The COVID-19 pandemic has made travelling more complicated but fortunately for South Africa, it was announced that the country has been removed from the red list. This means that travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) as a South African will be much easier and cost less without the long periods of isolation.
However, there are still rules and regulations that still need to be followed.
Everything you need to travel to the UK as a South African
Firstly; before making any bookings make sure you have a valid visa and passport. You can find all that you need to know about applying for a visa as a South African here.
However, the circumstances of travelling during a pandemic requires you to have additional health safety documents to enter the UK.
This is everything you need to prepare before travelling to England
You need to book and pay for a COVID-19 test that you will take on or before the second day of your arrival.
You need to complete a passenger locator form 48 hours before travelling, and these are all the details that will be required from you.
- passport details or the travel document you’ll use when you arrive at the UK border
- your travel details, including times and dates
- the address where you will stay in the UK (if applicable)
- booking reference numbers for any COVID-19 tests you must take after arriving in the UK
- the invoice number for your quarantine hotel booking if you need one
- to prove your vaccination status, and say where you were vaccinated
Check if you qualify as fully vaccinated. According to the UK rules, you are fully vaccinated if you have completed your rounds of the approved vaccines at least 14 days before your arrival in England.
Your proof of vaccination must be approved by the UK vaccination program or an international program with proof that is authorised by England. Now that South Africa has been removed from the red list, it means that your vaccination passport will be sufficient.
This is everything you need upon arrival
If you are fully vaccinated all you need is to show proof of vaccination, the reference number for the booked COVID-19 test, and a completed passenger locator form.
This will all be accompanied by your visa and passport to be able to cross the UK border.