Are foreign nationals allowed to fly home to visit?

[oxcat1]

Travelling from a Tier 4 area. Plans to go home 02/01. To me the government advice looks firmly like you can't but this person is convinced they will have no problems based on previous friends travelling to visits home in lockdown 2.

It's looking unlikely. What country do they want to visit?

Spain

They are absolutely certain -adamant -there will be no issues as friends visited home in lockdown 2.

To be fair, the government wording seems pretty hazy. 'Unless permitted'?

It’s different to initial lockdown rules - now it specifically says you can only travel internationally for a legally permitted reason (work, education, medical treatment, etc). Would they be stopped in reality? Who knows. Possibly more important, is whether the other country would let them in, and whether there are enough planes flying!

But we aren't in lockdown 2 any more. If they are a Spanish national they might be allowed to go, but will there be any flights?

The permitted circumstances are for essential work travel and such - travel for leisure not permitted. Heathrow airport have been advising travellers to check with their airline if they reside in Tier 4.

I suspect that the airlines might get a slaughtering if they permit travel outward from Tier 4. He really should call the airline.

Encourage them to contact the airline. I’d think no personally but I don’t know 100%.

Just found this, so it looks like the answer is no.

www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

Yes, they can legally. As it says in that document. “If you are visiting the U.K. in a tier 4 area, you may return home.” But will Spain accept them? And flights have been stopped.

The airline will say that it’s up to the person flying to find out if they can legally travel, they have all along. They don’t get involved, they treat it the same as visa and vaccination requirements.

Spain are letting residents in, but if they’re tier 4, they’d need a valid legal reason for international travel - going home to visit isn’t one right now. Although in practice, who knows what will happen. I flew in the summer and despite a coronavirus test being a legal requirement, nobody checked until we landed... allegedly the flight before and after had rigorous tests.

www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/21/tier-4-and-lockdown-travel-refunds-your-questions-answered-covid

Here's a Q&A in very short simple terms - mainly about refunds, but other info instead.

Has Spain banned flights from the UK?

@daisypond: do you think that means 'travel home to visit'? She is resident and working here. My impression was it meant 'if caught abroad on holiday when regulations come in, you may travel home.' I feel like the paragraph beneath that, highlighted in my OP, is the pertinent one.

Not sure if airports/airlines etc will be checking. We are currently Tier 2 but moving into 4 on Boxing Day

*other info as well, not INSTEAD

@NewLockdownNewMe: were the rules during lockdown 2 more lenient regarding internal travel/foreign nationals? I didn't look at that time, but this friend is using the experiences of others during lockdown 2 as evidence this will be permitted

Basically, if you're a resident of the country you want to fly back to from the UK, then the country will accept you - at least - that's what Ireland have done - they've organised 2 flights to get stranded Irish residents home (proof to be provided to Dept of Foreign Affairs before they book you on the flight). They're not permitting Irish citizens resident in the UK to fly in for Christmas or the like.

There was no ban on international travel that I'm aware of during any previous lockdown. Maybe it just wasn't on my radar? Now is different as so many countries have banned flights in from the UK anyway.

If she is a Spanish national, she can legally go home to Spain. But the reality is - only if Spain accepts U.K.

I'd contact the airline first and foremost to see what they say. Maybe the Spanish Consulate here/embassy too?

I think you’re right, if their permanent residence is here and they aren’t travelling for something like end of life care they possibly won’t be allowed in.

If the airline isn’t a good option as per the poster above then she needs to check with the countries consulate by telephone or on their website.

@daisypond I think it is vague it the wording, despite specifically addressing foreign nationals?

Spain is accepting anyone that is Spanish or British people living in Spain but you need a pcr done 72h in advance and the nhs aren’t accepted as they need the passport / ID card in them.

Here's an article specific to Spain

www.express.co.uk/travel/articles/1375187/spain-holidays-uk-flights-ban-covid-news-latest

Well she won't be checking as she's convinced she's right so only time will tell, I guess. Thanks

@RudolphToldRedNoseNotSymptom : thanks. But that applies to Britons and specifically says Spanish nationals will be allowed in.

[quote oxcat1]@RudolphToldRedNoseNotSymptom : thanks. But that applies to Britons and specifically says Spanish nationals will be allowed in.[/quote]
She’s right. Spanish people are allowed in. It does say in the link that the other pp has put. But she needs the pcr as well