UK: Jobs that qualify for travel exemptions
The Home Office has published a list of jobs which are exempt from the present travel restrictions
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Job Type |
Qualifying description |
Covid-19 Test before you travel to the UK |
Passenger locator form |
Coronavirus test on day 2 and day 8 |
Quarantine in a government approved hotel if you have been in a “Red List”country 10 days before you arrive in the UK. |
Company letter |
Company photo ID |
Notes |
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| Aerospace engineers | Specialist aerospace engineers, or specialist workers responsible for ensuring the safe operation of aircraft. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Aircraft pilots and crew | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||||
| BBC broadcasting transmission network and services | People engaged in urgent or essential work for the BBC’s broadcasting transmission network and services | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Border security duties | UK officials and contractors undertaking essential government work related to the UK border in the UK or outside the UK but required to come back to the UK temporarily before departing the UK to again undertake essential government work related to the border | Yes | Yes | Exemptions apply | |||||||||||||
| Border security duties – non-UK officials and contractors | An official or contractor of a foreign government: 1) required to travel to the UK to undertake essential border security duties or 2) in possession of a written notice signed by a senior member of your government confirming that you’re required to undertake essential border security duties in the UK or 3) your deployment is pursuant to a standing bilateral or multilateral agreement with the UK government on the operation of the border controls within the UK |
Yes | Exemptions apply | ||||||||||||||
| Bus and coach drivers | Drivers of public service vehicles and other employees of community licence holders for the international carriage of passengers by coach and bus. | Yes | Yes | Yes | inclu. a consignment note or your operator’s licence. | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||||
| Channel Tunnel system workers | Operational, rail maintenance, security and safety workers working on the Channel Tunnel system. | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||||
| Civil aviation inspectors | Yes | Yes | Yes | You should show your accreditation from appropriate authority in your home country. For example, the Transport Department or Civil Aviation Authority | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||||
| Clinical trials or studies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||
| Crown servants or government contractors | Yes | Yes | You will not need to quarantine – either in a managed quarantine hotel or in private accommodation | Yes | Some exemptions apply but you must meet the set criteria. | ||||||||||||
| Data infrastructure maintenance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes but if you are required to undertake essential/ emergency work, you may be exempt from this quarantine. | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||||
| Defence personnel, visiting forces and government contractors | Yes | ||||||||||||||||
| Diplomatic missions (incl. families), international organisations and conferences | incl. representatives who are travelling to the UK on official visits. | Yes | Before you travel, your mission, international organisation or conference will need to notify the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or Protocol Directorate who will issue an exemption letter to show at the border. Entry will be considered on a case by case basis. | ||||||||||||||
| Downstream oil facility workers | Workers with specialist technical skills required for essential or emergency works to ensure the continued safe and secure operations of a downstream oil facility that has a capacity in excess of 20,000 tonnes. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Drivers of goods vehicles | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a coronavirus test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK.
Hauliers travelling from Portugal are permitted to travel to England and do not need to take a COVID-19 test on day 2 or day 8 in England. |
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| Electronic communications networks | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes from the relevant UK government department to certify that the work you are doing essential government work or essential state business. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK.
If you are coming to undertake essential or emergency work , you may be exempt from the need to quarantine in a hotel but this will be considered on a case by case basis. |
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| Elite sportspersons – international | Yes | Yes | Yes You can leave your accommodation to travel directly to and attend an approved and specified competition. Travelling between multiple venue locations for the sports event is also permitted. |
Yes written evidence from a UK governing sports body confirming your status as an international elite sportsperson or essential operational or support staff is required. |
You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||||
| Elite sportspersons – domestic | incl. essential support staff returning from an elite sports event or training for the Olympic & Paralympic Games to continue their competition or training in England. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes written evidence from a UK governing sports body confirming your status as an elite sportsperson who has travelled overseas to participate in an elite sports event, your activities on your return, or your status as a UK elite sportsperson who is based abroad and is returning to England to participate in elite sport training or competition. |
You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK.
