St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
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Warnings and insurance
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories. There is no British Embassy, and the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha governments will support you if you need emergency assistance.
Before you travel
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
- see general advice for women travellers
- read our guide on disability and travel abroad
- see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
- read about safety for solo and independent travel
- see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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Entry requirements
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of the current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities on St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, email the:
- St Helena Government UK office: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com, or the St Helena Immigration Services: evisaenquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh
- Ascension Immigration office: police.admin@ascension.gov.ac
- Tristan da Cunha administrator: tdcenquiries@tdc-gov.com
Passport validity requirements
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
St Helena and Ascension
To enter St Helena or Ascension, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Tristan da Cunha
To enter Tristan da Cunha, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.
Visa requirements
St Helena
You must have an entry permit to visit St Helena. A short-term entry permit is valid for up to 183 days. You can apply for a short-term entry permit when you arrive. To get a permit, you must have:
- a return ticket or proof of funds to buy one
- accommodation
- sufficient funds for your visit
- medical insurance which covers medical evacuation to the value of £175,000
An entry permit costs £20, payable in cash in British pounds, euros, US dollars or South African rand.
To stay longer than 183 days you must have a long-term entry permit.
To work on St Helena on a self-employed basis for 6 months or more, you must have a work permit and a long-term entry permit.
Email the St Helena Immigration Services for more information: evisaenquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Ascension
You must have a visa to visit Ascension. A single-entry visa allows you to stay for up to 3 months. To get a visa you must have:
- a return ticket
- accommodation
- sufficient funds for your visit
- medical insurance which covers medical evacuation at a minimum value of £500,000
Apply for a visa to visit Ascension.
You must get permission from the Administrator if you want to work on Ascension.
Contact the Ascension visa service for more information.
Tristan da Cunha
You must get permission from the Island Council to visit Tristan da Cunha.
To apply, email the administrator’s office: tdcenquiries@tdc-gov.com. You must have:
- a return ticket
- sufficient funds for your visit
- comprehensive travel and medical insurance that covers the cost of medical treatment and possible evacuation to Cape Town
If you’re planning on staying longer than 2 months, you may need to show a criminal record check.
You will have to pay a small landing fee when you arrive. See Tristan da Cunha tourism for information on prices.
Vaccine requirements
St Helena
To enter St Helena, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha guide.
Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha guide.
Customs rules
There are strict rules about importing alcohol into St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. You need a licence to import more than 2 bottles of spirits.
For other prohibited items, see customs information:
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorism in St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
Although there is no recent history of terrorism on St Helena, Ascension or Tristan da Cunha, attacks cannot be ruled out.
Crime
Crime levels on St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are low.
Laws and cultural differences
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories and have their own laws.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. There are severe penalties for possessing or importing even small amounts of drugs.
Alcohol bans
You are not allowed to drink alcohol in public in the Jamestown area of St Helena.
Money
St Helena
Credit and debit cards are not widely used on St Helena, but there are a small number of places that accept them. British pounds in cash are accepted at most places, but you’ll get change in the local St Helena pounds currency.
The Bank of St Helena offers foreign currency exchange and can advance cash on a credit or debit card. There are no ATMs on St Helena.
The bank also offers a virtual prepaid tourist card for card payments on St Helena and Ascension. It works through contactless payments on smart phones and is accepted at locations that use the St Helena Pay Service.
Ascension
Credit and debit cards are not widely accepted on Ascension, but some places, such as the Chandlery and NAAFI shops, accept them.
The Bank of St Helena provides banking services on Ascension. It offers foreign currency exchange and can advance cash on a credit or debit card. There are no ATMs on Ascension.
The local currency is the St Helena pound, and British pounds are accepted at most places in cash. The US base accepts US dollars, British pounds and St Helena pounds in cash. You can also use the Bank of St Helena tourist card.
Tristan da Cunha
Credit and debit cards are not accepted on Tristan da Cunha. There is one bank where you can exchange money, but supply is not guaranteed.
British pounds, euros, US dollars and South African rand are all accepted in cash.
Restricted areas
Ascension
There are parts of Ascension you’re not allowed to visit. You should be given a list of out of bounds areas when you arrive. If you’re unsure, ask at the police station, harbour authorities or the Ascension Island government.
