UK TRAVEL UPDATES
Clear, confirmed information. We'll regularly update this blog with the biggest business travel updates for UK travel restrictions, vaccinated travel and entry requirements.
Most countries require no COVID tests, quarantine
20th December 2023
Many countries no longer require travellers to prove their vaccination status, take tests, or quarantine. There are some rules still in place, including:
- Cuba: Travellers may need to take a random PCR test on arrival.
- India: Recommended proof of vaccination.
- Libya: Mandatory proof of vaccination required. Test may be required on arrival.
- Myanmar: Mandatory health declaration form. Test may be required on arrival.
- The Philippines: Mandatory health form
- South Sudan: Proof of vaccination required. Test may be required on arrival.
- Turkmenistan: Mandatory test on arrival.
Check the resources below to check where you're travelling to.
US relaxes COVID restrictions for unvaccinated travellers
12th May 2023
Passengers travelling to the US no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated.
All UK travel restrictions relaxed
5th April 2023
Travellers entering the UK from mainland China no longer need to take a COVID-19 test.
Whether vaccinated or not, when travellers visit the UK, they no longer need to complete a passenger locator form, do not need to take any COVID-19 tests, and do not need to quarantine.
UK imposes COVID test from mainland China
3rd January 2023
The UK has introduced a pre-departure COVID-19 test for people travelling from China to England. From Thursday 5th January 2023, travellers flying directly from China to England will be asked to take a COVID-19 test before boarding the plane. Airlines are required to check the passenger has a negative test before departure.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
US drops testing requirement
12th June 2022
Good news for UK-US travel, from today, travellers heading to the United States no longer need to show a negative COVID test before travelling. The US is still only allowing fully vaccinated travellers into the country.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
British Airways & Virgin change flexible booking policies
7th June 2022
With the removal of all UK travel restrictions, and many other countries easing their entry requirements, airlines are starting to withdraw their flexible booking policies.
British Airways
Several fare types have now reverted to pre-COVID propositions, although flexibility in refunds and changes can still be found in the BA Select and Select Pro fare types.
Virgin Atlantic
For any new bookings made from 24th June 2022, pre-COVID booking conditions will apply. However, travel flexibility options on fares that best suit customers can still be purchased.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
Heathrow, BA and Virgin relax mask rules
16th March 2022
From today, it is no longer mandatory to wear a mask at Heathrow Airport. The airport still "strongly encourages" travellers wear face masks.
Airlines are also starting to relax their mask rules. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic now say mask-wearing is a personal choice on flights to destinations where COVID rules have been relaxed. Face coverings will still be required on flights where the destination requires masks, such as the US.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
All UK COVID travel rules lifted
14th March 2022
All COVID-19 travel restrictions to enter the UK will be lifted on Friday, for all passengers.
From 4am, Friday 18th March travellers will no longer need to take any COVID tests or complete a passenger locator form to enter the UK, even those considered unvaccinated.
Testing and form filling may still be required for the country you're visiting. Remember to check before you travel using the FCM COVID Travel Hub.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
Australia reopening to international travellers
7th February 2022
It's been a long two year wait! Australia will reopen its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders on 21st February.
Unvaccinated travellers who have a medical reason why they haven’t been jabbed will need to apply for a travel exemption. If successful they will be required to quarantine at a hotel.
Entry requirements are to be confirmed. Each state can interpret the national guidelines as they see fit. Currently, international visitors to Australia are required to obtain a foreign vaccination certificate, fill in a travel declaration form and take a COVID test before departure. Visit Australian Government website for more information.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
COVID testing for fully vaccinated to England axed
24th January 2022
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has confirmed fully vaccinated travellers arriving into England will not longer have to take the day 0-2 COVID test.
From 4am GMT, Friday 11th February 2022, fully-vaccinated travellers*, and those under 18 years old, arriving into England will no longer be required to take the post-travel lateral flow test. They will only be required to confirm their travel status via the passenger locator form, which is due to be simplified.
The rules for passengers aged 18 and over who are considered to be unvaccinated or partly vaccinated will also be eased. These travellers will:
- No longer be required to take a COVID-19 test on day eight post-arrival or to self-isolate.
- Will still need to fill out a passenger locator form to demonstrate proof of a negative COVID test taken two days before they travel.
- Must take a post-arrival PCR test.
From Thursday 3rd February, passengers aged 12-15 years old will also be eligible to use the NHS COVID Pass for international travel.
Additionally, vaccinations from 16 more countries, including China and Mexico, will be recognised, meaning vaccinated people from 118 nations will be able to enter England.
