FAQ & General Information
Travelling to the Falkland Islands
You will be aware that some of those involved in the Falkland Islands war from both sides continue to be sensitive about certain things related to their experiences in 1982 and we therefore ask that you respect the feelings of Falkland Islanders, just as we will respect yours. Visiting battle sites and memorials is a popular activity for tourists and we aim to maintain their appearance for subsequent visitors. We ask you to honour the following guidelines designed to assist you to enjoy and make the most of your visit to the Islands.
- The Argentine military cemetery at Darwin is maintained by the Argentine Families Commission. Personal plaques or memorials should be of an approved type and should only be left with their prior approval.
- Please do not disturb or try to remove items from the 1982 battlefields. Whilst steps have been taken to make battle sites safe, some live explosives and deteriorating ammunition and other ordnance is still present and there is a residual risk of personal injury, and even death, if disturbed.
- Removal of dangerous items such as bullets, some remnants of cannon shells etc. may be a criminal offence and such items cannot be carried on an aircraft. It is a serious criminal offence to attempt to take ammunition or other explosive materials, or dangerous air cargo on board of an aeroplane. Anyone attempting to do so risks being arrested and detained while an investigation takes place. The Falkland Islands Government takes aircraft security very seriously and these offences will be prosecuted. Airline rules also prevent certain other items taken from battlefields being carried on an aircraft and all items of concern will be confiscated at point of departure from the Falkland Islands.
- Please be aware that the public waving or displaying of Argentine flags or the wearing of Argentine military uniforms anywhere in the Falkland Islands has the potential to cause public concern and distress. Please refrain from doing this to prevent unnecessary upset and inconvenience.
- Criminal damage caused by writing or painting names, military units or other graffiti, or fixing signs or plaques, at mountain sites or at memorials is likely to lead to prosecution under the laws of the Falkland Islands.
If you choose to drive yourself rather than visiting the sites on an organised tour, please exercise caution and ensure you understand the rules of the road. The road surfaces change and are of variable quality. The wearing of seatbelts and driving within speed limits are not only legal requirements – they are vital to driver and passenger safety.
Should you require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Royal Falkland Islands Police on (+500) 28100 – or on 999 in an emergency.
For further information that may assist with arrangements for tours or accommodation during your visit please contact Falkland Islands Tourist Board Information staff at the Jetty Visitor Centre, Ross Road, Stanley. Tel: (+500) 22281 or visit their website:
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable stay.
Ordinarily no, in the first instance work permits must be applied for from outside of the Falklands. Visitors cannot apply for work permits from within the Falklands.
However, where it is obvious that there are no permanent residents available to fill a vacancy, the Principal Immigration Officer may authorise a visitor to work under the authority of a “short term work permission”. Current rules only allow a visitor to work in the Islands for a maximum of three months in aggregate in any period of twelve months.
Persons wishing to enter the Falklands for business purposes may do so on a Visitor Permit for a short period, provided they are a company director/representative or consultant contracted before entry into the Falkland Islands. For further information about this you should contact the Customs & Immigration Service.
Immigration Offences
Under the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance 1999 if a visitor to the Islands takes employment without seeking permission in advance from the Customs & Immigration Service, the person concerned is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £3,000.
Similarly, if a person employs a visitor who is not permitted by or under some provision of the Immigration Ordinance 1999 to take the employment in question the employer is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £3,000.
It is strongly recommended that everyone who is visiting the Falklands obtains a sufficient level of medical insurance to cover their time on the islands and the transiting stages of travel to and from here.
There is a level of reciprocal healthcare arrangement between the Governments of the UK and the Falkland Islands, and consequently residents of the UK who are normally entitled to receive medical treatment under the National Health Service (NHS) will benefit from this. However, this would not include medical repatriation (air ambulance) costs – i.e. the costs of any emergency aeromedical evacuation to South America or another place. Additionally, transiting to and from the Falklands via any third country would not be covered.
Anyone not entitled to medical treatment on the NHS in the UK is required to have full medical insurance to cover their visit to the Islands and transit to and from.
The insurance to cover aero-medical evacuation is recommended at a minimum of US$ 2,000,000 equivalent.
Embarkation Tax is payable by the majority of persons over the age of 2-years on departing the Islands (unless they are an exempted category).
The current charge is £32.00 GBP/FKP.
Payment can be made in the first instance in advance at the Customs & Immigration Office Stanley, payment can also be made on departure at Mount Pleasant Airport. Payment method is via bank card or credit card, or by cash.
This tax is payable on all LATAM flight bookings.
This tax is also payable on the RAF Brize Norton Airbridge route if you did not purchase your ticket through the Falkland Islands Travel Agency (FITA) or the Falkland Islands Government Office (FIGO) in London.
Note: We no longer accept payment in US dollars or Euros.
Important please note:
When travelling to the Falkland Islands you are required to have sufficient validity on your travel document to cover your stay, we recommend at least 6 months validity remaining at the point of entry to the Falklands.
