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Canada updates travel warning for US

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 13:47 GMT by Newsweek

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Canada Issues New Travel Warning for the United States – What Travelers Need to Know

On Monday, Canadian officials announced a fresh update to the travel advisory that governs how Canadians should approach travel to the United States. The update, issued via the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) and published on the Canada Travel Advisory website, moves the United States up to Level 3: Reconsider Travel (the third of four advisory levels) and issues a number of concrete precautions for Canadians planning a trip. While the U.S. remains “relatively safe” overall, the advisory points to a heightened risk of “terrorist threats, violent crime, and political unrest” that could impact visitors in a number of cities and states.

Why the Change?

The official statement cites the “recently reported threat of violent extremism” in the United States as the primary catalyst. According to the DFATD’s briefing notes, the U.S. has experienced an uptick in “planned or attempted attacks” in major metropolitan areas—particularly New York, Washington, D.C., and several mid‑western cities—since the early months of the year. While Canada does not itself face any direct threat from these incidents, the advisory is meant to warn Canadians that they may be caught in the cross‑fire should a large‑scale attack occur.

The DFATD also referenced a specific incident in Dallas, Texas, where a lone individual was arrested after attempting to detonate a vehicle‑mounted improvised explosive device near a federal building. Officials said the Dallas case underscores a “broader pattern of extremist activity” that could potentially target foreign nationals. The advisory states that the threat is “not limited to any single city or state” but is instead a nationwide concern.

In addition, the updated advisory reflects a more cautious stance toward travelers to border states—particularly those involving the U.S.–Mexico and U.S.–Canada borders—where “border security operations” and “law‑enforcement raids” have been increasingly frequent. While these operations do not usually pose a threat to the general public, DFATD notes that “any large public gathering or protest could become a potential target” and urges Canadians to remain alert.

What the Advisory Means for Canadian Travelers

Canada’s travel advisory website explains that Level 3 means that Canadians should “exercise heightened awareness and reconsider non‑essential travel.” Specifically:

• Avoid large gatherings or demonstrations where crowds could be targeted.
• Stay alert when walking alone at night in unfamiliar urban areas.
• Carry a copy of your passport (or at least a scanned copy) in case of an emergency.
• Register with the Safe Travel program (https://safe-travel.gc.ca) so you receive real‑time alerts and assistance in case you’re in distress.
• Contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate if you experience any issues with U.S. authorities.

The advisory also advises Canadians to keep a close eye on local news outlets, particularly in cities with a higher crime rate. DFATD recommends checking the U.S. Department of State’s own travel advisories (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/Country-Information-Country/United-States.html) for additional context.

Practical Steps for Travelers

1. Register for Safe Travel – The Canadian government’s free registration service allows travelers to receive push notifications on their phone in case of a developing crisis. Registration is quick: just enter your email and travel dates on https://safe-travel.gc.ca.
2. Keep Digital Copies of Documents – Scan your passport, visa, and insurance and store them in a cloud service or on a USB drive.
3. Monitor the Weather – While the advisory focuses on security threats, the U.S. also experiences severe weather events (e.g., hurricanes on the East Coast, wildfires in the West).
4. Travel Insurance – Ensure your policy covers “political unrest” and “terrorist incidents.”
5. Plan for Medical Emergencies – If you have pre‑existing health conditions, bring extra medication and contact a local Canadian‑run health clinic if possible.

How the Advisory Differs From Past Levels

Prior to this update, Canada had rated the U.S. at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution—the middle of the scale. This level is often used for countries where the risk is moderate but no new incidents have occurred. By shifting to Level 3, Canada signals a measurable escalation. Notably, Canada rarely elevates the U.S. to Level 4 (Do Not Travel), a level reserved for “extreme danger” such as active war zones or rampant civil conflict.

Canada’s travel advisory is part of a broader pattern: in the past year, the country has also upgraded its warnings for several Latin American countries (e.g., Colombia, Venezuela) and parts of Asia (e.g., Yemen, Somalia) where security conditions have deteriorated.

Official Comments

In a brief statement, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Marc Miller, said: “The safety of Canadians abroad is a priority for the federal government. We continue to monitor the security situation in the United States closely and will keep Canadians informed if conditions change.” The statement also mentioned that Canadians can file a “report” if they encounter any problems with U.S. authorities, and that such reports are forwarded to the Canadian embassy for follow‑up.

Bottom Line

The Canada Travel Advisory’s move to Level 3 for the United States is a precautionary step in light of recent extremism concerns. While the U.S. remains a major destination for tourism, business, and study, Canadians should heed the advisory’s recommendations, register with the Safe Travel program, and exercise increased vigilance during their stay. The updated advisory will remain in effect until the situation improves or is reassessed by DFATD, so travelers should stay tuned to both Canadian and U.S. travel advisories for any updates.