Latest Travel Updates

UAE airspace has reopened and the FCDO has lifted its earlier advice and declared the region safe to travel. We continue to work closely with our airline partners and follow official guidance to ensure you have a smooth journey.

For the latest updates on Middle East travel, please visit our dedicated Help Centre page https://help.onthebeach.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/44346100558481-Middle-East-Airspace-Travel-Updates

The EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES) is live and has replaced traditional passport stamps for UK travellers entering most Schengen countries, who can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa.

On your first trip you'll usually need to provide fingerprints and a facial scan. Children under 12 won't have to provide this and staff should be on hand to help if you have any questions.

Border queues are taking longer in some destinations, particularly during peak periods, so arrive at the airport a little earlier than normal and expect your first trip under the new system to take longer.

Since Brexit, the majority of EU countries no longer accept British passports that were issued more than 10 years before the date of travel. This is known as the "10-year rule".

To enter these countries now, your UK passport must:

• Have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the EU country (the "date of issue")

• Be valid for at least three months after the day you plan to leave (the "date of expiry")

If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will be refused entry. These rules apply in all 27 EU countries, except Ireland, which has its own separate travel arrangements with the UK.

Every country is a bit different, so it's a good idea to check the specific requirements for your destination on the GOV.UK website here.

Customer safety is a priority for us and to help make sure that your holiday runs as smoothly as possible, we recommend visiting www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to keep up to date with the latest travel news in your chosen destination.

Some UK airports now allow liquids in containers up to 2 litres thanks to new CT security scanners, while others still have the 100ml rule.

Heathrow, Gatwick, Edinburgh and Birmingham now have a 2-litre allowance, while Manchester, Stansted, Luton and Glasgow still follow the 100ml rule.

Before travelling, check your departure airport’s official website or social media feed for the latest security updates as the rules are changing as the CT security scanner rollout continues.

And remember, your holiday airport may still have the 100ml rule in place for your return flight, so check before you travel.

If you've visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021, you may no longer be eligible to travel to the USA using an ESTA. Instead, you'll usually need to apply for a US visa before you travel.

If you're planning to travel to the USA after a trip to Cuba, check the latest entry requirements on the USA ESTA webpage.

Over 30 countries including Thailand, Mexico and the Maldives now ban vaping entirely, and many more have restrictions in place.

The rules are changing frequently, so check whether any rules or restriction apply in your destination before you travel.

You'll need to complete a 'Traveller Declaration' form 96 hours before you arrive in the Maldives. However, you are no longer required to fill out this form when leaving the Maldives, which simplifies the process.