Is It Safe to Travel to United States in 2026?
United States - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C.
Is It Safe to Travel to United States in 2026?
United States is currently rated Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions by the U.S. Department of State. Criminal incidents associated with drug trafficking are more frequent at the border with Mexico, particularly in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, occurs in urban centers and tourist locations, so travelers should secure their belongings at all times. There is a threat of terrorism, with potential targets including government buildings, places of worship, and public areas such as tourist attractions and restaurants.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- terrorism
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face heightened risks of petty crime and potential violent crime in urban areas, particularly after dark, necessitating constant vigilance.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to crime in urban centers and should ensure secure transportation and accommodations.
Families with children should be cautious in urban areas where petty crime is prevalent and ensure safety measures are in place, especially regarding healthcare access.
Remote workers can find suitable environments in urban areas with good connectivity, but should avoid high-crime neighborhoods.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for United States.
Regional Safety Breakdown
▶Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution4 regions
▶Arizona
Criminal incidents associated with drug trafficking are more frequent.
▶California
Criminal incidents associated with drug trafficking are more frequent.
▶New Mexico
Criminal incidents associated with drug trafficking are more frequent.
▶Texas
Criminal incidents associated with drug trafficking are more frequent.
United States has 4 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
United States has an overall threat severity of 0.6 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 3.5/10, terrorism risk 3.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Free — scored 83/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Language
English
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Recommended:
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to United States
▶What is the current travel advisory level for United States?
▶Is it safe to travel to United States right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit United States?
▶What vaccines do I need for United States?
▶Is United States safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in United States?
More United States Data
Free — 83/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.