International travel
If you have a permitted reason to travel you should keep up-to-date with the latest advice for the country you plan travelling to and the requirements for your return home.
The information on this page is specific to international travel. Guidance on travel within the Common Travel Area is available at:
Rules for entering or returning to Northern Ireland
The following rules for entering or returning to Northern Ireland (NI) are in place:
Anyone intending to travel directly, or via another country, to Northern Ireland from outside the Common Travel Area, including British and Irish nationals returning home, must:
- provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to three days before departure
- provide your journey and contact details by completing the UK online passenger locator form
- isolate for 10 days
Pre-departure testing
You will need proof of a negative coronavirus test before your departure.
Further information on pre-departure testing is available at:
Passenger locator form
You must complete a UK passenger locator form, even if travelling to NI via the Republic of Ireland, that includes:
- details of your journey
- contact details
- the address where you will isolate
- booking references for managed isolation and testing
You must provide accurate information and submit the passenger locator form within 48 hours prior to your arrival into Northern Ireland (or your first point of entry into the UK/ Republic of Ireland, if not direct into Northern Ireland).
Providing false or deliberately misleading information when filling out your passenger locator form is an offence. You could be fined up to £10,000, imprisoned for up to 10 years or both if you do not provide accurate details about the countries you have visited in the 10 days before you arrived in the UK.
If you're travelling to NI via the Republic of Ireland and are experiencing difficulties completing the UK form due to port of entry issues, you should select ‘Belfast’ as your port of arrival into the UK.
Isolation
Red list countries
Since Friday 16 April:
- you must book and enter managed isolation (hotel quarantine) for 10 days if travelling from a 'red list' country
- you must enter managed isolation (hotel quarantine) at the port where you first arrive – that is, if you arrive at Heathrow you must book your managed quarantine hotel in that area. You cannot travel onwards to Northern Ireland until you have completed managed isolation. The day of first arrival is treated as day zero
Amber countries (countries not on the red list)
Since Friday 16 April:
- you must self-isolate for 10 days at home if travelling from an amber country (a country not on the red list) - the day of arrival will be treated as day zero
- you must book a day two and eight test kit if travelling from abroad
Test packages can be booked through the NHS at this link:
Or you can choose to book a private test through an approved private test provider that posts the test kit to NI. You can find the list of approved private providers at this link:
If you're booking test packages through private test providers, you must make sure they offer the service to NI.
Private tests from providers not on the approved list do not comply with the regulations. If you choose to book tests with a provider that is not approved, you may receive a fixed penalty notice for failing to comply with the testing requirements.
Anyone not complying with the regulations may be refused boarding by the airline or carrier and/ or fined on arrival.
Travelling to NI from a red list country
Since Friday 16 April, if you have travelled to Northern Ireland directly from a country associated with COVID-19 variants, that may be considered a higher risk, known as a red list country, you must enter managed isolation (hotel quarantine) in NI.
This is to reduce the risk of COVID-19 variants spreading within Northern Ireland.
For more information see:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): travelling from a red list country
- Coronarus (COVID-19): managed isolation and testing after international travel
Travelling to NI from an amber country
If you travel to Northern Ireland, either directly or indirectly, from an amber country (a country not on the red list) or within the Common Travel Area, within the 10 days before arrival you must self-isolate at home or at the place you are staying.
You must book a post-arrival travel test package and take a COVID-19 test on or before day two for variant surveillance and a test on or after day eight to check that you do not have COVID-19.
Test packages can be booked through the NHS at this link:
Or you can choose to book a private test through an approved private test provider that posts the test kit to NI. You can find the list of approved private providers at this link:
If you're booking test packages through private test providers, you must make sure they offer the service to NI.
Private tests from providers not on the approved list do not comply with the regulations. If you choose to book tests with a provider that is not approved, you may receive a fixed penalty notice for failing to comply with the testing requirements.
Further information on self-isolation and post-arrival testing is available at:
Travelling to NI via Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland
If you're travelling back to Northern Ireland from a country outside the Common Travel Area via Great Britain or the Republic of Ireland, even if this is just to change flights in an airport, you must follow any requirements that have been introduced for that country, including managed isolation and day two and eight testing.
Make sure you are aware of these requirements, as these may differ to those in NI.
- England - Travel advice: coronavirus (COVID-19) and How to quarantine when you arrive in England
- Scotland - Coronavirus (COVID-19): international travel and managed isolation
- Wales – Travel: coronavirus
- Ireland - Travelling to Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic
Sector-specific exemptions
A limited number of sector specific exemptions may apply when travelling to Northern Ireland.
If you think you meet the criteria for exemption it's important that you check the list of sector specific exemptions before you travel.
Travelling to another country
If you have any enquiries about COVID-19 and travel abroad, check the latest foreign travel advice.
You can also sign up for email alerts from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
There is also guidance if you're travelling or living abroad during the coronavirus pandemic.
Travel advice remains under constant review to make sure it reflects the latest assessment of risks.
If you must travel abroad for an essential reason you must make sure you’re aware of up-to-date requirements should the regulations change while you’re abroad.
If you are abroad
You must follow the advice of local authorities while abroad. Your safety and security is the responsibility of the local authority where you are.
If you need urgent consular assistance, phone:
- the FCDO switchboard number 020 7008 1500
- any embassy or High Commission