Destination Guidance

Here you will find information and resources about the risks you may face in different destinations worldwide.
The destination risk categories listed correspond to the definitions and requirements in the Permitted Travel Policy. Risk categories are reviewed at a minimum on a monthly basis.
Note that some destinations may have multiple risk categories for different areas. Be sure to expand a destination's entry for full information.
Please access the following link for a current list of Category X destinations (updated monthly).
If you have questions, please contact GS&S for further guidance.







Risk Category C for the Nagorno/Karabakh region and within 50 miles of the border with Azerbaijan.
Check State Department travel advisory to determine risk category for all other locations.


Risk Category C for the Nagorno/Karabakh region and within 50 miles of the border with Armenia.
Check State Department travel advisory to determine risk category for all other locations.
U.S. GOV RISK RESOURCES
International
- U.S. Department of State
Domestic
IDENTITY
Gender
This index covers three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment, and economic status. Scores are between 0-1 and higher values indicate higher inequalities.
Solo Female Travel Safety Index
A travel index focusing on women’s safety indicators and perceptions, comprised of data points including US and UK travel advisories, the global peace index, criminal indicators and an assessment of attitudes towards women (which includes considerations of incidence of crime against women, gender equality, conservative norms and restrictions). Safety data that does not come from reputable third parties comes from other solo female travelers.
LGBTQIA+
Annual travel index ranking countries on 17 categories from most queer-friendly/liberal to most dangerous countries for LGBTQIA+ individuals. The index attempts to strike a balance between the rights of the local LGBT+ community and the demands of queer vacationers. Additional categories include wider consideration of third gender/intersex rights, HIV Travel Restrictions, the banning of pride, the hostility of local communities, as well as legal and criminal issues, acceptance and marketing of gay travel.
Annual travel index rating countries from A (highest score 383) to F (lowest score -200). Factors considered include same-sex marriage rights, worker protections, protections against discrimination, criminalization of violence, transgender legal identity laws, transgender murder rates, illegal same-sex relationships and propaganda/morality laws.
Religion
Freedom House rates people’s access to political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and territories through its annual Freedom in the World report. Individual freedoms—ranging from the right to vote to freedom of expression and equality before the law—can be affected by state or nonstate actors.
TRAVEL AND INFRASTRUCTURE
Road Safety
Mortality caused by road traffic injury (per 100,000 population).
Measures road accident deaths by 100,000 population.
Transport Infrastructure
Global Competitiveness Report, World Economic Forum
Annual report published by the World Economic Forum from 2004-2020, which ranked countries based on the Global Competitiveness Index, made over 110 variables.
OECD Indicators: Transport Infrastructure
Indicator for total inland transport infrastructure investment per GDP.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
IT Infrastructure
Global Competitiveness Report, World Economic Forum
Annual report published by the World Economic Forum from 2004-2020, which ranked countries based on the Global Competitiveness Index, made over 110 variables.
Provides up-to-date assessments of the use of digital devices and services in a country, as well as historical, trend-driven reports.
IT Security
Freedom on the Net is Freedom House’s annual survey and analysis of internet freedom around the world. This cutting-edge project consists of ground-breaking research and analysis, fact-based advocacy, and on-the-ground capacity building. The hallmark of our analysis is the annual Freedom on the Net report. It features a ranked, country-by-country assessment of online freedom, a global overview of the latest developments, as well as in depth country reports.