After Brexit, the whole situation in Europe has changed dramatically. In addition, the pandemic measurеs complicate everything and often, the restrictions frustrate your plans. We are about to discuss the whole process and documents needed to enter the UK.
Before you leave for the UK
Everyone travelling to the UK must:
• book at least one coronavirus (COVID-19) test for after you arrive;
• provide your contact details by completing the online passenger locator form;
• provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken in the 3 days before you leave for the UK;
• follow the testing and quarantine rules in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
NOTE: You’ll be committing a criminal offence if you do not have proof of a negative test or have not completed the passenger locator form. You may be fined. You may not be allowed to board. If you are not British or Irish, you may not be allowed to enter the UK.
COVID-19 testing and quarantine in England
What you need to do depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. If you have been in a country or territory on the:
• green list - you must book a COVID-19 test for after you arrive
• amber list - you must book 2 COVID-19 tests and quarantine in the place you’re staying
• red list - you must book 2 COVID-19 tests and quarantine in a hotel
Find out which list the country you’ve been in is on and what you need to do from here.
• You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated.
• You might be exempt from some or all COVID-19 travel and entry requirements because of your job.
• If you’re travelling from a country on the amber list, you may be able to end your quarantine early by booking a third coronavirus test through Test to Release.
Complete the passenger locator form
• You need to provide your journey and contact details in the 48 hours before you arrive in the UK. You must do this by completing the online Passenger locator form.
• You’ll need to show your completed passenger locator form when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry.
• You’ll also need to show proof that you’ve completed the form when you arrive at the UK border.
Provide a negative COVID-19 test to travel to the UK
• You must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to the UK, even if you’re a UK citizen.
• If your test result is positive, you must not travel. In addition, you must follow the local COVID-19 rules and guidance.
• The test must be taken in the 3 days before you depart. The results must be in English, French or Spanish.
• You’ll need to show the test results when you check in to travel or board your plane, train or ferry. You may also be asked to show them when you arrive.
NOTE: You could be fined £500 when you arrive at the border if you cannot provide proof that you have had a negative COVID-19 test!
When you do not need to provide a negative COVID-19 test
You do not need a test if you’re travelling:
• within the UK, the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey;
• from Ireland;
• from Ascension, Falkland Islands, St Helena and Myanmar.
Children under 11 do not need a test.
There are other reasons you might not need a test, for example:
• you have a job on the ‘exempt jobs’ list;
• you’re travelling to the UK for medical reasons;
• you’re travelling from a country where you cannot access testing facilities.
If you’re from an EEA country or Switzerland:
You can enter the UK with either a passport or national identity card issued by an EEA country or Switzerland that should be valid for the whole of your stay.
From 1 October 2021, you will not be able to use an EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK unless you:
• have settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme;
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit;
• have a Frontier Worker permit;
• are an S2 Healthcare Visitor;
• are a Swiss Service Provider.
If you’re not from an EEA country:
• You must have a valid passport to enter the UK. It should be valid for the whole of your stay.
• You may also need a visa, depending on which country you’re from.
• You may also need a visa if you’re ‘transiting’ or travelling through the UK, for example, you’re changing flights at a UK airport.
VISA
You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join a family. Different visas are depending on:
• where you come from;
• why you want to come to the UK;
• how long you want to stay for;
• your circumstances and skills.
Before you apply, you must check if you need a visa and what type you need. (Check from here)
Depending on your nationality, you might not need a visa to visit or transit through the UK.
Your application must be approved before you travel.
Travelling with children
You may be asked at the border to prove the relationship between yourself and any children travelling with you if you do not seem to be the parent, for example, if you have a different surname.You can prove this with:
• a birth or adoption certificate showing your relationship with the child;
• divorce or marriage certificates if you’re the parent but have a different surname from the child;
• a letter from the child’s parent, giving permission for the child to travel with you and providing contact details if you’re not the parent."
