The U.S. put China back on its wrongful detention list. Here are all 7 countries on it

Seven countries currently carry the State Department's "D" risk indicator, which warns that a foreign government may wrongfully detain Americans. China is the newest, returning on October 19 at Level 2 after the department removed the indicator in November 2024, while Burma and Venezuela no longer carry it.

The State Department's travel advisories list assigns each destination a level and risk indicators, and the seven countries below are those showing the D indicator as of October 23, 2026, with China first as the newest addition and the rest ordered by advisory level.

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China holds Level 2, "Exercise increased caution," with the D and "Other" indicators, in an advisory reissued October 19, 2026. The State Department says Americans are at serious risk of wrongful detention there, warning of arbitrary enforcement of local laws and exit bans imposed without a fair and transparent legal process. Travelers $TRV may learn of an exit ban only when they try to leave, and the advisory says there may be no way to contest one in court.

The department names groups it says may be targeted, including U.S. citizens of Chinese heritage, people involved in business disputes, and anyone with current or past ties to U.S. law enforcement, the military, intelligence agencies or the government. It has formally designated two Americans detained in China as wrongfully detained, the Chinese American seismologist Chen Youlin, arrested in November 2024, and the Myanmar-born scholar Min Zin, detained in June 2026, according to VOA. China had carried a D at Level 3 until November 27, 2024, when it was lowered to Level 2 after three Americans held for years were released in a prisoner exchange. Beijing rejects the allegations and says its judicial authorities handle cases in accordance with the law.

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Afghanistan is Level 4, "Do not travel," in an advisory issued February 20, 2026 that lists seven risk indicators, including the D. The department says to avoid travel for any reason and urges Americans there to leave. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul suspended operations in 2021, and the government says it cannot provide routine or emergency consular services, a point the U.S. Mission to Afghanistan, now operating from Doha, repeated in a February 27 security alert.

The advisory describes a high risk of wrongful detention, saying all American citizens, including tourists and U.S.-Afghan dual nationals, are targeted. It adds that the Taliban do not allow the United States to conduct welfare checks on detained Americans, including by phone, and that even if a case is determined to be wrongful detention there is no guarantee of release.

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Iran is Level 4 in an advisory issued December 5, 2025, with the D alongside indicators for unrest, kidnapping, terrorism and other risks. The department says not to travel to Iran for any reason and tells Americans there to leave immediately. It says U.S. nationals are at serious risk of wrongful detention by the Iranian government and that Americans have been detained without warning or evidence of a crime, including dual U.S.-Iranian nationals, students, journalists, business travelers and academics.

Iran does not recognize dual nationality, and the department says Iranian authorities consistently deny consular access to dual nationals. Routine consular services have not been available for Americans in Iran since October 15, 2025, and those who need help are directed to the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland.

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North Korea is Level 4 with the D and "Other" indicators, in an advisory reissued April 29, 2025. The department says not to travel there for any reason, citing a continuing serious risk of arrest, long-term detention and the threat of wrongful detention. A legal restriction also applies there: U.S. passports cannot be used to travel to, in or through North Korea unless the Secretary of State has specially validated them, and validations are granted only in very limited circumstances.

Traveling there without one can lead to passport revocation or prosecution for a felony. For travelers who do receive a validation, the department says the risk of wrongful detention still exists, that North Korea has subjected Americans to arbitrary entry and exit bans, expulsions and arrests, and that the U.S. government cannot guarantee their release.

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Russia is Level 4 in an advisory issued December 29, 2025, with indicators for terrorism, unrest, wrongful detention and other risks. The department says not to travel there for any reason and that Americans in Russia should leave immediately. It says the U.S. Embassy in Moscow has reduced its staff, all U.S. consulates in Russia have suspended operations, and there is no guarantee detained Americans will be granted consular access or released before serving an entire sentence.

The advisory says Russian security services have arrested Americans on false charges and that Russia has a history of wrongfully detaining U.S. nationals and using them as bargaining chips. Russia does not recognize U.S. citizenship for dual U.S.-Russian citizens and has blocked consular visits to detained dual nationals. The department also warns that Americans have been arrested based on information found on electronic devices, including content created or stored in another country.

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Nicaragua is Level 3, "Reconsider travel," in an advisory reissued May 14, 2026, citing crime, health risks, wrongful detention and arbitrary enforcement of local laws. The department says U.S. nationals are at serious risk of wrongful detention by the Nicaraguan government and may be held in prison for years, in poor conditions and without due process or consistent access to U.S. government staff.

The advisory says some Americans have been detained for several weeks or more, that authorities may not give a clear reason for a detention, and that travelers may be denied entry or prevented from leaving without explanation. It states that the best way to avoid wrongful detention is to avoid travel to Nicaragua.

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Eritrea is Level 2, like China, with the D and "Other" indicators, in an advisory dated July 31, 2023, the oldest date among the seven. The department cites travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, landmines and wrongful detentions, and says Americans, including dual nationals, have been arrested and detained without charge or on false charges. Eritrean authorities routinely block U.S. officials from reaching detained Americans, so the embassy may not even be notified of an arrest.

All foreign nationals, including U.S. Embassy officials, need permits to travel more than 25 kilometers outside Asmara. Eritrea does not recognize dual nationality, and dual U.S.-Eritrean citizens may face obligations including taxes and national service of indefinite length. On October 9, 2026 the embassy in Asmara issued a security alert reminding Americans of the advisory amid rising tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea.