South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands

Passport validity requirements

To enter South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay, plus an additional 4 weeks from the end date of your Entry Permit.

See ‘Entry Permits’ below for more information about the requirement to have an Entry Permit for visiting South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

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.

Entry permits

All persons (unless otherwise exempted) entering South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands for work or visitor purposes need an Entry Permit.

Application process

Applications must be made through the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Entry Control Portal.

Applications can be made by an individual, or multiple applications can be made on behalf of a number of persons by an authorised person such as a travel agent, cruise ship operator or family member. Separate applications are needed for visitor and work permits.

Before applying, check whether your agent, such as your tour operator, intends to apply on your behalf for your visit.

Applications should be received and paid for 14 days prior to the first intended date of arrival in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Late applications will only be considered in specific circumstances, and no applications will be granted for permits within 4 days of arrival.

Visitor Entry Permits are 30 days in length.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid Entry Permit and the travel document associated with that permit.

Permit fees

See visiting South Georgia guide for information on permit fees.

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

Support for British people in the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

For help or advice, talk to your tour operator or expedition leader.

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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.

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

Follow FCDO:   

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• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands is a British Overseas Territory and has its own laws. It is administered by a commissioner, based in the Falkland Islands.

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands maintains a staffed office at King Edward Point on South Georgia.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex marriage is legal in South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Biosecurity

Biosecurity measures are in place to protect the fragile ecosystem of the islands from invasive species. Follow the Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands’ biosecurity protocols while on the islands. If you fail to do so, you could get a fine or a prison sentence.

Prohibited areas

Access is prohibited to all historic buildings at the former whaling stations of Prince Olav Harbour, Leith Harbour, Stromness and Husvik on South Georgia. This is due to the buildings being in a dangerous state of disrepair or because of asbestos. Wind-blown debris including asbestos dust is a significant health risk.

You are prohibited from entering or approaching within 200 metres of the former whaling stations, unless directed otherwise by the Commissioner’s Office or the Government Officer at King Edward Point.