10 August 2018
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT DOCUMENTS FOR ENTRY
St Helena residents planning travel to Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands or Tristan da Cunha are reminded of the following entry requirements. Being aware of the requirements in advance will ensure travel is as smooth as possible and avoid instances such as refused entry.
Ascension Island
Ascension Island has recently introduced a new E-Visa System. The majority of visitors to Ascension will require an entry e-visa. There is no ‘visa on arrival’ facility.
There are seven e-visa categories – Tourist, Business, Scientific/Research visitor, Transit/Double Transit, Contractor, Employment and Employment Dependents and Accompanying Family.
If you are visiting Ascension, you must ensure that you have at least six months sufficient validity on your passport to cover your stay on Ascension from the time you arrive. British Emergency Travel Documents and British and St Helenian Emergency Passports are generally accepted for travel to Ascension Island.
Subject to certain exemptions, it is an offence to enter Ascension without a valid e-visa; if you try to visit Ascension without a valid visa, you may be refused entry and required to leave immediately.
Persons exempted from requiring an e-visa include:
- Employees of Ascension Island Government on a local contract
- Civil servants of the UK, Falkland Islands and St Helena who are visiting Ascension Island in their official capacity
A full list of exemptions can be found here: https://www.ascension-visas.com/faq
Entering Ascension Island with criminal convictions
The Ascension Island Government (AIG) has a duty to protect Ascension Island, its residents and those living in or travelling to the Island temporarily.
Historic criminality will not necessarily lead to an unsuccessful e-visa application.
All prior criminality including spent convictions, with the exception of minor road traffic offences should be declared at the point of application. ‘Minor road traffic offences’ do not include alcohol or drug-related driving offences which should be declared. The Administrator may make independent enquiries to verify the veracity of any statement made.
Applicants found to have concealed material facts about their criminal record may be denied an e-visa or have an e-visa which has been issued revoked and could face a penalty of a fine not exceeding £1000, or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, or both.
For further information on the Ascension e-visa application process, please visit: https://www.ascension-visas.com/faq. To apply for an e-visa, please visit: https://www.ascension-visas.com/apply. If you cannot find an answer to your question, please contact AIG via: www.ascension-visas.com/contact-us.
Falkland Islands
Entry to the Falkland Islands is controlled by their Customs & Immigration Department, located in Stanley.
Visitors
All visitors to the Falklands are required to apply for a visitor’s permit.
This can be obtained on arrival on production of a return ticket, evidence of sufficient funds available for the duration of stay and evidence of pre-arranged accommodation. Medical insurance cover which includes cover for medical evacuation to a third country and is valid for the duration of stay on the Falkland Islands is recommended for all visitors. Visitor’s permits are normally issued for a maximum period of one month. Permission for a longer stay can be obtained in advance of travel by contacting the Falkland Islands Government Customs & Immigration Office on tel: +500 27340 or email: admin@customs.gov.fk
Working on the Falklands
Any person who does not have Falkland Islands Status or a Falkland Islands Permanent Residence Permit will require a Work Permit to undertake employment in the Islands. These must be obtained in advance of travel. Visitors to the Falkland Islands are not permitted to take employment. For more information, please contact the Falkland Islands Government Customs & Immigration Office on +500 27340 or email: admin@customs.gov.fk
Entering the Falklands with criminal convictions
All applicants for permits to enter the Falklands (other than those just visiting) are required to declare all criminal convictions on their application form.
Spent convictions will need to be declared, in addition to any current ones. The only exception to this is minor driving offences that did not result in a disqualification from driving – these do not need to be declared.
Any applicant who has a current (i.e. unspent) conviction on their record may be refused a permit. An application is more likely to be refused if the applicant has a history of repeat offending.
Whether or not a conviction is regarded as spent is decided under the Rehabilitation Provisions of the Falkland Islands Criminal Procedure and Evidence Ordinance.
Tristan da Cunha
Before you can enter Tristan da Cunha you will need the prior permission of the Island Council. You should apply to the Administrator’s Office via email: tdcenquiries@tdc-gov.com
You must have a confirmed and fully paid return passage, comprehensive travel and medical insurance that cover the cost of medical treatment and evacuation to Cape Town and sufficient funds to cover the cost of your visit. A landing fee is payable on arrival at the Island.
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SHG
9 August 2018