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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

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. For further details about restrictions on alcohol as well as information about other prohibited items, see customs information:

• St Helena
• Ascension
• Tristan da Cunha

Customs rules

There are strict rules about importing alcohol into St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. For further details about restrictions on alcohol as well as information about other prohibited items, see customs information:

• St Helena
• Ascension
• Tristan da Cunha

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

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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.

About FCDO travel advice

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.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

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• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

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.