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Can I travel to Ireland? The rules for travelling from the UK right now

By Sarah James

Ireland is part of the common travel area. This means that, even when there were Covid-related quarantine rules for international arrivals entering   England , Scotland , Wales or Northern Ireland in place, those travelling from Ireland to the UK didn’t have to quarantine on arrival. 

Since Sunday 6 March 2022, if you are travelling to Ireland, you do not need to show any proof of vaccination or proof of recovery. You do not need to show proof of negative test or Irish passenger locator form receipt regardless of your vaccination status and are not required to quarantine or test on arrival.

So what impact does this have on holidays to Ireland right now? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting at the moment.

Is it legal to travel to Ireland?

Yes. UK residents have been legally allowed to travel for leisure to certain places from Monday 17 May, and from Monday 19 July Ireland has allowed British and US travellers, as well as EU visitors, into the country. Any UK travellers may enter Ireland without proving their vaccination status or presenting a negative test.

What are the entry requirements for Ireland?

There are no entry requirements related to coronavirus in Ireland or Northern Ireland at the time of writing (Monday 14 March 2022).

What are the lockdown restrictions in Ireland?

Since Monday 19 July, international travel has been permitted for Irish citizens and residents. Theatres and cinemas are open, as are galleries, museums, bars, cafés, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and self-catered rentals.

What if I’m travelling from Northern Ireland?

There are no restrictions on travel to or from Northern Ireland into Ireland.

Note: It's always a good idea to check official government entry guidelines before booking or travelling anywhere, as well as to purchase travel insurance with Covid cover that is appropriate for your destination.

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Can I travel to Ireland from the UK? All the rules you need to know

Ireland has tightened its entry requirements for all visitors, article bookmarked.

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With countries around the world adjusting entry rules and travel testing requirements in the face of the omicron variant, Ireland has announced its own rule changes for visitors.

Those from Great Britain may still enter the country, but the required paperwork is set to increase.

The Irish government announced on 2 December that it would be requiring a negative test result from all travellers from abroad, regardless of vaccination status - with the change coming in from 5 December 2021.

Here’s everything we know so far.

What are the new rules?

From 5 December onwards, anyone entering Ireland from abroad must show a negative Covid test result on arrival.

Vaccinated travellers who had their second jab more than 14 days prior to arrival, and have their proof of vaccination with them, may present a result from either a PCR test (taken within the 72 hours beforehand) or an antigen test (taken within the 48 hours beforehand).

Unvaccinated travellers must take a PCR test within the 72 hours prior to arrival.

One exception is travellers from Northern Ireland who have not been outside Northern Ireland or Ireland for the 14 days prior to entry - visitors who meet this criteria do not need a passenger locator form, proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or test results upon arrival.

Children under 12 are also exempt from the test result requirement.

Test results must be from a professional-administered Covid test with results sent to travellers electronically, the rules specify, and, as with all other international travel, UK residents may not use free NHS tests.

All passengers must complete Ireland’s passenger locator form online within the 72 hours before travel.

This means the full checklist for visitors from outside the island of Ireland is as follows:

Vaccinated people aged 12 or over

Negative result from an antigen or PCR test

Proof of vaccination

Valid ID (passport or driver’s license accepted)

Unvaccinated or partly vaccinated people aged 12 or over

Negative result from a PCR test

Anyone who has been in one of seven named “scheduled states” - Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe - within the 14 days before arrival will be subject to further restrictions and testing, details of which can be found here .

From which date do I need to present a test?

The new rules kicked in from 00.01 on Sunday 5 December.

Arrivals from this time onward into Ireland must have their negative test result ready for checking at the border.

The government had announced that testing would be compulsory from 3 December onwards, but later announced that there was a 48-hour delay.

An Aer Lingus spokesperson told the Irish Examiner : “The Irish government notified airlines last night that the new Regulations will now have an operational date of 5 December and not 3 December as previously advised.

“We will implement accordingly.”

How long will the rules be in place?

Although the Irish government has not stamped the new rules with an end date, a spokesperson for Tourism Ireland told The Independent that the testing requirement will be in place for “an initial two week period and will be reviewed again then”.

Many governments are in the process of tightening travel restrictions to contain the spread of the omicron variant until more is known about its potential impact, and the efficacy of vaccines on this type of Covid-19.

Assuming Ireland is taking a similar approach, it is likely that they will review testing rules within a month or so, once more is known about the variant.

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Minister for Health announces changes to international travel requirements

From Department of Health  

Published on 22 December 2021

Last updated on 7 January 2022

The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, has signed regulations amending requirements for travel to Ireland. From today, Wednesday 22 December, the enhanced restrictions on persons arriving from the 7 high-risk ‘scheduled States’ will be lifted.

Since 29 November 2021, international arrivals to Ireland with a travel history in 1 of 7 high-risk countries – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe – had been required to present a negative pre-departure COVID-19 test prior to arrival in Ireland and to complete post arrival testing and home quarantine.

All passengers arriving from overseas will now be subject to the same requirements for travel to Ireland. Overseas passengers to Ireland are required to show proof of a negative ('not detected') COVID-19 test result.

A passenger with proof of vaccination or recovery can show either a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours prior to arrival, or a negative antigen test result taken within 48 hours prior to arrival.

Only Rapid Antigen Tests which are listed on the common EU rapid antigen test list will be accepted and it must be carried out by a health professional or skilled testing personnel.

Passengers without proof of vaccination or recovery must show a negative PCR test result taken within 72 hours of arrival.

Proof of a negative ('not detected') COVID-19 test result will be checked pre-departure and may be subject to checks on arrival.

Passengers to Ireland who arrive without a negative ('not detected') COVID-19 test result are required to home quarantine and take a PCR test within 36 hours of arrival. A subsequent negative ('not detected') test result can enable the passenger to exit home quarantine. If no PCR test is taken the passenger must remain in home quarantine for 10 days after arrival.

In addition to the above, public health advice is that all arrivals from overseas should undertake daily rapid antigen testing for 5 consecutive days following arrival and to self-isolate and undertake PCR testing should they become symptomatic.

All travel measures are intended to be temporary and will be kept under constant review. As more information becomes available about the Omicron variant we will continue to adapt. To find out more, please visit gov.ie/travel.

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Coronavirus: Ireland eases international travel restrictions

• Published 19 July 2021
• Coronavirus

The Republic of Ireland has relaxed its Covid-19 restrictions on international travel, meaning most fully vaccinated people no longer have to self-isolate.

From Monday 19 July, Ireland started to use the EU Digital Covid Certificate system which is already in operation across the European Union.

It provides users with digital proof of vaccine jabs, negative test results or recovery from Covid-19 infection.

Isolation rules have also been relaxed for fully vaccinated UK passengers.

Self-isolation and travel-related testing is now no longer necessary for people arriving into the Republic of Ireland from outside the EU, as long as they can provide valid proof of vaccination or valid proof that they have recovered from Covid-19 in the past 180 days.

The vaccine must be one which has been approved by the European Medicines Agency.

What is changing from Monday?

Until now, the Republic of Ireland had one of the strictest international travel bans in Europe - limiting journeys in and out of the country to "essential" travel only.

People travelling to the Republic from anywhere except Northern Ireland had to provide proof of a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Many passengers with a negative test still had to self-isolate at a designated address for 14 days after their arrival.

But these rules have been eased from Monday and people who can prove they have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 will not need to be tested.

How will the changes affect people travelling from Northern Ireland?

