19, Omicron, was discovered last week in South Africa and is causing concern around the world.

The World Health Organization describes the Omicron variant of the coronavirus as "very high risk" globally and the likelihood of it spreading around the world as significant.

It is currently unknown how contagious the variant is, how dangerous or whether or not it is resistant to vaccines.

As of November 30, seven cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant have been confirmed in Canada and several other possible cases are under investigation.

© CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.

  • Canada immigration news
  • Canadian immigration news
  • coronavirus
  • coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • travel restrictions
  • Travel to Canada
  • Do you need Canadian immigration assistance? Contact the Contact Cohen Immigration Law firm by completing our form
  • Send us your feedback or your non-legal assistance questions by emailing us at [email protected]
  • Express Entry

A woman in a field, with a Canadian flag wrapped around them.

  • Family Sponsorship
  • Citizenship
  • Life in Canada

Canada travel advisory: Neighbors to the north added to “Do Not Travel” list

  • Published: Apr. 23, 2021, 1:45 p.m.

TSA screens highest number of passengers since start of COVID-19 pandemic

The U.S. Department of State has added Canada to its "Do Not Travel" list as a result of increasing coronavirus cases throughout the country. (Dan Gleiter | [email protected])

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As Canada continues to grapple with a third wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the U.S. government is officially telling citizens to avoid all travel to the country.

Earlier this week, the U.S. State Department added more than 100 new countries, including Canada, to the “Do Not Travel” list in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

“Do not travel to Canada due to COVID-19,” the U.S. travel advisory reads. “The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Canada due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.”

The CDC says that all travelers, even those who have been fully vaccinated, should avoid Canada due to the rising rates of the novel coronavirus.

“Because of the current situation in Canada even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to Canada,” according to the CDC guidance.

The new advisory should have fairly minimal impact on American’s travel plans, as non-essential travel to Canada by U.S. residents has been banned since the start of the pandemic. Non-essential travel includes all travel that is recreational or tourism-based in nature, according to the U.S. Embassy.

Essential travel for U.S. citizens is still permitted, but only includes “work and study, critical infrastructure support, economic services and supply chains, health, immediate medical care, and safety and security,” according to the embassy.

For those continuing to travel to Canada for essential purposes, the CDC advises that they be fully vaccinated and continue to adhere to the basic health and safety protocols that have been in place throughout the pandemic.

“If you must travel to Canada, get fully vaccinated before travel. All travelers should wear a mask, stay 6 feet from others, avoid crowds, and wash their hands,” according to the CDC.

The addition of Canada to the “Do Not Travel” list came during the same week that the U.S. and Canada announced that the countries’ land-border would remain closed to non-essential travel until at least May 21, making it 14 months since non-essential travel has been permitted between the two countries.

“To deter the spread of #COVID19 and protect our citizens, the United States is continuing restrictions on non-essential travel at our land borders through May 21, while maintaining the flow of essential trade and travel as we have for over a year,” according to the Department of Homeland Security.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

Man walking through an airport with his suitcase

Getty Images

Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

TOPSHOT - Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv  on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine today with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion" was underway. (Photo by Aris Messinis / AFP) (Photo by ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

Join the Conversation

Tags: Russia , Ukraine , Travel , Coronavirus , Travel Tips , Israel , Gaza , violence , Civil War , crime , kidnapping

Recent Articles

Best countries.

canada do not travel list

Best Countries Rankings

  • # 1 Switzerland
  • # 5 Australia
  • # 5 United States

canada do not travel list

Health News Bulletin

Stay informed daily on the latest news and advice on health and COVID-19 from the editors at U.S. News & World Report.

You May Also Like

Switzerland is world's best country.

Julia Haines Sept. 6, 2023

canada do not travel list

Photos: Best Countries Around the World

Sept. 6, 2023

canada do not travel list

The 25 Best Countries in the World

Elliott Davis Jr. Sept. 6, 2023

canada do not travel list

Analysis-Russian Veto Points to 'Grim Future' for North Korea Sanctions Enforcement

Reuters March 29, 2024

canada do not travel list

South Korea Hopes New Speed Train Links Will Help Boost Birthrate

canada do not travel list

Situation in Haiti March 22, 2024

U.s. citizens in haiti, update january 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

  • Travel Advisories |
  • Contact Us |
  • MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Share this page:

Learn about your destination

Take 90 seconds for safer travel.

Travel Advisory Levels

Enroll in step.

Enroll in STEP

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

Language selection

  • Français fr

Travelling for Easter? The Canada Border Services Agency gives tips for a smooth trip

From: Canada Border Services Agency

News release

March 22, 2024 Ottawa, Ontario

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers of what to expect when crossing the border over the Easter long weekend.

