This page was last updated on 29 October, 2021.
At a Glance
Most travelers from United States are allowed to enter United Kingdom, but there are restrictions.
Source: UK government
United Kingdom: Open for Travel
Travel is allowed with restrictions
Travelers from selected countries who do not have a travel history in selected countries that are red-listed during the 10 days prior to their arrival are allowed to enter the United Kingdom. Please check the documentation, quarantine, and/or testing requirements for your specific destination before traveling.
Details and Exemptions:Entry restrictions do not apply to:
-British nationals;
-Irish nationals;
-Travelers with residence rights in the UK.
For more details, please check the source.
Source: UK government
Quarantine-Free
Quarantine may be required for vaccinated travelers
Travelers with vaccination certificates recognized by the UK arriving from selected countries who do not have a travel history in selected countries 10 days before arrival are not required to quarantine on arrival in the United Kingdom.
Source: United Kingdom Government Travel Advice
COVID-19 test required
Mandatory COVID-19 testing on arrival for vaccinated travelers
Vaccinated travelers from selected countries must book a travel test package prior to travel to be tested on or before day 2 after arrival.
Fully vaccinated travelers may book a COVID-19 antigen lateral flow device (LFD) test instead of a COVID-19 PCR for their ‘on arrival’ test.
Details and Exemptions:This requirement does not apply to:
-Travelers aged 4 years and younger;
-Travelers from the CTA (Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Channel Islands) and who have been there in the past 10 days;
-Travelers with a medical condition that means they cannot take a test, must present a note from a medical practitioner at check-in and to Border Force staff on arrival.
Source: United Kingdom Government Travel Advice
No proof of negative COVID-19 test results required for vaccinated travelers
Fully vaccinated travelers do not need a negative COVID-19 test result to enter the UK. Travelers are considered fully vaccinated when they have been vaccinated by an approved vaccine administered by an approved authority.
Source: United Kingdom Government Travel Advice
Masks are not required
Masks are recommended in public
Travelers are recommended to wear masks in crowded and enclosed public places where social distancing can not be maintained.
Source: United Kingdom Government Travel Advice
Required Documents for your Trip
Mandatory proof of vaccination
Travelers may prove they have received all doses of a vaccine using one of the below methods:
-Vaccination certificate issued by NHS;
-Vaccination certificates issued in EU countries or Switzerland with vaccines approved by the EMA;
-Vaccination certificates issued in the USA with vaccines approved by the FDA.
-Vaccination certificates issued from a relevant public health authority in selected countries.
Additionally, travelers from the USA must show proof of USA residencies, such as a USA passport, visa, or Green Card.
Mixing between two-dose vaccines (Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer BioNTech, Moderna) is also recognized.
Travelers who cannot present a vaccination certificate under this criteria must follow the testing and quarantine rules for unvaccinated travelers. Travelers are considered fully vaccinated if they have had the final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before the arrival date in the UK.
Source: United Kingdom Government Travel Advice
Mandatory COVID-19 testing package
Travelers from selected countries must book a COVID-19 testing package before their arrival in the UK.
-Vaccinated travelers are required to take a single test on or before day 2 after arrival;
-Unvaccinated travelers are required to take a test on or before day 2 after arrival, and on or before day 8 after arrival.
Travelers staying in the UK for less than 2 or 8 days are still required to book the tests, even if they will no longer be in the UK on the dates of the tests. They only need to take the tests if they’re still in the country on those dates. Travelers may use a provider recommended by the UK government or use a provider of their choice while ensuring the test meets the outlined requirements.
Fully vaccinated travelers may book a COVID-19 antigen lateral flow device (LFD) test instead of a COVID-19 PCR for their ‘on arrival’ test.
Details and Exemptions:This requirement does not apply to:
-Travelers aged 4 years and younger for England;
-Travelers under the age of 11 for Scotland;
-Travelers from the CTA (Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, Ireland, Channel Islands) and who have been there in the past 10 days.
Source: United Kingdom Government Travel Advice
Document: Complete Online
Mandatory passenger locator form
Travelers, including transit passengers, are required to complete a public health passenger locator form online before departure to the UK. The form must be submitted a maximum of 48 hours before arrival in the UK. Travelers must show either a printed copy or an online copy of the form on their phone at the UK border.
Details and Exemptions:Travelers do not have to fill out the form if they’re traveling from one of the following places, and they were there for 14 days or more:
-Ireland;
-The Channel Islands;
-The Isle of Man;
-United Kingdom.
Source: United Kingdom Government Travel Advice
Document: Complete online