There is no longer a ban on residents from Northern Ireland crossing the Irish border for non-essential reasons - this emergency Covid-19 measure was lifted by the Irish government on 10 May.

But holidaymakers should note that the Republic of Ireland's hospitality industry is not yet fully open.

Legislation was passed last week which will allow indoor venues to serve only customers who can prove that they have been fully vaccinated .

The EU Digital Covid Certificate certificate will be accepted as proof to gain access to indoor hospitality.

But this system cannot be used by people from Northern Ireland, even if they are Irish passport holders.

The exclusion of Irish passport holders from Northern Ireland from the system was confirmed on Sunday , in contradiction of previous statements from the Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Mícheál Martin and other senior Irish government ministers, who indicated they would be included.

However, as they were vaccinated outside the Republic of Ireland, the Irish state has no official record of their vaccination.

But Northern Ireland's Department of Health has said it is confident that a separate "international travel app" will be ready "early [next] week" for its residents who are fully vaccinated .

What is the latest on hospitality rules?

A final decision on reopening indoor service in bars and restaurants next week is expected to be taken by the Irish cabinet on Wednesday.

The government party leaders are due to hold their regular weekly meeting on Monday evening.

The expectation is that the reopening of indoor hospitality is on track.

The bill that paves the way for the reopening has been passed by the Dáil (Irish parliament) and Seanad (Senate).

How many people have been vaccinated in the Republic of Ireland?

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There was a slow start to the Republic's vaccine programme compared to the roll-out in the UK, but it is now progressing at pace.

Nearly 80% of the Republic's adult population have now received a first dose of vaccine, according to the Irish Department of Health.

The latest available figures, published on Saturday, showed a total of 5,142,677 vaccines have been administered.

Of those, 2,901,641 were first doses and 2,241,036 were second doses.

Many young people are still waiting their turn, but from Monday 19 July, a vaccine registration system opened for people aged 18-24.

However, the AstraZeneca vaccine is the only brand currently being made available to Irish residents in this age group.

Related Topics

• Republic of Ireland

More on this story

No EU vaccine cert for NI's Irish passport holders

• Published 18 July 2021

Republic of Ireland considers new GB travel rules

• Published 13 June 2021

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Customs regulations for travellers to Ireland

Introduction, travelling to ireland from the eu, travelling to ireland from countries outside the eu, how to apply, where to apply.

Customs officers are allowed to carry out selective checks on all travellers at all points of entry to Ireland (air and sea). These checks ensure that you are not carrying prohibited or restricted goods and combat smuggling.

Returning to Ireland

If you are an Irish person living abroad and planning to move home, visit our Returning to Ireland section , where we have the practical information you need to start a life in Ireland again.

Cash controls

Ireland has no restriction on the amount of cash you can carry in or out of the country if you are travelling within the EU. There is also no requirement to declare the cash in these situations. However, under the Criminal Justice Act 1994 Section 38(1) as amended by the Proceeds of Crime (Amendment) Act 2005 Section 20 , if you are carrying at least €1,000 in cash, a customs officer can seize and detain the money. The customs officer must have reasonable grounds to believe that the cash is the proceeds of crime, or that it is to be used in criminal conduct.

Excise duties and VAT on goods

The sale of duty-free goods to those travelling within the EU was abolished in 1999. This means that you cannot buy goods that are free of excise duty and VAT if you are travelling within the EU. Any goods you buy within the EU ( except for food, drink, and tobacco products for on-board consumption) are subject to normal rates of excise duty and VAT. Duty-free sales are available if you are travelling to destinations outside the EU.

Goods bought in another EU country

You will not be charged any extra duty or VAT on purchases where the duty and VAT has been paid (for example, goods bought in shops and supermarkets) in another EU country, provided the goods are for your personal use.

If your purchases are within the limits set out below, they will usually be regarded as being for your personal use. If you exceed these quantities, you may have to demonstrate that the goods are for your personal use.

You are not entitled to alcohol or tobacco allowances if you are under 17 years old.

You should keep any receipts as proof that you have paid duty and VAT.

Bringing in meat or dairy products

Only products which have been produced in accordance with EU rules can be imported for personal consumption. As a guideline, quantities should not exceed 10 kg. Generally, the products are on sale to the public in the EU country of origin, are appropriately packaged and have an identifying EU health mark.

If you are entering or leaving the EU and carrying €10,000 or more in cash you must make a declaration to the Customs authority of the EU country you are entering or leaving. Under Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 you must lodge the declaration at the airport, seaport or land frontier that you are entering the EU, see ’How to apply’ below. If you are travelling to or from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man you must also make a declaration.

Cash includes:

• Currency in the form of banknotes or coins
• Cheques, traveler cheques, promissory notes or money orders without a names beneficiary
• Gold coins with gold content of at least 90%
• Gold bars, gold nuggets or clumps with a gold content of at least 99.5%

You can read more about travelling with cash and how to declare it on the revenue website .

Unaccompanied cash

If you send or receive cash of €10,000 or more by post, freight or courier you may have to make a cash disclosure declaration. You read about unaccompanied cash on the revenue website .

You can bring the following goods into Ireland within the limits set out below, if you are travelling to Ireland from any country outside the EU (this includes the Canary Islands, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar).

The goods must have been bought either duty-free/tax-free or duty-paid/tax-paid outside the EU.

Your tobacco and intermediate product allowances are distributed on a fractional basis. For example, you can bring in ½ litre of spirits plus 1 litre of port or 100 cigarettes plus 50 cigarillos.

You are not entitled to alcohol or tobacco allowances if you are under 17.

People travelling together as a group cannot combine their individual allowances to buy goods.

You should keep any receipts as proof that you have paid duty and taxes.

It is an offence to import or carry on your person, controlled substances (drugs) when travelling to or from Ireland. Examples of controlled substances are cannabis, cocaine, heroin, and amphetamines. The Customs National Drugs Team has dog units located at airports and ferry ports. The drug detector dogs are trained to find cannabis, cocaine, heroin and amphetamines. There are various penalties for drugs offences .

You cannot import meat or dairy products for your personal consumption from almost all non-EU countries. Limited quantities of certain other products may be imported provided their country of origin is an EU-approved country. Further information is available on the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine website on animal products imports for personal consumption .

If you are coming to Ireland from a country outside the EU with €10,000 cash or more, you must present a completed cash declaration form (pdf) to the Customs at the airport or seaport when you enter Ireland. If you fail to submit a declaration your cash may be detained by Customs and you could be subject to penalties. There is further information about cash controls on the Revenue website .

You can find information on what goods you can bring with you for those travelling from the EU and for those travelling from outside the EU on the Revenue website. If you are in any doubt about the items you can or cannot import from within or outside the EU, you should contact the Customs Information Office.

Customs Information Office

New Custom House Promenade Road Dublin Ireland

Related documents

• Travelling from Ireland for healthcare in Europe Introduction to the options for Irish residents who wish to access healthcare in other countries in Europe. 1048.8976
• Visas for tourists visiting Ireland Information about coming to Ireland for a short stay (less than 90 days). 989.3408
• Educational arrangements for Travellers This document provides information on the arrangements in place for the education of Traveller children 974.76587

If you have a question about this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 8pm).

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What Brexit means for future of the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the UK

Reader in Public Law, Newcastle University

Lecturer in Law, University of Birmingham

Disclosure statement

Colin Murray receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council to support the project “Performing Identities: Post-Brexit Northern Ireland and the reshaping of 21st-Century Governance" (Grant ES/S006214/1). This article does not reflect the views of the research council.

