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Safety FAQs & Resources

International Travel Risk Advisory Chart

The chart below provides the country risk ratings compiled from multiple trusted sources, including Crisis24, the U.S. Department of State, and On Call International. These sources are used by TCU to evaluate safety conditions and determine institutional travel guidance for students, faculty, and staff.

Countries are categorized using a color-coded system to indicate TCU’s travel policy:

🟢 Green – Open for Travel
Travel to countries in green is permitted and supported by TCU under standard university travel policies.

🟡 Yellow – Travel Requires Additional Approval
Travel to countries in yellow requires review and approval from the Global Oversight Committee. Travelers must submit a request outlining the purpose of travel, safety planning, and risk mitigation measures before travel arrangements are finalized.

🔴 Red – Travel Restricted
Travel to countries in red is restricted by TCU. The university will not approve or support travel to these locations due to elevated safety or security concerns.

Risk ratings are reviewed regularly and may change as global conditions evolve. Travelers should check this chart frequently when planning international travel.

Important Note:
In addition to safety and security considerations, some countries may be subject to U.S. export control regulations. These regulations may restrict the transfer of certain equipment, software, technology, or research data, regardless of a country’s risk rating. Travelers are responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable export control laws.

*Last updated 3/9/2026

Location Region Crisis24 DOS OnCall Export Control Restrictions
Afghanistan Asia 4.75 4 5 Yes
Albania Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.75 2 2
Algeria Middle East/North Africa 3.75 2 3
American Samoa South Pacific/Oceania 1.50 1 2
Andorra Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.25 1 1
Angola Africa 3.25 2 3
Anguilla Caribbean 2.25 1 -
Antarctica South Pacific/Oceania - 2 -
Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Argentina Central/South America 2.50 1 2
Armenia Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.00 2 3
Aruba Caribbean 1.50 1 2
Australia South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Austria Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Azerbaijan Eastern Europe and Central Asia 2.75 2 3
Bahamas, The Caribbean 2.00 2 2
Bahrain Middle East/North Africa 4.00 3 2
Bangladesh Asia 4.00 3 4
Barbados Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Belarus Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.50 4 4 Yes
Belgium Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.25 2 2
Belize Central/South America 2.50 2 2
Benin Africa 3.25 2 3
Bermuda Caribbean 1.50 1 1
Bhutan Asia 2.25 1 2
Bolivia Central/South America 3.25 2 3
Bonaire Caribbean 1.75 1 2
Bosnia and Herzegovina Western, Central, and Southern Europe 3.00 2 2
Botswana Africa 2.00 2 2
Brazil Central/South America 3.00 2 3
British Virgin Islands Caribbean 1.25 1 2
Brunei Asia 1.75 1 2
Bulgaria Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.50 1 2
Burkina Faso Africa 4.50 4 4
Burma (Myanmar) Asia 4.00 4 4 Yes
Burundi Africa 4.25 3 4
Cabo Verde Africa 2.75 1 2
Cambodia Asia 3.25 2 2
Cameroon Africa 3.25 2 3
Canada North America 1.75 1 1
Cayman Islands Caribbean 1.00 1 1
Central African Republic Africa 4.50 4 5 Yes
Chad Africa 4.00 3 4
Chile Central/South America 2.25 2 2
China Asia 2.25 2 3 Yes
Colombia Central/South America 3.00 3 3
Comoros Africa 3.25 2 3
Congo, Democratic Republic of Africa 4.25 3 5 Yes
Congo, The Republic of Africa 3.25 2 4
Cook Islands South Pacific/Oceania 1.50 1 2
Costa Rica Central/South America 2.25 2 2
Cote d'Ivoire Africa 3.25 2 3
Croatia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Cuba Caribbean 3.00 2 2 Yes
