St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories. There are no British Embassies, and the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha governments will support you if you need emergency assistance.
\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nThe Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities on St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, email the:
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nTo enter St Helena or Ascension, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
\n\nTo enter Tristan da Cunha, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
\n\nYou must have an entry permit to visit St Helena. A short-term entry permit is valid for up to 183 days. You can apply for a short-term entry permit when you arrive. To get a permit, you must have:
\n\nAn entry permit costs £20, payable in cash in British pounds, euros, US dollars or South African rand.
\n\nTo stay longer than 183 days you must have a long-term entry permit.
\n\nTo work on St Helena on a self-employed basis for 6 months or more, you must have a work permit and a long-term entry permit.
\n\nEmail the St Helena Immigration Services for more information: evisaenquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh.
\n\nYou must have a visa to visit Ascension. A single-entry visa allows you to stay for up to 3 months. To get a visa you must have:
\n\nApply for a visa to visit Ascension.
\n\nYou must get permission from the Administrator if you want to work on Ascension.
\n\nContact the Ascension visa service for more information.
\n\nYou must get permission from the Island Council to visit Tristan da Cunha.
\n\nTo apply, email the administrator’s office: tdcenquiries@tdc-gov.com. You must have:
\n\nIf you’re planning on staying longer than 2 months, you may need to show a criminal record check.
\n\nYou will have to pay a small landing fee when you arrive. See Tristan da Cunha tourism for information on prices.
\n\nFor details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha guide.
\n\nThere are strict rules about importing alcohol into St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. For further details about restrictions on alcohol as well as information about other prohibited items, see customs information:
\n\nThere is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nAlthough there is no recent history of terrorism on St Helena, Ascension or Tristan da Cunha, attacks cannot be ruled out.
\n\nCrime levels on St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are low.
\n\nSt Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories and have their own laws.
\n\nDo not become involved with drugs of any kind. There are severe penalties for possessing or importing even small amounts of drugs.
\n\nYou are not allowed to drink alcohol in public in the Jamestown area of St Helena.
\n\nCredit and debit cards are not widely used on St Helena, but there are a small number of places that accept them. British pounds in cash are accepted at most places, but you’ll get change in the local St Helena pounds currency.
\n\nThe Bank of St Helena offers foreign currency exchange and can advance cash on a credit or debit card. There are no ATMs on St Helena.
\n\nThe bank also offers a virtual prepaid tourist card for card payments on St Helena and Ascension. It works through contactless payments on smart phones and is accepted at locations that use the St Helena Pay Service.
\n\nCredit and debit cards are not widely accepted on Ascension, but some places, such as the Chandlery and NAAFI shops, accept them.
\n\nThe Bank of St Helena provides banking services on Ascension. It offers foreign currency exchange and can advance cash on a credit or debit card. There are no ATMs on Ascension.
\n\nThe local currency is the St Helena pound, and British pounds are accepted at most places in cash. The US base accepts US dollars, British pounds and St Helena pounds in cash. You can also use the Bank of St Helena tourist card.
\n\nCredit and debit cards are accepted on Tristan da Cunha, but only at a handful of locations, such as the Post Office, Tourism Centre, Administrator’s Building, and the Albatross bar. However, most transactions on the island are cash. There is a single bank where travellers may be able to exchange currency, although availability cannot be guaranteed. British pounds, euros, US dollars and South African rand are accepted in cash. There are no ATMs on Tristan da Cunha.
\n\nThere are parts of Ascension you’re not allowed to visit. You should be given a list of out of bounds areas when you arrive. If you’re unsure, ask at the police station, harbour authorities or the Ascension Island government.
\n\nCurrents around Ascension can be strong and there are often large swells. There is a risk of shark attacks in the shallow waters of popular beaches. Get local advice and follow any warning signs shown at beaches before entering the water.
\n\nYou must have a guide with you if you want to hike up to the Base or to Queen Mary’s Peak. You also must have a guide to travel to areas away from the main settlement, including Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands. You’ll need to pay a fee and sign an indemnity declaration.
\n\nIt’s illegal to camp on Tristan da Cunha.
\n\nYou need approval from the Tristan da Cunha administrator to go to Gough Island. However, permission to land is rarely granted as it’s a World Heritage site.
\n\nIf you are planning to drive on St Helena, Ascension or Tristan da Cunha, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive on St Helena for 3 months. After that, you’ll need to get a local licence from the Post Office in Jamestown. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nThere is limited public transport on St Helena, but hire cars are available.
\n\nMany roads on the island are single lane.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive on Ascension for 3 months. After that, you’ll need to get a local licence from the local Post Office. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
\n\nThere is limited public transport on Ascension, and a small number of hire cars are available.
\n\nFeral sheep and donkeys can be a hazard on the roads, especially during wet weather. Watch out for land crabs, which are a protected species. You could be fined up to £20,000 for killing a land crab.
\n\nSouth African airline Airlink provides weekly flights between St Helena and Johannesburg from March to October. Between December and February there is a twice weekly service. From December 2025 to February 2026 there will be a weekly flight to St Helena from Johannesburg on Saturday and a weekly flight from Cape Town on Tuesday. Overall, it is recommended to purchase a flexible ticket for onward journeys as flight delays can happen.
\n\nThere is a monthly charter flight from South Africa to Ascension, stopping at St Helena. The Ministry of Defence operates a fare-paying service from RAF Brize Norton to Mount Pleasant Airport twice a week. This flight also stops in Ascension Island. From 25 July to 15 November (dates subject to amendment), this service will use East Midlands Airport whilst the runway at Brize Norton is being surfaced. The Ascension Island government handles the bookings for both flights. For more information, email flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac.
\n\nYou can only reach Tristan da Cunha by boat. The voyage takes up to a week and longer in bad weather. Fishing and supply vessels from Cape Town visit 8 times a year, and there is one annual visit made by a South African research vessel in September or October.
\n\nYou can book a berth on these ships, but space is limited.
\n\nThe ship will anchor offshore as the harbour cannot accommodate large vessels. You will transfer to the island in a smaller boat, which can be hazardous in rough seas. If bad weather is approaching the island, you may have to return to your ship ahead of schedule. Fishing schedules mean ships may have to leave the island earlier or later than planned.
\n\nAscension is a dormant volcanic island which has not erupted for 600 years.
\n\nTristan da Cunha is a volcanic island but has not had an eruption since 1961.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nOn St Helena and Ascension, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nOn Tristan da Cunha, call the police on 5111 or the hospital on 5000.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face on St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
\n\nMake sure you bring enough prescription medication for the duration of your trip.
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nThere is an adequate standard of medical care on St Helena. You’ll be charged for any medical or dental treatment.
\n\nIf you’re planning on diving, there is no hyperbaric chamber available on the island.
\n\nThere is a small hospital in Ascension that can deal with most routine treatment and minor injuries. You’ll be charged for any medical or dental treatment.
\n\nIf you’re planning on diving, there is no hyperbaric chamber available on Ascension, and no qualified rescue divers.
\n\nA good standard of general practice-level medical care is available on Tristan da Cunha. Operations and more serious medical cases usually need medical evacuation to Cape Town. It can be up to 2 months before a ship is available to take you.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nSt Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories. There are no British Embassies, and the local authorities will deal with requests for emergency assistance.
\nTelephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
\n\nAmbulance: 5000
\n\nPolice: 5111
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
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