Ben Warwick receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council to support the project “Performing Identities: Post-Brexit Northern Ireland and the reshaping of 21st-Century Governance" (Grant ES/S006214/1). This article does not reflect the views of the research council.

University of Birmingham provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK.

Newcastle University provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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They’ve done it. The UK and Ireland have agreed on something Brexit-related, written it down, and finalised it. Alas, the UK-EU withdrawal agreement remains mired in controversy, but that shouldn’t distract from the important stepping stones being put in place regarding the Common Travel Area between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

The Common Travel Area allows visa-free travel between the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands for all citizens. Beyond travel, related legislation in each member of the Common Travel Area has long allowed citizens of other members to be treated in most regards as if they are home citizens, for example for work or residency purposes.

The Common Travel Area was once touted as the solution to virtually every difficulty that Brexit posed for Ireland and Northern Ireland. Although both the UK and Ireland have facilitated cross-border travel for each others’ citizens for the best part of a century, our recent research has demonstrated this isn’t sufficient to keep the border open in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The arrangements have existed for decades in a patchwork of laws and policies. Besides a tweak to immigration policy in 2011, little attention has been given to the Common Travel Area, and EU free movement law has provided a more developed legal framework. For example, welfare provisions in Northern Ireland which disadvantaged cross-border workers were only fixed after litigation under EU law.

What’s needed after March 29, or Brexit day, is a clear legal basis for the Common Travel Area both in the UK and Ireland’s own legal systems, underpinned by an international agreement between the two countries.

Agreement on social security

In February 2019, a newly agreed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on social security belatedly started the process of solidifying these arrangements. For those whose lives straddle the border in Ireland or who move from the UK to Ireland (or vice versa), these new measures will provide some certainty over rights even in a no-deal Brexit scenario.

This agreement on social security equivalence is hugely important, particularly in providing a basis for shared rules. To know whether someone who claims benefits in Louth should be paid by the UK or Ireland currently relies on where that person is “habitually resident” . If, after Brexit, the two countries adopted substantially different rules, people could claim in both countries or get stuck in a gap where neither system considered them a resident.

This scenario is just the tip of the iceberg, and as many convoluted examples exist as there are complexities in people’s lives and patterns of work. This new MoU signals the start of a common, bilateral, understanding on these matters. Next, making sure that the benefits system is efficient and fraud is prevented will require data sharing across borders. In a no-deal scenario the UK would lose access to the EU database on social security, and provisions of the new MoU could rescue social security and pensions from complete chaos.

Alongside this MoU, a new immigration and social security bill before the UK parliament aims to tidy up Common Travel Area arrangements which predated the age of mass air travel. At the moment, a strict reading of the law would suggest that visa-free travel after Brexit would only apply when an Irish national travels directly to the UK from Ireland. The change would make an Irish national’s point of departure irrelevant, meaning they will enjoy access to the UK without a visa even if they arrived from another country such as France, or the United States.

Both countries want to make sure that UK and Irish nationals are treated like home citizens in most respects. Both governments have emphasised that the area existed before their countries’ EU membership and that its benefits should therefore continue after Brexit.

Still, these arrangements are no substitute for a comprehensive withdrawal agreement. First, this MoU only covers the UK and Ireland. Second, its full terms only cover UK and Irish nationals, meaning other EU nationals who have moved their lives between the two countries won’t benefit. Third, it doesn’t cover matters of trade or regulation, and because Ireland granted the EU competence to manage these issues, the two countries cannot address them bilaterally. All of these issues require the UK and EU to agree a future Brexit deal.

More work to do

Social security and pensions is just one area of rights related to the Common Travel Area, and other problems remain. Much is in the pipeline, but the UK and Ireland urgently need to finalise agreements across areas as diverse as security, health, and education.

The Common Travel Area and the rights associated with it reflect an important part of the two nations’ shared history, a reality that isn’t well served by multiple technical legal documents. One potential way to resolve this issue would be for Ireland and the UK to conclude a general framework agreement. This could restate their intention to treat UK and Irish nationals as equivalent to home citizens and to continue to use the Common Travel Area as the foundation of a close and co-operative relationship. Any relevant domestic law could be interpreted in light of these arrangements.

The recent MoU is a recognition that the two governments can be proactive in smoothing administrative bumps, even if the wider Brexit debate frequently presents them as being at loggerheads. But much more needs to be agreed before there can be any collective sigh of relief. The UK and Ireland might have decided who gets the Guinea pig in the divorce, but there’s still the matters of the kids, house and car.

• Social security
• Northern Ireland
• Republic of Ireland
• Free movement

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• Be vigilant, as  pickpocketing ,  mugging,  and “snatch and grab” theft of mobile phones, watches and jewelry can occur.
• Do not leave bags unattended in restaurants, pubs, hotel lobbies, and parked cars.
• Be alert to other criminal schemes, such as  impostors  posing as undercover police officers and “fining” tourists for bogus minor offenses. A legitimate Metropolitan Police Services officer will never demand an immediate cash payment.
• Use only licensed Black Cabs or pre-ordered car services (minicabs) . Unlicensed taxis or private cars posing as taxis may offer low fares, but in some instances, travelers have been  robbed  or  sexually assaulted  while using these cars. See Transport for London for additional information on cabs and car services .
• Avoid using ATMs that look temporary in structure or location  or are located in isolated areas – they may not be legitimate. Use ATMs located inside a bank branch.

Scams : Before sending any money to individuals you have never met in person, visit the  Embassy London website  for more information about  internet financial scams  and how to protect yourself.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime : Report crimes to the local police at 999 (United Kingdom) or 112 (Gibraltar) and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(44) (20) 7499-9000.

• Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on  victim compensation programs in the United States
• The Victim Support website  is maintained by an independent UK charity to help people cope with the effects of crime
• A Northern Ireland-based independent charity maintains a similar  victim support website
• In Scotland, victims of crime should contact  Victim Support Scotland
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support if you are destitute
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

• You will be arrested if you bring pocket knives, blades, mace or pepper spray canisters, or any part of a gun into the United Kingdom . Please refer to the UK government publication  Travelling to the UK , which details the items visitors are prohibited from bringing into the United Kingdom.
• Penalties against  alcohol-related  and other  in-flight  crimes committed aboard aircraft to and from the United Kingdom are stiff and are enforced with  prison sentences . Please also see  our information on U.S. customs regulations  covering your return to the United States.
• Controlled Substances: UK law prohibits possession and trafficking of controlled substances and narcotics, including some substances that may be legal to possess under the law of certain U.S. states. More information on controlled substances is available here . Individuals who violate UK drug laws may face penalties including fines or prison sentences.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained in the United Kingdom, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Special Circumstances:

• The legal drinking age in the United Kingdom is 18. Parents and organizers of school trips should read our  Students Abroad website  to help plan a safe and enjoyable experience.
• Scotland’s “drink drive limit” law was amended to a lower level (roughly .05 BAC) and is stricter than the rest of the United Kingdom (roughly .08 BAC). This means that  driving after even one drink  can result in a charge of driving under the influence.
• The United Kingdom has very strict gun control laws, and importing firearms is extremely complicated.  Information on applying for a firearm and/or shotgun certificate can be found on the  London Metropolitan Police Firearms licensing webpage .  Licenses from England or Wales may not be valid in Scotland; please check with the appropriate authorities.  For firearms certificates for Scotland, please check with  Police Scotland .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in the United Kingdom.

