The FCDO has issued up to date UK journey warnings for 12 international locations this week, together with new journey recommendation for Greece and the Maldives affecting vacation security
The recommendation applies to all Brits travelling to those locations (Picture: Getty)
Travellers ought to preserve these locations firmly on their radar earlier than heading off on their holidays this yr, as recent steering has been issued to replicate the ever-shifting political climates throughout the globe.
The UK’s Overseas, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace (FCDO) repeatedly points updates on journey recommendation to make sure Brits are taking the suitable precautions when venturing overseas.
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This may be triggered by quite a lot of components, starting from ongoing or current battle and well being dangers via to pure disasters.
Over current months, quite a few incidents have resulted in modifications to journey steering for these departing the UK. Twelve international locations have had their journey recommendation revised over the previous seven days, amongst them a few of Brits’ most beloved vacation hotspots, together with Greece.
Eritrea
Up to date info has been launched concerning native safety measures for these visiting Eritrea, East Africa, following heightened tensions with Ethiopia.
Because of this, the safety state of affairs may alter at any second. The UK authorities recommends steering away from areas in shut proximity to safety or army installations or exercise. Whereas these areas are topic to vary, searching for native recommendation wherever potential is strongly really helpful.
Heightened safety measures are to be anticipated round Asmara and different elements of Eritrea, although acquiring steering from native journey operators, your host or lodging is advisable.
Mali
All journey to Mali is strongly suggested towards, as quite a few terrorist teams are energetic all through the nation.
A succession of coordinated strikes throughout a number of areas has additional heightened these risks. On April 25, a number of assaults happened in Kidal, Gao, Kati, Sevare, and within the space surrounding Bamako Worldwide Airport. Whereas the airport has since reopened, some flights are experiencing delays or cancellations.
Updates to the UK Overseas Workplace recommendation may impression your journey plans (Picture: Getty Pictures)
Authorities in Bamako have enforced a curfew operating from 9pm till 6am via to April 28. Travellers should adjust to the curfew, prohibit their actions and heed the steering of native authorities.
For these presently in Mali, crowded areas needs to be prevented, as ought to any areas with a army or police presence. This consists of steering away from any highway blockades established by police and safety forces.
Maldives
Not less than eight weeks earlier than your journey to the Maldives, you need to verify the newest vaccine suggestions and discover out the place to acquire them or the way to cowl the price by way of the NHS journey vaccinations web page.
British guests to the Maldives face quite a few well being dangers, together with dengue fever. As of 15 April 2026, circumstances of the fever have risen considerably, surpassing figures recorded throughout the identical interval in earlier years.
Probably the most present Overseas Workplace steering will direct you to an official web site containing particulars of all potential well being dangers at current and the vaccinations you ought to think about.
Mexico
Following a taking pictures which happened on April 20, 2026 on the Teotihuacán pyramids in Estado de México, the UK Overseas Workplace has eliminated journey recommendation surrounding that space within the days that adopted the occasion, now that the state of affairs has been introduced below management.
The FCDO nonetheless advises towards all however important journey to sure elements of Mexico, so it’s advisable to verify essentially the most up-to-date model of this record.
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Whereas visits are sometimes trouble-free, a sequence of great crimes have been recorded within the space, with a notable rise in gang-related exercise. Homicide, armed theft and assault have all been reported, some occurring in public and closely populated areas the place vacationers might discover themselves.
The UK Overseas Workplace recommends taking a number of precautions when travelling to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Guests are urged to keep away from carrying giant quantities of money or jewelry, and to depart valuables, together with journey paperwork, secured in a lodge secure or security deposit field.
Different precautions listed embody:
- avoiding remoted areas, together with seashores, after darkish
- take specific care round giant gatherings, together with avenue and seaside events, particularly after darkish or throughout the competition season
- protecting valuables safe and out of sight
- ensuring your lodging is safe, together with in the event you’re staying on a yacht
- take care when strolling alone off primary roads and taking cash from ATMs
- solely use licensed taxis
Holidaymakers ought to guarantee they’ve checked any vaccination necessities forward of their journey (Picture: Getty)
China
Proper up till the ultimate day of the yr, 31 December 2026, UK vacationers are permitted to enter China visa-free and stay for as much as 30 days, whether or not for enterprise, tourism, household or buddy visits, or transit functions. Nonetheless, must you go to China for some other motive — equivalent to paid work, long-term assignments, journalism or research — a visa have to be obtained previous to journey.
This additionally applies to anybody intending to remain past 30 days. In case you are planning to journey to China and don’t maintain the suitable visa or visa-free entry, you’ll be denied entry.
The Overseas Workplace recommendation additionally states that holders of emergency journey paperwork aren’t permitted to enter China and not using a visa. It’s price taking into consideration that visa necessities for Hong Kong and Macao are totally different.
Kuwait
The UK Overseas Workplace has up to date its warnings and insurance coverage recommendation concerning Brits crossing the Saudi-Kuwait border. Up to date steering states that British nationals wishing to cross the border into Kuwait who don’t maintain residency there, and intend to make use of the visa-on-arrival facility, ought to contact the British Embassy in Kuwait 24 hours previous to their arrival.
This can be a requirement for all Brits, and the British Embassy will share names and passport particulars with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Overseas Affairs, which can then decide whether or not you’re permitted to enter or not.
Laos
All overseas nationals coming into Laos are required to finish the Lao Digital Immigration Kind (LDIF) inside three days earlier than their arrival in Laos and three days earlier than their departure.
The airports to which this type applies embody: Wattay Worldwide Airport (Vientiane), Luang Prabang Worldwide Airport, Pakse Worldwide Airport and Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge I. At these checkpoints, the LDIF replaces paper arrival and departure playing cards, however doesn’t exchange visa necessities.
Japan
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck northeastern and northern Japan on 20 April 2026, prompting alterations to journey steering for Brits. The Japanese Meteorological Company has now issued an alert warning of a heightened threat of highly effective earthquakes occurring over the approaching week.
Vacationers within the following areas ought to keep alert and heed steering from native authorities: Hokkaido, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Ibaraki and Chiba.
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Greece
Greek authorities have introduced they may start gathering biometric information from travellers all through the Schengen space as a part of their new Entry/Exit System. Nonetheless, they’ve confirmed that this is not going to apply to UK travellers.
Upon arrival, it is advisable to observe directions from authorities on web site, and in the event you’re a Greek resident, make sure you current your residence documentation at passport management to keep away from being registered in EES.
Vietnam
Whereas adherence to highway legal guidelines is poor in Vietnam, the UK Overseas Workplace has issued intensive recommendation for sustaining security. It recommends towards utilizing your passport as a deposit for hiring autos and reminds vacationers that drink-driving is a critical offence in Vietnam.
Ought to you end up concerned in a highway accident, you can face prison costs or be made to pay compensation, with the added risk of a journey ban whereas the investigation is carried out.
The federal government web site additionally states: “From 15 April 2026, all overseas nationals coming into Vietnam by way of Tan Son Nhat Airport (SGN), Ho Chi Minh Metropolis, are inspired by the Vietnamese authorities to finish a digital arrival card on-line earlier than arrival.”
Bolivia
The FCDO had beforehand issued steering highlighting elections scheduled to happen in Bolivia on April 19, 2026. These have now concluded, that means the occasion and any potential impression on guests is now not a priority.
It’s price taking into consideration, nonetheless, that there stay sure areas inside Bolivia the place all however important journey remains to be strongly suggested towards.
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