Everyday, the CBSA works hard to protect Canadians, support the economy, and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across our borders. In 2023, we welcomed over 86k travellers and intercepted more than 72,200 kg of prohibited drugs, cannabis, narcotics, and chemicals, representing an increase of close to 30% from 2022.

The CBSA invests significant effort planning and preparing for peak periods, including long weekends and holidays. We monitor traveller volumes and work hard to minimize border wait times at ports of entry, including international airports, without compromising safety and security.

Here are some tips to help you plan for your trip: 

  • Plan ahead, expect delays and check  border wait times . Travellers crossing the border by land are encouraged to cross during non-peak hours such as early mornings. The Monday of holiday long weekends tend to be the busiest, with longer border wait times.
  • When  travelling with children, it is recommended that the accompanying adult have a consent letter authorizing them to travel with the child if they share custody or are not the parent or legal guardian. Border services officers are always watching for  missing children , and in the absence of the letter, officers may ask additional questions. 
  • Have your travel documents handy . Whether travelling by land, air or water, travellers can help speed up processing times by always coming prepared with their travel documents.
  • Save time with Advance Declaration . You can make your customs and immigration declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports. Data shows that using this tool can reduce time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50%.
  • Be prepared to declare. All travellers must declare their goods upon entry into Canada. For returning residents, have your receipts readily available for goods purchased or received while outside of Canada. Travellers should be aware of everything that is inside their vehicle and are responsible for its contents. You are encouraged not to travel with firearms, but if you choose to do so, be sure to check the  rules on importing firearms  and other  restricted and prohibited goods , which includes pepper spray and certain knives.
  • Bringing in a food product for a religious tradition?  The CBSA strongly recommends that you consult the Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website before bringing any food, plant, and animal products into Canada.
  • Bringing poultry across the border? Poultry products must be for human consumption, retail packaged and labelled as a "Product of the USA." Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada. Check the latest  Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States before bringing these products across the border.
  • Know your exemption limits.  Returning residents planning to make purchases or pick up online purchases across the border should be aware of their personal exemption limits , including alcohol and tobacco. You are encouraged to use the  CBSA duty and taxes estimator  to help you calculate monies owed on goods purchased abroad. You can bring in your  Easter chocolate  as long as it’s for personal use and  doesn’t exceed a certain weight !
  • Visitors to Canada may also bring gifts for their friends and family as long as the gifts are declared: Bringing goods to Canada - Canada.ca
  • Cannabis: Don’t bring it in. Don’t take it out.  Bringing cannabis across the border in any form, including oils containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or cannabidiol (CBD), without a permit or exemption authorized by Health Canada  is a serious criminal offence subject to arrest and prosecution, despite the legalization of cannabis in Canada. A medical prescription from a doctor does not count as Health Canada authorization.
  • Travelling with medication? Make sure you understand your responsibilities .
  • Bringing traditional Indigenous medicines or ceremonial goods to Canada?  Medicines such as sage, cedar, sweetgrass, peyote and tobacco are recognized as sacred items and can be brought across the border. However, plant materials are subject to regulations and inspections. 
  • If you are travelling with a pet or planning to import an animal into Canada , you will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import requirements.

Not sure? Ask a CBSA officer . The best thing you can do to save time is to be open and honest with the CBSA officer. Be sure to follow all instructions they provide to you. If you are not sure about what to declare, don't hesitate to ask. Our officers are here to help! You may also contact Border Information Service (BIS) line toll-free within Canada at  1-800-461-9999 for more information

Associated links

  • Plan your trip across the border
  • Residents returning to Canada
  • Border reminder checklist
  • Advance Declaration video

For more information or to schedule an interview with a CBSA representative, please contact:

Media Relations Canada Border Services Agency [email protected] 1-877-761-5945

Page details

COMMENTS

  1. Travel advice and advisories

    The Government of Canada's official source of travel information and advice, the Travel Advice and Advisories help you to make informed decisions and travel safely while you are outside Canada. Check the page for your destination often, because safety and security conditions may change. See Travel Advice and Advisories - FAQ for more ...

  2. These Countries Are On Canada's Do Not Travel List & Here's ...

    Canada has issued and updated multiple travel advisories in recent days, providing guidance for Canadians travelling abroad in several different countries.. What you may not know, however, is that Canada also has a list of countries that it advises residents to avoid all travel to because their safety and security could be at risk.. According to the Government of Canada, travel advisories give ...

  3. Canada Travel Advisory

    Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise normal precautions in Canada. Read the Country Information page for additional information on travel to Canada.. If you decide to travel to Canada: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.; Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.