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:

• UK law requires that all public service providers (except in the transportation sector) make “reasonable adjustments” to ensure their services are available to persons with disabilities.  Nevertheless, code exemptions permit many older buildings to have steps up from the street.
• Getting around in cities may be difficult at times because sidewalks can be narrow and uneven.
• Most London Underground and UK National Rail System stations are not readily accessible for people with disabilities.  Many stations do not have elevators, and have stairways and long corridors for changing trains or exiting to the street. Many UK buses are equipped with lowering platforms for limited-mobility or sight- or hearing-disabled travelers.
• Many taxis have swivel-entry seats or retractable ramps to ease entry.
• Disabled parking permits (known as “blue badges”) are issued by local government councils throughout the country. Visit the  UK government website  for contact information. Some councils may not offer permits to temporary visitors.

The  Transport for London  and  National Rail  websites provide information for passengers with disabilities.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  women travelers .

While medical services are widely available,  free medical care  under the National Health System (NHS) is allowed only for UK residents, certain EU nationals, and some visa holders.

An NHS surcharge is assessed on certain visa applicants at the time of application.  Tourists and short-term visitors will not be assessed the surcharge, but will be charged 150 percent of the cost of any medical treatment they receive from the NHS. Unpaid balances of £1,000 or more can result in being barred from return to the United Kingdom.

• The U.S. government does not pay medical bills, and U.S. Medicare is not valid overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides  coverage overseas . Most care providers overseas only accept  cash payments . See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage overseas.

• We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Carry  prescription medication  in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Traveling with sufficient supplies to last the duration of your trip is recommended. Mailing prescriptions is prohibitive and may be delayed or rejected by British customs.

Certain prescriptions available in the United States are classified as a "controlled drug"  in the United Kingdom and cannot be brought into the country without applying for and obtaining a prior license. This includes prescriptions for medical marijuana or products containing CBD and THC.  Please visit the https://www.gov.uk/travelling-controlled-drugs for additional information. 

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended for international travel by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions in the United Kingdom can differ significantly from those in the United States.

• In contrast to the United States, UK traffic drives on the left.  Read the  Highway Code  before driving.
• Emergency call boxes  (orange telephone booths with “SOS” printed on them) are found at half-mile intervals along motorways. White and blue poles point in the direction of the nearest call box. Call boxes dial directly to a motorway center. Use these phones rather than a personal cell phone, because motorway center personnel will immediately know your exact location.
• Generally,  pedestrians do not have the right of way  and should not expect vehicles to stop for them.

Many U.S. citizen pedestrians are injured, some fatally, every year in the United Kingdom, because they forget that oncoming  traffic approaches from the opposite direction  than in the United States.  Exercise extra care when crossing streets; remain alert and look both ways before stepping into the street.

Traffic Laws: 

• UK penalties for driving under the influence of  alcohol  or  drugs  are strict and often  result in prison sentences .
• Using a  hand-held cell phone  or similar device while driving is  illegal  in the United Kingdom. Only hands-free phones may be used. You will be  fined , or in the case of an accident,  arrested  and serve time in  prison .
• The speed limit on highways/motorways in the United Kingdom is 70 mph, or lower when posted.
• You will be  detained  and  arrested  if you cannot provide a UK address to receive a subpoena or are about to depart the United Kingdom and have to be brought to court quickly for a motoring offense.
• In Central London, a congestion charge is levied on all drivers who pass through the congestion zone. You will be  fined  or  arrested  if you do not pay the charge. See  Transport for London  for more information about driving in London.

Public Transportation:  Public transport in the United Kingdom is extensive.

• Information on disruptions to London transportation services can be found on the  Transport for London  website.
• Information about the status of National Rail Services can be found on the  National Rail Enquiries  website.
• Bus and train service information in Northern Ireland can be found on the  Translink  website.
• Bus and train service information in Scotland can be found on the  Traveline Scotland  website.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. For specific information concerning UK driving permits, vehicle inspection, road tax, and mandatory insurance, refer to the  UK Department for Transport  website or the  Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency  website.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of the United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of United Kingdom’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to the United Kingdom should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at  www.marad.dot.gov/msci . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website and the NGA broadcast warnings website (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in the United Kingdom . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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London to Dublin , international or domestic? - Air Travel Forum

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12 replies to this topic

Tripadvisor staff removed this post at the original author's request.

All arrivals from GB in Dublin go through immigration, CTA or no. I've had to, and I'm an Irish citizen.

In any event, OP, London and Dublin are in different countries, so..........

everybody goes through immigration in Dublin !

London to Dublin you will go through a passport check on arrival.

Conversely when flying Ireland to the UK you do not go through immigration which is why you might see conflicting information online.

Well, I guess my question wasn't clear enough. Yes, I do know that London and Dublin are in different countries., but thank you for pointing that out, just in case. And I suppose the first answer that was removed was also implying how stupid I am.

We are flying from LAX to LHR, connecting to DUB, all on one ticket.

I have read online that the flight is international, two different countries and all.

I have also read online that the flight is domestic, apparently from Dublin to London, but not the reverse.

My mistake was in not realizing Ireland and UK are not Schengen countries.

And, of course, my biggest mistake was in asking the question on this Forum.

The connection process does depend on which airlines you are flying with.

the first answer was removed because the poster implied that you would not go through immigration when entering Ireland. when it was pointed out that you do, the poster removed his incorrect post. nothing to do with a comment about you !

but your last comment was uncalled for !

The confusion arises because while the UK and Eire are indeed different countries, there has been a unique arrangement between us that there is no restrictions on employment, state benefits, healthcare and anything else state run - on UK citizens in Eire and Irish citizens in UK. Therefore in principle there should be no passport control.

The reason that Eire looks at UK passports is because of Brexit. Don's start me. Don't blame me - I voted remain

"The reason that Eire looks at UK passports is because of Brexit."

I don't know what the situation is at other Irish airports.

I believe there are still no checks when arriving in Ireland by ferry, but am not 100% sure.

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• Entering and staying in the UK

Travelling to the UK from Ireland, Isle of Man, Guernsey or Jersey

Information for people travelling to the UK from Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, and information for people passing through the UK on the way to Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man.

The Common Travel Area

The Common Travel Area (CTA) is made up of the UK, Ireland and the Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man).

For the UK, the CTA arrangements means that you won’t always go through UK immigration control when travelling to the UK from somewhere else in the CTA. This is different to when you come to the UK from outside of the CTA.

You will never go through immigration control at the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

British and Irish citizens

Under the CTA arrangements , Irish citizens in the UK and British citizens in Ireland have the right to live, work, study, and access healthcare, social security and public services in each other’s countries without having to apply for permission.

Read more about what the CTA means for Irish citizens .

You don’t need to show your passport to a Border Force officer when travelling from Ireland to Great Britain. However, you may be asked to show a document that confirms your identity and nationality.

This could include:

• a valid passport or passport card (if you’re Irish)
• a copy of your passport or passport card with your identity and nationality clearly visible
• an expired passport or passport card, which Border Force are satisfied was issued to you originally
• evidence of having obtained British or Irish citizenship

This list is not exhaustive and other documents including providing more than one may be accepted. These are considered on a case by case basis by Border Force.

You will not pass through any immigration control when you enter the UK from Ireland across the land border, so you don’t need any documents to enter the UK on that route.

If you’re not a British or Irish citizen

There are different rules if you enter the UK from the CTA than if you enter the UK from a place outside the CTA. Usually, you don’t need to get permission to enter the UK if you are arriving from the CTA for a visit of up to 6 months.

