Change description : 2023-07-03 16:12:00: Applying for a Permit section has been updated. [Guidance and regulationForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office]
The Antarctic Treaty signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 preserves the Antarctic continent for peaceful and scientific use.
The Antarctic Treaty’s Protocol on Environmental Protection, signed in 1991, is the only international agreement designed to protect an entire continent. It ensures that all human activity in Antarctica is carefully planned and managed. It enables a range of human activity to take place in Antarctica including scientific research, well-managed, environmentally sensitive tourism, and exploration. Crucially, the Protocol prohibits commercial mining and protects vulnerable areas, animals and plants.
The Antarctic Treaty does not prevent tourists, military personnel or scientific researchers from being present in Antarctica,Antarctica-but they do require an appropriate permit from a Treaty Party.
Permit criteria
Anyone on a British expedition to Antarctica or taking a British vessel or aircraft into Antarctica will need to apply for a permit from the Polar Regions Department of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
A British expedition is one organised in the UK (including a British overseas territory, or a Crown Dependency) or one where the last place of departure for Antarctica is the UK, a British overseas territory, or a Crown Dependency. ‘Expedition’ consists of a single person or group, undertaking a tour or journey of any purpose, including activities such as landing ashore, skiing, kayaking, small boat activities, climbing, diving or any related activity. A British (including OT or Crown Dependency) flagged vessel or registered aircraft also requires a permit even if the expedition is organised elsewhere.
You do not need a permit for:
ships or aircraft travelling to an immediate destination outside Antarctica
fishing vessels, unless they are conducting research fishing or are carrying out functions related to an expedition
expeditions organised in and authorised in writing by another contracting party (country) to the Environmental Protocol to the Antarctic Treaty
It is also unlikely that you will need a permit if you are a passenger on an organised visit to Antarctica, as your tour operator would usually arrange this. However you should confirm this with them before travelling. Contact the Polar Regions Department if you are stillunsure.
Applying for a permit
You should submit applications for permits as far in advance as possible. This should be at least 4 months for a new or unusual application, or at least 2 months before the date of your departure if you have previously obtained a permit for summer activities. Late applications may not be considered.
Organisers must demonstrate that they are sufficiently prepared for a visit to Antarctica. You should discuss your plans informally with the Polar Regions Department before you begin completing the permit application. This is especially important if your expedition involves specialist activities such as extreme sports, extended trips or multiple transport options.
Consistent with the agreement by the Antarctic Treaty Parties the UK has changed the guidance for operators organising or conducting tourist or other non-government activities in the Antarctic Treaty area. The UK will not authorise these operators to undertake any off-ship activities in Antarctica from vessels carrying more than 500 passengers. Exceptions will be made in cases of emergency and for the purpose of enhancing human safety. The UK will also not normally authorise the use of helicopters for recreational purposes in areas with concentrations of wildlife, including the Antarctic Peninsula region.
It should also be noted that for safety reasons the UK will not authorise snorkelling activities in the Antarctic.
Applying for a permit to conduct research fishing
You must conduct research fishing in the Antarctic Treaty Area in accordance with the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), in particular its Conservation Measure 24-01.
Research fishing under paragraph 2 of CM24-01 involves taking less than 50 tonnes of finfish. If you are proposing to conduct research fishing under paragraph 2, you must:
confirm that you will comply with all relevant CCAMLR Conservation Measures
confirm that you will meet the requirements of CCAMLR Conservation Measure 24-01
complete an Expedition Permit Application Form and submit this to the Polar Regions Department
provide the information required in CM 24-01 Annex A, Format 1
This paragraph does not apply for catches of krill and finfish of less than one tonne.
Research fishing under paragraph 3 of CM24-01 involves taking more than 50 tonnes of finfish. Any proposals to conduct research fishing of this nature will be approved at the annual CCAMLR meeting in October or November 2023.
If you are proposing to conduct research fishing under paragraph 3, you must:
confirm that you will comply with all relevant CCAMLR Conservation Measures
confirm that you will meet the requirements of CCAMLR Conservation Measure 24-01
complete Sections 1 to 6 of an Expedition Permit Application Form, and submit this together with the required Research Plan to the Polar Regions Department by 12 May 2023. The CCAMLR scientific working groups will consider applications, including at the annual CCAMLR meeting in October or November 2023
provide all the information required in CM 24-01 Annex A, Format 2
Application forms and guidance
For a land or vessel based expedition you can download the permit application form and guidance below. For further information contact the Polar Regions Department.
If you plan to undertake more specialist activities in Antarctica (such as wildlife monitoring or scientific research), it is likely you will need a separate permit. For further information contact the Polar Regions Department.
Polar Regions Department
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Room W2.80
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Publishing application details
Applicants should be aware that within 10 days from the Polar Regions Department confirming receipt of any permit applications, the FCDO will openly publish information relating to these applications on this website. This will include application type, applicant name, duration of visit, proposed itinerary and the contact details of the applicant.
Published 16 May 2013
Last updated 36 JulyDecember 20232022+ show all updates
Applying for a Permit section has been updated.
Withdrawal of permit application from Sonja Heinrich
Updated guidance on applying for a permit to conduct research fishing section. Two new permit applications added: British Antarctic Survey (BAS) and Sonja Heinrich. Withdrawal of permit application from Nathan Robinson.
Two new permit applications added - Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and Nathan Robinson
Addition of 4 new Initial Environmental Evaluations (IEEs) received for activity in Antarctica 2022 to 2023.
New permit application added for Tom Hart.
Four new permit applications added: Robert Dougall McCallum for the vessel Nansen Explorer; Arctic Trucks; Dr Robert David Larter; and David Small.
New permit application added for Robert Dougall McCallum for the vessel Legend.
New permit application added for Christopher Aldridge
Updated Post Visit Report form: part 2
Updated post visit report - Part 1 and Part 2
New permit application added
New permit application added
New permit application added
2021-22 permit applications deleted for the 2022-23 season.
New 2022-23 permit application added.
The expedition permit application form and guidance notes have been updated.
The specialist permit application form and guidance notes have been updated.
Updated guidance on Applying for a permit to conduct research fishing for 2021/22 season.
Additional permit application added
Additional permit and IEE application
Additional permit applications added.
Additional permit applications added.
Added another permit application received and a new link to additional IEE for EYOS.
Dates updated for expedition onboard 'Legend'
Added additional permit application
Added additional permit application
Added additional permit applications received.
Added additional permit application received.
Added additional permit applications received.
Added 5 additional permit applications, and one Initial Environmental Evaluation (IEE).
Added additional permit applications received.
Two new permit applications added to table
Added additional permit application received.
Added additional permit application received.
Added additional permit application received.
Added additional permit applications received.
Added two additional permit applications received.
Added details of permit applications for 2021-22.
Added new information about permit requirements for commercial and research fishing vessels.