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British Indian Ocean Territory
British Indian Ocean Territory visit visa for Pakistan passport holders
VisitVisaInfo Editorial Team
Our British Indian Ocean Territory guide is built from official government and embassy sources.
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British Indian Ocean Territory · Diego Garcia atoll · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain
Summary
Not confirmed on the official source. The current British Indian Ocean Territory rule for Pakistan passport holders could not be confirmed on an official page. Check the official portal linked below before you book travel or pay any fee.
- Visa type
- No visa; prior immigration permit from the BIOT Administration (all nationalities), plus a mooring permit for yachts
- Stay limit
- Set by the permit; yacht mooring permits up to 28 days
- Entries
- As stated on the permit
The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration states that there are no visa requirements for BIOT, but everyone visiting the Territory must have prior approval. All visitors need an immigration permit issued in advance, and yachts also need a visiting vessel mooring permit. BIOT is not a tourist destination: there are no commercial flights, yacht permits are issued only for safe passage through the Indian Ocean to the Outer Islands, and Diego Garcia is open only to people connected with the military facility or the Administration.
The British Indian Ocean Territory covers the Chagos Archipelago, a scatter of coral atolls south of the Maldives. Its waters form one of the world's largest no-take marine reserves, home to seabirds, turtles, coconut crabs, sharks and rays, and Diego Garcia, the largest island, hosts a military facility.
There is no visa for BIOT, for Pakistanis or anyone else. The BIOT Administration says that visitors instead need prior approval, issued as an immigration permit before travel. Yachts also need a visiting vessel mooring permit to rest at the approved anchorages in the Outer Islands.
The Territory is not a tourist destination. There are no commercial flights, permits for yachts are issued only to allow safe passage across the Indian Ocean, and Diego Garcia is open only to people connected with the military facility or the Administration. Other travel plans must be cleared by email first.
Applications go to BIOTadmin@fcdo.gov.uk with the official form, passport copies valid for six months, medical evacuation cover of at least US$100,000 per person and wreck removal insurance. A £100 processing fee applies, mooring costs £250 to £5,000 a week, and processing can take eight weeks.
Rules on board are strict. Several islands are Strict Nature Reserves, diving and spear-fishing are banned, and handline fishing is limited to three days' food. Entering without permission can bring three years in prison and a heavy fine, so sailors should apply early and follow every permit condition.
Checklist
Document requirements
- Completed Visitor and Visiting Vessel Application Form, emailed to BIOTadmin@fcdo.gov.uk
- Copies of the passports of everyone on board, valid for at least six months from the planned date of entry
- Medical evacuation insurance of at least US$100,000 per person
- Wreck recovery, clean-up and removal insurance covering Chagos (BIOT), with the relevant sections highlighted
- All documents in English (translations arranged in advance)
- £100 processing fee, plus the mooring permit fee once the application is approved
The permit rules are the same for every nationality, so Pakistani citizens follow the general BIOT process. The Administration says the pages are written mainly for people arriving on ocean-going craft; anyone planning another way of reaching the Territory must email BIOTadmin@fcdo.gov.uk with their plans first.
Checklist source: biot.gov.io
Money and time
Fees and timeline
Fees
Only where a visa or permit is required.
Official fee
£100
£100 application processing fee, paid before processing begins (add £7 if paying from a non-UK bank account, or cover all receiving-bank charges). Yachts also pay for a visiting vessel mooring permit, between £250 and £5,000 per week depending on the length of the yacht. Permits are not refunded if unused.
Fee source
Timeline
Processing and appointments
Permits must be obtained before travel and can take eight weeks to process. The Administration asks applicants to apply at least eight weeks before the intended arrival date, as the process can take several weeks and space is limited.
Official links
How to apply
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Check another passport
Not travelling to British Indian Ocean Territory on a Pakistani passport? Pick other countries and the flight animation takes you to that guide.
