Cockburn Harbour

Passport validity requirements

To enter the Turks and Caicos Islands, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay. 

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.

Visa requirements

You can visit the Turks and Caicos Islands without a visa. On arrival, the immigration department will normally give you permission to stay for up to 90 days.

At border control you may need to show a return or onward ticket.  

You need a permit to work on any of the islands. See details on applying for a work permit.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Turks and Caicos Islands guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Turks and Caicos Islands. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into and out of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Declare cash or other forms of payment if the value is more than 10,000 US dollars.

Medication

Make sure you carry any medication in the original packaging and bring the prescription.

Weapons

Importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets) and other weapons is strictly prohibited unless you have the written approval of the Commissioner of Police. Penalties include a minimum custodial sentence of 12 years. Declaring a weapon or ammunition in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring these prohibited items into the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Search your luggage before you travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure you do not bring in forbidden items.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of the Turks and Caicos Islands. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into and out of the Turks and Caicos Islands

Declare cash or other forms of payment if the value is more than 10,000 US dollars.

Medication

Make sure you carry any medication in the original packaging and bring the prescription.

Weapons

Importation of firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets) and other weapons is strictly prohibited unless you have the written approval of the Commissioner of Police. Penalties include a minimum custodial sentence of 12 years. Declaring a weapon or ammunition in your luggage with an airline carrier does not grant permission to bring these prohibited items into the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Search your luggage before you travel to the Turks and Caicos Islands to ensure you do not bring in forbidden items.

Emergency services in Turks and Caicos Islands

Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police)

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:    

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook 

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

The Turks and Caicos Islands is a British Overseas Territory and has its own laws.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. There are severe penalties for possession of even a small amount. You could be arrested and face fines of up to 5,000 US dollars and 2 years imprisonment.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal in the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, there’s no provision in law for same-sex marriages or civil partnerships.

Public attitudes are tolerant but conservative. Some people may not approve of same-sex couples showing affection in public. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.