However, there are exceptions to this. Some people need permission to enter the UK for a short visit wherever in the CTA they travel from. Other people only need permission if they’re travelling from Ireland.

If you enter the UK illegally from another part of the CTA, you may be removed from the UK.

People who need permission to enter the UK from anywhere within the CTA

For most people, there are different arrangements in place depending on whether you travel to the UK from Ireland or the Crown Dependencies .

You need to seek permission to enter the UK from anywhere in the CTA if:

• you are subject to a deportation order
• your exclusion has been deemed conducive to the public good
• you have previously been refused permission to enter the UK and haven’t, since the time you were refused permission, been granted permission to enter or remain in the UK or any of the Crown Dependencies

Travelling from Ireland to the UK

If you’re from an eea country or switzerland.

However, you may be asked to show your passport (which should be valid for the whole of your stay) or identity card to enter Great Britain when travelling from Ireland if you are encountered by Border Force.

You cannot use an EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK, and can only use a valid passport, unless you:

• have settled or pre-settled status under the  EU Settlement Scheme , or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• have an EU Settlement Scheme family permit, or the equivalent from Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man
• have a Frontier Worker permit
• are an S2 Healthcare Visitor
• are a Swiss national and have a Service Provider from Switzerland visa

Irish citizens can use a passport card.

If you’re waiting for a decision on your application for settled or pre-settled status

You can still use your EEA or Swiss national identity card to enter the UK if all of the following are true:

• you’ve applied for settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, or Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man’s settlement schemes
• you’ve been issued with confirmation your application is valid
• you’re not applying as a joining family member

If you’re not from an EEA country or Switzerland

However, you may be asked by Border Force to show your passport, which should be valid for the whole of your stay, to enter Great Britain.

Permission to enter requirements

If you have permission to enter or remain in the UK (for example if you have a UK visa) you do not need further permission to enter the UK from Ireland.

You only need to get permission to enter the UK when arriving from Ireland if:

• you arrived in Ireland from outside of the CTA and did not obtain immigration permission to enter Ireland
• you’re a visa national who doesn’t have a valid UK visa, or a visa granted under the British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS)
• you entered Ireland unlawfully from outside the CTA
• you entered the UK or the Crown Dependencies unlawfully and went directly from there to Ireland
• your permission to enter or stay expired before you left the UK and since then you haven’t been given permission to enter or stay in the UK or any of the Crown Dependencies
• you are the subject of an international travel ban
• you were refused admission or subject to a removal decision under specific regulations - unless you were later given permission to enter or stay

In these situations, you must either apply for:

• a visa before you travel
• permission to enter from a Border Force (immigration) Officer at the UK border

You may not be able to get permission to enter the UK from a Border Force Officer if you enter the UK from the CTA. This is because there are usually no immigration controls on these journeys, and none on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

For more information on who needs permission to enter the UK from Ireland, see the guidance on arriving in the UK from within the CTA .

Use the check if you need a UK visa tool to find out if you need a visa and what type.

Visas issued by Ireland are not acceptable for travel to the UK except for visas issued under the British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) .

If you don’t need permission to enter the UK from Ireland

Some people automatically have permission to enter the UK when they arrive from Ireland. This permission is called ‘deemed leave’. You don’t need to apply for it. You won’t get a stamp in your passport showing deemed leave because you won’t necessarily meet a Border Force officer when travelling from Ireland to the UK.

You can enter on the basis of deemed leave when you either:

• enter Ireland from a country outside the CTA, and then travel on to the UK
• were in the UK with permission to stay for a limited time, went directly to Ireland and while you were in Ireland your permission expired, and you then came directly back to the UK

The length of time you can stay in the UK and the things you can do here on the basis of deemed leave are different depending on why you are entering the UK. If you don’t need to apply to enter the UK from Ireland, you can enter and stay in the UK on Article 4 deemed leave.

You can be in the UK for up to 6 months on your first visit from Ireland. This time starts from the date you entered the UK. You can prove the date you entered the UK by, for example, your ticket or boarding pass.

Your deemed leave ends when you leave the UK.

On following visits to the UK from Ireland, you can be in the UK for up to 2 months on the basis of deemed leave if you haven’t left the CTA since you were last in the UK.

You cannot do any paid or unpaid work if you’re in the UK on Article 4 deemed leave except for activities allowed under Appendix V: Visitor of the Immigration Rules .

If you want to come to the UK to do something that isn’t allowed under Article 4 deemed leave, you must apply for the relevant visa before you travel to the UK.

Use the check if you need a UK visa tool to find out which visa is right for what you want to do.

Other ways for non-visa nationals to enter the UK using deemed leave

You can also use deemed leave if you enter the UK from Ireland either:

• as an S2 healthcare visitor
• to do a permitted paid engagement

The rules of your deemed leave will be different depending on what you are coming to do.

Travelling to the UK for S2 healthcare treatment

S2 Healthcare Visitor arrangements apply to patients who applied before 11pm on 31 December 2020 to come to the UK for a course of planned healthcare treatment under the ‘S2 healthcare route’.

These arrangements also cover people who come with or join S2 Healthcare patients to support or care for them during their treatment.

See more information on S2 Healthcare Visitors including the documents you need .

If none of the exemptions apply to you and you enter the UK from Ireland with a valid S2 certificate you can enter and stay in the UK under Article 5 deemed leave. This is also true for anybody accompanying or joining you to provide care or support.

Under Article 5 deemed leave, you have permission to enter for 6 months, starting from the date you enter the UK from Ireland. You can prove this date, for example, with your travel ticket or boarding pass. This deemed leave ends when you leave the UK.

You cannot do any paid or unpaid work.

You can apply for permission to stay in the UK for another 6 months if treatment needs to continue. There’s no limit to the number of 6 month extensions you and your accompanying person can apply for, as long as you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.

If you go from the UK to Ireland and then back to the UK without having left the CTA, you’ll automatically be able to stay in the UK for up to 6 months if you still have a valid S2 healthcare certificate. This permission will start from the date you return to the UK.

Irish citizens in the UK automatically have rights to enter and stay in the UK and don’t need deemed leave for healthcare purposes (except in a rare circumstances).

If you’re a visa national you must hold a visa issued under the S2 Healthcare Visitor route in the Immigration Rules before you get to the UK, including from Ireland.

See more information on the S2 Healthcare Visitor route .

Travelling to the UK for permitted paid engagements

If you are coming to the UK for a permitted paid engagement from Ireland, you can stay in the UK on the basis of Article 6 deemed leave for up to one month.

Your deemed leave starts from the date you first enter the UK from Ireland. You can prove this date, for example, with your travel ticket or boarding pass. This deemed leave ends when you leave the UK.

On further visits to the UK you can only stay for up to 7 days on the basis of Article 6 deemed leave on each visit from Ireland, as long as you haven’t left the CTA in between visits to the UK.

If you want to use the longer deemed leave period given by Article 4 then you must first leave the CTA. You cannot switch between Article 4 and Article 6 deemed leave while still in the CTA.

You can do a different permitted paid engagement activity each time you visit the UK.

Your permitted paid engagement must:

• have been arranged before you travel to the UK
• be evidenced by a formal invitation
• relate to your area of expertise and occupation overseas

Travelling to the UK through Ireland under the Creative Worker visa concession

If you are travelling to the UK through Ireland under the Creative Worker visa concession you must apply for remote clearance at least 72 hours before you arrive in the UK.

Travelling between the Crown Dependencies and the UK

You don’t need a passport when travelling from the Crown Dependencies to the UK. However, you may need to show a Border Force officer document confirming your identity.

