South Georgia requires an Entry Permit, which is not the same thing as a tourist visa. The electronic scheme started on 1 August 2025 and applies to all visitors unless they fall within a narrow official exemption. For a normal expedition cruise passenger, your operator or travel agent can usually apply and pay on your behalf, and they often buy them in bulk for the whole ship.
Ask your operator or agent whether they're already handling it before you apply yourself. An issued permit can't simply be amended, so a duplicate or incorrect application can mean starting again and paying again.
The current numbers, verified July 2026:
| Fee | £250 per person from 1 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Announced | £275 from July 2027, £300 from July 2028 |
| Apply by | no later than 8 days before arrival |
| Late fee | £50 |
| Hard cutoff | nothing approved 3 days or fewer before arrival |
| Valid for | 40 days |
| Passport | valid for the permit period plus 4 weeks |
If you've read that the fee is £200, the deadline is 14 days or the permit lasts 30 days, that's outdated guidance from the earlier scheme. Don't plan on it.
Also worth confirming: whether the fee is included in your cruise fare or billed separately.