UK Foreign Office Warns Against Travel To Nine High-Risk Countries

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued a fresh travel advisory, warning British citizens against all travel to nine countries, including Afghanistan, due to serious safety and security concerns.

Afghanistan was highlighted as particularly dangerous. The FCDO described the situation there as “volatile,” noting that travel across the country is extremely hazardous and border crossings may be closed without notice.

Key risks cited in the advisory include armed conflict, arbitrary detention, political instability, and natural disasters.

The countries listed in the warning are Afghanistan, Iran, South Sudan, Russia, Haiti, Belarus, Libya, Syria, and Yemen.

For Iran, the advisory specifically warned that British and dual British-Iranian nationals are at heightened risk of arrest and detention. “Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you,” the statement said.

Russia was also named due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The FCDO cited a high likelihood of terrorist attacks, drone strikes, Russian air defence activity, and limited availability of return flights to the UK as primary concerns.