The headline risk level reflects the US State Department and UK FCDO advisories. France Diplomatie and Germany's Auswärtiges Amt apply more conservative criteria and are shown below for additional context.
US State Department
Level 2 · whole-country level
Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the Philippines due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to: The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping . Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest . Reconsider Travel to: Other areas of Mindanao due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping . Country Summary: Terrorists and armed groups have carried out kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks targeting public areas like tourist sites, markets, and local government facilities in the Philippines. Violent crimes are also common in the Philippines such as robbery, kidnappings, and physical assaults. Protests happen in the Philippines and could turn violent and/or result in traffic jams and road closures with limited capacity of the local government to respond. Due to the risks, U.S. government employees working in the Philippines must obtain special authorization to travel to certain areas of the country as stated below. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to the Philippines. If you decide to travel to the Philippines: Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your plans based on new information. Avoid demonstrations. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for the Philippines. Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist . Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage The Sulu Archipelago and Sulu Sea – Level 4: Do Not Travel Do not travel to th
Higher-risk regions — Level 4 (Do Not Travel): The Sulu Archipelago, including the southern Sulu Sea, due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping . Marawi City in Mindanao due to terrorism and civil unrest . Reconsider Travel to: Other…
UK FCDO
See our travel advice before travelling · whole-country level
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao, except for: Camiguin Island Dinagat Island Siargao Island This advice is due to terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgent groups in south Philippines. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel . Typhoons Around 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year. Most typhoons happen between June and November. Follow the advice of local authorities, and monitor the progress of storms on the Philippines state weather agency and the Philippines Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council . You can find updates on typhoon2000.ph , or follow @Typhoon2k on X. Global travel impacts due to escalation in the Middle East Escalation in the Middle East has caused widespread travel disruption, including airspace closures, delayed and cancelled flights. Commercial options to depart the Philippines remain available, but your travel plans may be affected, even if your destination is not in the Middle East. Before you travel: check travel advice for any countries or territories you are transiting through check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator review your travel insurance policy for coverage monitor local and international media for the latest information and sign up for travel advice email alerts Demonstrations Large-scale demonstrations are expected over the coming weeks in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the Philippines. Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings and follow the advice of local authorities. Demonstrations may lead to travel disruption. You should allow extra time for journeys and monitor local media for updates. See Safety and security for mo
Higher-risk regions — Advise against all travel: Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago FCDO advises against all travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago. FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of…
France Diplomatie
Normal vigilance · whole-country level
France Diplomatie : vigilance normale (vert).
Higher-risk regions — Travel formally advised against: L’île de Basilan, les archipels de Sulu et Tawi-Tawi. Dans l’ouest de Mindanao : la presqu’île de Zamboanga (provinces de Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur et Zamboanga Sibugay), Misamis…
Germany Auswärtiges Amt
Travel advice (Reisehinweise) · whole-country level
Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.
Higher-risk regions — Partial travel warning (Teilreisewarnung): Auswärtiges Amt: Teilreisewarnung (partial travel warning) — travel advised against for parts of the country.