If you hold a passport issued by one of the countries listed below and you wish to visit the Falkland Islands you will NOT need a visa in order to visit the Falkland Islands.
ALL OTHER NATIONALITIES WILL REQUIRE A VISA TO VISIT THE FALKLAND ISLANDS.
(a) The United Kingdom and countries which at the time in question are member states of the European Union
(b) Andorra
(c) Argentina
(d) Australia
(e) Brazil
(f) Canada
(g) Chile
(h) Cyprus
(i) Finland
(j) Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China
(k) Iceland
(l) Israel
(m) Japan
(n) Republic of Korea
(o) Liechtenstein
(p) Malta
(q) New Zealand
(r) Norway
(s) San Marino
(t) South Africa
(u) Sweden
(v) Switzerland
(va) Taiwan
(w) United States of America
(x) Uruguay
(y) Vatican City
*Passport not recognised by HM Falkland Islands Gov – visa issued on a uniform format form (UFF).
All Stateless persons, those travelling on refugee documents / non-national documents, and travel documents that do not confer full citizenship require a Falkland Islands visa.
For visa nationals (see separate list) a visa will not be required if one of the below criteria is met:
If a visa national holds valid Falkland Islands Status
If a visa national holds a Falkland Islands Permanent Resident Permit (PRP) they do not need a visa, as long as they return to the Falklands within two years of their last departure
If a visa national holds a valid work permit, accompanying dependent permit, dependent permit, or a volunteer permit
If a visa national is a Contract Seaman or Aircraft Crew under an engagement requiring them to leave on that same vessel / aircraft or another vessel / aircraft (subject to the Immigration Ordinance)
If a visa national – passenger or crew – is in transit and that the principal reason for their landing in the Falkland Islands is such transit (subject to the Immigration Ordinance). This would include ‘day’ visit cruise ship passengers and crew
If a visa national is a member of His Majesty’s armed services (or a dependent of)
If a visa national is a UK civil servant travelling to the Falklands for the purpose of business or employment (or a dependent of)
If a visa national is also a holder of a passport or travel document issued by the United Nations.
If in any doubt contact the Customs & Immigration Service.
Criminal Record Checks and Immigration Offences
Falklands Islands Government and the Customs & Immigration Service have a duty to protect the Falkland Islands, its residents and those living in or travelling to the islands temporarily.
All applicants applying for permits in advance of arrival must declare all criminal convictions attained after the age of 16, whether or not those convictions are considered to be spent under the laws of the country in which the applicant was convicted. The Customs & Immigration Service also requires a full criminal conviction declaration for an applicant’s spouse/partner and all dependants over the age of 16.
The declaration of historic criminal convictions will not necessarily lead to an unsuccessful permit application, but criminal convictions will be taken into consideration when assessing an application. Each application for a permit will be considered on its merits.
All prior criminality including spent convictions, with the exception of minor road traffic offences should be declared at point of application. ‘Minor road traffic offences’ do not include alcohol or drug related driving offences which should be declared. We may make independent enquiries to verify the veracity of any statement made.
Permits over 5 months in duration
For those applying for a permit over 150 days (5 months) in duration a current Criminal Record Check is required from their country of residence – issued by the Police Service and within the previous 6 months. Permits 2 years and over in duration will require Criminal Record Checks from every country lived in for 12 months or more in the previous five years.
The level of check required is equivalent to a ‘standard’ DBS check. This level of check will contain details of both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings. If requiring a Police check from the UK an individual is able to apply for this level of check by requesting an ACRO check.
Checks must be issued by the Police Service of the country in question and not a third party ‘vetting’ company, for example checks from the UK must be from ACRO, checks from South Africa must be from the South Africa Police Service (SAPS).
In addition, and outside of the Immigration Ordinance requirements, an Enhanced Disclosure criminal record check will be required for those posts which involve contact with children or vulnerable adults, for example teachers, care workers, and certain health specialists. This should be sought by your employer.
Applicants found to have concealed material facts about their criminal record may be denied a permit or visa, or have a permit or visa which has been issued revoked, and could face a penalty of a fine, or imprisonment, or both.
Employment
Under the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance 1999 if a visitor to the Islands takes employment without seeking permission in advance from the Customs & Immigration Service, the person concerned is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £3,000.
Similarly, if a person employs a visitor who is not permitted by or under some provision of the Immigration Ordinance 1999 to take the employment in question the employer is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £3000.
False Information
A person who provides false information, or withholds relevant information, in connection with any application for a permit under the Immigration Ordinance is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding £7,500 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months.
The Falkland Islands works to maintain a drugs-free environment
If convicted of a drugs related offence in the Falkland Islands you can expect heavy penalties
– including imprisonment and deportation – even for drugs offences which might be considered minor in other countries.
Falkland Islands Government Overseas
Travel Co-ordinator
Falkland Islands Government Office
Falkland House
14 Broadway, Westminster
LONDON SW1H 0BH
Tel: 020 7222 2542
Fax: 020 7222 2375
e-mail: [email protected]