As Omicron Covid cases continue to rise, fifteen countries have quietly banned UK tourists from crossing their borders.
While the UK has introduced its own strict travel restrictions in an attempt to prevent the spread of the new variant, these countries have effectively banned all UK tourists from visiting their destinations.
Here are the countries that have banned travel to the UK according to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office:
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Australia
Despite barely reopening its borders after a two-year 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.
Benign
Benin, a West African country, has limited all its border crossings to “extreme necessity”, meaning that entry and exit must be authorized in conjunction with neighboring countries.
As things stand, British tourists are not allowed to cross the border.
Bhutan
Bhutan, which borders China, India and Tibet, has closed its borders to all foreign nationals, including British citizens.
The Royal Government of Bhutan has not yet specified when the country will reopen to foreign visitors.
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China
Chinese authorities have banned all flights from the UK, although entries from a number of other countries are still possible.
This will be subject to future review but, according to the government’s website, no date has yet been given.
the falkland islands
While the Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory, current restrictions on visitors mean that all tourists – British people included – are not allowed to visit, including via cruise ships.
Friends of residents are permitted to visit if they are sponsored by an island resident who is present in the Falkland Islands at the time of arrival, although such visitors are subject to the same quarantine requirements as all other visitors.
Indonesia
While commercial flights continue to operate to and from Indonesia, tourist visas for UK nationals are currently not available.
Israel
Non-Israeli citizens are not allowed to enter Israel unless they have a special entry permit issued by a dedicated ‘exceptions committee’.
Officials announced on Sunday that the United Kingdom and Denmark had been added to its “red list” of countries off-limits to Israelis.
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Japan
On November 30, Japanese authorities announced that all foreign nationals – including British tourists – who do not have existing residency status are not permitted to enter Japan for any purpose except in special circumstances. exceptional.
The travel ban was initially put in place for one month, although this is subject to review.
Laos
The Lao PDR government has suspended visa-on-arrival service at all international entry points.
There is also no visa issued to people traveling from a country with existing Covid cases, including the UK.
Malaysia
Entry into Malaysia for British nationals is currently prohibited.
However, certain exemptions apply, including: UK nationals with permanent resident status, resident pass, My Second Home Program (MM2H) pass, expatriates of all categories, including professional visit pass as well as dependent passes, spouse of Malaysian nationals (spouse visa) and student and temp cards.
Burma
New tourist visa applications have been suspended for those wishing to visit Myanmar, located in Southeast Asia.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) also advises against all but essential travel to Myanmar, based on recent political events.
New Zealand Ministry of Justice
New Zealand
New Zealand, which has some of the toughest travel restrictions in the world, has closed all of its borders to international arrivals, including the UK.
Traveling to New Zealand while the border is closed is still possible, but only if you are deemed to have an essential purpose of travel.
Suriname
Suriname, located in South America, has closed all of its borders amid Covid-19 concerns.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all international borders will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
Taiwan
Taiwanese authorities have announced a temporary ban on foreign nationals entering Taiwan, although there are some exemptions.
These include: ARC/APRC/Gold cardholders, foreign spouses of Taiwanese passport holders and their children under the age of twenty, international students, and foreign professors and researchers.
Vietnam
Vietnam has suspended visa waiver, issuance of visas and entry into Vietnam for all foreign nationals, including the British, with some exceptions for citizens.
