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High-risk travel destinations

The International Students Office and International Scholars Office have encouraged international students, scholars on temporary visas, and US permanent residents to consider postponing or delaying international travel due to potential changes in visa processing, reentry requirements, and unexpected country-specific restrictions. The two offices will continue to monitor policy developments and provide immigration updates.

 

Per the MIT international travel risk policy, MIT-related travel to high-risk destinations is not permitted for undergraduate or graduate students.

 

Below is a list of destinations currently considered to be high-risk. Any MIT student wishing to travel to these locations must apply for a waiver. Undergraduate students are not eligible for waivers to DoS Level 4/”Do not travel” destinations. All other MIT travelers to these locations are encouraged to learn more about the associated risks so that they may make informed travel decisions. Contact International Safety and Security Program Manager Todd Holmes with any questions.

Afghanistan (01/13/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
Employees looking to travel to the following countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Gaza and the West Bank, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine, are advised to contact the insurance office at insurance@mit.edu.  Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed to these countries.

Algeria (09/26/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Areas near the eastern and southern borders (Avoid travel to rural areas within 50 km (31 miles) of the border with Tunisia and within 250 km (155 miles) of the borders with Libya, Niger, Mali, and Mauritania);
  • Areas in the Sahara Desert desert (overland travel to the Sahara Desert).

Angola (03/05/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider travel areas:
  • Luanda greater metropolitan area

Antarctica (09/25/2025)

Antarctica does not require a high-risk waiver under a U.S. State Department level 2 advisory. Please review the Polar Regions further down on this list.

Armenia (09/05/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The border region with Azerbaijan.

U.S. Embassy employees and their families cannot travel to these areas for non-essential reasons. This applies to MIT Students.

  • Gegharkunik region east of Vardenis
  • Syunik region east of Goris
  • Syunik region south of Kapan

Travel through Yeraskh village in Ararat region is allowed, stopping is not.

Azerbaijan (04/28/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Southern border region and the border region with Armenia;
  • The former Soviet-era Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and surrounding territories.
  • The following territories: Aghdam, Aghdara, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, Lachın, Shusha, and Zangilan.

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of Country;

Bahrain (03/02/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country

Bangladesh (01/20/2026)

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts)

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country

 

Belarus (12/22/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
Sanctions: See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance. Insurance: Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed in this location. Contact the Insurance Office at insurance@mit.edu for more information.

Belize (12/30/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Belize City  

Benin (01/07/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Do Not Travel to areas of Benin bordering Burkina Faso; Niger; and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Advisory summary Do not travel to the border region in northern or northeastern Benin for any reason. U.S. government employee travel restrictions apply to MIT Students:
    • Alibori Department
    • Atacora Department
    • Borgou Department in areas north, east, and west of Parakou
    • Donga Department in the area north of Djougou
    • Official travel in Borgou Department north, east, and west of Parakou as well as travel in Donga Department north of Djougou

 

Bolivia (04/28/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Chapare Region;

Brazil (05/29/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Informal housing developments (commonly referred to in Brazil as favelas, vilas, comunidades, and/or conglomerados);
  • Brasilia’s administrative regions (commonly known as “satellite cities”) of Ceilandia, Santa Maria, Sao Sebastiao, and Paranoa;
  • 160 kms / 100 miles from the land borders with the following countries:
    • Bolivia
    • Colombia
    • French Guiana
    • Guyana
    • Paraguay (NB: This does not apply to the Foz do Iguacu National Park or Pantanal National Park.)
    • Peru
    • Suriname
    • Venezuela

Burkina Faso (05/04/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Burundi (04/29/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The former Central Market located on Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore in Bujumbura.
  • Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and Kibira National Park.
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country.

Cambodia (07/25/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Areas along the Cambodian and Thai border

Cameroon (12/18/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
    • North, Far North, Northwest and Southwest regions, and parts of East and Adamawa regions.

Central African Repubic (11/10/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Chad (04/28/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

China (11/27/2024)

This country is not considered a high-risk travel destination under the MIT student international travel risk policy, EXCEPT for MACAU, SAR, which requires a high-risk waiver.

For mainland China and Hong Kong, SAR, travel may be planned outside the High-Risk process. However, MIT has identified this country as presenting elevated risks for research. See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance.

