Latest update 22/02/2022:
From 4am on 11 February, all testing requirements will be removed for eligible fully vaccinated arrivals, with only a Passenger Locator Form (PLF) now required.
Arrivals who are not recognised as fully vaccinated will only need to take a pre-departure test and a PCR test on or before day 2 after they arrive in the UK, as well as filling out the PLF. They will not need to self-isolate on arrival, and will only need to do so on receipt of a positive result.
Find out more by visiting the gov.uk site.
Essential information to enter England from overseas
All persons arriving in the UK must fill in a Passenger Locator Form before arrival.
Before departure to the UK check if any of the countries you have visited in the last 10 days are on the red list.
If you have visited a country on the red list you must follow the red list rules.
If you have not visited any countries on the red list, what you have to do depends on your vaccination status. Check the rules before you travel at gov.uk/coronavirus.
Public health requirements may vary depending upon which nation of the UK you are travelling to. Check the relevant website if your final destination is in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
Failure to comply with these measures is a criminal offence and you could be fined. There are a limited set of exemptions from these measures. You may be fined if you fraudulently claim an exemption.
Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated
Fully vaccinated means that you have had a complete course of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before you arrive in England. The day you had your final dose does not count as one of the 14 days.
The vaccine must be administered under either:
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the UK vaccination programme
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an overseas vaccination programme with an approved proof of vaccination for travel to the UK
The fully vaccinated rules also apply if you are:
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under 18 and resident in the UK or a country or territory which has approved proof of vaccination
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taking part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK or the USA (US residents only for USA trials)
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unable to have a COVID-19 vaccination for a medical reason which has been approved by a clinician under the medical exemptions process, and you are resident in England
Read about applying for a medical exemptions from vaccination using the NHS COVID Pass if you live in England.
Proving your vaccination status
If you are fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme, you can prove your vaccination status using either:
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NHS COVID Pass for England and Wales
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COVIDCert NI in Northern Ireland
Paper certificates are also available. There are different ways to prove your vaccination status if you were vaccinated outside of the UK. Check what proof is required for the country or territory where you were vaccinated.
If you cannot prove that you qualify under the fully vaccinated rules, you must follow the rules for people who are not fully vaccinated.