British Indian Ocean TerritoryAntarctica

What authorisation is required for British Indian Ocean Territory passport holders visiting Antarctica?

Special travel authorization

Antarctica does not operate a conventional immigration visa system.

Your expedition operator and the relevant national authority determine any notification, permit, or other authorization needed for the planned activity. Do not rely on a passport alone.

Source: Antarctic Treaty Secretariat: national competent authorities.

RequirementSpecial travel authorization

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-14

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About British Indian Ocean Territory

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is a British Overseas Territory situated in the Indian Ocean. The territory comprises the seven atolls of the Chagos Archipelago with over 1,000 individual islands, many very small, amounting to a total land area of 60 square kilometres. The largest and most southerly island is Diego Garcia, 27 square kilometres, the site of a Joint Military Facility of the United Kingdom and the United States. Official administration is remote from London, though the local capital is often regarded as being on Diego Garcia.

RegionEastern Africa

Area60 km²

CurrencyUnited States dollar (1 USD ≈ 1.00 USD)

LanguagesEnglish

Calling code+246

Drives on theright

Climate in British Indian Ocean Territory

Warmest April, coolest August, driest October, sunniest October. Best time to visit: April, May, June, August, September, October, November.

Monthly climate normals for British Indian Ocean Territory, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	27.9°C	26.2°C	404mm	268h
February	28.3°C	26.9°C	315mm	294h
March	28.5°C	26.6°C	257mm	309h
April	28.9°C	27.3°C	121mm	316h
May	28.5°C	26.8°C	211mm	315h
June	28.1°C	26.5°C	211mm	307h
July	27.6°C	26.3°C	251mm	255h
August	26.8°C	25.8°C	88mm	315h
September	27°C	25.8°C	49mm	347h
October	28°C	26.8°C	43mm	366h
November	28.1°C	26.4°C	238mm	305h
December	27.7°C	25.8°C	365mm	296h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The British Indian Ocean Territory, also known as the Chagos Islands, is centrally located in the Indian Ocean, south of the Maldives, about halfway between Madagascar and Indonesia. The main island, Diego Garcia, is a military facility off limits to anyone not on official duty, but some of the uninhabited outer islands can be visited by independent yachters with advance permission.

Full source list on About.