Yemen
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Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).听
FCDO advises against all travel to Yemen听
FCDO advises against all travel to the whole of the Yemen due to the unpredictable security conditions.
If you鈥檙e in Yemen, you should leave immediately.听听
See Safety and security for more information.听
UK government support听
Support for British people is severely limited in Yemen. British Embassy services in Sana鈥檃 are suspended, and all diplomatic and consular staff have been withdrawn.听
The UK government cannot help British nationals leaving Yemen. There are no evacuation procedures in place.听
FCDO cannot offer advice on the safety of travelling to any potential departure point. The UK government鈥檚 ability to help with onward travel is severely limited and you鈥檒l be expected to cover the cost of visas, accommodation, insurance and onward travel yourself.听
If you choose to remain in Yemen, you should minimise movement around the country and within cities and towns, monitor developments in the local security situation and follow other precautions in this travel advice.听
If you鈥檙e a British national in Yemen and need help from the UK government, you can call FCDO on 020 7008 5000 (24 hours).听
Travel insurance听
If you choose to travel against FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.听
About FCDO travel advice听
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.听
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Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK who choose to travel against FCDO advice. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of Yemen鈥檚 current rules for the most common types of travel.听
The authorities in Yemen set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the .听听
Passport validity requirements听
To enter Yemen, your passport must have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 6 months after the date you arrive. 听
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.听听
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.听
Visa requirements听
You must have a visa to enter Yemen. 听
Applying for a visa听
Apply for a visa through the .听听听
Vaccine requirements听听
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see .听听听
Registering with the authorities听
If you visit Yemen for more than 14 days, you must register your passport with the Yemen immigration authorities after you arrive.听听
Customs rules听
There are strict rules about . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.听
Taking money into and out of Yemen听
Import and export of local currency is illegal. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currencies, but you must declare amounts higher than 3,000 US dollars. Export of foreign currencies must not exceed the amount imported.听
There are not many ATMs outside of Sana鈥檃. US dollars in cash is the most easily convertible currency.听
Safety and security
罢别谤谤辞谤颈蝉尘听听
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.听
Terrorism in Yemen听
Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Yemen.听听
The threat is heightened where Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Islamic State-Yemen have tribal connections and in the governorates of Abyan, Marib, Hadramawt and Shabwah.听
Western and Houthi interests in Yemen remain a feature in AQAP propaganda, and AQAP views westerners and Houthi as legitimate targets for attacks. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as:听
- hotels and supermarkets听
- transport routes听
- oil and gas infrastructure听
- government buildings听
- 驳补迟丑别谤颈苍驳蝉听
- airports and transport hubs听听
Attacks targeting or affecting British nationals of Yemeni origin cannot be ruled out. Attacks against Yemeni security forces and Houthis are on the rise throughout the country.听
Methods of attack have included:听听
- attacks by militants听
- firearm assassinations听
- 办颈诲苍补辫辫颈苍驳蝉听听
- improvised explosive devices and car bombs left in buildings and roadways听
- suicide attacks听
Daesh-Yemen has conducted multiple terrorist attacks across the country, including Aden, Sana鈥檃, Ibb, Hodeida and al-Bayda. So far this has been focussed on Houthi, security forces and the Yemeni government but western interests are highly likely to be regarded as targets.听
Terrorist kidnap听
There is a very high and constant threat of kidnap across Yemen.听听
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) propaganda has called for continued kidnapping of westerners. However, armed tribes and criminal groups have also carried out kidnaps in the past. There is a high risk that such groups would sell any hostages on to AQAP, who have murdered a number of hostages.听
Kidnaps have occurred at various times of day and in a wide variety of locations, including:听听
- public places in the capital听听
- cars while travelling听
- victims鈥� accommodation听听
Kidnapping attempts often involve the use of force and have ended in the death of several victims.听听
All British nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, NGOs, humanitarian aid workers, journalists, business travellers, and long-term residents.听If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.听听
The long-standing policy of the British government is not to make substantive concessions to terrorist hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.听
Regional escalation
Ongoing hostilities between Israel and Lebanon could escalate quickly and pose risks for the wider region.
There have recently been multiple incidents of Israeli missile strikes in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen. The ongoing threat of missile strikes in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen remains, posing a serious threat to any persons travelling through those areas.
On 1 October, Iran launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. On 26 October, Israel carried out military action against Iran.
Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast. Follow and contact FCDO travel on , and . You can also get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Read FCDO advice if you鈥檙e affected by a crisis abroad.
