The type of passport you are holding is also important. If you are not carrying a full validity passport which has been legitimately issued to you with at least six months validity remaining at point of entry to St. Helena, you may also need to apply for a visa in advance. South African Temporary Passports, for example, do not qualify for visa-free travel to St. Helena. British Emergency Travel Documents and British and St. Helenian Emergency Passports are generally accepted for travel to St. Helena but may not be accepted at all ports on the way to St. Helena. You should check whether your document is accepted with the relevant authority in the country or countries you will pass through on your way to St. Helena.
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan de Cunha are three islands under the administration of the UK. They are British overseas territories and are among the most remote islands in the world.
There are hundreds of miles between them, which is why most people like to treat them separately. However, these three islands do not constitute a state. Instead, they all are within the administrative structure of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs of the UK.
If you are trying to get in on any of the islands, you should study the visa policy for each one of them because it is not necessarily the same. They are governed by separate rules, and the entry requirements are as follows: Saint Helena – there is a long list of countries whose citizens can enter and stay in Saint Helena for up to 183 days without a visa.
These travelers do, however, need to have a valid passport that maintains its validity for at least another 6 months from the date of arrival on the island. The rest of the nationalities that are not on the visa-exempt list can apply online for an electronic visa.
Besides that, every person who enters the island must have medical insurance and must be ready to provide proof for that. Ascension – all travelers, regardless of nationality, must apply for a visa at least 14 days in advance. The document is issued by the Administrator of Ascension Island and grants a 90-day stay on the island. In this case, the passport must also be valid for at least another 6 months from the date of arrival on Ascension Island.
Some nationalities, such as the citizens of China, Belarus, and Egypt (the list continues) are no longer granted an entry visa. You should check the island’s visa policy before you plan a vacation there to see whether or not you are on the banned list. Tristan de Cunha – for this island, the entry requirements are more lenient. No visa is required for any nationality.
However, all travelers must obtain permission to land from the Island Council by getting a landing stamp inserted in the passport. Unlike in the above situations, your passport just needs to be valid the entire length of your stay on Tristan de Cunha Island.
Leaving documentation aside, Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan de Cunha are beautiful pieces of paradise and you will have a wonderful time there. You will find many things to do, and you are going to have an unforgettable experience.
Each island is unique and can provide a unique experience. For example, Saint Helena is one of the best places in the world where you can stargaze on an entirely black sky. Saint Helena’s night sky has a ‘Gold Tier’ status, which is the highest ranking given by the International Dark-Sky Association.
The night sky is so dark and the air is so clear, that you can see every little dot in the heavens. The marine life on Saint Helena is also something you cannot miss. The waters are pristine and you will enjoy scuba diving.
As for Ascension Island, most people go there for fishing. There is a vast variety of sports where you can fish all day long, and sometimes even at night. However, there are other things to do there as well. Let’s not forget that this is an island we are talking about. The beaches are gorgeous, the hiking trails are stunning, and you can explore the island as you please.
There is no chance you can get bored on Ascension Island. Lastly, Tristan de Cunha refers to the Tristan de Cunha Islands, as well as the Nightingale Island and Inaccessible Island. The most common reason why people choose to visit Tristan de Cunha is wildlife, birds, in particular. Inaccessible Island is a World Heritage Site, and the region is the home for some rare species of birds. The most popular is the Tristan thrush, but you can see rockhopper penguins as well.
All in all, Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan de Cunha are worth paying a visit to. All three islands are gorgeous, and nature dominates everything. The wildlife is impressive, but you can explore the islands as well. The region may not be the most popular vacation destination, but that makes things even better. At least the locations are not overcrowded with tourists.
