Status: State Activations
March 6, 2026 - OHSEPR has requested Virginia, Maryland, and New York to activate their State Emergency Repatriation Plans (SERPs) and mobilize teams to support federal repatriation operations.
March 4, 2026 Program Update — Safe Departure From Middle Eastern Countries Advised by State Department
Update: The information below is selected content from the following U.S. Department of State web page, March 4, 2026
The U.S. Department of State is taking historic action to assist American citizens, who wish to depart the Middle East, return to the United States. The Department has authorized the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and, in many cases, their family members from affected countries due to safety risks.
The Department has opened a crisis intake form for American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel. To receive departure assistance information from the Department of State about available aviation and ground transportation options, please fill out the following form .
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to receive safety and security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Information is available through alerts, embassy and consulate websites, and travel.state.gov .
Safety Travel Advisories
Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens, and wrongful detention.
Do not travel to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the U.S. government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. Do not travel to Iraq for any reason. Leave now if you are there.
Lebanon - Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel to Lebanon due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and the risk of armed conflict. Some areas, especially near the borders, have increased risk.
Syria - Level 4: Do Not Travel
Do not travel to Syria for any reason due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, crime, and armed conflict.
Yemen - Level 4: Do Not Travel
U.S. citizens should not travel to Yemen for any reason. Do not travel in Yemen due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, health risks, kidnapping, and landmines.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Bahrain - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider Travel to Bahrain due to terrorism and armed conflict.
Cyprus - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Cyprus due to the threat of armed conflict and terrorism.
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider Travel To:
- Israel due to terrorism and civil unrest
- West Bank due to terrorism and civil unrest
Do Not Travel To:
- Gaza ,due to terrorism and armed conflict and within 11.3 km/7 miles of the Gaza Periphery
- Northern Israel within 4 kilometers/2.5 miles of the Lebanese and Syrian borders, due to continued military presence and activity
- The Egyptian border within 2.4km/1.5 miles, except for the Taba crossing, which is open.
Jordan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Jordan due to terrorism and armed conflict.
Kuwait - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Kuwait due to the threat of armed conflict, landmines, and crime.
Oman - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Oman due to the threat of armed conflict and terrorism.
Pakistan - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Pakistan due to armed conflict, terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.
Saudi Arabia - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity. Some areas have increased risk. Do Not Travel to the Yemen border due to threat of Terrorism.
United Arab Emirates - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to the United Arab Emirates due to the threat of armed conflict and terrorism.
Qatar - Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel to Qatar due to risk of armed conflict.