Political situation听听
The political and security situation in Yemen remains uncertain and volatile.听听
Since April 2022 a de-facto ceasefire has remained in place between the Houthis and the Yemeni government. On 23 December 2023, the UN announced that the Houthis and internationally recognised government of Yemen had committed to a ceasefire. However, sporadic incidents continue to occur along frontlines and the security situation remains volatile. Due to ongoing hostilities in the Red Sea, there is a heightened state of alert across Yemen and widescale conflict may resume at short notice. In February, in response to US and UK airstrikes, the Houthi authorities designated the US and UK as 鈥榟ostile states鈥�.听听
As a result, we strongly advise against all travel to Houthi controlled areas. The risk of attack to British nationals also extends to areas under Yemeni government control.听
Reports of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances raise concerns. The Houthis have arrested opponents, including politicians, journalists, academics and activists. British nationals have also been detained by Houthis in the past, including aid workers working for NGOs.听听
颁谤颈尘别听
Regularly reassess your security arrangements and carefully plan your movements if travelling within Yemen. Avoid keeping the same routine by changing routes you use and keeping a low profile at all times. Follow health and security advice given by Yemen authorities and security experts before any travel in the country. Always check routes in advance and do not advertise your plans on social media. Military weapons are readily available and may be used by criminals and terrorists or in security operations. The risk of crime, such as carjacking, robbery or extortion, is widespread throughout the country. 听
Tribal disputes over land are common and may involve the use of weapons. The Houthis and other militias run extra-judicial detention centres and arbitrary detention is widespread. Following recent events in the Red Sea there is an especially high risk of British nationals being detained.听听
Laws and cultural differences听听
Yemen is an Islamic country with Islamic law. Respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions, particularly during the holy month of Ramadan.听
搁补尘补诲补苍听听
Ramadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country and you should check this before you travel. During this time, do not:听听
- eat, drink, smoke or chew gum in public in the daytime, including in your car听听
- play loud music or dance听听
- swear in public听听
Get more advice when you arrive from your guide, hotel or business contacts.听听
You should also:听
- check opening hours of shops and restaurants听听
- be aware that if hotels and restaurants are providing food or drink in fasting hours, they may separate you from Islamic guests, for example with screens听听
- follow local dress codes 鈥� clothing that does not meet local dress codes may cause more offence at this time听听
- be aware that fasting can cause tiredness, particularly during the later afternoon and early evening听
- be patient and show tolerance听
Dress code听听
Men and women must wear loose-fitting clothing that covers down to the elbow and reaches below the knees. You should also:听听
- avoid tight-fitting clothing听听听
- avoid clothes with profane slogans or images听听
- not wear clothing with symbols or slogans that could be viewed as political as this could lead to arrest听
Alcohol laws
Do not drink alcohol in public.鈥�
Using cameras in secure areas听
Taking pictures in or around military sites is likely to result in arrest and arbitrary detention. British consular services will not be able to offer support in this situation.听
Do not take pictures of people without their consent.听
LGBT+ travellers听
Consensual same-sex relations are illegal in Yemen, with penalties including fines, corporal punishment, imprisonment and the death penalty.听听听听
In January and February 2024, criminal courts in northern Yemen reportedly sentenced 20 individuals to death for homosexuality.听 A further 26 were sentenced to flogging and prison terms of between 6 months and 10 years on charges of 鈥榮preading immorality鈥� and 鈥榠mmoral acts鈥�.听
Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.听
础苍迟颈辩耻颈迟颈别蝉听
You must get permission from the General Authority for Antiquities before exporting or removing antiques from Yemen. It鈥檚 illegal to remove or sell Yemeni antiques without permission. 听
Transport risks听
Road travel听听
If you are planning to drive in Yemen, see information on driving abroad.听听听
Driving conditions听
Driving standards are poor and mountain roads are dangerous. Avoid all road travel outside the main cities at night. Landmines from the current and previous conflicts are a risk on Yemen鈥檚 roads. Make sure to go with an experienced guide if you鈥檙e travelling off well-used tracks.听
Access routes in and out of major cities may be closed or blocked. Always check the road is open before starting your journey.听
There is a severe shortage of fuel in Yemen.听
Air travel听
Yemen鈥檚 airspace is currently controlled by Saudi-led coalition forces. Prior permission from the coalition must be obtained before flying.听听
Sea travel
The conflict extends to Yemeni territorial waters off the Red Sea and the Bab-Al Mandab Strait. Houthi forces present an ongoing risk to all shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab-Al Mandab Strait due to the potential for misidentification and miscalculation by Houthi forces.听
笔颈谤补肠测听
Piracy in the Gulf of Aden continues to be a threat. For more information and advice, see piracy and armed robbery at sea.听
Extreme weather and natural disasters听
Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.听听
Tropical cyclones听
Tropical cyclones sometimes affect parts of the country. Monitor local and鈥�. 听
Health
Before you travel check that:听
-
your destination can provide the healthcare you may need听
-
you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation听
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.听
Emergency medical number听
Call 191 and ask for an ambulance.听听
Due to the current conflict, emergency services may not be able to respond. It may be better to make your own way to hospital if you can. Contact your insurance company quickly if you鈥檙e referred to a medical facility for treatment.听
Vaccine recommendations and health risks听
At least 8 weeks before your trip:听听
- check the latest 听听
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the 听听
听厂别别 , including:听听
- malaria and dengue听
- Middle East respiratory syndrome听
- 蝉肠丑颈蝉迟辞蝉辞尘颈补蝉颈蝉听
Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of Yemen. Read more about .听
惭别诲颈肠补迟颈辞苍听
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.听
Read .听
Healthcare in Yemen听听
Medical facilities, particularly away from the main towns and cities, are poor. Make sure that you have adequate travel health insurance and access to funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.听
Travel and mental health听
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also .听
Getting help
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.听
Emergency services in Yemen听听
As a result of the conflict, emergency services in Yemen have severely limited capacity and are highly unreliable.听
Ambulance: 191听
Fire: 191听
Police: 199 or 194听
Contact your travel provider and insurer听
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.听
Refunds and changes to travel听
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.听
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:听听
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider听
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim听
Support from FCDO听
FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:听
- finding English-speaking 听听
- dealing with a death abroad听听
- 产别颈苍驳鈥�arrested or imprisoned in Yemen听听
- getting help if you鈥檙e a鈥�victim of crime听听
- what to do if you鈥檙e鈥�in hospital听听
- if you鈥檙e affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack听
Contacting听FCDO听
Help abroad鈥�
See听听including in an emergency.听
Help in the UK听听
You can call鈥�FCDO鈥痠n London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.鈥�
Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)鈥�
Get travel advice updates鈥�
Sign up to鈥�get email notifications鈥痺hen this travel advice is updated.鈥�
Follow FCDO:鈥