South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Visa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Antarctique · Antarctique et terres australes
In South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, entry falls under the government of the territory (GSGSSI). The official pages consulted on 2026-09-17 state that anyone entering for a visit or for work must, unless exempt, hold an entry permit (Entry Permit) since August 1, 2025, applied for on a dedicated online portal. A separate authorization, the Regulated Activity Permit, is required for certain activities. The fees and the filing deadlines are published.
The information on this page helps prepare a case. Only the competent authority decides; always check the official source before filing an application.
Machine-assisted draft, reviewed by a person on 23 September 2026. Only the authority cited is authoritative.
Published on 23 September 2026 · Reviewed by vg_admin on 23 September 2026 · Sources consulted on 17 September 2026
At a glance
- Authority
- Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI)
- Where to apply
- Dedicated online portal (eta.entry.gov.gs), usable by the person themselves or by an authorized representative according to the page consulted
- Electronic visa
- Yes: the page names the entry permit “Electronic Travel Authorisation”, applied for online
- Portal language
- English
Do you need a visa?
Choose a nationality to see the recorded entry rule. No answer is shown until reviewed data exists.
Documented visa types
- “Entry Permit” (Electronic Travel Authorisation) — visit
- According to the page, since August 1, 2025 anyone entering for the purpose of a visit must hold one, unless exempt. The page states a 40-day permit. Official page (new tab)
- “Entry Permit” (Electronic Travel Authorisation) — work
- According to the page, required for entry for the purpose of work, unless exempt. The page states a 6-month permit, with no fee. Official page (new tab)
- “Regulated Activity Permit” (RAP) — regulated activity permit
- According to the page, required in particular for taking samples, handling animals, installing equipment, using drones, close approach to wildlife, overnight camping, construction and maintenance or environmental management work. Official page (new tab)
Where and how to apply
The “Entry Control Order – Permit Application” page consulted on 2026-09-17 states that the entry permit application is filed on a dedicated web portal (eta.entry.gov.gs), presented as supported only by the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge browsers.
According to the same page, the application may be filed by the person concerned or, for a group, by an authorized representative such as a travel agency, a cruise operator or a family member.
For the regulated activity permit, the dedicated page refers to separate online forms depending on the category of activity, including a “notification” category and a “drone” category.
Steps of the procedure
- File the application at least 8 days before the planned date of arrival, according to the page consulted.
- Complete the online form with the information requested.
- Pay the fee by bank card; the page states that a bank transfer is possible for multiple applications.
- Receive the permit by email.
- Where applicable, file a separate application for a regulated activity permit before the activity concerned.
Documents listed by the authority
- Passport valid for the duration of the permit and four weeks beyond, or a valid seafarer's identity document.
- Name, date of birth and nationality of the applicant.
- A valid email address; a telephone number is recommended by the page.
- Proof of adequate health insurance covering emergency evacuation and transport of the body in the event of death.
- Name of the vessel and the planned dates of arrival and departure.
- For a work permit: details of the contract and a description of the work planned.
- For a regulated activity permit: animal handling form, sample collection form and declaration of exported material, depending on the project.
The exact list depends on the type of permit and on the situation; only the official page prevails.
Stated fees and processing times
According to the portal consulted on 2026-09-17: 250 pounds sterling for a 40-day visitor permit; no fee for a 6-month work permit.
According to the same portal consulted on 2026-09-17, the application must be received at least 8 days before the planned arrival. An application filed between 3 and 8 days before arrival incurs an additional fee of 50 pounds sterling per permit; an application filed 3 days or less before arrival is not approved.
No fee and no time frame are stated for the regulated activity permit: “Not stated on the portal consulted.”
After the decision
According to the page consulted, the permit is sent to the applicant by email.
The “How to Visit” page recalls that all visitors are subject to the Entry Control Ordinance 2022 and lists activities that will not be authorized, in particular the use of aircraft, unsupported field projects, explosives, the introduction of non-native species and methods prohibited by CCAMLR.
The decision rests with the government of the territory. The pages consulted describe no avenue of appeal: “Not stated on the portal consulted.”
Published procedures
No reviewed and published procedure for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands to date. We prefer an empty page to an invented requirement.
Explore proceduresFrequently asked questions
Is a visa required to travel to South Georgia?
It depends on nationality and purpose; the rule reviewed by VisaGuideline is shown with the nationality selector on this page. The official pages consulted also require an entry permit since August 1, 2025, unless exempt.
Where is the application filed?
On a dedicated web portal of the government of the territory, according to the page consulted on 2026-09-17. An authorized representative may file an application for a group.
Is there an electronic visa?
Yes. The official page names the entry permit “Electronic Travel Authorisation” and has it applied for online.
What fees are stated?
According to the portal consulted on 2026-09-17: 250 pounds sterling for a 40-day visitor permit and no fee for a 6-month work permit; an additional fee of 50 pounds sterling for an application filed between 3 and 8 days before arrival.
When must the application be filed?
According to the portal consulted on 2026-09-17, at least 8 days before the planned date of arrival. An application filed 3 days or less before arrival is not approved.
When is a regulated activity permit required?
According to the official page, in particular for taking samples, handling animals, installing equipment, using drones, close approach to wildlife, overnight camping and construction or maintenance work.
Official sources
Consulted sources
Official pages read to write this guide, with the date they were read. A page may have changed since: check it before taking any step.
- How to Visit – Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (new tab) read on 17 September 2026
- Entry Control Order – Permit Application – Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (new tab) read on 17 September 2026
- Regulated Activity Permit – Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (new tab) read on 17 September 2026
What this guide does not know yet
Points the official source does not specify and which this guide therefore left blank. Ask the competent authority about them before filing an application.
- The policy document “Persons Who Have Deemed Permission”, which details the entry permit exemptions, was not consulted: a reviewer must read it before any publication on exemptions.
- The online application portal itself was not consulted; only the referrals from the official pages to that portal were read.
- Neither fee nor time frame is published for the regulated activity permit on the page consulted.
- The page mentions a separate procedure with the FCDO for marine scientific research by a non-British vessel; that procedure was not consulted.
Prepare my case
This method is the same for every destination. It does not list any document as an official requirement: only the authority’s source is authoritative.
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Describe your situation
Nationality, residence, purpose and dates. The checker tells covered routes apart from situations that are still unknown.
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Check at the source
Open the destination’s official source and compare it with your situation before starting a procedure.
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Track what is left to do
Your space keeps your answers and your declared checklist. A complete checklist does not announce a favorable decision.
The information on this page helps prepare a case. Only the competent authority decides; always check the official source before filing an application.