Fifteen countries have banned all travel from the UK

As Omicron Covid cases continue to rise, fifteen countries have quietly banned British tourists from crossing their borders.

While the UK has introduced its own strict travel restrictions in a bid to prevent the spread of the new variant, these countries have effectively banned all British tourists from visiting their destinations. 

Here are the countries which have banned UK travel according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office:

@lucidtech / Wikimedia Commons

Australia

Despite only just reopening its borders after a two year-long closure, Australia has announced that people can only enter if they are exempt or have been granted an individual exemption.

These exemptions are Australian citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Benin

The West African country of Benin has limited all its border crossings to ‘extreme necessity’, meaning that entry and exit must be authorised in liaison with bordering countries.

As it stands, British tourists are not permitted to cross the border.

Bhutan 

Bhutan, which borders China, India, and Tibet, has closed its borders to all foreign nationals, British citizens included.

The Royal Government of Bhutan has not yet specified when the country will re-open to foreign visitors.

Keith Roper / Flickr

China

The Chinese authorities have banned all flights from the UK, though entries from a number of other countries is still possible. 

This measure will be subject to future review but, according to the government website, no date has yet been given.

Falkland Islands

While the Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, current visitor restrictions mean all tourists – British included – are not permitted to visit, including via cruise vessels.

Friends of residents are permitted to visit if sponsored by an Island resident who is present in the Falkland Islands at the time of arrival, though these visitors will be subject to the same quarantine requirements as all other visitors.

Indonesia 

While commercial flights are continuing to operate to and from Indonesia, tourist visas for British Nationals are currently unavailable. 

Israel

Non-Israeli citizens are not allowed to enter Israel, unless they have a special entry permit from a dedicated ‘Exceptions Committee’.

Officials announced on Sunday that the UK and Denmark has been added to its ‘red list’ of countries that Israelis are forbidden to visit. 

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Japan 

On November 30th, Japanese officials announced that all foreign nationals – British tourists included – who do not have existing resident status are not permitted to enter Japan for any purpose, other than in exceptional circumstances.

The travel ban was originally put in place for one month, though this is subject to review.

Laos

The government of the Lao PDR has suspended the visa on arrival service at all international entry points.

There are also no visas being issued to people travelling from a country with existing cases of Covid, including the UK.

Malaysia 

Entry to Malaysia for British nationals is currently prohibited.

However, some exemptions do apply, including: British nationals with permanent resident status, resident pass, My Second Home Programme (MM2H) pass, expatriates of all categories, including professional visit passes as well as dependants pass, spouse to Malaysian nationals (spouse visa) and students and temporary employment passes.

Myanmar

New tourist visa applications have been suspended for those wanting to visit Myanmar, located in South East Asia.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) also advises against all but essential travel to Myanmar, based on recent political events.

Ministry of Justice of New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand, which has operated some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world, has closed all its borders to international arrivals, including the UK.

Travel to New Zealand while the border is closed is still possible, but only if you are considered to have a critical purpose to travel.

Suriname

Suriname, found in South America, has closed all its borders amid Covid-19 concerns.

According to the Foreign Office, all international borders will remain closed for the foreseeable furture.

Taiwan

Taiwanese authorities have announced a temporary ban on foreign nationals entering Taiwan, though there are some exemptions.

These include: ARC/APRC/Gold Card holders, foreign spouses of Taiwan passport holders and their children under the age of twenty, international students and foreign professors and researchers.

Vietnam

Vietnam has suspended visa waivers, issuing of visas and the entry into Vietnam for all foreign nationals, Brits included, apart from a few exceptions for citizens.