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INTERPOL has 196 member countries — almost every recognised sovereign state. The notable non-members are Kosovo (disputed recognition) and Taiwan (excluded over China’s objection); North Korea and Iran are members but cooperate only minimally.
Countries not members of INTERPOL are states that do not participate in the international police cooperation network of 196 member nations. In 2026, virtually all recognised sovereign states are INTERPOL members. The exceptions include Kosovo (due to disputed recognition status) and Taiwan (excluded due to China’s objection); North Korea (DPRK) also does not appear on INTERPOL’s official list of member countries.
What INTERPOL Membership Actually Means for Law Enforcement
INTERPOL membership gives a country access to the I-24/7 secure communications network, which contains Red Notices, Diffusions, and other notice types. In practice, membership means that a country’s border police and national law enforcement can:
- Query the INTERPOL database in real time during passport checks
- Receive automatic alerts when a wanted person is identified
- Submit their own notice requests for internationally wanted suspects
- Participate in coordinated operations like Project Lionfish or Operation Storm
Non-member territories like Kosovo and Taiwan are not connected to I-24/7, meaning a Red Notice does not automatically trigger an alert there. However, this does not make such territories legally “safe” — many have their own bilateral law enforcement cooperation agreements with other states, and can still detain persons of interest under domestic law.
Moreover, INTERPOL membership is just one layer of international law enforcement cooperation. Countries also use bilateral Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs), Europol for EU-level cooperation, and direct police-to-police channels that operate entirely outside of INTERPOL’s framework.
The Myth of “Safe Countries” — What Fugitives Get Wrong
A common misconception is that travelling to a non-INTERPOL member country, or a country with no extradition treaty, guarantees safety from arrest. This is not accurate for several reasons:
- Bilateral agreements still apply — even without an INTERPOL link, many states cooperate directly on criminal matters under bilateral treaties or ad hoc arrangements
- Enforcement of INTERPOL notices varies by country policy — each member country decides under its own law how to act on a Red Notice, so practice differs between countries
- Countries can change policy — a country that historically did not arrest on Red Notices may begin doing so following diplomatic pressure
- Diffusions do not require a Red Notice — a member country can circulate a Diffusion (a less formal request for cooperation sent through INTERPOL’s channels) directly to the countries of its choice without a formal Red Notice
The most direct way to address an unlawful INTERPOL Red Notice is to seek its deletion through the CCF. Our lawyers have removed over 100 Red Notices from INTERPOL’s system. Learn more about Red Notice removal or call for a free consultation: +357 96 447475
2026 update: INTERPOL still has 196 members in 2026; non-membership does not make extradition impossible. If a Red Notice concerns you, see INTERPOL Red Notice defence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries are not members of INTERPOL?
As of 2026, only a handful of states are not INTERPOL members. These include Kosovo (not universally recognised) and Taiwan (excluded due to China’s objection); North Korea (DPRK) also does not appear on INTERPOL’s official list of member countries. With 196 member countries, INTERPOL covers the vast majority of the world’s recognised states.
Does being an INTERPOL non-member country mean extradition is impossible?
Not entirely. Countries can extradite individuals based on bilateral extradition treaties or on a case-by-case basis regardless of INTERPOL membership. Non-membership means they do not receive or issue INTERPOL Red Notices, but direct extradition requests between governments remain possible.
Is Taiwan an INTERPOL member?
No. Taiwan is not an INTERPOL member due to its disputed international status — China, which claims Taiwan, prevents its membership. Taiwanese authorities do not receive INTERPOL Red Notices through official channels, though they cooperate informally with some countries on criminal matters.
Can INTERPOL Red Notices be enforced in non-member countries?
INTERPOL Red Notices are only circulated to member countries’ National Central Bureaus. In non-member countries, notices are not officially received. However, non-member countries may still act on foreign extradition requests through direct bilateral agreements.
What is the difference between an INTERPOL member country and a country with an extradition treaty?
INTERPOL membership determines whether a country receives Red Notice alerts through official INTERPOL channels. Extradition treaties are separate bilateral agreements governing whether and how one country surrenders persons to another. A country can be an INTERPOL member without having extradition treaties, and vice versa.
Can I safely travel to an INTERPOL non-member country if I have a Red Notice?
While non-member countries don’t receive Red Notices through INTERPOL, they may still have bilateral law enforcement cooperation agreements. Before travelling with any outstanding warrant or notice, consult our lawyers for a country-specific risk assessment. Contact: [email protected] | +357 96 447475
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