*Currently, passengers must have received a two-dose vaccine completed more than 14 days prior to departure to be considered fully vaccinated. However, this definition is expected to include booster vaccinations in the near future.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
Dubai and Hong Kong travel rules change
14th January 2022
PCR test required to transit or travel to Dubai
Those travelling to or transiting through Dubai from the UK will now need a negative PCR test taken in the 48 hours before flight departure.
Dubai specifies that this cannot be an at-home test. The test certificate must have the location of the testing facility where the text was taken to be accepted. In addition, travellers must bring an official printed or digital certificate in English or Arabic to check-in but SMS certificates are not acceptable.
Further information on these travel restrictions are available on the Emirates' Travel Requirements page which can be found by clicking here.
UAE nationals and children under 12 are exempt from the PCR test.
As a reminder Randox, Collinson and ExpressTest all have in-person PCR test centres UK-wide including airports. Discount codes can be found here.
Hong Kong Airport Authority to limit transits, after banning UK flights
Travellers starting their journey from the UK and 152 other countries will not be able to use Hong Kong as a transit point between 16 January and 15 February 2022.
Only travellers arriving from cities in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan region may continue to connect to onward flights in Hong Kong, provided they have no travel history in the past 21 days to high-risk countries.
Hong Kong had already banned flights from the UK and seven other countries from 5 – 21 January 2022.
Further information can be found by clicking here.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
England removes need for pre-departure tests
5th January 2022
Fully vaccinated travellers coming into England will no longer need to take a pre-departure COVID test. The new rule comes into effect from 4am on Friday 7th January 2022.
Travellers will still need to take a pre-booked test on day 0-2 of arriving in England, but it can be a lateral flow instead of PCR. It will no longer be necessary to self-isolate until a traveller gets the result, as a lateral flow test can be taken immediately after landing and have results within 30 minutes.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
Red list back down to zero
14th December 2021
The UK’s red list for travel is down to zero countries again, from 4am Wednesday 15th December.
Quarantine will no longer be required for those travelling to the UK from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The red list has not been scrapped completely and countries could be added again in the future.
Current testing requirements to enter the UK remain in place (see below) and will be reviewed in the first week of January 2022.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
Pre-departure tests back and Nigeria added to red list
6th December 2021
From Tuesday 7th December, all travellers arriving in England must take a pre-departure test within two days before landing.
The test can be either a PCR or lateral flow test and must be taken regardless of vaccination status. Travellers will still be required to take a PCR test on or before day two post-arrival.
Find FCM's preferred testing partners and discounts here.
Additionally, as of today Nigeria is on the UK’s travel red list. UK and Irish residents will have to stay in hotel quarantine if they have been in Nigeria in the last 10 days. Travellers who are not UK or Irish residents and who have been to Nigeria in the 10 previous days will be refused entry. This does not apply transiting passengers who stayed airside.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
US amends test requirements
2nd December 2021
The United States will tighten pre-departure testing requirements following concerns over the omicron variant of COVID-19.
A date is yet to be confirmed but from early next week, all travellers will need to have a negative COVID test within one day of travelling to the US, regardless of nationality or vaccination status. This is reduced from the current three-day rule. Only fully vaccinated UK and Irish travellers can enter the US.
Additionally, the White House extended the requirement to wear masks on airplanes, trains and public transport through to 18th March 2022.
For the full White House announcement visit this page.
For steps, advice and FAQs on travelling to the USA - head here.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
PCRs back for UK arrivals as red list grows
29th November 2021
PCR tests replace lateral flow
PCR tests will be required for arriving into the UK again, as concerns raise over the omicron variant of COVID-19.
From 4am on Tuesday 30th November, lateral flow tests will no longer be accepted for the requirement to take a COVID test in the 0-2 days of arriving in the UK. Instead fully vaccinated travellers (and children aged 5-17) must book a PCR test. Travellers must self-isolate on arrival until they get a negative result. If the result is positive, the traveller must isolate for 10 full days.
After flying into Heathrow from Barcelona on 1st December - our Global CEO Chris Galanty shared how easy it was to get a quick test although it must still be pre-booked. Here's what he found:
"I landed at London Heathrow at 13.00, ready for my pre-booked appointment with Randox at 13.30. It was perfect timing, as I was travelling with hand luggage only and could breeze through arrivals and be on my way.
"The test centre is just a five minute taxi ride away at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel, and the cab driver kept the engine running while I popped in for a five minute appointment before continuing the journey home to self-isolate and await the results.
