Guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): red list travel ban countries

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

From:
Department for Transport
Published:
18 November 2020
Last updated:
9 April 2021, see all updates

Red list travel ban countries

If you have been in or through any of the countries listed below 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 quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days.

  • Angola
  • Argentina
  • Bangladesh
  • Bolivia
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • Burundi
  • Cape Verde
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Ecuador
  • Eswatini
  • Ethiopia
  • French Guiana
  • Guyana
  • Kenya
  • Lesotho
  • Malawi
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Panama
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Qatar
  • Rwanda
  • Seychelles
  • Somalia
  • South Africa
  • Suriname
  • Tanzania
  • United Arab Emirates (UAE)
  • Uruguay
  • Venezuela
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Updates to the list

Any upcoming updates to list and updates that happened within the last 10 days.

Countries added to the list

Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and Philippines added to the list 4am Friday 9 April.

If you arrived in the UK from these countries before 4am Friday 9 April, you must self-isolate for 10 days in the place you’re staying and take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8. You are eligible for the Test to Release scheme.

If you arrive in the UK from these countries after 4am Friday 9 April, you must stay in your quarantine hotel for your 10-day quarantine period and take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8.

Job exemptions

Some people are are exempt from the red list restrictions because of the work they are doing.

Find out about which jobs are exempt and the conditions that apply.

Stay up-to-date - sign up for email alerts

Sign up to get an email alert whenever this page is updated.

Test to Release scheme

You cannot use the Test to Release scheme if you have been in a red list country in the 10 days before you arrive in England.

Coronavirus testing before travel to the UK

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

Coronavirus testing and quarantine on arrival in the UK

Find out about the rules on:

Published 18 November 2020
Last updated 9 April 2021 + show all updates

  1. Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and Philippines added to the list 4am Friday 9 April.

  2. Bangladesh, Kenya, Pakistan and Philippines will be added to the list 4am Friday 9 April.

  3. Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) and Mauritius removed from list Friday 19 March. Ethiopia, Oman, Qatar and Somalia added to list Friday 19 March.

  4. Portugal (including Madeira and the Azores) and Mauritius will be removed from list Friday 19 March. Ethiopia, Oman, Qatar and Somalia will be added to list Friday 19 March.

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

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

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

  8. Requirement for a coronavirus test introduced and travel corridors suspended.

  9. 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.

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

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

  12. First published.

Contents

Part of Travel abroad: step by step

  1. Step 1 Plan your trip during coronavirus (COVID-19)

    1. Check the latest coronavirus travel restrictions
    2. Complete the travel declaration form for international travel
    3. Check if you need a negative test result to enter your destination or if you need to quarantine upon arrival
    4. Get a coronavirus test through a private provider in the UK, if you need one
    5. Check what you need to do when travelling abroad if you are disabled

  2. Step 2 Get your passport ready

    How much time you need on your passport depends on the country you're visiting. Check the entry requirements for the country you want to travel to.

    1. Check your passport has enough time left on it for the country you're visiting
    2. Renew or replace your passport
    3. Get a passport for your child

  3. and Check if you need a visa or permit

    1. Check if you need a visa or permit

  4. and Check how to drive abroad

    1. Find out what you need to do to drive abroad

  5. and Check how to take your pet abroad

    1. Check what you need to do to take your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad

  6. Step 3 Get travel insurance and check if you need vaccinations or inoculations

    1. Get travel insurance
    2. Check what vaccinations or inoculations you may need

  7. Step 4 Travel safely and check for travel disruption

    1. Find out how to travel safely in the UK during coronavirus
    2. Check guidance for safer air travel during coronavirus
    3. Check if there are travel disruptions because of coronavirus

  8. Step 5 Going through border control

    You may need to show paperwork such as your passport or visa, or a negative coronavirus test result at the point of entry.

    1. Check the entry requirements for the country you are travelling to or transiting through

  9. Step 6 When you are abroad

    1. Follow the local coronavirus restrictions
    2. Access healthcare in the EU

    Find out what to do if:

  10. and If you are unable to return to the UK

    1. If you are unable to return to the UK because of coronavirus

  11. Step 7 Return to the UK

    1. Check if the country you are travelling from is on the banned list due to coronavirus
    2. How to quarantine when you arrive in England
    3. Booking and staying in a quarantine hotel when you arrive in England
    4. Book a private test before you return to the UK
    5. Book a coronavirus test to reduce your quarantine period
    6. Complete a passenger locator form
    7. Follow the rules for entering the UK
    8. Check if you want to bring goods into the UK
    9. Check if you want to bring food, plants or animal products into the UK for personal use

  12. and When you arrive in the UK

    1. Follow the latest coronavirus restrictions
    2. Declare goods and pay tax and duty to UK customs