Colombia (03/31/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), Valle del Cauca (excluding Cali) and Norte de Santander departments
  • Within 10km/5mi of the Colombia-Venezuela border region

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country.

Congo (Democratic Republic of/DRC) (06/04/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country

 

Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) (02/18/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Northern border region with Mali and Burkina Faso

 

Other High-Risk Areas per the MIT Student Travel Risk Policy
  • Remainder of the country outside of Abidjan.
NB: Travel only to Abidjan does not require a high-risk waiver application.

 

Cuba (05/07/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Students may not need review or approval to travel to Havana.

Level 3 / Reconsider Travel areas:

  • Rest of country outside the City of Havana.

 

To ensure travelers do not violate any U.S. Treasury Sanctions for Cuba, it is strongly advised to consult with MIT Export Control (exportcontrolhelp@mit.edu) for confirmation of appropriate MIT clearances. However, the U.S. government has included this country in the Government-identified Countries of Concern. See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance.

 

Note the following extract from the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory, 
  • U.S. law and regulation prohibit travel to, from, or within Cuba for tourist activities. OFAC regulates travel to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, defined to include, among other things, all U.S. citizens or residents (wherever located) and anyone in the United States, regardless of their citizenship and nationality. Failure by a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction to act consistently with the regulations may result in penalties and criminal prosecution. Travel to Cuba without an OFAC license is illegal.

Ecuador (10/14/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Guayaquil, south of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.
  • The cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas in the province of El Oro.
  • The cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo in the province of Los Rios.
  • The canton of Duran, in the province of Guayas.
  • Esmeraldas City and all areas north of Esmeraldas City in Esmeraldas province.
  • The area north of Esmeraldas City to the Colombian border and east to Carchi province.
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Guayaquil north of Portete de Tarqui Avenue.
  • El Oro province outside the cities of Huaquillas and Arenillas.
  • Los Rios province outside the cities of Quevedo, Quinsaloma, and Pueblo Viejo.
  • All areas south of Esmeraldas city in Esmeraldas province.
  • The provinces of Sucumbios, Manabi, Santa Elena, and Santo Domingo.

Egypt (07/15/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Northern and Middle Sinai Peninsula.
  • Egyptian border areas.
  • The Western Desert due to risk to safety and security unless traveling with a professionally licensed tour company.

Eritrea (07/31/2023)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • All areas outside of the city of Asmara.

Ethiopia (04/01/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Tigray Region and border with Eritrea;
  • Afar-Tigray border areas;
  • Amhara Region;
  • Gambella and Benishangul Gumuz Regions;
  • Southern Nations and National People (SNNP) Region;
  • Border area with Somalia;
  • Border areas with Sudan, and South Sudan;
  • Border areas with Kenya;
  • Oromia Region – Specific areas: the entirety of Horro-Guduru Wollega, East Wollega, West Wollega, Kelem Wollega, Illubabor, and Bale. Other areas in Oromia include portions of North, West, and Southwest Shewa to the immediate north and west of Addis Ababa; the Boset and Fentale woredas of East Shewa zone between Welenchiti and Awash; portions of the Borena zone surrounding Bule Hora; and portions of Guji zone to the east of Bule Hora.
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country.

Georgia (07/26/2023)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Russian-occupied Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

Ghana (04/08/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • The Upper East Region, North East Region, Upper West Region, and the western portion of the Savannah Region (all areas west of the N12 Highway) that shares a border with Burkina Faso and Cộte d’Ivoire

Guatemala (12/30/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • San Marcos Department (except the city of San Marcos);
  • Huehuetenango Department (except the city of Huehuetenango);
  • Zone 18 and the city of Villa Nueva in Guatemala City;
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country.

Guinea-Bissau (12/11/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Guyana (05/12/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Haiti (04/16/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas: Entire country.

Honduras (12/10/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3 /Reconsider Travel area: Entire country except

 

Level 4/Do Not Travel:
  • Gracias a Dios Department, most eastern department.

India (06/16/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (except the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh);.
  • Within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border;
  • Portions of Central and East India;
  • Manipur;
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  •  Northeastern States of: Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura;
See VPF website for pre-registration and reporting requirements for work performed by MIT employees in India. Failure to consult with VPF on employee travel / work in India, may incur Indian tax penalites to the Institute.