  4. Canada added to 'do not travel' list

    The CDC advises travelers to avoid travel to Level 4 countries. Canada had been at Level 3 since August 30, 2021. Curaçao, a self-governing country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, had been ...

  5. Government of Canada Launches Redress System for the

    The Canadian Travel Number (CTN) is not for everyone. It will only help reduce air travel delays in situations where the traveller's name is the same, or similar, as someone on the SATA list. Once received, travellers will be able to use their CTN when air carriers start to accept them at the end of November 2020.

  6. Traveller's checklist for travelling outside Canada

    You may not need your Canadian passport to enter another country, but you need it to return to Canada. Health and safety. Visit a travel health clinic or health care provider at least 6 weeks before your trip. Get travel insurance, even if it's for a short trip across the border. Carry or have access to extra funds in case of emergency.

  7. Canada lands on U.S. 'Do Not Travel' list as scrutiny

    Canada is now on that list, at 'Level 4' or 'do not travel', not surprisingly as third wave COVID-19 numbers here climb. Previously Canada was listed at Level 3. Other destinations also on ...

  8. What You Need To Know About Canada's New Advisory Against Foreign Travel

    Canada's Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos today warned Canadians not to travel internationally AFP via Getty Images "The situation abroad is already dire in many places, and it's going to get ...

  9. U.S. Issues More Than 115 'Do Not Travel' Advisories, Citing ...

    Do Not Travel list now includes Canada, Mexico, Germany and the U.K. A Level 3 warning is in place for a smaller group of nations, such as China, Australia and Iceland. Japan is also on the Level ...

  10. Canada added to U.S. 'Do Not Travel' list

    Canada is among more than 100 countries added to the U.S. State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.The list more than quadrupled Tuesday, citing…

  11. U.S. adds Canada to 'reconsider travel' advisory list amid COVID-19

    The U.S. State Department has raised its travel advisory alert for Canada to a "level 3 - reconsider travel" status amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

  12. U.S. adds Canada to 'Do Not Travel' list, Ontario and Quebec work to

    Meanwhile, the U.S. government has added Canada to its "Do Not Travel" list. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention says there is a very high level of COVID-19 in that country.

  13. US reportedly adds Canada to 'do not travel' list amid COVID

    The US State Department has raised the threat level for Americans traveling to Canada, adding the destination to its "do not travel" list amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a report sa…

  14. U.S. adds 116 countries to its 'Do Not Travel' advisory list

    The U.S. State Department has added at least 116 countries this week to its "Level Four: Do Not Travel" advisory list, putting the UK, Canada, France, Israel, Mexico, Germany and others on the ...

  15. Canada is adding countries to travel ban list in response to Omicron

    Canada adds more countries to travel ban list over Omicron variant concerns. On November 30, the Canadian government announced several more countries have been added to the list of those currently subject to stricter border measures. The countries added to the list are Nigeria, Egypt, and Malawi.

  16. U.S. upgrades Canada to 'do not travel' status amid soaring COVID-19

    The travel advisory says "do not travel to Canada due to COVID-19," on the state department website. "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health ...

  17. Canada added to State Department 'do not travel' list

    Canada added to State Department 'do not travel' list. Jerry Zremski. Apr 22, 2021 Updated Jun 7, 2021. 0. The Toronto skyline. Derek Gee. WASHINGTON - With Covid-19 continuing to sweep across ...

  18. Canada travel advisory: Neighbors to the north added to "Do Not Travel

    The addition of Canada to the "Do Not Travel" list came during the same week that the U.S. and Canada announced that the countries' land-border would remain closed to non-essential travel ...

  19. U.S. Issues Level 4 'Do Not Travel' Advisory For Canada

    CDC Warns Americans Against Canada Travel. The U.S. has updated its travel advisories and has added Canada to the Level 4: Do Not Travel list because of high Omicron cases. The CDC stated, "Because of the current situation in Canada, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

  20. Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

    Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory. These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order: Jump to Place: Afghanistan: The Central Asian country ...

  21. State Dept: US adds Canada to its " do not travel" advisory list amid

    WASHINGTON, Aug 31 —The US State Department has raised its travel advisory alert for Canada to a "level 4 - do not travel" status amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, it said in a statement today. The department, along with the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, yesterday warned against travel to Switzerland, among other ...

  22. Travel Advisories

    × External Link. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein.

  23. Travelling for Easter? The Canada Border Services Agency gives tips for

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reminds travellers of what to expect when crossing the border over the Easter long weekend. Everyday, the CBSA works hard to protect Canadians, support the economy, and ensure the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across our borders. In 2023, we welcomed over 86k travellers and intercepted ...