UK Foreign Office Issues “No-Go” Warnings for 55 Global Destinations

As we head into the final days of 2025, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has announced an important update on travel advisories around the globe. British nationals are warned to check their travel plans. The “do not travel” list now includes 55 countries and border areas.

These are not recommendations, but carry a great deal of substance. Visiting a country where the FCDO advises against travel can impact your insurance. This may lead to expensive medical emergencies, evacuation, or loss of personal belongings.

The “Red List” of Countries

However, the FCDO advises against all travel to several countries. This includes the entire country. The regions deemed too risky for UK members to visit are:

• Conflict Zones: Russia, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan.
• Political Instability & Arrest Risk: Belarus & Iran, in which the FCDO states there’s “a significant risk of arrest” for Brits.
• Security and Lawlessness: Afghanistan, Haiti, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

“In these countries,” says the British government, “It’s unlikely that your government, consular authorities, the UK government, or UK consular authorities are involved.””

Also Read: Places to Visit in London for Free – 14+ Fun & Free Things to Do

Regional “Partial” Warnings

Aside from the 11 countries with travel bans, there are several others where the FCDO has designated specific areas as off-limits. These include areas in which there is a high degree of tension or crime in areas bordering countries:

• Middle East: “Avoid the borders around Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan due to regional instabilities.”
• Asia: In India, warnings are ongoing for Jammu and Kashmir and parts of the state of Manipur. The FCDO advises against travel to the southern provinces along the border with Malaysia in Thailand.
• South America: Large areas along the borders of Venezuela with Colombia and Brazil are marked as “no-go” zones. This is due to the risk of armed violence and kidnapping.

Reasons for Rise in Advisories Issued

In 2025, new risk trends are emerging. While traditional conflicts continue to be a major trigger, other factors are also playing a role, such as:

• Arbitrary Detentions: Countries such as Belarus and Iran rely on detentions for political leverage.
• Environment & Disasters: Japan is facing higher warnings for earthquakes and tsunamis. Meanwhile, Indonesia has travel warnings due to Cyclone Ditwah.
• Terrorism Risks: The FCDO has updated terror risks in “safe” areas due to local threats in the UAE, Kosovo, and Montenegro.

The Insurance Trap

Possibly the most important aspect for the travelling individual is the financial element. Most standard policies include an exclusion clause. This applies if a person is advised not to travel to “all” or “all but essential” countries by the FCDO. Going to an amber or red-rated country means you’re covering yourself for many things. This includes lost luggage and even needing a helicopter rescue.

What Should You Do?

Prior to arranging any short winter breaks or looking ahead to the year 2026, the FCDO advises that:

• Checking the individual country page on the gov.uk website for updates.
• Subscribing to e-notifications of sudden changes in the security situation in your country of interest.
• Contact your insurance to specifically verify that you have insurance that covers you as an “FCDO exempt” traveler if your journey is truly essential.