Official statistics
Visa ratio
Not officially published
The BIOT Administration does not publish permit approval or refusal rates.
A percentage is shown only when an official source published one for this route. Blog tables and estimates are left out.
Quick answers
FAQ
Do Pakistanis need a visa for the British Indian Ocean Territory?
No visa as such. The BIOT Administration says there are no visa requirements, but every visitor must have prior approval in the form of an immigration permit, applied for before travel. The rule is the same for all nationalities.
Can I visit BIOT as a tourist?
No. The Administration states that BIOT is not a tourist destination. There are no commercial flights, and permits for yachts are issued only to allow safe passage across the Indian Ocean, for the Outer Islands only.
Can I go to Diego Garcia?
Only with a connection to the military facility or to the Territory's Administration. The travel advice page says access to Diego Garcia is for people on pre-authorised official duty.
How do I apply for a permit?
Read the BIOT Guidance for Yachts, complete the Visitor and Visiting Vessel Application Form and email it to BIOTadmin@fcdo.gov.uk with your insurance documents and passport copies. Put the yacht's name in the email subject and keep each email under 10MB.
How much does a BIOT permit cost?
There is a £100 processing fee, paid before processing begins; add £7 if you pay from a bank account outside the UK. A yacht's mooring permit costs between £250 and £5,000 per week, depending on its length.
How long does it take?
Up to eight weeks. Apply at least eight weeks before your planned arrival, because space is limited and there is no right to receive a permit.
What insurance is required?
Medical evacuation insurance of at least US$100,000 per person, and wreck recovery, clean-up and removal insurance for Chagos (BIOT). The documents must be in English.
How long can a yacht stay?
A mooring permit lasts a maximum of 28 days, and you can apply for one, two, three or four weeks. Permits cannot be extended once approved, before or after arrival, and crew changes are not accepted after issue.
How long must my passport be valid?
At least six months from the planned date of entry to BIOT, for every person on board.
What happens if I enter without a permit?
Entering BIOT without permission can lead to three years in prison and/or a £10,000 fine, and the vessel may be seized and forfeited, according to the Administration.
Are there places I may not visit?
Yes. Several islands are Strict Nature Reserves, including the Three Brothers, Eagle, Cow, Danger and Nelson's islands, and you must not come within three nautical miles of them. You may moor only at the sites named on your permit.
Can I fish or dive while moored?
Diving, spear-fishing and commercial activity are prohibited. Yachts may fish with a handline for their own consumption, taking no more than three days' worth, and must keep a fishing log and return it within 28 days of leaving.
I am not arriving by yacht. What should I do?
The Administration says its permit pages are written mainly for ocean-going craft. If you intend to use another mode of transport, email BIOTadmin@fcdo.gov.uk with your plans before applying.
Is the sea route safe?
The travel advice warns that piracy and armed robbery remain a significant threat in the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean, and that yachts should stay out of the designated High Risk Area.
Is there an official refusal rate?
No. The BIOT Administration does not publish permit refusal statistics, and permits are granted solely at its discretion.
Checked against
Official sources
- BIOT Administration: visa requirements (no visa, prior approval needed)British Indian Ocean Territory source: www.biot.gov.io/visiting/visa-requirements/
- BIOT Administration: applying for a permit (fees, documents, processing)British Indian Ocean Territory source: www.biot.gov.io/visiting/permits/
- BIOT Administration: visiting the TerritoryBritish Indian Ocean Territory source: www.biot.gov.io/visiting/
- BIOT Administration: current travel adviceBritish Indian Ocean Territory source: www.biot.gov.io/visiting/current-travel-advice/
- BIOT Administration: general conditions of permitsBritish Indian Ocean Territory source: www.biot.gov.io/visiting/permits/general-permit-conditions/
Last checked for British Indian Ocean Territory visas on 2 November 2026. Rules change without notice, so confirm on the official pages before you apply or travel.
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