South Shetland Islands

Passport validity requirements 

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to. 

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Permits 

Anyone on a British expedition to Antarctica or taking a British vessel or aircraft into Antarctica must apply for a permit from the Polar Regions Department of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). 

For passengers on an organised visit to Antarctica, the tour operator usually arranges a permit. If you are concerned, talk to your operator. 

If you travel to any part of Antarctica without permission, you could get a fine or a prison sentence. 

Vaccine requirements  

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Antarctica guide.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Get travel advice updates   

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Follow FCDO:  

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook

The British Antarctic Territory is a British Overseas Territory administered from London. For emergency help or advice, talk to your tour operator or expedition leader.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

Get travel advice updates 

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO:    

• travel advice on X 

• travel advice on Facebook 

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

The British Antarctic Territory has guidelines for visitors based on the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. If you are travelling with a tour operator or scientific unit, check how they plan to follow these guidelines.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex marriage has been legal in the British Antarctic Territory since 2014. Further information on getting married is on the British Antarctic Territory website.  

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.