Travel Advisory
Level 4Do Not Travel
Do not travelto Libya for any reason due to crime, terrorism, health concerns, unrest, kidnapping, or landmines. Read entire Travel Advisory. Do not travel to Libya for any reason. Restrictions on U.S. Government Personnel Movement There is currently no U.S. Embassy in Libya. The U.S. government cannot offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in Libya due to the safety risks. U.S. citizens in Libya in need of routine consular services should contact the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, Tunisia for assistance. Crime Clashes among armed groups, including violence between competing armed groups and government-aligned forces, can occur at any time. Weapons are plentiful in Libya and are controlled by various government organizations, armed groups, tribal factions, and criminal organizations. Criminal organizations in Libya are known to be armed and involved in drug and human trafficking and other smuggling activity. Targeted kidnappings and assassinations are common and committed by criminal organizations and armed groups. Crimes of opportunity occur frequently. Wealthy or foreign nationals are often victims of these crimes. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Libya. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorist attacks could occur with little or no warning, targeting government facilities. The Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Libyan ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Libya. Mariners and passengers traveling through the ports of Libya should exercise increased caution. Review our information on Terrorism. Health Refer to our list of medical providers. Make sure your insurance includes medical evacuation coverage. Check with your doctor about required vaccines for high-risk exposure before you go to Libya. Review the Health section in the Travel Guidance for Libya. Unrest Demonstrations related to the local political situation are common and may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services or lead to violence. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Outbreaks of violence between protestors and government forces can occur with little warning and impact U.S. citizens. Avoid demonstrations and large crowds. Check local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly U.S. citizens should always carry proof of citizenship and valid immigration status, but having these documents does not guarantee fair treatment. Check local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans. During large-scale incidents of unrest, principal transportation options including highways, airports, and borders have been closed. Kidnappings, Hostage-taking Kidnapping is widespread, and victims have included U.S. citizens. Kidnappers may take advantage of unprepared travelers. Armed groups sometimes detain travelers for arbitrary reasons, do not grant detainees access to lawyers or legal processes, and do not allow detainees to inform others of their status. Criminal or armed groups have detained and threatened to kill, injure, or continue to detain individuals in order to compel a third party (including a governmental organization) to do something as a condition of release. Choose one family member to serve as the point of contact if you are kidnapped or taken hostage. That person can communicate with kidnappers or hostage-takers, media, U.S. or foreign government agencies, and members of Congress. Other Unexploded ordnance Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout Libya. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not marked or easy to recognize. Obey landmine warning signs. Do not venture off the road into areas marked with red and white plastic tape. Avoid roadside ditches, shoulders, and unmarked trails. Never touch anything resembling unexploded munitions. Aviation safety While there are airports in Libya with regular domestic and international flights, flights are often delayed, rerouted, and cancelled without warning. The U.S. government prohibits U.S. commercial aviation operations within Libyan airspace. Review the Transportation section regarding aviation safety oversight in the Travel Guidance for Libya. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). This is due to risks to civil aviation operating within or nearby Libya. For more information U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
Full advisory on travel.state.gov →Updated: 2026-08-30T20:00:00-04:00