Indonesia (04/30/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The provinces of Central Papua (Papua Tengah) and
  • Highland Papua (Papua Pegunungan).

Iran (12/05/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance.

Iraq (03/02/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
Employees looking to travel to the following countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Gaza and the West Bank, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine, are advised to contact the insurance office at insurance@mit.edu.  Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed to these countries.

Israel (07/01/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Gaza and within 11.3 kms / 7 miles of the Gaza Periphery
  • Northern Israel within 4 kms / 2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders
  • The Egyptian border within 2.4 kms/1.5. miles.

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Israel is overall a level 3 area.

 

Employees looking to travel to the following countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Gaza and the West Bank, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine, are advised to contact the insurance office at insurance@mit.edu.  Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed to these countries.

Jamaica (01/17/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Specific areas of Jamaica – Level 4/ Do Not Travel Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in Jamaica are prohibited from traveling to certain areas. The off-limits zones for U.S. embassy personnel within each parish are listed below. This is applicable to MIT Student Travelers.
  • Do not travel to these areas for any reason:
    • St. Ann’s Parish - Steer Town and the Buckfield neighborhood near Ocho Rios.
    • St. Catherine’s Parish - Spanish Town, Central Village, areas within Portmore, including: Naggo Head, New Land, Old Braeton, Portmore Lane, Gregory Park, and Waterford.
    • Clarendon Parish - All of Clarendon Parish, except passing through Clarendon Parish using the T1 and A2 highways.
    • St. Elizabeth’s Parish - Vineyard District Community, between the communities of Salt Spring and Burnt Savanna, St. Elizabeth.
    • Hanover Parish - Logwood and Orange Bay.
    • St. James Parish/Montego Bay - Inland side of the A1 highway and The Queen’s Drive from San San to Harmony Beach Park.
    • Kingston and St. Andrew Parish - Cassava Piece, Duhaney Park, Grants Pen, Standpipe, Swallowfield, Elleston Flats, August Town, and downtown Kingston, defined as between Mountain View Avenue and Hagley Park Road, and south of Half Way Tree and Old Hope Roads. Downtown Kingston includes Arnett Gardens, Cockburn Gardens, Denham Town, Olympic Gardens, Seaview Gardens, Trench Town, and Tivoli Gardens.
    • Manchester Parish - Green Vale and Gray Ground neighborhoods of Mandeville.
    • St. Thomas Parish - Black Lane neighborhood in Seaforth, Grands Penn, Church Corner neighborhood near Yallahs, Town of Yallahs, except when driving through on the main highway.
    • Trelawny Parish - Clarks Town.
    • Westmoreland Parish - Russia community in Savanna-la-Mar (The Southeastern quadrant of Savannah la Mar east of Darling Street and south of the A2 highway/Barracks Road), Morgan Bay, Kings Valley, The Whitehall, Bethel Town, and Red Ground neighborhoods of Negril.

Jordan (05/04/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Mansheyat al Ghayyath, Ruwayshid, and the border with Syria and Iraq
  • Designated Syrian refugee camps in Jordan. Restricted camps are:
    • Azraq Syrian Refugee Camp, Azraq, Zarqa.
    • Za’atari Syrian Refugee Camp, Al Zatryah, Mafraq.
    • King Abdullah Park Syrian Refugee Camp, Ramtha, Irbid.
  • Rusayfah city
  • The Baqa’a neighborhood of Ayn Basha

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas: 
  • Remainder of country

Kenya (03/17/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Kenya-Somalia Border Counties: Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa;
  • West Pokot and Western Turkana County: Road from Kainuk to Lodwar.
  • Coastal Areas: Tana River county (except Tsavo National Park), Lamu County, Areas of Kilifi County north of Malindi;
  • Parts of Marsabit and Turkana Counties within 30 miles (50 kms) of the Ethiopian border.
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Nairobi neighborhoods of Eastleigh and Kibera;
  • Laikipia County, certain areas: Nyahururu, Laikipia West, and Laikipia North Sub-counties.

Kosovo (12/02/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • North Mitrovica, Leposavic, Zubin Potok, and Zvecan.

Kuwait (03/02/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Desert Region North of the Mutla’a Ridge and Near the Border with Iraq

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country

Kyrgyzstan (The Kyrgyz Republic) (04/21/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

  • The Batken province only is a high-risk area.

