Answered6 years ago
What are the permitted reasons for traveling abroad from the UK during COVID-19 restrictions?
[members only]
Answer summary
The discussion explores permitted reasons for international travel from the UK during COVID-19, highlighting that travel for family, work, education, and other specific purposes is allowed. Several comments discuss the importance of having appropriate paperwork, such as marriage certificates or invitation letters, to justify travel. Participants express skepticism about the enforcement of these guidelines and share personal experiences related to their travel plans.
58 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Roland ****
Is this for English travellers only? 😂😂😂
The Scots, Irish and Welsh are excused..... 😂
The Scots, Irish and Welsh are excused..... 😂
Philip ******
quoting UK Gov ' You must not travel, including abroad, unless you have a legally permitted reason to do so. It is ILLEGAL to travel abroad for holidays and other leisure purposes.'
Lynnette *******
@Philip *****
people travel for many reasons besides "leisure". Philip ******
@Lynnette ******
really? I think I know this duh... my point was that in UK we are now currently legally prohibited from travel unless it is for one of 5 approved reasons, work, funerals, medical etc and anything leisure or holiday is currently illegalLynnette *******
@Philip *****
I meant that the uk purpose of travel form doesn't seem to cover enough categories. Retirement, family reasons, property issues, moving abroad etc. 
Kevin *******
Yet we welcome illegal immigrants coming across the channel with no passport or even a face mask with open arms and free accommodation
Lynnette *******
@Kevin ******
perhaps you're confused. You mean a detention centre? Illegal immigrant, refugee, asylum seeker are not all the same thing. Kevin *******
@Lynnette ******
I think we all know what I’m saying !!!!!Lynnette *******
@Kevin ******
free accommodation? Illegal immigrants aren't welcomed with open arms. Greg ********
@Lynnette ******
Let the Gammons have their myths. It's all they have now Brexit has failed.Kevin *******
@Greg *******
gammons ??? Oh how I’d love you to say that face to face you first class cock !!!! Lynnette *******
@Greg *******
and voting leave. . And confused by big words like "illegal" and "detention centre" thinking that's a nice house or hotel. Lol. Greg ********
@Lynnette ******
I love it hearing from gammons in Thailand moaning about immigrants. Half of them drinking 60 baht Leo and moaning about costs going up here and a shitty GBP exchange rate. :-DLynnette *******
@Greg *******
I spose so. Pathetic innit. 
Jonathan ********
OPGiven this, though, I don't understand why the Thai embassy in London is granting people tourist visas. Surely they are breaking the law.
Marcus *********
Also, this is a uk restriction, not a thai one...
Steve *******
@Jonathan *******
How do you work that out? Selling tourist visas isnt against the law nor is buying them. 
David *********
100 reasons you can say to get out, total joke!
Book a boob job and pay 50 quid deposit
Sign up to learn thai
Marry some brass
Get a job
Rent an apartment in bkk
The list goes on......
Book a boob job and pay 50 quid deposit
Sign up to learn thai
Marry some brass
Get a job
Rent an apartment in bkk
The list goes on......
เด่ ******
Does human a property of state ?? Are they a dog of a state ?
Greg ********
@Tae ******
Its the social contract
Ash ********
a few days before I fly 😒
Anthony ********
Dont let them in, problem solved.
Lisa ********************
@Ant****
this is about people leaving not entering.Lisa ********************
Loads of reasons to travel
******************************************************************************************
Alex *********
@Lisa *******************
but nowhere does it say about returning home to be with one's family. Unless I missed itLisa ********************
@Alex ********
common sense. You're not leaving to go on holiday. You have property rental or purchase agreement, or invitation letter from family? Kids birth certificate? Any of these will do. Lisa ********************
@Jeff ********
they might. But as I said, no one asked me and I flew out during lockdown. But yeah, take all the paperwork you can, just in case. 
Jeff *********
@Lisa *******************
I really think it's more of a deterrent In a couple of weeks imo this will all have died down although I ll carry the completed form in case I'm challenged but reckon the only people who may ask are the airline at check in Lisa ********************
@Jeff ********
tbh. I really don't think they check that much. No one even asked me my reason for travel. As you say it's a grey area and only guidelines, not law.Jeff *********
@Lisa *******************
fair enough but it's a grey area my point being how could they prove you weren't being truthful?I only mention this because I'm due to fly in April to see my girlfriend of 2 years visa is valid until April 30th everything booked so I have a dilemma?Lisa ********************
@Jeff ********
appointment letter at Embassy? Invitation letter from future wife's family? Jeff *********
@Lisa *******************
What about if you're going to Thailand to marry whereby you have to Firstly go to British embassy in Bangkok for a notation that you are free to marry then after thai translation a visit to the Thai ministry of foreign affairs to get approval It would therefore be for a wedding but where would the proof be Lisa Just curious as to your thoughts?Lisa ********************
@Al**
perfect 👌 Alex *********
@Lisa *******************
I have my marriage certificate and the translation. Lynnette *******
@Alex ********
these govt pages don't always show every reason. I think its about showing there's a good reason and not a holiday. Lynnette *******
@Alex ********
yes, I agree. . And to make money from fines. Its not really about limiting virus. It mostly mentions not going on "holidays". Alex *********
@Lynnette ******
agreed. Its just annoying that the British government doesn't recognise this.IMHO this is more to stop the Social Media influencers jetting of to some hot, tropical destination, posting pictures and saying it is for work
Roland ****
Just tick the box and go..... 😂
Giorgio ******
Ou la la !!!