Curaçao Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Cyprus Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.50 3 2
Czech Republic Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Denmark Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.75 2 2
Djibouti Africa 3.00 2 3
Dominica Caribbean 2.25 1 2
Dominican Republic Caribbean 2.50 2 3
Ecuador Central/South America 3.00 2 3
Egypt Middle East/North Africa 3.50 2 3
El Salvador Central/South America 3.00 1 4
Equatorial Guinea Africa 3.25 2 3
Eritrea Africa 3.50 2 4
Estonia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Eswatini Africa 3.00 2 3
Ethiopia Africa 4.00 3 4 Yes
Fiji South Pacific/Oceania 2.50 1 2
Finland Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.50 1 2
France Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 2 2
French Guiana Central/South America 2.75 1 2
French Polynesia South Pacific/Oceania 2.75 1 2
French West Indies Caribbean 2.25 1 -
Gabon Africa 3.25 2 3
Gambia, The Africa 3.25 2 3
Georgia Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.00 1 3
Germany Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 2 2
Ghana Africa 2.50 2 3
Greece Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.75 1 2
Greenland Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.25 2 2
Grenada Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Guam South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Guatemala Central/South America 3.25 3 4
Guinea Africa 3.50 2 4
Guinea-Bissau Africa 3.75 3 4
Guyana Central/South America 2.75 3 3
Haiti Caribbean 4.50 4 5
Honduras Central/South America 3.00 3 4
Hong Kong Asia 2.25 2 2 Yes
Hungary Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.25 1 2
Iceland Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.50 1 1
India Asia 3.25 2 3
Indonesia Asia 3.25 2 3
Iran Middle East/North Africa 4.50 4 5 Yes
Iraq Middle East/North Africa 4.25 4 5 Yes
Ireland Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Israel (West Bank, Gaza) Middle East/North Africa 4.00 3 4
Italy Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 2 2
Jamaica Caribbean 2.50 2 3
Japan Asia 1.75 1 2
Jordan Middle East/North Africa 3.50 3 3
Kazakhstan Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.00 1 2
Kenya Africa 3.75 2 3
Kiribati South Pacific/Oceania 2.25 1 2
Kosovo Western, Central, and Southern Europe 3.00 2 2
Kuwait Middle East/North Africa 4.00 3 2
Kyrgyzstan Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.25 1 3
Laos Asia 2.50 2 3
Latvia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.25 1 2
Lebanon Middle East/North Africa 4.25 4 4 Yes
Lesotho Africa 2.75 2 2
Liberia Africa 3.25 2 3
Libya Middle East/North Africa 4.75 4 5 Yes
Liechtenstein Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.25 1 1
Lithuania Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Luxembourg Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.50 1 1
Macau Asia 2.25 2 2
Madagascar Africa 4.00 2 3
Malawi Africa 3.00 2 3
Malaysia Asia 2.75 1 2
Maldives Asia 2.50 2 2
Mali Africa 4.50 4 5 Yes
Malta Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.75 1 2
Marshall Islands South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Mauritania Africa 3.25 3 3
Mauritius Africa 2.00 2 2
Mayotte Africa 3.00 1 -
Mexico North America 3.00 2 (Varies) 3
Micronesia, Federated States Of South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Moldova Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.00 2 3
Mongolia Asia 2.75 1 2
Montenegro Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.50 1 2
Montserrat Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Morocco Middle East/North Africa 3.00 2 3
Mozambique Africa 3.75 2 4
Municipality of Monaco Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.25 2 1
Myanmar (Burma) Asia 4.00 4 5 Yes
Namibia Africa 2.25 2 3
Nauru South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Nepal Asia 3.50 3 3
