Temporary Travel Restrictions Implemented for Travelers from the United Kingdom

The situation

Many EU and other countries have implemented temporary travel restrictions for entrants from the United Kingdom due to a new strain of coronavirus. While some restrictions are in place for an initial 48-hour period, these may be extended, and in some jurisdictions, these will last beyond the new year. 

A closer look

• Advice for affected travelers. Travelers should check Fragomen’s COVID-19 website for each country’s specific restrictions and their immigration provider before travel.
• Coordinated approach expected in Europe. Most of the countries with new restrictions are European. An EU-wide meeting is scheduled for this week to reach a coordinated EU approach. Further developments are expected and the situation is fluid.

 

Impact

• Impact for EU nationals seeking entry to the United Kingdom. EU nationals may be prevented from arriving in the United Kingdom before the end of the transition period (23:00 GMT on December 31, 2020), hindering some travelers from qualifying for a right of residence under the EU Settlement Scheme.

• UK nationals seeking entry to EU countries. UK nationals planning to travel to an EU country to assume residency before the end of the transition period will be impacted by the restrictions in affected EU countries.
• Holiday travel impact. General business and personal travelers should consider these restrictions, as well as the restrictions in the United Kingdom, in their travel plans.
• Employer action. Employers should review any moves that were part of their headcount planning and should contact European nationals with a travel date between now and December 31. This should include commuters or those who have been outside the United Kingdom for over six months who are seeking to re-apply for status under the EU Settlement Scheme. If identified, consider whether travel is possible and advisable before December 31, and if not, whether work permission would be required for entry after January 1, 2021. Employers seeking to get UK nationals to the European Union by December 31, 2020 should contact their Fragomen professional to determine impacts and possible solutions.
• Internal travel in the United Kingdom. Since internal travel is also now restricted in many parts of the United Kingdom, affected travelers should consider whether travel is permitted or whether exemptions apply.

 

Background

Many other countries, including those in Asia Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East, have implemented temporary travel restrictions for travelers from the United Kingdom due to a new purported strain of the coronavirus in the United Kingdom. Check Fragomen’s COVID-19 website for updated coronavirus-related immigration news.  

Looking ahead

The EU travel restrictions for travelers from the United Kingdom are subject to change and extension. Fragomen will provide updates on its dedicated COVID-19 website on the situation as they become available.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].