You must observe the stages One to Four elite sport guidance framework as published by the UK government. |
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| Environment Agency relating to flood and coastal erosion risk management | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes as well as written evidence from a UK governing confirming that you are here to undertake essential or emergency work. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes | If residing in England, you do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive. | ||||||||||
| Eurostar International workers | Drivers and crew of trains operated by Eurostar International Limited, essential cross-border workers working for Eurostar International Limited. | Yes unless you travel in a part of the train that is not accessible to passengers. |
Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||
| Eurotunnel workers | Eurotunnel train drivers and crew, Eurotunnel Shuttle drivers, freight train drivers, crew and essential cross-border rail freight workers operating through the Channel Tunnel. | Yes unless you travel in a part of the train that is not accessible to passengers e.g. Channel Tunnel passenger shuttle. |
Yes | Yes | |||||||||||||
| High-speed rail workers | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK and DfT has certified that you are: 1) travelling for business reasons related to essential construction and/or safety work on Phase One of the future high-speed rail network, and 2) required to be present in person for the essential work |
Yes | |||||||||||||
| International prison escorts | Those designated by the relevant Minister under section 5(3) of the Repatriation of Prisoners Act 1984(a). | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes from HMPPS with your unique ID number linked to your prison service warrant card. You should present this letter and your warrant card on arrival in the UK which also includes your photograph. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||
| IT and telecoms workers | Essential or emergency response workers responsing to threats and incidents relating to the security of any network and information system. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes some exemptions apply |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Medical evacuation | Patient and accompanying medics. | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||||||
| Medical treatment | Healthcare workers covering mental and physical health, live donors and those accompanying the individual e.g. carer or child. they should show a letter from your care provider or their employer confirming that they’re providing care so they will also not need to self-isolate. | Yes | Yes | You will be able to travel to and from your healthcare provider and the place you’re staying in the UK. You will otherwise be required to quarantine. | Yes S2 certificate from your healthcare provider explaining your treatment.A carer should have a letter from confirming that they are providing care. Carers will also not need to self-isolate. |
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| Urgent medical treatment | This only applies to individuals arriving to attend urgent non-pre arranged treatment in the UK. | ||||||||||||||||
| Medicines – human and veterinary | Qualified persons and responsible persons for human and veterinary medicines, clinical trials, clinical investigations and pharmacovigilance. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Network Rail workers | Those engaged in essential or emergency works to the rail network as part of a specialist team with or for Network Rail. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Nuclear personnel | Essential workers engaged to ensure the safety and secure operations of a licensed nuclear site. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes There are exemptions which will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes from a UK government department to certify that your work is essential. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Nuclear emergency responders | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes There are exemptions which will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes from a UK government department to certify that your work is essential. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
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| Offshore oil and gas | Workers on an offshore installation, upstream petroleum infrastructure, critical safety work on an offshore installation or decommissioning/preservation pending demolition or reuse or workers providing goods, materials, equipment or other essential services required to support the safe operation of the activities above | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| OPCW and IAEA inspectors | International nuclear safeguards and chemical industry inspectors, representing the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Postal workers | Workers involved in the transport of mail into and out of the UK | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Quality assurance inspectors for human and veterinary medicines | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||
| Regular work abroad | Individuals who live in the UK but work in another country and travel between the UK and country of work at least once a week. | Yes | Yes | Yes | You must show evidence that you reside in one country but work in the other. You must demonstrate that you travel between the two on a minimum of a weekly basis, for example, a season ticket. | You must show evidence that you reside in one country but work in the other. You must demonstrate that you travel between the two on a minimum of a weekly basis, for example, a season ticket.
For England, Northern Ireland and Wales : |
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| Regular work in the UK, living abroad | Workers who live outside the UK but work in the UK and travel between their country of residence and the UK at least once a week. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You must show evidence that you reside in one country but work in the other. You must demonstrate that you travel between the two on a minimum of a weekly basis, for example, a season ticket.
For England, Northern Ireland and Wales : |
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| Representatives of a foreign country or territory or British overseas territories | Yes exceptions apply |
Yes exceptions apply |
Yes exceptions apply |
Yes | You must provide a letter confirming exemption from completing the passenger locator form or the requirement to self-isolate for 10 days. However, this does not exempt the holder from presenting a negative COVID-19 test result prior to departure. | ||||||||||||
| Families of representatives of a foreign country or territory or British overseas territories | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes quarantine in private accommodation after they arrive in England. |
Yes | ||||||||||||
| Seamen and masters and inspectors and surveyors of ships | Yes unless travelling in a part of the vessel that is not accessible to passengers or travelling on a vessel that does not carry passengers inclu. fishing boats. Exemptions apply. |
Yes | Yes | Yes or joining papers, employment agreement or discharge book. Also allowed is a basic training certificate or declaration from the registered owners of the vessel that you are a crew member. |
You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||||
| Seasonal agricultural workers entering with the Seasonal Workers Pilot visa. | Yes | Yes | Yes | You may go to the farm where you are working and start work immediately but you must quarantine on the farm for 10 days. Please follow advice for seasonal agricultural workers coming to England to work on farms | Yes | Exemptions apply | |||||||||||
| Specialist technical workers – sub-sea telecommunications infrastructure | Workers supporting the installation, maintenance or repair of subsea fibre optic telecommunications infrastructure. | Yes | Yes | Yes
exemptions apply for emergency/essential workers |
Yes from a UK government department to certify that your work is essential. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK | ||||||||||
| Specialist technical workers – goods and services | Essential or emergency workers in construction, commissioning, installation, maintenance, and repairs and safety checks, who are entering to ensure the continued production, supply, movement, manufacture, storage or preservation of goods. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes from a UK government department to certify that your work is essential. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||
| Specialist technical workers – waste | Essential or emergency workers in construction, commissioning, installation, maintenance, repairs and safety checks who are her to fulfil contractual obligations in waste management facilities used for the management, sorting, treatment, recovery, or disposal of waste (including energy from waste). | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes from a UK government department to certify that your work is essential. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Specialist technical workers – power infrastructure | Workers who are entering to ensure the continued safe and secure operations of generating stations, gas or electricity transmission or distribution networks, electricity interconnectors, gas terminals or district or communal heat networks. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes from a UK government department to certify that your work is essential. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | |||||||||
| Specialist technical workers – space infrastructure | Essential or emergency workers to ensure the continued safe and secure operations of space infrastructure. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes from a UK government department to certify that your work is essential. This will be considered on a case by case basis. |
Yes | ||||||||||
| Transiting airside through the UK | Those not passing border control. | Yes | Yes | ||||||||||||||
| Transporting human cells or blood | Bringing in human cells or blood which is to be used for the provision of healthcare by a healthcare provider | Yes exceptions apply |
Yes | Yes | Yes If you’re transporting a controlled drug, you’ll need to show a Home Office import licence. |
Yes | You do not need to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day 2 and day 8 if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||
| Water supplies and sewerage services workers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | You do not need to quarantine if you have not been in a country on the travel ban red list in the 10 days before you arrive in the UK. | ||||||||||