Laos (11/21/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Xaisomboun Province

Lebanon (05/06/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
Employees looking to travel to the following countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Gaza and the West Bank, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine, are advised to contact the insurance office at insurance@mit.edu.  Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed to these countries.

Liberia (12/11/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

MIT applies the travel restriction below to all student travelers.

U.S. government employee travel restrictions
  • U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital or between counties after dark due to the safety and security risk. The only exception is travel to and from Roberts International Airport.

Libya (07/16/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Macau SAR, (People’s Republic of China) (11/27/2024)

This administrative region of China has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Macau, S.A.R.
See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance.

Madagascar (12/04/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Certain areas are level 3, carefully review the details in each area in the State Department Travel Advisory.
    • Tsaratanan, Betsiboka Region
    • The unnamed road between Tsiroanomandidy, Bongolava Region, and Maintirano, Melaky Region
    • National Road 34 (RN34) between Miandrivazo and Malaimbandy, Menabe Region
    • National Road (RN13) between Ihosy, Ihrombe Region and Betroka, Anosy Region
    • The Menabe Region south of Morondava

Malaysia (07/24/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Eastern Sabah region

Mali (10/24/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Mauritania (07/15/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Areas marked off-limits by the Mauritanian military.
  • All areas north of the Tropic of Cancer
  • All areas within 100 KM of the Mali and Algeria Border

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Mexico (05/29/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings. Note that the U.S. Embassy has produced maps of restricted areas by consular district for consultation.

 

Level 4 / Do Not Travel areas

• Entire states of: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas

Level 3 / Reconsider Travel areas

• Entire states of: Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, Sonora
NB: When the State Department advisory notes that U.S. government employees must adhere to travel restrictions, MIT treats those areas as high-risk for students.

U.S. Government Employee Travel Restrictions

Coahuila State

• Municipalities: Allende, Ciudad Acuña, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jiménez, Morelos, Nava, Piedras Negras, Villa Unión, Zaragoza

Durango State

• West and south of Federal Highway 45

Oaxaca State

Isthmus region: • Area bounded by Federal Highway 185D (west), Federal Highway 190 (north), and the Oaxaca–Chiapas border (east), including Juchitán de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, San Blas Atempa Federal Highway 200 restriction: • No travel on Federal Highway 200 between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca–Guerrero border

Moldova (11/29/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Breakaway Transnistria region

Mozambique (06/16/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Cabo Delgado Province, the Niassa Special Reserve inside Niassa Province, and certain districts in the north of Nampula Province, which are:
    • The bordering districts of Memba and Erati in Nampula Province.

Myanmar (Burma) (05/12/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

New Caledonia (06/04/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

 

Level 3: Entire country

Nicaragua (12/13/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Niger (01/29/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Nigeria (04/08/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel to:
  • Borno, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Yobe, northern Adamawa states
  • Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states
  • Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers states (with the exception of Port Harcourt)
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country;

North Korea (04/29/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance.

Oman (04/09/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Yemen border area.

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country

Pakistan (03/03/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA);
  • Pakistan-India border and line of control/immediate vicinity;
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas: 
  • Remainder of country.

Palestinian Territories (02/27/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel:
  • The West Bank
Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Gaza Strip;

 

Employees looking to travel to the following countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Gaza and the West Bank, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine, are advised to contact the insurance office at insurance@mit.edu.  Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed to these countries.

Panama (09/23/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Parts of the "Mosquito Gulf"
    • The “Mosquito Gulf”; the area within 10 miles of the coastline, from Boca de Rio, Chiriqui to Cocle del Norte.
  • Parts of the Darién Region:
    • All areas south of Jaque to Manene to Yaviza to Lajas Blancas cities to the Colombian border; the city of Lajas Blancas; the city of El Salto.

Papua New Guinea (04/29/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Central Bougainville, particularly areas near the Panguna mine;
  • The Highlands region, other than the towns of Mt. Hagen and Goroka;
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas: 
  • Remainder of country.

Paraguay (04/30/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

  • These areas are designated high-risk: Alto Paraná, Amambay, Canindeyu, Concepcion, and San Pedro

Peru (05/16/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Colombian-Peruvian border area in the Loreto Region;
  • The Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers (VRAEM), including Vilcabamba.
  • Some areas within the regions of Ayacucho, Cusco*, Huancavelica, and Junín.
  • *NB, the city of Cusco and popular tourist sites nearby, like the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail, and Machu Picchu, are not located in the affected area.

