Canada Issues New Travel Advisory: Travel Ban on 20 Countries, Cautions for India

Canada has updated its international travel advisory for the new year, urging its citizens to completely avoid travel to 20 countries. In addition, several other nations have been placed under cautionary advisories.

Countries Under Complete Travel Ban
The latest advisory highlights countries considered extremely dangerous, advising Canadians to refrain from travel due to serious safety risks. Among the countries listed for complete travel avoidance are Iran and Venezuela, with warnings emphasizing life-threatening situations.

• Iran: Canadians are advised against visiting Iran due to ongoing protests and regional tensions. Multiple airlines have suspended flights to and from the country, further limiting travel options.
• Venezuela: Following U.S. attacks and potential political instability involving President Nicolás Maduro, Canada has classified Venezuela as a high-risk destination. The advisory cites escalating security threats, economic instability, and deteriorating living conditions.
• South Sudan: Travelers are warned to avoid South Sudan entirely due to armed conflicts, ethnic violence, and high levels of violent crime.

Other Countries on the Travel Ban List:
Russia, North Korea, Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Haiti, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Yemen.

Advisory for India
India has been placed in the category requiring “extreme caution.” The December-issued advisory cites the threat of terrorist attacks across the country. Canadian authorities have specifically warned against travel to Jammu & Kashmir, border areas of Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan, as well as non-essential travel to Assam and Manipur in the Northeast.