Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel bans to the UK

Countries from which entry to the UK is banned - 'red list' countries.

Published 18 November 2020
Last updated 11 February 2021 — see all updates

• From: Department for Transport

New testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules from 15 February

From 15 February, new rules will apply to anyone entering the UK, who has visited or passed through a country on the travel ban red list in the previous 10 days.

Find out more about:

• testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules for England
• testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules for Northern Ireland
• testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules for Scotland
• testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules for Wales

Entry ban on travel from red list countries

If you have been in or through any country on the travel ban red list in the previous 10 days, you will be refused entry to the UK.

If you are a British or Irish National, or you have residence rights in the UK, you will be able to enter. You must self-isolate for 10 days on arrival along with your household. You cannot use the Test to Release scheme.

• Angola
• Argentina
• Bolivia
• Botswana
• Brazil
• Burundi
• Cape Verde
• Chile
• Colombia
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ecuador
• Eswatini
• French Guiana
• Guyana
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores)
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Suriname
• Tanzania
• United Arab Emirates (UAE)
• Uruguay
• Venezuela
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Coronavirus testing before travel to the UK

You must have proof of a negative coronavirus test to enter the UK. Read about:

• coronavirus testing for people travelling to England
• coronavirus testing for people travelling to Northern Ireland
• coronavirus testing for people travelling to Scotland
• coronavirus testing for people travelling to Wales

Published 18 November 2020
Last updated 11 February 2021 + show all updates

1. 11 February 2021

   New testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules from 15 February.

2. 29 January 2021

   Burundi, Rwanda and United Arab Emirates (UAE) added to banned countries list.

3. 22 January 2021

   Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania added to travel ban list.

4. 18 January 2021

   Requirement for a coronavirus test introduced and travel corridors suspended.

5. 15 January 2021

   All arrivals from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Cape Verde, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores), Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela must self-isolate.

6. 14 January 2021

   Added information about coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before travelling to England.

7. 28 November 2020

   Additional transport measures against travel from Denmark ended 4am, 28 November.

8. 18 November 2020

   First published.