The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has slammed the brakes on travel to dozens of countries amid the spiralling Middle East crisis. Brits planning holidays should brace for a slew of travel bans and warnings hitting some of the world’s hottest destinations.
Warning: 76 Countries Now Off-Limits to UK Travellers
Out of 226 nations with FCDO travel advice, a whopping 76 are now flagged as no-go zones. This list includes popular hotspots like Thailand and the United Arab Emirates, home of the ever-glamorous Dubai – a fave for British holidaymakers.
Keir Starmer Pledges Safety Amid Middle East Turmoil
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to brief MPs on Monday, March 2 at 3:30pm about the worsening situation in the Middle East. He told Parliament:
“I know the situation in the Middle East is worrying for British people in the region, and at home. It’s my duty as Prime Minister to keep British people safe. I will be answering questions on the steps we took over the weekend in Parliament.”
No-Go List: Countries with Total Travel Bans
The FCDO currently issues a blanket travel ban on these risk hotspots:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Burkina Faso
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Mali
- Niger
- Palestine
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
Restricted Travel: Only Essential Trips Allowed
Brits are urged to avoid all but essential travel to these countries amid fresh tensions:
- Bahrain
- Cuba
- North Korea
- Kuwait
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
Partial Bans: Watch Out for Danger Zones
Some countries have tight restrictions on specific areas. The FCDO warns against travel to parts of:
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Benin (northern border)
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Congo
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- India
- Indonesia
- Jordan
- Kenya
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Mozambique
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- Western Sahara
Travel advice is changing fast. UK holidaymakers should check the FCDO website before booking or heading abroad to stay safe.
