Overview
The United Kingdom Passenger Locator Form allows health officials in the UK to track who is entering the country, what their COVID-19 status is, and whether they are following the required COVID-19 protocols.
The form also allows the government to contact people already in the UK if someone they traveled with develops COVID-19 or if they get exposed while they are in the UK. The health form is easy to fill out and makes travel during COVID times safer for everyone.
Processing Steps
Online Application
Form is received and reviewed for approval.
Receive Document
Receive the approved document via e-mail.
Arrive in United Kingdom
Present the document upon arrival.
Requirements for Application
Passport Details
The form will need to reflect the traveler's name and personal information as it is presented on the passport they will use to enter the UK. This information needs to match exactly or travelers could face difficulties at the border. They could even be disallowed entry into the United Kingdom.
Travel Details
Travelers will need to list how they are entering the United Kingdom. This includes flight numbers, cruise information, or other data. They will also need to note the time and the date that their transportation is scheduled to dock or land in the UK. If this changes in transit, officials will understand and act accordingly when processing the form.
UK Address
All travelers will need to list an address where they will be staying, or at least reachable, while they are in the UK. If travelers have a series of destinations, they can list the first one here or append a list of where they will be visiting and when they will be there.
Quarantine or Testing Details
Travelers who are required to quarantine will need to list the invoice number for their quarantine hotel. If they are required to take COVID-19 tests after entering the UK, they will need to list booking reference numbers for the tests that they have already scheduled. This must be done before they enter the UK.
Passenger Locator Details
What Do Travelers Need to Enter the UK?
Travelers may need several pieces of documentation in order to enter the United Kingdom. What exactly is required of each traveler will depend both on their country of origin and the country they are coming from/countries they have recently traveled through.
Some travelers will need other documentation to enter the country. They may be able to apply for this online or get it upon arrival. Each traveler is required to know what he or she needs to have before they leave home.
All travelers, except those from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or Ireland, will need to have both the UK Passenger Locator Form and a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of their arrival in the UK.
UK Visa
Other people will be required to have a visa in order to enter the UK. These travelers must apply for and receive their visas before they board a flight to the country, as these are not usually granted upon arrival.
Red Listed Travelers
Travelers entering the UK from "red list" countries will also need to book a stay in a quarantine hotel before they will be allowed to enter the UK. These stays include lodging, transportation to the hotel, and all meals and drinks that they will need during the entire length of their quarantine.
They will also need to book 2 additional COVID-19 tests. These results must come back negative if they do not want to extend their quarantine.
Note that only UK nationals or those with residence rights in the country will be allowed to enter when coming from a "red list" country.
Amber Listed Travelers
Travelers entering the UK from "amber list" countries (this is most of the world) will need to show that they have a place to quarantine. For people from these countries, a quarantine can take place at their private residence or at the place they are staying, and it will need to last 10 days.
They will also need to show that they have booked 2 additional COVID-19 tests. One will need to be taken on or after their second day post-arrival and the other will need to be taken on or after day 8 post-arrival. Only when both of these tests come back negative will they be released from quarantine.
Alternatively, travelers from "amber list" countries can pay for a private COVID-19 test under the Test to Release plan. This plan requires travelers to quarantine for 5 days, then take the planned COVID-19 test. If it is negative, they can be released from quarantine early. This plan only pertains to travelers visiting England, not the rest of the UK.
Green Listed Travelers
Travelers arriving from "green list" countries only need to show that they have scheduled a day 2 COVID-19 test. They do not need to quarantine or show proof of quarantine, though they may be required to do so if their test comes back positive or if someone they traveled with tests positive.
Visitors entering the UK from Ireland, the Isle of Man, or the Channel Islands will not need to fill out a locator form or take any tests.
Who Can Enter the UK?
Right now, anyone can enter the UK as long as they have not been in a "red list" country over the last 10 days. The red list is updated regularly, so travelers should check it to make sure it does not change over the course of their time away from home.
Only people who are citizens of the UK or have proof that they reside there and permission to do so may enter from a "red list" country. They will need to bring proof of their citizenship along with the documentation outlined above if they want to enter the country and they must fulfill the COVID-19 requirements as stated at the time of their entry.
How to Fill Out and Use the UK Passenger Locator Form
The UK Passenger Locator Form is easy to fill out. Travelers will need to access the form online, since it must be submitted within 48 hours of arrival in the UK.Book Your Quarantine/Testing Packages In Advance
Before they fill out the form online, travelers will need to book any quarantine packages or testing that will be required of them after they are in the country. They will need to add these booking or reference numbers to the form.
Up-to-Date Passport
They will also need to make sure that they have an updated passport. Their passport should reflect all of their personal data accurately, as well as having validity for at least 6 months after they enter the country.
Follow Guidelines in the UK
Travelers will also need to make sure they are meeting the COVID-19 requirements for the part of the UK that they plan to visit. Scotland and Wales/Northern Ireland have slightly different regulations than England does.
Visitors will need to take a COVID-19 test and receive negative results before they can travel to the UK. These tests must be taken within 72 hours of their arrival.
Submit Form Online
Finally, travelers need to take 5-10 minutes to fill out the form. Then, they need to submit it online. They should receive a QR code. They can save this code to their mobile phone or other electronic device or they can choose to print it off. Sometimes, having a printed copy makes everything go faster at the airport, since phones can have trouble establishing a connection when traveling internationally.
Immigration or health officials will scan the QR code. This code will tell them where the traveler has been and what they need to do to enter the UK safely under COVID-19 procedures. Officials will then make sure that each traveler gets where they need to go and meets the requirements specific to them.
In the end, the UK Passenger Locator Form makes travel in the United Kingdom safer for everyone. Both citizens and travelers can rest assured that they have the protection they need because the relevant authorities have the data they require to keep COVID-19 under control.