Lynnette *******
Look up the form, there are all sorts of reasons permitted. Education etc. So read it and complete it before travel. The "offence" is about travelling without it. .
Jeff *********
@Lynnette ******
The problem with that Lynette is you could still be denied boarding although I do agree it's more of a deterrent than anything which will become clear in a week or two Roland ****
@Lynnette ******
Bureaucratic BS. Just need to tick the box, complete the form and away you go.... Unbelievable! There are some complete morons in government. Steve *******
@Roland ********
Not quite that simple. You'll have to produce evidence of your reason to travel.Lynnette *******
@Roland ********
its too late to be restricting people leaving I think. . And they then have to pay a private company selected by govt for their covid tests on their return on day 2 and day 8. It costs a lot!
Michael ********
We can start selling wedding invatations
Ronald *********
If you put one of the valids reason on the form, you may have to produce evidence of that reason
Steve *******
@Ronald ********
Not may, WILL have to produce evidence.Lynnette *******
@Ronald ********
evidence isn't always easy to produce: related events. What's that? An invite to a reception? Show an email invite. Work? Self employed in tourism? Show an appointment at a resort? 
Wayne **********
@Ronald ********
isn’t that the point 🙄Ronald *********
@Wayne *********
Their will be some just picking a reason at random, and hoping to get away with it.Lynnette *******
@Jonathan *******
thanks for posting that. It mentioned family on one page. My son is flying into UK next week and back out 3 weeks later. It'll be interesting to see how that works out but he's booked and will be leaving UK on his flight no matter what. Jonathan ********
OP@Lynnette ******
Legally permitted reasons for international travel include: • work
• volunteering
• education
• medical, or compassionate grounds
• weddings, funerals and related events
Jonathan ********
OPDavid Alexander Smith BBC. Also here:
******************************************************************************************
Оливер *********
England is becoming like north korea...
Steve *******
@Оливер ********
Not yet, North Korea doesnt have a twat as a Prime Minister!Greg ********
@Оливер ********
Hyperbole is a thing now too!
Ken ***********
@Оливер ********
or RussiaLynnette *******
It includes for Family, medical or work.
Activity
21 joined21
people
Related
25How Does the New Tax Rule Affect DTV Holders and Foreigners in Thailand?
3.3k24371y
What are the visa extension options for a family in Thailand after a 30-day visa exemption?
2.1k18113y
Do I need an onward flight ticket to enter Thailand if I'm visiting Laos?
2.7k22154y
What are the current entry requirements for returning to Thailand with a marriage visa and a re-entry permit?
1.3k894y
What are the current PCR testing requirements for COVID-recovered travelers entering Thailand under the Test and Go program?
1.5k11105y
Will the Thailand Sandbox Program and Thai Pass remain operational for new applicants?
3.5k27365y
What are the current travel requirements for UK travelers to Dubai amid COVID-19?
859545y
Is the Test and Go program still operational for travelers to Thailand?
634315y
What are the current requirements for traveling to Thailand under the Thailand Pass system?
2.8k19315y
What are the prospects of traveling to Thailand in January 2022 regarding COVID restrictions?
716425y
Why are fully vaccinated travelers facing high entry costs in Thailand?
6k49655y
What are the refund policies for Sandbox arrivals in Thailand after November 1st?
2.7k2895y
Do the origin country and vaccination status matter for Thailand's Sandbox program in Phuket?
1.9k14145y
Can someone with a Non-O immigrant volunteer visa and work permit re-enter Thailand amid easing travel restrictions?
981596y
What are the current quarantine rules for travelers to Thailand, particularly regarding vaccinated visitors?
4k31436y
Is there an official update on quarantine reduction and PCR testing requirements for flights from Egypt to Thailand?
1.3k8136y
Is an original RT-PCR test with an embossed seal required to enter Thailand?
1.3k896y
Can I return to Thailand if I leave with a retirement extension after the July change?
2.7k18346y
What are the latest updates on the Thai visa process in light of COVID-19 restrictions?
7.4k58886y
Can visa-exempt travelers currently visit Thailand?
5k42426y
When will Bangkok Airport fully reopen for international flights?
11.7k971296y
What are the latest updates on traveling and visa options for expats in Thailand and neighboring countries amid COVID-19 restrictions?
15.7k1471376y
What should I know about booking flights with Emirates Airlines and layovers in Dubai during July?
2.7k17356y
Are the borders of Thailand closed to all foreigners, and what are the exemptions?
2.2k14237y
Is Cambodia's land border currently closed?
1.5k1187y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served