Canada Updates Travel Advisories for 2026, Urges Citizens to Avoid Multiple Countries
As 2026 begins, Canada has refreshed its travel alerts for citizens, advising against travel to several nations including Iran and Venezuela. The government cites political tensions, flight disruptions, and internal protests as key reasons for these warnings.
Iran: High Risk of Arbitrary Detention and Unpredictable Laws
Canada explicitly tells its citizens to avoid all travel to Iran. The advisory highlights ongoing nationwide demonstrations and regional tensions as major concerns. Authorities warn about the high risk of arbitrary detention and the unpredictable enforcement of local laws in Iran.
Iranian officials have arrested or detained individuals, including foreign and dual nationals, to exert political or diplomatic pressure on their governments. Canada advises Canadians currently in Iran to leave if they can do so safely.
Many airlines have suspended flights to and from Iran at this time. However, overland crossing options remain available. Canada notes that its ability to provide consular services in Iran is extremely limited.
Venezuela: Military Strikes and Severe Living Conditions
Canada advises avoiding all travel to Venezuela due to heightened security risks and unstable political and economic situations. On January 3, 2026, military strikes targeted several sites in Venezuela, including military facilities in Caracas and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira.
The advisory points to a significant level of violent crime, the risk of arbitrary detention, and declining basic living conditions. Shortages of medication, gasoline, and water further complicate the situation for travelers.
Somalia: Volatile Security and Terrorism Threats
Canada urges citizens to avoid all travel to Somalia because of the volatile security situation and high threat of domestic terrorism. The government warns that Canadians choosing to travel despite the advisory may face difficulties leaving the country if conditions deteriorate suddenly.
Canada does not maintain an office in Somalia, limiting consular assistance for its citizens there.
Other Countries on Canada's 'Avoid All Travel' List
Canada's updated advisory includes several other nations where all travel should be avoided. The list features:
- Syria
- Sudan
- Russia
- Niger
- Mali
- Libya
- South Sudan
- Iraq
- Yemen
- Burkina Faso
- Belarus
- Afghanistan
- Ukraine
- Haiti
- Myanmar
- North Korea
Countries with 'Avoid Non-Essential Travel' Warnings
Canada also lists several nations where non-essential travel should be avoided. These include:
- Nepal
- Ethiopia
- Burundi
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Eritrea
- Lebanon
- Mauritania
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea
India: High Degree of Caution Advised
Canada updated its India advisory on December 22, 2025, urging citizens to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country. The government issued regional risk warnings for Assam and Manipur.
Canada advises avoiding all travel to Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh because of threats from terrorism, militancy, civil unrest, and kidnapping. The advisory also recommends avoiding all travel to areas within 10 kilometers of the Pakistan border in Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan. This warning stems from the unpredictable security situation and the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance in these regions.
