Essential information to enter the UK

There are restrictions for travel to the United Kingdom. Please read the UK government health advice and further guidance for passengers flying to the United Kingdom.

Effective 24 December 2020, passengers arriving into the UK who have been in or transited through South Africa in the previous 10 days will not be permitted entry and direct flights will be banned.

In addition to the travel ban imposed on South Africa on 23 December, the Government will halt travel from all southern African countries to the UK from 4am on Saturday 9 January. Entry into the UK will be banned to those who in the last 10 days have travelled from or through any southern African country, including Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique and Angola – as well as Seychelles and Mauritius.

This does not include British and Irish nationals, visa holders and permanent residents, who will be able to enter but are required to self isolate for ten days along with their household.

The United Kingdom is taking steps to help stop the spread of COVID 19.

1. To protect your health and others’, everyone must complete an online passenger locator form before arrival in the United Kingdom.
2. You may be required to self-isolate for 10 days on arrival. Check the exempt countries list immediately before you travel as this list can change at short notice.
3. It is a legal requirement that you wear a face covering on public transport in the UK.
4. If you are required to self-isolate, you may be able to shorten the self-isolation period by opting into a test to release scheme, depending on which part of the UK you are in. Further information and a list of providers please visit gov.uk. Failure to comply with the above measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. Please visit www.gov.uk/uk-border-control for detailed public health advice and requirements for entering the UK.

COVID-19 testing requirements for the UK

From 4am on Monday 18 January 2021, all arriving passengers in England and Scotland must provide a negative COVID-19 test certificate. Passengers must take the test in the 3 days before they board their flight in Dubai to travel to the UK. For example, if passengers depart Dubai on Friday, they must take a test on the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Passengers who do not present proof of a negative test result will be refused for travel.

Passengers must make sure that the test provider can meet the standards for pre-departure testing and provide a test certificate in the required format. Details of the type of test and information that the test result must include in relation to COVID testing requirements for travel to the UK, can be found here.

Children aged under 11 do not need to take a test.

Required documents

Complete the Passenger Locator form and submit within 48 hours before your arrival in the UK.

Proof of a negative COVID-19 test is required before boarding to travel to the UK.

Effective 30 October, a fine will be imposed on arriving passengers who have not submitted the Passenger Locator Form. Also, if passengers do not present proof of a negative COVID-19 test result, they could be fined £500 on arrival into the UK.

Quarantine

Passengers arriving in the UK from the UAE (including transiting) must self-isolate for 10 days.

Passengers must self isolate in their accommodation for up to 10 days on arrival and they must provide details of their flight, transport, contact details and address for the period of self isolation.

If eligible, passengers can choose to shorten their self-isolation period by opting into a test to release scheme, depending on which part of the UK they are in.

Other information

Passengers must wear face coverings on all flights travelling from and to the UK.

Learn more about UK government guidance on travel into the UK on their website.

Travelling to, from and through Dubai

If you're travelling to, from or transiting through Dubai, please check our Travel requirements for Dubai.