How to use the NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your coronavirus (COVID-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at venues and settings in England.

From Wednesday 15 December the coronavirus (COVID-19) rules for visiting certain venues and events changed. To enter certain venues and events in England you must have proof that you:

  • are vaccinated with 2 doses of an approved vaccine (or one of the single-dose Janssen vaccine) – the government will keep this under review as boosters are rolled out
  • have taken a PCR or rapid lateral flow test within the last 48 hours, or
  • are exempt from vaccination or vaccination and testing on the basis of a medical exemption or clinical trial participation

You should take tests as late as possible before attending the event, ideally within 12 hours. This will strengthen the protection testing provides.

The NHS COVID Pass lets you share your coronavirus (COVID-19) status records or test COVID-19 status in a secure way.

It allows you to show others the details of your COVID-19 status:

  • when travelling abroad to some countries or territories
  • as a condition of entry at those venues or events that use the service in England

You can get an NHS COVID Pass:

  • digitally through the NHS App or online via NHS.UK
  • as a letter sent to you in the post, for those who are not digitally enabled

You can find out the eligibility requirements on the NHS website.

Getting your digital NHS COVID Pass

Get your NHS COVID Pass letter

If you live in England, you can use the NHS COVID Pass to prove your COVID-19 status. The NHS COVID Pass provides valid proof of your COVID-19 status based on your COVID-19 vaccination details, test results, medical exemption or clinical trial participation.

A valid text or email confirmation from NHS Test and Trace (see the Reporting test results section below) can also be used as proof that you have completed a negative PCR test or negative rapid lateral flow test within the past 48 hours.

The venue or event will check your COVID-19 status. If you do not meet the requirements, the responsible person is legally required to deny you entry to the venue or event.

Visiting England as a resident of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man

If you live in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man then you can show proof of your COVID-19 status as this will be recognised in England if you visit.

International visitors

If you were vaccinated in another country, you can show alternative proof of vaccination if this is accepted at the UK border. International visitors can also show a valid text or email confirmation of a negative rapid lateral flow or PCR test from NHS Test and Trace.

See: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-covid-pass?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_source=e737908d-743f-46a0-ac91-1b1bce1dfe9f&utm_content=daily

NHS COVID Pass for 12 to 15 year olds for international travel

Children in England who have had a full course of a COVID-19 vaccination are now eligible for an NHS COVID Pass letter for travel.

This will allow those children who have had both doses of an approved vaccine to travel to countries, including Spain and Canada, which now require 12 to 15 year olds to be fully vaccinated in order to gain entry, avoid isolation, or access venues or services.

Proof of vaccination will initially be provided via a letter service, including an internationally recognised 2D barcode, with a digital solution via NHS.UK to be rolled out early next year. The letter service can be accessed by calling 119 or via NHS.UK.

See: NHS COVID Pass for 12 to 15 year olds for international travel – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)