Since 4 October 2021, each of the four UK countries have removed their red-amber-green 'traffic light' systems. These systems have been replaced by an alternative system which reduces the requirements for many travellers but retains the strictest requirements for those still considered to be on the ‘red list’. People coming from countries not on the red list will be divided into those who have been ‘fully vaccinated’ and those who have not.
Many people subject to the red list are banned from travelling to the UK altogether, whilst others are allowed to travel but must quarantine in specially-arranged hotel accommodation when they arrive.
There is overarching gov.uk info on Entering the UK.
See Travel to England from another country during Coronavirus (COVID-19) for specific information about travel requirements during the pandemic. Onward links can be found there for the rules for arriving in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
See Red list of countries and territories (info for arriving in England) for specific information about the strictest (‘red list’) requirements. Again, onward links can be found there for the rules for arriving in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
What does being ‘fully vaccinated’ mean?
The gov.uk webpage Travel to England from another country during coronavirus Covid-19 > Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated says the following about being ‘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:
- the UK vaccination programme
- an overseas vaccination programme with an approved proof of vaccination for travel to the UK.”
You can read further gov.uk guidance on Countries with approved Covid-19 vaccination programmes and proof of vaccination.
The gov.uk webpage Travel to England from another country during coronavirus Covid-19 > Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated adds:
“Even if you are not fully vaccinated, the fully vaccinated rules apply if you:
- are under 18 and resident in the UK or one of the countries or territories with approved proof of vaccination
- are taking part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial in the UK or the USA (US residents only for USA trials)
- cannot have a COVID-19 vaccination for a medical reason which has been approved by a clinician under the new medical exemptions process, and you are resident in England.”
When is travel to the UK not allowed?
Some people are not permitted to travel to the UK at all. See Red list of countries and territories [and our information about the red list, below] for details about which people are not currently permitted to travel to the UK.
Who must take a Covid-19 test before travel to the UK?
If you are travelling to the UK from outside of the Common Travel Area and you are from a non-red list country and you are considered to be 'fully vaccinated’, then you are allowed to commence travel without having to provide any negative Covid-19 test result. All others must provide a negative Covid-19 test result before they are allowed to commence travel.
Who must quarantine (or self-isolate) when they arrive in the UK?
If you are travelling to the UK from outside of the Common Travel Area and you are from a non-red list country and you are considered to be 'fully vaccinated’, then you do not have to quarantine at home (or in the place you are staying) after arrival in the UK.
All others, including all those subject to red requirements, must quarantine after arrival in the UK. Those subject to red requirements must quarantine in a 'managed hotel'. All others, if required to quarantine, must quarantine at home or in the place they are staying. In all cases, the quarantine period is for up to 10 days but this can be reduced depending on the results of further Covid-19 tests.
Where quarantine is required, having a negative, pre-departure Covid-19 test result will not remove this requirement. There are some jobs that qualify for travel exemptions (ie exemption from the need to self-isolate) but students, as a group, are not exempt.
Who must take a Covid-19 test after arrival in the UK?
Every person must take one or more Covid-19 tests after they arrive in the UK.
- Red list arrivals: one test on day 2 and one test on day 8
- All others:
- If 'fully vaccinated', one test on-or-before day 2;
- If not ‘fully vacinated’, one test on-or-before day 2 and one test on-or-after day 8.
Tests must be pre-booked before travelling to the UK.
England alone also operates a scheme called Test to Release. This is a voluntary scheme which involves signing up before travel to the UK to take a private test after arrival. If the test shows that you are not infected, you may end your self-isolation when you receive the results. The scheme is not open to those affected by the 'red list' restrictions.
Be aware of the impact of quarantine (self-isolation)
Periods of quarantine or self-isolation mean that if you intend to come to the UK for study, you must take into account these extra days of not being able to attend classes, or to see other people, or to leave your accommodation. Contact your education provider before you travel to the UK so you can check what support you will receive during these first days, including accommodation, food, online facilities for induction, orientation, meeting tutors and other students, and other matters. Universities, colleges, and schools, will help you during this time so it's vital that they know what you plan to do and where you will be staying.
Guidance issued for, or relevant specifically to, students and institutions
In England, Department for Education's (DfE's) Higher education coronavirus (COVID-19) operational guidance. This guidance contains helpful information for HE providers such as the latest information on face coverings, accommodation and instructions for students arriving on campus. It also contains information for new and returning students travelling from overseas, including further guidance for students who have arrived from red, amber or green countries in the past 10 days.
UniversitiesUK guidance publication, aimed at education providers: Supporting students who are required to self-isolate. This publication gives you some idea of how your institution might support you, especially during self-isolation.
Returning to the UK on existing immigration permission
You can enter the UK with your existing immigration permission, subject to travel restrictions (as explained above). This principle applies to Students, as well as to dependants and others. If you are a dependant, the student in your family must still have valid Student permission, whether they are inside or outside the UK.
Returning to the UK when your existing immigration permission had expired used to be possible under the government ‘Covid Visa Concession Scheme’. The scheme was for people who had left the UK with valid leave before 17 March 2020 and who intended to return to the UK and make an application for Indefinite or Further Permission to Stay. The concession appears to no longer be available.
