Update: The new simplified UK travel system explained

As of 4 October 2021, the new simplified UK travel system categorises countries and territories as either red or the rest of the world. Secondly, eligible fully vaccinated passengers and eligible under-18s can now return from non-red list countries without the need to complete a pre-departure test (PDT), a day 8 test or enter a 10-day quarantine.

Entering the UK – Vaccination rules

Who qualifies as fully vaccinated?
A fully vaccinated person is someone who has had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before they arrive in England. The day of the final dose does not count as one of the 14 days. 

The vaccine must have been administered by either the UK vaccination programme or an approved overseas vaccination programme in a listed country. The list of approved vaccines and the list of countries and territories with approved proof of vaccination can be found here.

I am fully vaccinated

What should I do before arriving in England?
1. Book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test to be taken after arriving in England
2. Complete a passenger locator form within the 48 hours before your arrival in England

Please note that your COVID-19 test booking reference number will be required on the passenger locator form.

What should I do when I arrive in England?
Take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2. Even if you will be in England for less than 2 days you still need to book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test. Only take the day 2 test if you are still in England on day 2.

How do I prove my vaccination status?
Vaccination status is proved by using a printed document or a digital certificate. It must be issued by a national or state-level public health body and include:
1. Your forename and surname(s)
2. Your date of birth
3. The vaccine brand and manufacturer
4. The date of vaccination for every dose
5. The country or territory of vaccination and/or certificate issuer

You must check what proof is required for the country or territory where you were vaccinated because requirements for proof vary depending on which approved programme you were vaccinated under.

I was vaccinated in the UK
Those who were fully vaccinated in the UK can use the passenger locator form service to prove their vaccination status. If taking this route, you will need to provide a scan or screenshot of the QR code from the final dose on a valid vaccination certificate.

You can prove your vaccination status using either:

• NHS COVID Pass for England and Wales
• NHS Scotland COVID Status app
• COVIDCert NI in Northern Ireland

I cannot prove that I am fully vaccinated
Those who cannot prove they qualify under the fully vaccinated rules must follow the rules for those who are not fully vaccinated.

I am NOT fully vaccinated

What should I do before arriving in England?
1. Take a COVID-19 test 3 days before you travel to England
2. Book and pay for day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests to be taken after arriving in England
3. Complete a passenger locator form within the 48 hours before your arrival in England

You can read more about taking a COVID-19 test before travelling to England here.

What should I do when I arrive in England?
1. Quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days
2. Take your pre-booked COVID-19 test on or before day 2 and on or after day 8

If you are in England for less than 10 days, you need to quarantine for the entire duration you are here. Even if you will be in England for less than 10 days you still need to book day 2 and day 8 COVID-19 tests. Only take the day 2 and day 8 tests if you are still in England on those days.

Can I end quarantine early?
Yes, you may be able to. You will need to pay for a private COVID-19 test through the Test to Release scheme.

Can I be exempt from some or all COVID-19 travel and entry requirements?

Yes, depending on your job and medical grounds.

Work-related exemptions

You may be exempt from some or all travel and entry requirements depending on the type of work you do. This guide will tell you the jobs that qualify for exemptions.

Medical exemptions
Medical reasons may prevent someone from being fully vaccinated. A person may also be medically exempt from testing before travel to England and quarantine for people having medical treatment.

Red list rules

I’ve been in a country or territory on the red list in the last 10 days
You are only allowed entry into the UK if you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK.

What if I am fully vaccinated?
The rules are the same for fully vaccinated and not fully vaccinated travellers. Guidance for England can be found here.

What should I do before arriving in England?
1. Take a COVID-19 test 3 days before you travel to England
2. Book a quarantine hotel package, including 2 COVID-19 tests
3. Complete a passenger locator form

What should I do when I arrive in England?
You must quarantine in a managed hotel, including 2 COVID-19 tests.

DISCLAIMER
Please note that in all circumstances, guidance for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland may differ to that of England. Information in this guide is correct as of 3:30pm 14 October 2021.

Travel guidance in relation to COVID-19 updates frequently. Please refer to GOV.UK for the latest COVID-19 guidance.