• a copy of your passport or passport card with your identity clearly visible
• a driving licence
• an armed forces identity card

This list is not exhaustive and other proof may be accepted. This will be considered on a case by case basis by Border Force.

You may also need to show that you have permission to enter the UK such as:

• a biometric residence permit
• proof of your digital status (or eVisa)
• a vignette in your passport
• confirmation of immigration permission from one of the Crown Dependencies

This list is not exhaustive and you may be able to confirm you have permission to enter the UK in another way. Your circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis by Border Force.

If you get permission to enter or stay in the UK, that permission and any conditions attached to it also apply in the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey (the Crown Dependencies). The same is true if the Crown Dependencies give you permission to enter or stay and you then travel to the UK.

You only need one UK visa if you plan to travel directly to the UK or any of the Crown Dependencies, or stop in any one of those places on the way to another.

Submit and pay for visa applications for permission to enter the Crown Dependencies in the same way as for the UK.

Travelling through the UK on your way to another part of the CTA

Even if you only enter the UK as part of your journey to Ireland or the Crown Dependencies you must still follow the UK’s immigration laws while you’re in the UK .

You must follow the immigration laws of whichever part of the CTA that you are in at the time. This includes visa requirements, restrictions on employment and length of stay.

Travelling to Ireland from the UK

Check travel advice for Ireland .

Added link to advice on travel to Ireland.

Updated section on 'Travelling to the UK through Ireland under the Creative Worker visa concession' to reflect that this concession is no longer available to sporting workers.

Updated information on use of ID cards to enter the UK if you're an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen.

Updated information for Irish citizens travelling to the UK from Ireland or the Crown Dependencies.

First published.

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Ireland is a beautiful country, with a lush green landscape, a long history of the arts and music, and plenty of great food and drink. So if you’re staying in the UK, you should definitely try to visit Ireland while you’re so close.

But when you travel, wherever it is in the world, your passport is the most important document, and any visas you have are usually irrelevant. However, the island of Ireland is divided into two: the Republic in the South and the State of Northern Ireland in the North. So can you visit any of Ireland with a UK student visa, and if so, which part?

Let’s take a look now.

Who Can Enter Ireland without a Visa

Ireland is a part of the EU and is part of the Common Travel Area with the UK, so some citizens can enter Ireland without needing a visa for up to 90 days, including:

• Liechtenstein
• Switzerland

Citizens of the UK can go to Ireland indefinitely, living, working and studying without the need for a visa or residence permit. Since 25 February 2022, Ukrainian citizens can also travel to Ireland without needing a visa.

Citizens from other nations will have to apply for some kind of visa to visit Ireland. To visit for less than 90 days, you can apply for a Short Stay Type C visa online. Once you have applied, pay the 60€ or 100€ application fee (depending on if you are applying for a single or multi-entry visa) and submit your travel documents to the address given to you at the end of your application. It usually takes up to 8 weeks to receive your visa or a rejection letter.

If successful, your passport will be sent back to you with a certificate indicating the type of visa you have to visit Ireland, which you will need to present at passport control.

Travelling to Ireland with a UK Visa

You need to have a British passport, i.e. be a British citizen to be able to move freely to and from Ireland or move there to work or study. If you have a foreign passport and British residency, it’s your passport that counts when you apply for an Irish visa. However, if you have a Standard Visitor visa for the UK, if your visa is marked with BIVS, you can enter Ireland for up to 90 days without needing a separate visa.

The British-Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) allows citizens from certain countries to get a short-stay visit visa for either Ireland or the UK and visit both countries without needing to get a visit visa for the other. So if you apply for a Standard Visitor visa for the UK and indicate in your travel plans you wish to visit Ireland, you may receive a visa with BIVS, allowing you to also visit Ireland, and vice versa.

A UK Student visa is a long-term visa , usually given from 2 years to 5 years depending on the course , so it is not applicable in this scenario, and foreign students in the UK would need to apply for an Ireland visit visa to be able to travel to the country, unless they are from the EU or EEA.

However, as the island is split between two countries, foreign nationals with a visa in the UK can visit Northern Ireland without needing an extra visa.

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland

In the 1500s, Great Britain ruled over the whole island of Ireland, but due to the religious divide between the large population of Catholics and the Protestant King Henry VIII, there were several centuries of power struggles on the island. Great Britain divided the country in two in 1920 , with a predominantly Protestant North and a predominantly Catholic South and finally became a republic in 1949.

Although there were many years of violence following the division of Ireland, the country is now rather peaceful and a popular place to visit for tourists from all over the world.

There is a border between the countries, although it’s known as a ‘soft border’. If you’re from the UK or EU, you can pass the border easily by showing your ID. However, if you’re from another country, you should have your passport and Irish visa ready to show at the border. You cannot cross the border without the appropriate visa.

Travelling with a UK Student Visa

If you are staying in the UK with a Student visa, you cannot enter the Republic of Ireland without a visa, unless you are from one of the exempted countries. You can travel to Northern Ireland with a UK Student visa , as it is part of the UK, however, you may not cross the border into Ireland.

If you wish to travel while staying in the UK as a student and have the appropriate visas for the countries you wish to travel to, you can leave and reenter the UK with a Student visa. However, you are only permitted to travel with a UK Student visa during vacation periods. Any absence from your course should be approved by your educational institution before you travel so you have a document to show to avoid problems at UK border control.

Different UK institutes have different term times and vacation periods, so it’s advisable to keep an official copy of your term dates on you as well as your student ID and a letter from your institution’s principal or your personal tutor to prove you have permission to travel even outside of term time.

You can also travel when your course has finished if you still have time left on your UK visa, but you may also need to provide evidence that you have finished your course when passing border control.

If you need to travel to Ireland as part of your course, for example as a school trip, your principal needs to apply for permission to bring a school group, and you can apply for a visa waiver so you may travel to Ireland with your school group.

Applying for a UK Student Visa

When you apply for a Student visa, you need to gather the right documents to prove you meet the eligibility requirements , submit your application online, pay the application fee and IHS fee and wait for 3 to 8 weeks for the Home Office to process your documents.

It may seem easy to get a Student visa when the steps are listed as such, but securing a place at a UK institute can be a difficult first hurdle. Before submitting your application, you need an offer from an eligible educational institute to sponsor you to the UK. For this, you’ll need excellent grades, attendance and potential.

Another key factor affecting your ability to get a Student visa is your finances. You need to show:

• £1,334 per month for courses in London
• £1,023 per month for courses outside London

This must be in your account for at least 28 consecutive days before you start your application, as well as enough money to cover your course fees, or a letter from a loan company or sponsor, indicating your course fees will be paid.

As of January 2024, you may also only bring close family members if you are studying an eligible course .

Your Rights as a UK Student Visa Holder

Student visas can be refused , but if your application is successful, you’ll receive your permit to enter the UK with the length of your permission to stay. You may extend the visa if necessary to complete your studies.

While studying in the UK, you may also work , however, the number of hours is determined by your age, qualification level, and term dates. No student can work more than 20 hours a week during term time, and you may work full-time during the holidays. Full-time is no more than 48 hours a week for over 18-year-olds and 40 hours a week for under 18-year-olds.

Need Visa Help? Contact Synergy Immigration Solutions

Navigating the UK visa process can be hard. Luckily, Synergy Immigration Solutions is here to help everyone get their UK visas. Contact us for more information !

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Eight countries 'off limits' for UK tourists in 2024 because they're 'too dangerous'

E ight countries have been deemed 'off limits' for UK tourists in 2024 due to safety concerns. The UK Foreign Office has issued stark warnings about these destinations, labelling them as "too dangerous" for British holidaymakers.

