Over the course of the year, I have bounced back and forth between the US and UK more than a few times, and spent more than 28 days in isolation. I took more covid-19 tets than I could count.
I can assure you that the travel restrictions and protocols to enter England and the United Kingdom are better now than they were before.
I wanted to put together a guide on how to plan and prepare for your next trip to the UK, with all that experience. There are a lot of things you need to know about the UK passenger locator forms, covid-19 testing, proof of vaccination and everything else.
Planning travel to the UK.
If you want to travel to the UK without spending 10 days in a managed hotel isolation, you should avoid transiting via a red list country.
The UK can be visited by fully-vaccinated arrivals from many countries, including the USA and most of Europe.
Pre-departure testing for arrivals will resume on Dec 7th, 2021. All visitors must take a test no later than two days before their flight and then book a test after they arrive to make sure they don't get a negative result.
You will need to fill out a form before you check in.
There are steps to visit the UK.
If you want to visit the UK without being isolated for 10 days, the simplest solution is to come from a green list country.
The UK used to have a confusing red, amber and green list, but from October 4th onwards, a simple green means go or red means don't list applies. If you want to enter the UK without a visa, you need to...
You should be fully vaccined by the UK, US, European, UK Overseas agency or list of countries.
Within 48 hours of departure, fill out a passenger locator form.
You must take a test before your flight to the UK.
After you arrive in the UK, you must pay for a test.
Until you get a negative result from the test.
More countries are expected to be added to the trusted vaccination country list. As countries are added, we will update.
The only way into the UK without being isolated is by spending at least 10 days in a country on the green list, and the details about each step.
The form for the UK passenger locator.
As simple as the above sounds, there is a rhyme and order to it. Don't fill out your passenger locator form until you pay for your covid-19 test and pay your passenger locator fee. You need a code from your confirmation to finish the form.
You will need your flight number, seat number, and address of where you will be staying, as well as a few other details. It will speed things up if you have them handy.
The passenger locator form takes around 10 minutes per person to complete. Kids can be added to one of the adult forms with relative ease.
It is worth it if you will be coming more than once.
Pierre Blaché's image was uploaded to the internet.
Proof of Vaccination in the UK.
The UK recognizes proof of vaccination from EU nations, as well as proof of vaccination from the USA and UK overseas. The details are here.
For people who are not vaccine free, your proof of vaccination may not count, and you will need to take a fit to fly test as well as a Day 2+8 Test Package.
The UK Government has a page that shows you how to prove your vaccination status.
If you have a US passport or residency, you can enter without being subject to a quachicle. EU travelers can show their proof in either paper or digital form.
Pre-Flight and Post Arrival Testing in the UK.
Visitors from green list countries will now need a pre-flight test before they can fly to the UK. You will need to take a day 2 test after they arrive. It can be taken minutes after landing.
It must be a test for the government, and one that is booked on the government website.
Pre-Flight Test for UK
If you have a negative certificate for the test, you can take a test at home, such as Qured or Abbot BinaxNOW. The tests are fine, but they are more expensive and not necessary.
Pre-flight tests must be taken in the 2 days prior to the flight.
The pre departure tests can be taken anytime in the 2 days before travel, which creates a nice window of time. If you take a covid-19 test on Wednesday or Thursday, you can fly on Friday. The UK GOV website has an example.
If you travel to England on Friday, you can take the test after Wednesday. You will need to get the negative result before boarding.
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The UK Government.
The second day of the UK Arrival Test.
You can't finish filling out your UK passenger locator form until you book your day 2 test, which will be taken after you arrive.
You get a confirmation code when you book the arrival test, which syncs up with the PLF and allows it to be completed. The cost of a test has gone up, but it is still cheaper than earlier in the year.
It is a shame that fast results are once again expensive, since you will need to isolated until a negative result is achieved. The Express Test post arrival testing facilities can be used to test on arrival at Heathrow.
The test can be taken before the second day of your stay in the UK. Remember to pre-book so that you can fill out the PLF form. The tests can be ordered at your home or hotel, with the help of your hotel.
If you have been in Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for the last 10 days before entering the UK, you don't need a test.
The arrival test at the airport is difficult to beat if you are on the move, since it is done before you even leave the airport. British Airways has a page with discounts and information on testing providers.
What about shorter trips?
A day 2 test isn't very practical for business people who aren't entering the UK for two or more days. Even if you don't take it, the rules say you need to buy one. The UK GOV website has something to say.
If you will be in England for less than 2 days, you need to pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test. If you are still in England on day 2, you don't need to take the test.
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The UK's government.
Someone is getting rich, right? You need to book a Day 2 test to enter the UK even if you are fully vaccine free, and even if you are from a green list country. Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are exempt.
If you are making a land side transfer, you will not be able to use this exemption.
Practical travel tips for visiting the UK
I streamlined my arrivals after many attempts this year.
After you purchase your tests, you will get a PDF with proof you completed the form. You need to give a valid email in order to receive it.
I now send myself an email with proof of everything in one place, or I can use my phone to view it. I will get a copy of my post arrival test order, my PLF form and put it all in one email so I can help the immigration officer view all they want to see.
Having paper copies of each and offline downloads on your phone can help if you are worried about your phone's data not working. You should double check that you have a valid passport and proof of vaccine.
A trip to the UK is always special even though it is more difficult than before. A few forms are still worth it for some people.
