If you're planning your next international adventure, double-check your destination.

The U.S. State Department recently updated its travel advisory list, adding North Korea and Burkina Faso to its highest alert level — Level 4: Do Not Travel — bringing the total number of countries under this advisory to 21.

The department uses a four-tier system to assess safety risks in countries around the globe:

Level 1 – Exercise standard precautions.

Level 2 – Exercise increased caution

Level 3 – Reconsider travel

Level 4 – Do not travel

Photo: unsplash.com/@jimromero

North Korea’s advisory stems from what officials describe as “a continued serious risk of arrest, prolonged detention, and the possibility of wrongful imprisonment.” For Burkina Faso, the warning is driven by escalating terrorist activity, crime, and the threat of kidnappings.

These warnings come during heightened global instability, with conflicts, political unrest, and organized crime impacting many regions.

It's important to note that while Mexico remains under a Level 2 advisory, urging travelers to exercise increased caution, some states are flagged as Level 4 due to localized safety concerns.

Photo: unsplash.com/@mahmoud_ms1

Here’s the complete list of countries currently under the U.S. government’s Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory:

North Korea
Burkina Faso
Yemen
Iran
South Sudan
Syria
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Afghanistan
Lebanon
Central African Republic
Belarus
Iraq
Ukraine
Venezuela
Haiti
Libya
Somalia
Russia
Burma (Myanmar)
Mali
Sudan

Before booking international travel, consult the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory website for real-time updates and guidance.