The FCDO has updated its travel advice, adding Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Belarus, and the Palestinian territories to its list of high-risk areas. These countries are now categorised under the "red list" or "black list" by UK authorities.

Regarding Belarus, the UK Foreign Office cautions: "Russian military operations are taking place in Belarus. There is some risk that direct conflict linked to the war in Ukraine may spread to Belarus. If conflict starts, FCDO's ability to offer consular assistance will be severely limited."

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It further warns: "Routes out of the country are limited, particularly by air."

The guidance continues: "The Belarusian authorities are facilitating Russia's war against Ukraine. Russian military operations are taking place inside Belarus. The situation is unpredictable and could escalate without warning."

The Foreign Office emphasises the heightened risk within Belarus: "This has increased the risk of conflict within Belarusian borders. If conflict takes place, FCDO's ability to offer consular assistance may be limited. Events in Ukraine are fast-moving. There is high risk of military activity in places where there are Russian and Belarusian military personnel and equipment."

In the wake of ongoing unrest in Israel and Palestine, and following previous travel advice relating to Belarus, updated travel guidance has been issued by the UK Foreign Office for Ukraine and Russia, reports Birmingham Live .. Regarding Sudan, the officials state: "There is a military response to Houthi militants' attempts to disrupt international shipping in the Red Sea.

"The military activity is limited to the Red Sea and Yemen, but travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice. You should monitor travel advice and follow instructions from local authorities."

This reasoning is also an underpinning factor for the current travel advisory to Lebanon from the Foreign Office.

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Storm Kathleen: Scotland hit by high winds, heavy rain and travel disruption

Flood and wind warnings remain in place, with Sepa warning of ‘real danger to life’ on coastal roads and paths

High winds and heavy rain from Storm Kathleen persisted through Sunday, battering parts of Scotland and Ireland and disrupting travel.

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (Sepa) had 18 regional flood alerts and 37 flood warnings in place in Scotland. They have been in force since Saturday.

The Met Office has also issued a yellow wind warning from 9am on Sunday covering parts of the west and northern Highlands, the Isle of Skye and the Hebrides. It will remain in force until 11:59pm.

Winds as high as 73mph were recorded in Drumalbin, South Lanarkshire.

A previous warning stretched from the Scottish Borders to just south of Stirling. It spanned the west coast, throughout much of central Scotland, and ended just short of the east coast.

Janine Hensman, Sepa’s flood duty manager, said: “Across Sunday, we’ll continue to see high tides, storm surges and large waves across coastal areas. This combination is particularly dangerous – especially around high tides. There is real danger to life from wave overtopping, particularly around causeways, coastal roads and paths.

“While the risk is greatest around high tide times, our message is clear: Take extra care if you are near the coast at any point and stay well clear of waves and water. Be careful when travelling around exposed coastal areas and don’t walk or drive through flood water, as there may be hidden hazards.”

She added: “Whilst Storm Kathleen will ease on Sunday evening, another weather system is on the way. Significant flooding from rivers and surface water is possible in southern, central and north-eastern areas on Tuesday, with coastal flooding continuing due to high spring tides.

“Flood alerts and warnings are in place, so stay up to date though our website. We will continue to work with the Met Office to monitor the situation 24/7 and review regional flood alerts and local flood warnings as required.”

The Met Office has warned of potential power cuts, damage to buildings, poor mobile phone coverage and danger to life because of large waves and debris from beaches being thrown on to seafronts. About 34,000 people were left without electricity on Saturday, with a few thousand customers remaining without power overnight, but by Sunday afternoon almost all had had their supply restored.

CalMac, Scotland’s largest ferry operator, cancelled a number of its services and many other ferries were operating on reduced timetables, while others faced potential disruption.

ScotRail also faced a number of disruptions throughout the day, including to its Helensburgh Central and Dumbarton Central services.

However, the services, according to ScotRail, were “starting to return to normal”.

On Saturday, more than 140 flights throughout the UK were cancelled as a result of the storm.

In Ireland, a girl was swept out to sea from the east pier of Dún Laoghaire harbour in County Dublin on Saturday evening. Rescuers were able to pull her out of the water within eight and a half minutes, with a lifeboat volunteer revealing that pockets of air trapped under her coat helped keep her afloat before the rescue.

Andrew Sykes, a volunteer helm with the RNLI, told PA Media that the stormy conditions made the rescue operation difficult.

“With the high winds and storm we were experiencing, with large waves and surge coming off the pier, to get alongside her was extremely difficult,” he said. “She would be pushed one way and we would be pushed another,”

The girl was taken to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Titanic Belfast was forced to close after strong winds damaged part of its roof on Saturday. However, the yellow wind warning covering Donegal, Mayo and west Galway was lifted at 4pm on Sunday.

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Weather: Major tourist attraction closes and planes struggle to land as Storm Kathleen leaves thousands without power

The storm has hit parts of the UK and Ireland, with Titanic Belfast forced to close on Saturday due to damage to its roof.

By Dylan Donnelly and Mickey Carroll, news reporters

Sunday 7 April 2024 07:12, UK

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Storm Kathleen has brought disruption to the UK and Ireland, with tens of thousands of people left without power, dozens of flights cancelled and a major tourist attraction forced to close.

Gusts of about 70mph have hit the island of Ireland and parts of Britain - with the conditions leaving planes struggling to land at Heathrow Airport.

A British Airways flight was forced to abort a landing at Heathrow, with its wheels kissing the runway before immediately taking back to the skies.

More than 140 flights departing and arriving at UK airports were cancelled on Saturday, including all Aer Lingus services at Belfast City Airport.

About 34,000 homes in Ireland were earlier left without power, with the outages concentrated in Mayo, Galway, Kerry and Cork. Around 12,000 customers remained without electricity on Saturday evening.

Get your local forecast from Sky News

Titanic Belfast was forced to close on Saturday due to damage to its roof caused by Storm Kathleen.

It said it had "taken the precautionary measure to close its building to the public for the remainder of today and tomorrow".

Customers who have booked visits will be refunded and the attraction will reopen on Monday, it added.

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Winds of 73mph were recorded in Drumalbin, Lanarkshire, the Met Office said.

The M48 Severn Bridge was closed in both directions to all traffic on Saturday night due to strong winds.

A yellow weather warning for wind is still in effect for Sunday and covers Eilean Siar and Highland, as well as Argyll and Bute in Scotland from 9am to 3pm.

Some parts of the UK saw warm weather as Saturday provisionally became the hottest day of the year so far.

The Met Office said the day's highest temperature of 20.9C was reached in Santon Downham, Suffolk, on Saturday afternoon.

As of 5am on Sunday, the Environment Agency (EA) has 20 flood warnings - where flooding is "expected" - and 120 flood alerts in England are in effect.

Forty-five red cautions for strong streams on the River Thames are still in place, with the EA advising users of all boats not to navigate.

National Resources Wales also has one flood warning and 15 flood alerts in effect as of Sunday morning.

Read more from Sky News: Two planes at Heathrow Airport collide wings Sex offender wanted over woman's murder found dead Inside the city where monkeys look like they are running the show

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The Met Office warned there was a risk of "injuries and danger to life" from large waves and beach material being thrown on to sea fronts, coastal roads and properties.

