St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Warnings and insuranceSummary
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.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
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.
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories. There is no formal British Embassy,diplomatic representation on any of the islands and the local authorities deal with all requests for emergency assistance. See Emergency Assistance
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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)