(LONDON) – The United Kingdom’s Foreign Office has listed South Sudan among 31 countries considered too dangerous for travel due to ongoing insecurity, conflict and the risk of limited consular support. The updated advisory warns British nationals to avoid visiting these countries, as doing so may also render travel insurance void in case of emergency.
The advisory is part of a routine update by the UK government to help citizens avoid unsafe international travel. These warnings highlight areas with political instability, armed conflict, terrorism or poor emergency services. The Foreign Office strongly urges travellers to follow the guidance, noting that failure to do so could result in serious consequences, including lack of insurance coverage for medical emergencies, evacuations, or unexpected disruptions.
For countries on the “do not travel” list, British authorities consider the level of risk too high to justify any type of tourism or non-essential travel. In some cases, only restricted areas within those countries may be considered safe enough for essential travel.
South Sudan, along with countries like Russia, Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan, falls into the highest risk category. According to the advisory, South Sudan’s ongoing political unrest, high levels of violent crime and weak security infrastructure make it an extremely dangerous destination for foreign travellers.
Inclusion on the UK’s high risk register affects perceptions of safety, international cooperation and insurance coverage. Travel to South Sudan, for example, is strongly discouraged not only due to insecurity but also because of logistical challenges and poor access to emergency services. Travellers who ignore the advisory risk travelling without valid insurance and may not be eligible for UK consular support.
Travel insurance policies often have clauses that exclude cover in destinations labelled as “advised against travel.” This means that a British traveller injured or affected by violence or unrest in South Sudan could face out-of-pocket medical bills, evacuation costs, and other expenses without the possibility of reimbursement.
List of some countries currently under the UK’s “do not travel” advisory:
| Region | Countries and Territories |
|---|---|
| Africa | South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria (in parts), Chad, Ethiopia (in parts), Central African Republic, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mali |
| Middle East | Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories |
| Europe | Russia, Ukraine, Belarus |
| Asia | Afghanistan, Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan (in parts) |
| Americas | Haiti, Venezuela |
The UK government stressed that these advisories are not political, but are based on assessments of real time conditions that could endanger travellers. The Foreign Office continues to monitor situations globally and encourages the public to check its website before booking or departing for any international trip.
British civil aviation and travel insurers take these advisories seriously. A trip to South Sudan, for instance, could leave a traveller without insurance coverage worth tens of thousands of South Sudanese Pounds (SSP). For example:
| Expense Type | Estimated Cost (SSP) | Estimated Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency evacuation | 9,200,000 SSP | $2,000 |
| Hospitalisation (7 days) | 6,900,000 SSP | $1,500 |
| Loss of belongings | 2,300,000 SSP | $500 |
Conversion based on $1 = 4,600 SSP (July 2025)
South Sudanese citizens may also want to take note of the list when considering international travel themselves, as reciprocal visa policies, travel restrictions and insurance coverage may be affected by a country’s placement on global risk indexes.
Travel experts advise all travellers, including South Sudanese and foreign nationals operating in the region, to be aware of evolving advisories and ensure that journeys are covered by comprehensive and valid insurance. If a destination is listed on a “do not travel” list, policies often contain a clause that limits liability or support.