Netherlands Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 2 2
New Caledonia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 3.50 3 2
New Zealand South Pacific/Oceania 1.50 1 2
Nicaragua Central/South America 3.00 3 4 Yes
Niger Africa 4.00 4 4
Nigeria Africa 4.00 3 4
Niue South Pacific/Oceania 1.50 1 -
North Korea Asia 4.00 4 5 Yes
North Macedonia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.75 1 2
Northern Mariana Islands South Pacific/Oceania 1.75 1 2
Norway Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.50 1 2
Oman Middle East/North Africa 3.50 3 2
Pakistan Asia 4.00 3 4
Palau South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Palestinian Territories Middle East/North Africa 4.25 4 4
Panama Central/South America 2.50 2 2
Papua New Guinea South Pacific/Oceania 3.75 3 4
Paraguay Central/South America 2.75 1 3
Peru Central/South America 3.00 2 3
Philippines Asia 3.00 2 3
Pitcairn Islands South Pacific/Oceania 1.50 - -
Poland Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Portugal Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Puerto Rico Caribbean 2.50 1 3
Qatar Middle East/North Africa 3.50 3 2
Réunion Africa 2.00 1 -
Romania Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.50 1 2
Russia Eastern Europe and Central Asia 4.00 4 4 Yes
Rwanda Africa 2.75 2 3
Saba Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha Africa 1.75 1 -
Saint Kitts and Nevis Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Saint Lucia Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Samoa South Pacific/Oceania 2.25 1 2
San Marino Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.25 2 1
Sao Tome and Principe Africa 2.75 2 2
Saudi Arabia Middle East/North Africa 3.50 3 3
Senegal Africa 3.00 1 3
Serbia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.75 2 2
Seychelles Africa 2.00 1 2
Sierra Leone Africa 3.50 2 3
Singapore Asia 1.25 1 1
Sint Eustatius Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Sint Maarten Caribbean 2.00 1 2
Slovakia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Slovenia Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 1 2
Solomon Islands South Pacific/Oceania 3.00 2 3
Somalia Africa 4.50 4 5 Yes
South Africa Africa 3.50 2 3
South Korea Asia 2.25 1 2
South Sudan Africa 4.50 4 5 Yes
Spain Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.25 2 2
Sri Lanka Asia 3.00 2 3
Sudan Africa 5.00 4 5 Yes
Suriname Central/South America 2.75 1 2
Sweden Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.75 2 1
Switzerland Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.75 1 1
Syria Middle East/North Africa 4.75 4 5 Yes
Taiwan Asia 1.50 1 2
Tajikistan Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.00 2 3
Tanzania Africa 3.25 3 3
Thailand Asia 2.75 2 2
Timor-Leste Asia 3.50 2 2
Togo Africa 3.50 2 3
Tokelau South Pacific/Oceania 1.50 1 -
Tonga South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Trinidad and Tobago Caribbean 2.75 3 3
Tunisia Middle East/North Africa 3.00 2 3
Turkiye Western, Central, and Southern Europe 3.00 2 3
Turkmenistan Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.00 1 3
Turks and Caicos Islands Caribbean 2.00 2 2
Tuvalu South Pacific/Oceania 2.00 1 2
Uganda Africa 3.25 3 3
Ukraine Western, Central, and Southern Europe 4.50 4 5 Yes
United Arab Emirates Middle East/North Africa 4.00 3 2
United Kingdom Western, Central, and Southern Europe 2.00 2 2
United States North America 2.00 1 2
Uruguay Central/South America 1.75 2 2
Uzbekistan Eastern Europe and Central Asia 3.00 1 2
Vanuatu South Pacific/Oceania 2.50 1 2
Vatican City Western, Central, and Southern Europe 1.50 2 1
Venezuela Central/South America 4.00 4 4 Yes
Vietnam Asia 2.75 1 2
Wallis and Futuna Islands South Pacific/Oceania 2.50 1 2
Western Sahara Middle East/North Africa 3.50 3 3
Yemen Middle East/North Africa 4.75 4 5 Yes
Zambia Africa 3.00 1 3
Zimbabwe Africa 4.00 2 3 Yes

