UK advises against all travel to Yemen as regional tensions rise

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to the whole of Yemen because of unpredictable security conditions, and says anyone currently in the country should leave immediately. The warning was updated on 27 October 2026 with new information about regional tensions.

Key facts

• Advice: against all travel to the whole of Yemen
• Latest update: 27 October 2026, covering regional tensions
• UK support: British Embassy services in Sana'a are suspended and diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn
• Evacuation: no evacuation procedures are in place
• Insurance: travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against FCDO advice

What is the current travel advice?

FCDO advises against all travel to the entire country. The advice was still current at 30 October 2026. If you are in Yemen, FCDO says you should leave immediately.

Travelling against FCDO advice could invalidate your travel insurance. Anyone who chooses to travel anyway is advised to research their destination and take out appropriate insurance covering the itinerary, planned activities and emergency expenses.

What help can British nationals get?

Support for British people in Yemen is severely limited. British Embassy services in Sana'a are suspended and all diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn.

The UK government cannot help British nationals leave Yemen, and there are no evacuation procedures in place. FCDO cannot advise on the safety of travelling to any potential departure point, and the UK government's ability to help with onward travel is severely limited. Anyone leaving is expected to pay for visas, accommodation, insurance and onward travel themselves.

British nationals in Yemen who need UK government help can call FCDO on 020 7008 5000, 24 hours a day.

Why is the advice being maintained?

FCDO says the context in the Middle East remains deeply unpredictable and the risk of sudden escalation is high. Since conflict began in early 2026, Iran has stated its intention to target locations associated with the US and Israel, including organisations, businesses, facilities and institutions. There have been strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran and others across the region against civilian and US military infrastructure.

Since July 2026, the Houthis have launched air strikes against Saudi territory and Saudi shipping vessels in the Red Sea. FCDO warns there is an ongoing risk of further military escalation, including in Yemen and the Red Sea, which could happen at short notice.

What this means for travellers

British nationals in or planning to travel through the Middle East should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions. FCDO advises them to follow guidance on dealing with a crisis abroad, sign up to travel advice email alerts, follow instructions from local authorities, and monitor local and international media for updates, including on airports and airspace that could close at short notice.

Travellers are also advised to stay away from areas around security or military facilities, keep departure plans under review and ensure travel documents are up to date. If told to shelter, they should stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter, ideally an interior stairwell or a room with few external walls or windows, and should not approach or touch drone or missile fragments or unusual objects.

Anyone who chooses to remain in Yemen despite the advice should minimise movement within the country and inside cities and towns, monitor the local security situation and follow the other precautions in the travel advice.