Currents around Ascension can be strong and there are often large swells. There is a risk of shark attacks in the shallow waters of popular beaches. Get local advice and follow any warning signs shown at beaches before entering the water.
Tristan da Cunha
You must have a guide with you if you want to hike up to the Base or to Queen Mary’s Peak. You also must have a guide to travel to areas away from the main settlement, including Nightingale and Inaccessible Islands. You’ll need to pay a fee and sign an indemnity declaration.
It’s illegal to camp on Tristan da Cunha.
Gough Island
You need approval from the Tristan da Cunha administrator to go to Gough Island. However, permission to land is rarely granted as it’s a World Heritage site.
Transport risks
If you are planning to drive on St Helena, Ascension or Tristan da Cunha, see information on driving abroad.
St Helena
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive on St Helena for 3 months. After that, you’ll need to get a local licence from the Post Office in Jamestown. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
There is limited public transport on St Helena, but hire cars are available.
Many roads on the island are single lane.
Ascension
You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive on Ascension for 3 months. After that, you’ll need to get a local licence from the local Post Office. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the correct version of the international driving permit (IDP) as well.
There is limited public transport on Ascension, and a small number of hire cars are available.
Feral sheep and donkeys can be a hazard on the roads, especially during wet weather. Watch out for land crabs, which are a protected species. You could be fined up to £20,000 for killing a land crab.
Getting to the islands
St Helena
South African airline Airlink provides weekly flights between St Helena and Johannesburg from March to October. Between November and February there is a twice weekly service. From November 2024 to February 2025 there will be a weekly flight to St Helena from Johannesburg and a weekly flight from Cape Town. For the month of March 2025, only Cape Town Saturday flights will operate. Overall, it is recommended to purchase a flexible ticket for onward journeys as flight delays can happen.
Ascension
There is a monthly charter flight from South Africa to Ascension, stopping at St Helena. The Ascension Island government handles the bookings. For more information, email flight.bookings@ascension.gov.ac.
Tristan da Cunha
You can only reach Tristan da Cunha by boat. The voyage takes up to a week and longer in bad weather. Fishing and supply vessels from Cape Town visit 8 times a year, and there is one annual visit made by a South African research vessel in September or October.
You can book a berth on these ships, but space is limited.
The ship will anchor offshore as the harbour cannot accommodate large vessels. You will transfer to the island in a smaller boat, which can be hazardous in rough seas. If bad weather is approaching the island, you may have to return to your ship ahead of schedule. Fishing schedules mean ships may have to leave the island earlier or later than planned.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
Volcanic eruptions
Ascension is a dormant volcanic island which has not erupted for 600 years.
Tristan da Cunha is a volcanic island but has not had an eruption since 1961.
Health
Before you travel check that:
- your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
- you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
Emergency medical number
On St Helena and Ascension, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
On Tristan da Cunha, call the police on 5111 or the hospital on 5000.
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
Vaccine recommendations and health risks
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
- check the latest vaccine recommendations for St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
- see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page
See what health risks you’ll face on St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
Medication
Make sure you bring enough prescription medication for the duration of your trip.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Healthcare
St Helena
There is an adequate standard of medical care on St Helena. You’ll be charged for any medical or dental treatment.
If you’re planning on diving, there is no hyperbaric chamber available on the island.
Ascension
There is a small hospital in Ascension that can deal with most routine treatment and minor injuries. You’ll be charged for any medical or dental treatment.
If you’re planning on diving, there is no hyperbaric chamber available on Ascension, and no qualified rescue divers.
Tristan da Cunha
A good standard of general practice-level medical care is available on Tristan da Cunha. Operations and more serious medical cases usually need medical evacuation to Cape Town. It can be up to 2 months before a ship is available to take you.
Travel and mental health
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Getting help
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha are British Overseas Territories. There is no British Embassy, and the local authorities will deal with requests for emergency assistance.
Emergency services on St Helena and Ascension
Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)
Emergency services on Tristan da Cunha
Ambulance: 5000
Police: 5111
Contact your travel provider and insurer
Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
Refunds and changes to travel
For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
- where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
- how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim
Get travel advice updates
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
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