"By 7am the next day I'd received a negative result by email, leaving me free to end self-isolation and travel to the office that day. I'm so happy with the experience, and how easy it can still be to return to the UK when travelling - especially for business travellers. Using our unique FCTG discount code with Randox, the next-day testing service was also reduced to just £50!"
The testing rule does not apply to those travelling from Ireland, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
An updated passenger locator form is now available on the government website.
Red list grows
More countries have been moved to the UK's red list for travel. The full list is:
- Angola
- Botswana
- Eswatini
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Anyone arriving or having visited one of these countries in the last 10 days must pay for a quarantine hotel in the UK, which includes meals and two COVID tests.
Non-UK and Irish residents who have been in one of these countries in the last 10 days will be refused entry.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
6 African countries moved to UK’s red list
26th November 2021
Six African countries have been moved to the UK's travel red list amidst an investigation into a new COVID-19 variant.
On midday 26th November, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia will be added to the red list and direct flights banned. British and Irish nationals arriving from these countries or who have been in one of them within the last 10 days must now follow the below rules.
Arriving between midday Friday 26th and 4am Sunday 28th November: Quarantine at home for 10 days and take NHS PCR tests on day 2 and day 8, even if you already have a lateral flow test booked.
Arriving after 4am Sunday 28th November: Book and pay for a government-approved hotel quarantine for 10 days.
Non-UK and Irish residents who have been in one of these countries in the last 10 days will be refused entry.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
All countries removed from UK’s red list
28th October 2021
The remaining seven countries on the government’s travel red list will be removed as of 4am, 1st November 2021.
Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti, Panama, Peru and Venezuela have been taken off the list, meaning travellers arriving in the UK from these countries will no longer need to quarantine.
While there are now no countries on the red list, the system has not been scrapped completely, meaning countries can be added or readded in the future.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
US to lift travel restrictions on 8th November
15th October 2021
The US will open its borders to fully vaccinated travellers on 8th November. The new rules apply to the UK, Ireland, Schengen countries, Brazil, China, India, Iran and South Africa.
Travellers will have to show proof of a negative test in the 72 hours before travelling to enter.
This is a watershed moment for the safe return of trans-atlantic travel. The US will also relax its land borders with Canada and Mexico in November for fully vaccinated travellers.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
Day 2 test to switch to lateral flow for fully vaccinated travellers on 24th October
14th October 2021
Fully vaccinated travellers arriving in England from non-red countries can take a lateral flow test from 24th October, instead of a PCR test.
The lateral flow test must be taken on or before day 2 of arriving in England. Lateral flow tests are cheaper than PCR tests and will be available to buy from 22nd October, when a list of approved private providers will be posted on the UK government website.
Travellers will need to take a photo of their lateral flow test and booking reference supplied by the private provider and send it back to them to verify the result.
Anyone who has already bought a PCR test will not need to buy another test.
Unvaccinated travellers arriving from a non-red list country will still need to take a PCR test on day 2 and quarantine for 10 days at home.
Need more detail? Check the resources below.
Red list dropped to 7 countries
7th October 2021
UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced major changes for the red list for international travel. From Monday 11th October just 7 countries will remain on the red list; with the other 47 destinations moving to the non-red list.
Countries that remain on the red list are:
- Colombia
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Haiti
- Panama
- Peru
- Venezuela
Additionally from 11th October the UK will recognise fully-vaccinated travellers as eligible from more than 37 new countries and territories including Brazil, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, South Africa and Turkey. These travellers will be treated the same as UK vaccinated passengers, so long as they have not visited a red list country in the 10 days before arriving in the UK.
Later in October the day 2 PCR test requirement is to be replaced with a lateral flow test. Those taking postal tests will be able to send a picture of their tests as a minimum requirement to verify the test result.
Need more detail, or want to get a test? Check the resources below.
New international travel rules into UK come into effect
4th October 2021
Two travel lists and no pre-departure tests. The new travel rules are here. Read up on what you need to do now for business trips here.
US relaxes travel for vaccinated travellers
20th September 2021
UK and European double-vaccinated travellers will be able to enter the US from November onwards.
All foreign travellers entering the US will need to prove they have been vaccinated before boarding and will also need proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of the flight. They will also have to undergo contact tracing.
Under the new rules, fully vaccinated passengers will not be required to quarantine.
Rules have also been relaxed for non-US citizens who have been in the China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil within the last 14 days.
