FCO advice to yachts planning to visit Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory):

British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is not a tourist destination. Applications from transiting yachts are checked carefully to ensure that a stop there is essential for their safe passage across the Indian Ocean. Where that is not the case, or there is any concern that the visit is not consistent with the policies and laws of British Indian Ocean Territory (in particular its ambitious environmental objectives), a permit will not be granted.

PRE-ARRIVAL

Yachts wishing to visit BIOT must apply for a permit and Immigration Clearance in advance and the applicable fee is also payable in advance. All application documents can be found online, along with detailed instructions on what to do.

How to Apply for a Mooring Permit (BIOT)

Tips:

• Apply for a permit at least six weeks prior to your intended arrival date, as the application process can take several weeks. There is no right to receive a permit, and they are granted solely at the discretion of the Administration.
• As stated above, BIOT is not a tourist destination and access is restricted. Permits are only issued to yachts on safe passage. On the application form where it requests ‘Purpose of Visit,’ it is important that you state “Transit”. In 2016 several yachts were declined permits due to the fact they stated “Tourism”, “Private visit”, “Pleasure” or other similar wording as their purpose of visit.
• The maximum stay permitted is 28 days. BIOT Permits are paid for and approved by the week (7 day periods), not by the day. See Fees for details. When applying for a permit, it may be wise to purchase a four week period which would give you greater flexibility for arrival and departure dates. Once a permit has been granted, it is NOT possible to change the dates, nor the crew list. Do not arrive before the permit date as you may be requested to leave.
• You will need to send a copy of your insurance documents with your permit application (see Documents for details of insurance required for BIOT).
• Send application by e-mail or fax. E-mail attachments must be 5.0 Mb or smaller, which might mean you have to send several e-mails. Your e-mails or fax cover sheets must have your vessel name in the subject field.
• Payment is due once your application has been approved by the Administration. Payment details will be sent to you on approval and are by bank transfer only in British Pounds (see Fees).

There is an increased emphasis on the environmental value of BIOT. See BIOT/Environment and updated advice to yachts on how to avoid introducing alien or invasive species.

British Indian Ocean Territory  Administration
King Charles Street
London, SW1A 2AH
Email: BIOTAdmin@fco.gov.uk
Fax:+44 (0) 20 7008 1589
http://biot.gov.io/visiting/

The above e-mail address is monitored regularly throughout working hours and is the best method of reaching BIOTA as all personnel access this mailbox.

Notes:

• Visiting yachts may be permitted only to anchor in Peros Banhos and the Salomon Islands at the approved sites. On the application, only apply to visit those areas containing yacht moorings otherwise your permit may be declined. See this link, Mooring plots for permitted anchoring sites.
• Access to Diego Garcia in BIOT, is only permitted to those with connections to those on pre-authorised official duty.
• You are subject to BIOT law when inside its territorial waters. If you break any of these laws, you will become subject, as in any country, to a range of censures and punishments, including fines, imprisonment, deportation, or the impounding and forfeiture of your vessel.
• You should be aware that any person who enters BIOT without permission may be liable to imprisonment for 3 years and/or a fine of £10,000 and the vessel used to enter BIOT waters may be seized and forfeited.

ARRIVAL PROCEDURE

All vessels are requested to report the following to the BIOT Patrol Vessel:-

• Entry into the BIOT Maritime Zone (MZ)
• Arrival at an authorised anchorages
• Departure from authorised anchorages
• Departure from the BIOT MZ

The information needs to contain:-

• Yacht name
• brCall sign
• BIOT Permit no.
• Activity (i.e. arrival at MZ, entering/exiting anchorage, departing MZ)
• Time
• Position
• Intention (i.e. next destination)
• Any other information

See https://biot.gov.io/wp-content/uploads/BIOT-Guidance-For-Yachts-Issued-Nov-2020.pdf for details and example.

This may be emailed to sfpo@mrag.co.uk or phoned by text or voice to +44 1224 539348

The BIOT Patrol Vessel may visit your yacht after you arrive. Their RIB will pull alongside your yacht and two men will board your boat, a Customs official and the Visit Vessel Control Officer (VVCO). The rib will not tie off to your vessel but expect black boot marks. Hand the Customs official your passports and a printed copy of your Chagos Vessel Mooring Permit, and related exception e-mails (if any).

After reviewing the documents to make sure they are valid for the time period of your visit, Customs will stamp the passports and the permit with a BIOT Customs Arrival stamp.

You may also be called up by a spotter plane which will also request your details.

DEPARTURE PROCEDURE

There are no other clearing-out procedures except as described above unless the BIOT Patrol Boat just happens to be in the atoll on the day you depart.

No clearance document for your next port is provided, and the BIOT Authorities do not expect to see your last port of clearance document.

Last updated:  July 2021

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