South America and South Atlantic Islands
St Helena (British Overseas Territory)
|
Still current at: 20 July 2008
|
|
Updated: 12 May 2008
|
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Health section (prevalence of HIV/AIDS in St Helena). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile
Travel Summary
-
St Helena is a British Overseas Territory and all “Saints” are British nationals. There is no formal British diplomatic or consular representation in St Helena and the local authorities deal with all requests for consular assistance. See the General (Consular Assistance) section of this advice for more details.
-
St Helena does not have an air link. All journeys are by sea, via Cape Town, Ascension Island or Walvis Bay. You should therefore consult the travel advice relating to the country through which you intend to travel.
-
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
-
A good standard of medical care is available on St Helena but it is not free. Costs can be high and medical evacuations depend on the schedule of the RMS St Helena.
- We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
The level of crime on St Helena is very low.
Political Situation
St Helena is a British Overseas Territory that is governed under the provisions of the St Helena Constitution of 1989. This provides that there shall be a Governor and Commander-in-Chief, and an Executive and a Legislative Council. The Governor is appointed to office by Commission under Her Majesty’s Sign Manual and Signet. The Legislative Council consists of the Speaker, 12 elected members and three ex-officio members. The Executive Council consists of five elected members of the Legislative Council and the ex-officio members. The Governor is the leader of the territory and its most senior figure.. The political situation is stable.
Local Travel
Travel to St Helena is by sea only. To get to shore from the RMS St Helena or other ship you have to be transferred by small boat. Heavy swells or bad weather can make this hazardous.
Road Travel
Most roads on St Helena are single lanes. Etiquette requires the driver coming down to make way for up-coming traffic. Driving is on the left-hand side on the road (British Standards). The drink drive laws are strictly applied with a limit of 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath. For more general information see Driving Abroad.
Sea Safety
It is only possible to travel to the island by sea. The Royal Mail Ship RMS St Helena is the only means of accessing the island. Due to limited harbour facilities the RMS has to anchor offshore and passengers are ferried by smaller local boats to the landing steps. In heavy swells or bad weather, this transfer can be hazardous. For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Local laws and customs
You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. Possession or importation of even small quantities attracts severe penalties.
Drinking alcohol in public outside of a licensed premise in Jamestown is not allowed.
It is an offence to wear in public T - shirts or clothing with indecent or offensive slogans, which may offend ordinary members of the public or which corrupt public morals having special regard to the morals of children and young persons.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Drinking alcohol in public outside of a licensed premise in Jamestown is not allowed.
It is an offence to wear in public T - shirts or clothing with indecent or offensive slogans, which may offend ordinary members of the public or which corrupt public morals having special regard to the morals of children and young persons.
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
Visas
To visit the island you need a visitor's pass, which is valid for 3 months. There is an entry fee of £12 payable on arrival, but children under 12 years are exempted. If you intend to stay for more than three months you will need to apply to the Immigration Control Board for an extension, which could be valid for five years providing the application meets with the Board’s requirements. If you do not have a British passport and do not have medical insurance you will only be allowed to stay for 48 hours.
To visit the island you need a visitor's pass, which is valid for 3 months. There is an entry fee of £12 payable on arrival, but children under 12 years are exempted. If you intend to stay for more than three months you will need to apply to the Immigration Control Board for an extension, which could be valid for five years providing the application meets with the Board’s requirements. If you do not have a British passport and do not have medical insurance you will only be allowed to stay for 48 hours.
Passport validity
Visitors to St. Helena must have at least six months validity left on their passport. The Immigration Service in St. Helena only deals with issuing and renewing of British Overseas Territory Citizen (BOTC) passports and Emergency passports, these can be issued within two days upon request.
With no formal British diplomatic or consular assistance on St. Helena, any request for a British passport is processed through the UK Home Office, Border and Immigration Agency. Given the time required for mail to travel to and from the Island, this can mean that the issuing and renewal can normally take a minimum of two months.
Travelling with children
If you intend to send an unaccompanied minor to St Helena you should seek advice from Andrew Weir Shipping who are currently responsible for running the shipping service.
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country.
Health
A good standard of medical care is available on St Helena, but you will be charged a fee for medical treatment. As a British Passport Holder you are eligible to pay for emergency medical and dental attention. However the fee is based upon 2/3 rd’s of the British NHS price, with prescription charges currently £5.30 an item.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to St Helena and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to St Helena and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
General
Insurance
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information see Travel Insurance.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
Consular Assistance
St Helena is a British Overseas Territory and as such there is no formal Consular Representation. All consular protection services are delivered by the St Helena Police Force.
Money
The local currency in St. Helena is the Saint Helena Pound which is linked at parity to the British Pound (Sterling). Notes and coins are similar in denomination and appearance to their UK counterparts.
Banking services on St Helena and Ascension Island are provided by the Bank of St. Helena. For more details about the Bank of St. Helena and the services it offers please refer to its website at Bank of St. Helena.
Credit Cards are not widely used on the island, although a few outlets and business will accept them. Note that you will be charged a commission (variable rate) for using your credit card. Bank of St. Helena can advance cash against Credit or Debit Cards. Please note that all cash advances are subject to charges and you will need identification bearing a photograph and signature.
Bank of St. Helena also offers foreign exchange facilities. Travellers’ cheques are recommended for visitors and can be encashed at the Bank.
It is necessary to change back any surplus local currency before leaving, as it is not possible to exchange St Helenian notes or coins once back in the UK. St Helena currency can however be used on Ascension Island and on the RMS St Helena.
Contact Details
Diplomatic Representation
The principal points of contact are Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Governor's Office, Jamestown, St Helena.
UK Representative for St Helena
Mrs Kedell M Worboys
Suite G4
7 Portland Place
London
W1P 1PP
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7031 0314
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7031 0315
e-mail: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com
Commercial Representative for St Helena
Mr Adam Kossowski
PO Box 2115
Clareinch
7740
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: + 27 (0)21 6837430
Fax: + 27 (0)21 6837430
email: sacr@sthelenaonline.com
The principal points of contact are Overseas Territories Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Governor's Office, Jamestown, St Helena.
UK Representative for St Helena
Mrs Kedell M Worboys
Suite G4
7 Portland Place
London
W1P 1PP
Tel: + 44 (0)20 7031 0314
Fax: + 44 (0)20 7031 0315
e-mail: shgukrep@sthelenagov.com
Commercial Representative for St Helena
Mr Adam Kossowski
PO Box 2115
Clareinch
7740
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: + 27 (0)21 6837430
Fax: + 27 (0)21 6837430
email: sacr@sthelenaonline.com
Office of Tourism, The Canister, Jamestown, St Helena Island, South Atlantic Ocean, STHL 1ZZ – tel: 00 290 2158; fax: 00 290 2159 email: enquiries@tourism.gov.sh Website: www.sthelenatourism.com
Office Hours: GMT: (Local Time = GMT): Mon-Fri: 08:30-12:30 and 13:00-16:00.
Travel advice for this country
See entire profile