New international travel rules from 4th October
17th September 2021
From Monday 4th October, there will be a new international travel system. Instead of the traffic light system with three red, amber and green categories, countries will either sit in a red list or another 'rest of the world' list that will have simplified rules. The two lists will still be reviewed every three weeks.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also announced that from 4th October, if you are double vaccinated you won’t need a pre-departure test before arriving into England and Northern Ireland from a non-red country.
Rules depend on whether a passenger is recognised by the UK government as being fully vaccinated or unvaccinated. This list was updated to approximately 50 countries - find more detail here.
Those considered unvaccinated and arriving from non-red countries will still need to take a pre-departure test, self-isolate for 10 days and take tests on day 2 and 8 when arriving in England. Test to Release remains in place too.
From later in October, the day 2 PCR test requirement will be replaced with a cheaper lateral flow test. Even if travellers change flights on the way to the UK, they will be allowed to follow the measures associated with the country of departure, not the country of transit.
Scotland has stated they have no plans to change inbound testing requirements. Wales is changing to the two-list system but is still looking into the other changes.
Remember, these announcements only cover what happens to arrive back into England and Northern Ireland. You must still check the entry requirements and travel rules for the country you're visiting.
In addition, eight countries come off the red list on Wednesday 22nd September at 4am. These are:
- Bangladesh
- Egypt
- Kenya
- Maldives
- Oman
- Turkey
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Need more detail, or want to get a test? Check the resources below.
Countries shift in latest traffic light changes
26th August 2021
From 4am, Monday 30th August these changes come into effect:
- Moving to green list: The Azores, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Switzerland.
- Moving to the red list: Montenegro, Thailand.
- No changes to amber list.
An expanded green list reflects the momentum of the vaccine rollout across Europe with an additional seven countries making the move to green.
From a transatlantic perspective it's welcome news that Canada will be added to the green list, coinciding with the opening of Canadian borders on 7th September to fully vaccinated travellers. This change will drive an increase in transatlantic business travel, now keeping our eyes on the US following suit down the line.
A reminder that the UK traffic light system determines the rules that must be followed to enter the UK. For outbound travel and the regulations for specific countries please refer to the FCTG Travel News Hub or speak with your FCM team. The next traffic light update is expected in three weeks time, on or around 16th September.
Please ensure you check the most up to date requirements for both your destination and re-entry to the UK before you travel.
Need more detail, or want to get a test? Check the resources below.
France, Germany and UAE among traffic light changes
5th August 2021
The UK government has made a late-night announcement to the traffic light system. With countries moving to the green and amber list, it has opened up some European business destinations and travel hubs in the Middle East, particularly for those wanting to fly with Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad.
As of 4am, Sunday 8th August:
- Arrivals to the UK from France will no longer need to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated.
- Moving to green list: Austria, Germany, Latvia, Norway, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.
- Moving to amber list: Bahrain, India, Qatar and UAE.
- Moving to red list: Georgia, La Reunion, Mayotte and Mexico.
The announcement is expected to stimulate a welcome return to international business travel as the global vaccination rollout continues.
Need more detail, or want to get a test? Check the resources below.
Changes for fully vaccinated travellers coming into the UK
28th July 2021
The UK government has today announced that from 04.00 (BST) on Monday 02 August 2021, passengers travelling from both the US and European countries, who are fully COVID-19 vaccinated, will not be required to quarantine when arriving in England.
The UK transport secretary has confirmed that the changes will apply to those fully vaccinated with an FDA or EMA-approved vaccine.
A pre-departure test taken prior to arrival will still be required, in addition to taking a PCR test on or before day two after arrival in England.
This a hugely positive step forwards, as currently only passengers travelling from amber list countries (excluding France) who have received their vaccinations in the UK are able to avoid quarantine on arrival in England. This new measure means that passengers who have been vaccinated outside of the UK will also be eligible.
Need more detail, or want to get a test? Check the resources below.
Quarantine relaxed for double vaccinated UK travellers
8th July 2021
The Secretary of State for Transport released new rules for people returning from amber list countries to the UK.
From 19th July, adult UK residents that have been fully vaccinated, plus 14 days with an NHS administered vaccine, will be able to return to England from an amber list country without the need to quarantine. As previously, they will still need to take a test before they enter the UK, and a PCR test on or before day 2. However they will not need to take a day 8 test.
From 19th July, it has also been confirmed that the cautionary guidance on not travelling to amber list countries will be removed. This will facilitate and encourage travel for business and leisure travel.
These changes will go some way to further opening up travel for our customers and the removal of quarantine for those arriving from amber list countries is very welcome. Some testing still remains and FCM is working with a variety of trusted testing suppliers who can facilitate tests for customers.
Need more detail, or want to get a test? Check the resources below.