⚠️ Saturday morning will be very windy with #StormKathleen bringing severe gales to some western areas. The most persistent rain will become confined to northern Scotland with showers following. Staying generally dry in the east though with some warm sunshine. #WeatherAware pic.twitter.com/qPyhCxCK7L — Met Office (@metoffice) April 5, 2024

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Met Office meteorologist Ellie Glaisyer said Storm Kathleen was "the reason we are seeing the warmer temperatures, because the location of the storm - situated out towards the west of the UK - is bringing a southerly wind across the UK".

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Your guide to the solar eclipse 2024 - when is it the next total eclipse?

The sky will go dark in the middle of the day when the total solar eclipse takes place across the US, Canada and Mexico on Monday

A rare total solar eclipse will occur across a strip of the United States on Monday, with millions hoping to catch a glimpse of the celestial phenomenon that is the continent’s first since 2017.

Here’s what you need to know:

What is a total solar eclipse?

On Monday April 8 2024 Mexico, the US and Canada will experience a total solar eclipse when the Moon will line up perfectly between the Earth and the Sun and block out the Sun for a total of 4 minutes and 28 seconds.

What time is it set to begin?

Nasa says it will enter the US at 2.27pm ET (6:27pm GMT) and leave around an hour later.

Will the solar eclipse be visible from the UK?

The total solar eclipse will not be visible in the UK, although parts of western UK and Ireland could potentially see a partial eclipse just before sunset on Monday. Parts of the UK with potential views include Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. This partial eclipse will last between 7.52pm and 8.51pm.

In Belmullet, Ireland, 44 per cent of the sun will be obscured, while Dublin will enjoy a 15 per cent partial eclipse. On UK soil, Belfast will see a 17.3 per cent eclipse, Glasgow will experience 11.2 per cent, while Liverpool will only experience 0.64 per cent of the partial solar eclipse. To view it, you will need to have a clear view to the west, and wear the appropriate UV glasses to avoid damaging your eyes. 

Why is everyone excited?

Often such events happen in remote parts of the world but this year it will pass over many heavily populated places. Once it hits the US from Mexico, it will pass through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. 

Tiny parts of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear. When the eclipse enters Canada it will pass over southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

How many people will be able to see it?

Estimates suggest 44 million people live within the path of totality, with another couple hundred million within 200 miles.

What are people doing to prepare to see it?

The eclipse has become a major tourist attraction, with large numbers of people flying to locations in the area of total eclipse. CBS News said as many as 4 million people were expected to fly to cities such as Dallas, adding up to $1bn into local economies as hotels and campsites get sold out.

Is there really a mass wedding?

Just a few moments before the eclipse, almost 300 couples from 22 states are set to wed in Russellville, Arkansas, which is in the area of totality. Among them are Carlotta Cox and Matthew Holloway of Knoxville, Tennessee.

“Being in the path of totality during a solar eclipse is just something,” Mr Cox told a local reporter. “There’s not an experience like it and for people that have not really experienced it, I recommend that they put it on their bucket list.”

What are others doing?

There are watch parties hosted by everything from Brooklyn Botanic Garden (which should get around 90 per cent totality) to the Main Street Garden in Dallas, which should get 100 per cent totality.

The New York Adventure Club is selling a three-day train journey in 1950s First Class Pullman cars for $8,000 from New York City to Niagara Falls from April 7-9 “to witness an awe-inspiring total eclipse pass over New York State for the first time in over 60 years”. Inmates at New York state’s Woodbourne Correctional Facility will get to view the eclipse after lawyers sued the state’s Department of Corrections and Community Supervision over not being allowed to see it.

What will happen during the eclipse?

“During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically. The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colours appear around the horizon,” said National Public Radio science journalist Nell Greenfieldboyce.

“And the once-familiar Sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona - that’s the ghostly white ring that is the Sun’s atmosphere.”

While it is not expected pets and farm and zoo animals will act too strangely, there are some potential exceptions; the New York Times says “cows may mosey into their barns for bedtime, flamingoes may huddle together in fear [and] the giant, slow-motion Galápagos tortoise may even get frisky and mate”. In truth, nobody is completely sure and experts will be watching what happens.

Is it safe to look at the Sun?

Experts say it is not safe to look at the Sun during a partial eclipse with the naked eye and people should use eclipse glasses that are thousands of times darker than normal sunglasses. The American Astronomical Society has published a list of authorised vendors. During the few minutes of totality, when the Moon is fully blocking the Sun, it is safe to look.

Is there also a comet to see?

During totality viewers may be able to see Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks a comet, along with Venus Saturn and Mars. It may be hard to see with the naked eye.

When was the last total solar eclipse?

The last was August 21, 2017, August 21, 2017, but it only lasted about half the time of this one. The next total eclipse is to take place in Wed, Aug 12, 2026, but expected to hit just parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

When is the next total solar eclipse in the UK?

The next total solar eclipse in the UK will be on September 23, 2090. Totality will be visible in Newquay, Plymouth, Southampton, the Isle of Wight, as well as parts of northern France (including Paris) and south Belgium. The next total solar eclipse in the US will be in 2033, but only over Alaska, followed by another in 2044.

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Global Financial Stability Report, April 2024

Chapter 2: The Rise and Risks of Private Credit

Chapter 2 assesses vulnerabilities and potential risks to financial stability in private credit, a rapidly growing asset class—traditionally focused on providing loans to mid-sized firms outside the realms of either commercial banks or public debt markets—that now rivals other major credit markets in size. The chapter identifies important vulnerabilities arising from relatively fragile borrowers, a growing share of semi-liquid investment vehicles, multiple layers of leverage, stale and potentially subjective valuations, and unclear connections between participants. If private credit remains opaque and continues to grow exponentially under limited prudential oversight, these vulnerabilities could become systemic.

Given the potential risks posed by this fast-growing and interconnected asset class, authorities could consider a more proactive supervisory and regulatory approach to private credit. It is key to close data gaps and enhance reporting requirements to comprehensively assess risks. Authorities should closely monitor and address liquidity and conduct risks in funds—especially retail—that may be faced with higher redemption risks.

Chapter 3: Cyber Risk: A Growing Concern for Macrofinancial Stability 

Against a backdrop of growing digitalization, evolving technologies, and rising geopolitical tensions, cyber risks are on the rise. Chapter 3 shows that while cyber incidents have thus far not been systemic, the risk of extreme losses from such incidents has increased. The financial sector is highly exposed, and a severe cyber incident could pose macro-financial stability risks through a loss of confidence, disruption of critical services, and spillovers to other institutions through technological and financial linkages. While better cyber legislation and cyber-related governance arrangements at firms can help mitigate these risks, cyber policy frameworks remain generally inadequate, especially in emerging market and developing economies. Thus, the cyber resilience of the financial sector needs to be strengthened by developing adequate national cybersecurity strategies, appropriate regulatory and supervisory frameworks, a capable cybersecurity workforce, and domestic and international information-sharing arrangements. To allow for more effective monitoring of cyber risks, reporting of cyber incidents should be strengthened. Supervisors should hold board members responsible for managing the cybersecurity of financial firms and promoting a conducive risk culture, cyber hygiene, and cyber training and awareness. To limit potential disruptions, financial firms should develop and test response and recovery procedures. National authorities should develop effective response protocols and crisis management frameworks.

COMING SOON 

The report will be available for download on this page on April 16.

Press Briefing:  Global Financial Stability Report, April 2024

• Tobias Adrian , Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF
• Fabio Natalucci , Deputy Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF
• Jason Wu , Assistant Director, Monetary and Capital Markets Department, IMF
• Moderator:  Meera Louis , Communications Officer, IMF

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