Philippines (05/08/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The Sulu Sea Archipelago and the Sulu Sea;
  • Marawi City, Mindanao.
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas: 
  • Other areas of Mindanao Islands).

Polar Region Travel (06/06/2026)

Polar region travel is an extreme/remote risk and may require additional evacuation insurance coverage beyond what the MIT Student Study Abroad policies cover. If you are an employee, contact your medical insurance provider. Contact the MIT Office of Insurance (insurance@mit.edu) to review options.

Qatar (03/02/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country

Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) (10/02/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country except capital city of Brazzaville.

Russian Federation (12/29/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
Sanctions: See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance. Insurance: Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed in this location. Contact the Insurance Office at insurance@mit.edu for more information.

Rwanda (06/04/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel 
  • Do not travel within 10 kilometers of Rwanda’s border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo: 

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel 
  • Remainder of Country

São Tomé e Príncipe (04/08/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel - entire country

Saudi Arabia (03/13/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Within 20 miles of the Saudi-Yemen border, including the city of Najran
  • Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah.

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country.

 

See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance.

Solomon Islands (04/29/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

High-risk areas include:

  • Hell’s Point and the ridges behind Honiara
  • New Georgia group of islands
  • Russell Islands
  • Tulagi Island

Somalia (05/14/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

South Africa (05/27/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

 

High risk areas are as follows, per information in the U.S. State Department Travel Advisory:

  • Informal settlements (townships) in and around Cape Town.

 

Contact the High-Risk Travel Committee (high-risk-travel-comm@mit.edu) to verify which specific townships are affected.

South Sudan (03/08/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Sudan (10/15/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.

Syria (12/12/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance. Employees looking to travel to the following countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Gaza and the West Bank, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine, are advised to contact the insurance office at insurance@mit.edu.  Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed to these countries.

Tajikistan (05/16/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Areas within proximity to Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan
  • Gorno-Badakhshon Autonomous Oblast

Tanzania (10/31/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country

Thailand (07/25/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Areas along the Cambodian and Thai border

Togo (11/07/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • North of Kande (city) and Northern border region.

Trinidad and Tobago (04/13/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3 / Reconsider Travel Areas

  • All areas of Trinidad and Tobago.

Tunisia (10/23/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Within 16 km (10 miles) of the Algerian border, except for the cities of Tabarka and Ain Draham.
  • Within 16 km (10 miles) of the border with Libya.
  • The Mount Chaambi National Park, Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma, and Mount Mghila in Kasserine governorate.
  • The Mount Orbata area in the Gafsa governorate.
  • The desert south of Remada due to the military zone.

Turkey / Türkiye (04/28/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

 

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Areas within 10 km (6 miles) of Turkiye’s borders with Syria or Iraq.

 

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • The southeast areas of Turkey include the provinces of Adana, Adiyaman, Batman, Bingol, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Gaziantep, Hakkari, Hatay, Icel (Mersin), Kilis, Kahramanmaras, Malatya, Mardin, Mus, Osmaniye, Siirt, Sanliurfa, Sirnak, Tunceli, and Van.

Uganda (06/04/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country

Ukraine (11/14/2024)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • The  frontline regions of Ukraine and areas along Ukraine’s border with Belarus
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas: 
  • Remainder of country.
See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance. Employees looking to travel to the following countries, Afghanistan, Belarus, Gaza and the West Bank, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, Syria, and Ukraine, are advised to contact the insurance office at insurance@mit.edu.  Business Travel Accident and Workers Compensation coverage is not guaranteed to these countries.

United Arab Emirates (03/03/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Entire country

Venezuela (05/18/2026)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Venezuela-Colombia border region (20 miles from the border) 
  • Amazonas state
  • Apure state
  • Aragua state outside of Maracay
  • Bolivar state rural areas
  • Guarico state
  • Tachira state
Level 3/Reconsider Travel areas:
  • Remainder of country.
See VPR Compliance Website for further restrictions and guidance.

Yemen (12/19/2025)

This country has been updated to align with the revised Student Travel Policy risk ratings.

Level 4/Do Not Travel areas:
  • Entire country.
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