 

Safety issues vary by country, so it is essential that you attend all orientations (pre-departure and onsite), where you will learn important information about your location and its neighborhoods, important laws or rules of conduct, and safety guidelines. While we cannot eliminate risk, we can offer some tips and advice to minimize risks.

The most important tip of all is to use good judgment:

  • Do not take unnecessary risks.
  • Be alert and aware, be sensible, and take precautions.
  • Do not let the sense of adventure override your common sense.
  • Do not let your peers negatively influence your actions.
  • Do not let alcohol cloud your judgment.

While we cannot eliminate risk, we can offer some tips and advice: Get your bearings:

  • Carry your housing address with you until you have it memorized.
  • Be discrete about consulting maps.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and the people in it.
  • Avoid walking alone at night; stay along well-lit streets.

Use only licensed cabs. Keep a taxi company number or cab finder app on your phone. Stay in touch:

  • Notify program leaders / staff when travelling outside the program city.
  • Keep in contact with family, especially if there are newsworthy items in and around your host country or locations you are visiting.
  • Program important contact numbers into your phone, using proper country/area codes.
  • Update your cell phone number on global.tcu.edu if prompted.
  • Respond to requests from TCU Global to check-in.

Exercise sound judgment:

  • Don’t carry large amounts of money, & be conscientious with your belongings.
  • Don’t draw negative attention to yourself by being loud, obnoxious, or drunk.
  • Keep an eye on your friends; don’t leave friends alone at bars / nightclubs.
  • If you choose to drink alcohol, use moderation.
  • Avoid protest groups and political rallies. Attendance might cause you to lose your visa.

Transportation options are different abroad and may include mass transit, walking, biking, or taxis. Regardless of your mode of transportation, consider tradeoffs between cost, safety and convenience. You can check the reliability and safety of public transportation on the U.S. State Department’s Country info pages (Select your Destination and find “Travel and Transportation”). Accidents are a concern for travelers. Be aware:

  • Traffic laws and habits differ.
  • Traffic may move in a counter direction.
  • Roads may be poorly lit or maintained.
  • Pedestrians may find themselves dodging motorcycles on sidewalks.

On Call insurance does not cover injuries caused by riding on a motorcycle, vespa, or scooter. For this reason and many additional safety reasons, we highly encourage you not to rent motor vehicles while abroad.

Petty theft, in the form of pick-pocketing and scam artists, can be common, although violent crime is not prevalent. Some cautionary tips include:

  • Be alert to diversionary tactics and ploys to distract you.
  • Be careful in crowded situations, such as busy sidewalks, public transportation, or large events and markets.
  • Try to blend in with the locals, or at least minimize the “rich American tourist” look, such as not wearing American “gear” such as caps, t-shirts and sweatshirts with American logos, and tennis shoes. Lower the volume of your voice.
  • Limit the amount of valuables you have with you and be very conscientious about what you do carry.
  • Keep your wallet in a front pocket, or in a bag that you carry across your torso rather than on your back.
  • Do not ever leave your belongings unattended.

For more advice, see the U.S. State Department’s Travel Scams.

Accidents and injuries are more frequent abroad because of differences in pavement and road conditions, differences in warnings, and because of the tendency of students to feel more liberated and take more risks. It is important that you continue to use good judgment and be alert. Remember:

  • Alcohol affects balance, coordination, and judgment and can lead to accidents and injuries.
  • Be aware that walkways and railings may be insecure, in disrepair, or non-existent.
  • Do not climb over railings/barriers, or onto surfaces not intended for pedestrians.
  • Do not swim alone or in unfamiliar waters. Even if you’re a strong swimmer, circumstances beyond your control (like rip currents) can kill.
  • Do not jump into unfamiliar water.
  • Do not dive in shallow water. Always enter water feet first.
  • Heed water warnings, but be aware that not all beaches post water conditions.
  • Be cautious on poorly lit, uneven, or wet flooring. Wear supportive footwear to avoid slips and falls.

On Call: 1-603-952-2062 U.S. State Department website, including Info for Students Abroad, Traveler’s Checklist, and Country Information.