Author: Department for Transport and Home Office
Complete a travel declaration form to confirm that you are legally allowed to travel abroad from England.
Travelling abroad during stay at home restrictions
Whilst the stay at home restrictions are in place, you are only allowed to travel abroad if you have a legally permitted reason.
It is illegal to leave home without a reasonable excuse. This means that, whilst stay at home restrictions apply, it is illegal to travel abroad for holidays.
Even once the stay at home requirement ends on 29 March 2021, it will remain unlawful to leave the UK unless you have a reasonable excuse, permitted by law.
Travel declaration form
You must complete this form to declare the reason that you need to travel abroad.
You must complete this form if you are travelling outside the UK from England. Different rules apply for international travel from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
You don’t need to complete the form for travel within the UK, to Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
You may be asked to show this declaration form at the port of departure. You may carry evidence to support your reason for travel.
Entering a port of departure to travel internationally without a completed form is a criminal offence, for which you could be fined.
If you try to travel abroad without a legally permitted reason, you may also be fined for breaching the stay at home requirements.
You do not need to complete the form yourself if you are under the age of 18 or if you lack capacity to complete the form. If a responsible adult is travelling with you, they should complete a separate copy of the form on your behalf.
Some people are exempt from completing the declaration form because of the job they do. Find out about which jobs are exempt and the conditions that apply.
You should print a copy of the completed form or save it to a mobile phone or other device.
People visiting England
If you are visiting England, you are only allowed to leave the place where you are living, including the place you are staying in England, for a legally permitted reason.
Tick the box on the form to confirm the purpose of your visit, if it has been the sole purpose of your visit. If the reason for your visit is not listed, tick the ‘Other permitted reasons’ box and add your reason below it.
Permitted reasons for international travel
Listed below are legally permitted reasons to be outside of home including for international travel. See the full list of legally permitted reasons. There may be other types of evidence than the ones listed that are relevant to your situation.
Work
Essential travel for business or official work purposes where it is not reasonably possible to complete that work from home.
This includes but is not limited to essential work or returning overseas having completed essential work, in relation to critical national infrastructure including the national rail network, national security or diplomatic purposes, and elite sports competitions.
Recommended evidence: employer’s letter, professional ID card, confirmation from sports body or evidence of participation, diplomatic mission letter, etc.
Volunteering
Where it is not reasonably possible to volunteer from home.
Recommended evidence: letter from relevant organisation.
Education
For academic studies or professional qualifications where physical presence is required or where activities must be completed overseas. This includes international students returning home.
Recommended evidence: letter or proof of membership of an academic institution.
Medical or compassionate grounds
This includes:
- to visit someone who is dying or critically ill
- maternity services, or to be with someone who is giving birth, or with a baby receiving neonatal critical care
- medical treatment or emergency which cannot be reasonably received in the UK or to accompany a person where necessary
- to avoid injury or illness or escape risk of harm (such as domestic abuse)
Recommended evidence: medical evidence describing the situation of the member of your household/close family member/a friend who is receiving treatment in hospital or whose condition is life-threatening, proof of scheduled treatment, death certificate, letter from social services, proof of hospital admission, proof of family relationship.
Weddings, funerals and related events
To attend a wedding of a family member, to attend a funeral or event related to death, to visit a burial ground or remembrance.
Recommended evidence: letter, invitation.
Other permitted reasons
There are further reasonable excuses, for example:
- to fulfil legal obligations
- to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property
- travel in order to exercise custody rights recognised by a court decision
- order to present oneself to a judicial or administrative authority
Recommended evidence: proof of contract, court decision and proof of place of residence, order to present oneself to a judicial or administrative authority, expiring residence permit, dismissal notice, etc.
Legislation – the legal requirement to carry the form
It is a legal requirement to carry a completed copy of this form if you travel abroad from England. Read the legislation that sets out this requirement.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-declaration-form-for-international-travel
