North Korea
North Korea continues to be one of the world’s most secretive and closed-off countries. In 2025, official data and international reports confirm that nearly all foreign travel remains tightly controlled. Only a handful of tour companies, mostly from China, are authorized to bring small groups into the country, but even these arrangements are subject to abrupt cancellation. The U.S. State Department maintains a strict travel ban, warning that unauthorized entry can result in arrest, detention, or worse. Political tensions remain high, with the regime frequently using travel bans as leverage in diplomatic disputes. In recent years, humanitarian agencies have also faced additional hurdles, with the government suspending or denying permits citing “national security.” The United Nations has highlighted North Korea’s persistent unwillingness to cooperate with international observers. The chance of a tourist freely exploring Pyongyang or beyond remains almost unthinkable for the foreseeable future.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s doors have nearly slammed shut to the outside world since the Taliban’s return in 2021, and this reality has only hardened through 2024 and 2025. The United Nations documents a worsening humanitarian crisis, with violence, internal displacement, and sporadic attacks making travel perilous. The Taliban has imposed new visa restrictions, and most embassies have withdrawn their staff, making consular support for visitors nearly nonexistent. Warnings from both the U.S. and U.K. advise against all travel, citing the risk of kidnapping, arbitrary detention, and terrorist attacks. Aid organizations continue to struggle with access, and only a skeleton diplomatic presence remains. The country’s infrastructure for tourism, already fragile before 2021, has virtually collapsed. With checkpoints, curfews, and unpredictable security, Afghanistan’s chances of welcoming travelers anytime soon appear almost nil.
Syria
Syria’s ongoing civil war has left the country fractured and perilous for outsiders. In 2025, the U.S. State Department maintains a Level 4 travel advisory, signaling “do not travel” for all would-be visitors. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports persistent violence in key regions, with new clashes erupting even as some areas attempt to rebuild. Border crossings are heavily militarized, and the government only permits entry to certain journalists or humanitarian workers under strict supervision. The United Nations continues to highlight risks of kidnapping, unexploded ordnance, and indiscriminate violence. Infrastructure—hotels, roads, even basic utilities—remains unstable or destroyed in many places. The once-busy ancient cities and archaeological sites are eerily empty, their access restricted or altogether forbidden. With no real improvement since 2023, Syria’s borders remain nearly impossible for tourists to cross.
Venezuela
Venezuela’s ongoing crisis has made it one of the most difficult countries for travelers in 2025. The U.S. Department of State continues to warn against travel due to rampant crime, chronic shortages, and the risk of arbitrary detention. Hyperinflation and scarcities have made even basic goods and services difficult for locals, let alone tourists. In the past two years, the World Bank has reported a near-total collapse of the tourism sector, with hotel occupancy rates hitting historic lows and flights frequently suspended. Street protests, sporadic violence, and rampant corruption deter even the most adventurous visitors. The government, wary of foreign observers, has toughened visa requirements and increased scrutiny at entry points. The chance of a safe, welcoming visit to Venezuela in the near future looks bleak, with no improvement on the horizon.
Iran
Iran faces unprecedented isolation as of 2025, with international tensions running high over its nuclear program and regional activities. The U.S., Canada, and many European countries maintain high-level advisories against travel. Since 2023, the Iranian government has tightened visa rules, often denying entry without explanation. The Iranian Tourism Organization reports a dramatic fall in foreign arrivals, dropping by nearly 60% in just two years. The risk of arbitrary detention—especially for dual nationals—remains a major concern, as documented by Amnesty International and other watchdogs. Additionally, frequent protests and the government’s crackdown on dissent have heightened risks for outsiders. With a climate of suspicion and diplomatic relations at a low, Iran is increasingly likely to turn away visitors or make entry so difficult that most won’t even try.
Belarus
Belarus stands out as one of Europe’s least accessible countries for foreign travelers in 2025. After the disputed 2020 elections and subsequent crackdown on protests, the regime has only tightened its grip. The European Union extended sanctions in 2024, further isolating the country. The U.S. State Department cautions that foreign visitors face an elevated risk of arbitrary arrest and harassment, especially those suspected of supporting opposition groups. Entry requirements have grown stricter, with more frequent denials of visas and entry at the border for Westerners. Many airlines have suspended flights, and hotels report a dramatic decrease in international guests. Human rights organizations have highlighted cases where travelers were detained for minor infractions or political suspicions. The persistent repression and lack of diplomatic engagement suggest that Belarus will remain inhospitable to tourists for the foreseeable future.
Russia
Russia’s international standing has plummeted since its invasion of Ukraine, and the effects on tourism are stark. As of 2025, a Level 4 travel advisory remains in place for U.S. citizens, mirrored by similar warnings from the European Union, the U.K., and others. Sanctions have crippled the economy and led to a mass exodus of Western businesses, including airlines and travel agencies. Visa processing has slowed to a crawl, with many embassies closed or operating at minimal capacity. Reports from the Russian tourism industry show a precipitous drop in foreign arrivals, down over 70% since 2023. The risk of arbitrary detention, especially for nationals of countries seen as “unfriendly,” is well documented by international legal organizations. With geopolitical tensions showing no sign of easing, Russia seems set to continue turning away most potential visitors.
Myanmar
Since the military coup in 2021, Myanmar’s political landscape has been marred by violence and repression, a situation that has only deteriorated. In 2024 and 2025, the U.S. State Department continues to warn against travel, citing arbitrary arrests, civil unrest, and the risk of being caught in crossfire. Human rights groups report that the military routinely denies or revokes visas for journalists, aid workers, and suspected activists. The tourism sector, once a bright spot, is now a shadow of its former self, with hotel closures and canceled flights. Many embassies have suspended services, making it nearly impossible for would-be travelers to get support. Roadblocks, curfews, and internet blackouts are common, creating a sense of constant unpredictability. Myanmar’s current environment is simply too unstable for tourism to resume safely or openly.
South Sudan
South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, is still gripped by conflict and humanitarian disaster in 2025. The U.S. Department of State maintains its highest-level travel warning, pointing to ongoing violence, rampant crime, and the risk of kidnapping. Fighting between rival groups continues to displace thousands, as documented by the United Nations. Infrastructure is minimal, with poor roads, unreliable electricity, and little access to medical care for outsiders. Humanitarian organizations face regular barriers and security threats. The government’s visa policies have become more restrictive, with frequent denials and delays. With such instability and a lack of basic services, South Sudan remains one of the least likely countries to welcome tourists anytime soon.
Libya
Libya’s decade of turmoil persists, making it a no-go zone for most foreign visitors in 2025. The U.S. State Department’s Level 4 travel advisory remains in place, warning of armed conflict, terrorism, and arbitrary detention. The International Organization for Migration reports that tourism has all but vanished, with most hotels shuttered and sites left unguarded. Rival factions continue to vie for control, and the security situation is unpredictable in almost every region. Checkpoints, shifting alliances, and the risk of being caught in violence make travel extremely hazardous. Consular services are limited, with most Western embassies closed or operating remotely. The combination of danger, instability, and lack of infrastructure means that Libya is likely to keep its borders closed to visitors for the foreseeable future.