St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Summary
COVID-19 Updatedentry informationrestrictions onfor weekly flights between St HelenaHelena, andAscension Johannesburg ('Summary' and 'SafetyTristan andda security' pages).
Cunha
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re planning travel to St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s guidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories. There is no formal British diplomatic representation on any of the islands and the local authorities deal with all requests for emergency assistance. See Emergency Assistance
Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, attacks can’t be ruled out. See Terrorism
Travel to Tristan da Cunha is by sea only.
WeeklyFortnightly flights (weekly from October) between St Helena and Johannesburg are provided by Airlink.
Due to repairs required to the Ascension Island runway, the Ministry of Defence has temporarily rerouted the South Atlantic Airbridge via an alternative location. Until further notice, the only means of access to Ascension Island is via a monthly flight from St Helena. Seating capacity on flights between St Helena and Ascension are severely limited whilst runway repairs are ongoing. Essential workers and their families have priority access. You should contact your travel agent, local tour booking office or Ascension Island employer for the latest up-to-date information. See Getting to St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
An adequate standard of medical care is available on Ascension Island, but it is limited and is not free to visitors. Medical evacuations are possible but expensive so medical insurance cover, including cover for COVID-19, is mandatory. An adequate standard of medical care is available on St Helena but costs for major treatment can be high. Medical treatment on Tristan da Cunha is limited, not free and major treatment can be very expensive, especially if repatriation to Cape Town is needed. All visitors should carry health insurance to cover the costs of repatriation and medical treatment. See Health
You can contact the emergency services in St Helena by calling 999 (fire and police) or 911 (ambulance) and in Ascension by calling 999 for all emergency services.
Update history
2026-02-06 21:22
The St Helena Government has announced the airport is unable to operate as normal. (Warnings and insurance)
2026-01-30 10:38
Removal of information about the need to present a yellow fever certificate to enter St Helena if you are arriving from a country listed as a transmission risk (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2025-06-26 16:53
This travel advice has been updated for style and accuracy with minor edits throughout.
2025-02-19 16:01
New information about flights to St Helena (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-08-05 13:35
Addition of a new email address for the Ascension Immigration Office, information on the risk of shark attacks and on fines for killing a land crab (‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-25 12:15
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-10-10 11:03
Frequency of flights between Johannesburg and St Helena. Clarification of speed limits on St Helena (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-06-22 11:45
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages
2023-06-06 16:41
Updated information on contact details for emergency services in St Helena and Ascension (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-09 11:23
Updated information on the South Atlantic Airbridge and accommodation on Ascension (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-02-23 14:56
Information on entry requirements to St Helena, and Tristan da Cunha, where you no longer need to quarantine (‘Entry requirements’ page). Updated information on weekly flights between St Helena and Johannesburg (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-08-24 15:31
Updated information on quarantine requirements for entry into Tristan de Cunha (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-08-10 17:05
Updated information to reflect that St Helena and Ascension have now lifted their COVID-19 travel restrictions (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-06-07 13:52
Update to information on entry to Ascension (‘Entry requirements’ page)
2022-05-12 16:22
Updated information on St Helena’s COVID-19 regulations for testing and quarantine (‘Coronavirus’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages)
2022-04-06 14:32
Updated information on getting to St Helena and Ascension (‘Summary’, ‘Safety and security’ and ‘Coronavirus’ pages)