U.S. Issues Official Travel 'Warning' for Canada

The U.S. Department of State has already issued a plethora of travel advisories over the past month. The latest country to receive a warning is none other than Canada. 

A travel advisory shares the risks and recommended precautions for U.S. citizens in a foreign destination. The U.S. Department of State has "no higher priority" than keeping Americans safe and secure overseas. With that said, Poland, Qatar and Thailand were the first three countries to receive a travel warning in June. 

"The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for the region, including Qatar," the U.S. government's advisory for Qatar states. "This is due to risks to civil aviation from political and military tensions in the region. The notice advises U.S. operators to review current threat information and to report safety or security incidents. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration." 

On June 11, the U.S. Department of State issued a Level 1 travel advisory for Canada. It's still considered a "safe destination," which means travelers should exercise normal precautions. 

U.S. citizens traveling to Canada this summer are advised to do the following: 

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive messages and Alerts from the U.S. Embassy and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.Review the Country Security Report for Canada.Prepare a plan for emergency situations.Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States.

Canada has been dealing with wildfire season, as well. 

"In Canada, wildfires are common in forested and grassland regions from May to September. In 2024, Canada was affected by record-breaking wildfires affecting all 13 provinces and territories. We urge U.S. citizens visiting or living in Canada to be aware of wildfire conditions in their area and follow guidance from local authorities. Please see the list of resources and emergency services below to help prepare for wildfire season in Canada," the alert states.

The U.S. State Department is recommending the following actions for anyone traveling to Canada:

Dial 911 for immediate assistance from police, ambulance, or fire services in CanadaReview the Crisis and Disaster Abroad page, which urges travellers to stock up on essentials, keep key documents handy, and make an emergency plan—including for pets and communication. Stay aware of local risks (like storms or other disasters), follow official guidance, and sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time updatesFollow the government of Canada’s guidance on what to do before, during, and after a wildfireReview the government of Canada’s coordinated Wildfire page for information on the emergency response, support, and health measures for current wildfire events across CanadaReview the Country Security Report for CanadaVisit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States.

As of this Wednesday, the U.S. Department of State has not issued a Level 4 advisory since May 14. American citizens are being told to avoid Somalia at all costs due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest and other concerns. 

The full list of travel advisories can be viewed here.