British Indian Ocean Territory travel advice

Travel Summary

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
  
• British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) is a British Overseas Territory. There is no British diplomatic or consular representation in the British Indian Ocean Territory and it is administered from London.
  
• You will require a permit in advance if you intend to visit any of the outer islands of the Territory. Access to Diego Garcia is only permitted to those with connections to the military facility. The BIOT Administration in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London is responsible for the issuing of permits.
  
• The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
  
• There are no medical facilities in the territory. Search and rescue facilities are limited. You are required to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and the Travel Insurance page for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism

The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. For more information and advice on security and the risk of terrorism when travelling overseas see Terrorism Abroad.

Crime

There is no reported crime within the territory. The majority of the islands which form the British Indian Ocean Territory are uninhabited.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.

Local laws and customs

The Commissioner of the British Indian Ocean Territory, based in London, regulates all access to the Territory. Contact details are on the right side of this page.

For more general advice for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

Entry requirements

Before travelling to the British Indian Ocean Territory, you will need a valid permit which you must obtain from the BIOT Administration in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London. Contact details are on the right side of this page.

Any permit issued would be valid for the outer Islands only. Access to Diego Garcia is restricted to those with connections to the military facility.

For further information on permits, please check BIOT country profile.

Health

There are no medical facilities in the territory. Search and rescue facilities are limited.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information check see Travel Health.

General

Insurance

You are strongly urged to obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. For more general information and advice see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information on reigstering with LOCATE can be found here.