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My grandfather has been a yachtsman for more than half a century, he is now retired and now has everything he needs to fulfill his dream: sailing to Antarctica.

But he is a citizen of Moldova, which does not participate in the Antarctic Treaty System and never has. The flag country of the yacht is also Moldova. As such, Moldovan authorities do not require to get any permit to visit Antarctica on a yacht. Also, during the voyage there would be no citizens of any party to the Antarctic Treaty on the yacht. Only my grandfather and his friends, who are also citizens of Moldova.

The plan is to visit Marie Byrd Land on my yacht and the question is: Is any permit needed or some sort of visa to Antarctica? If yes, where can it be obtained and why would a non-AT country citizen need one?

Because, first, our government doesn't require anything for such a trip and regards Antarctica as a neutral zone. Moldova never participated in the Antarctic Treaty. Second, the official site of the Secreteriat of the Antarctic Treaty only mentions that AT-country citizens must get a permit. What about our situation? We are not planning to visit any antarctic research base or the like…

Addition #1. No, he didn't read Yacht World. Addition #2. Short-time disembarkation in MBL coast is planned, but mainly not leaving the yacht. Direct word: "Few hours land visits by tender few times, nothing more. For photography and happy smiles." Hope, you was rightfully understood by me, Gayot Fow.

JonathanReez
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2 Answers2

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Official response from Amanda Lynnes, Communications & Operations Assistant of the IAATO — International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators:

Dear Maxim,

Thank you very much indeed for contacting IAATO. No need to apologise for your English - it is very good!

Because Moldova is not an Antarctic Treaty Party, you are a citizen of Moldova and your yacht is flagged to the country too, it is possible for you to travel to Antarctica unauthorised (without a permit). This is not recommended by the wider Antarctic community and the process for obtaining a permit is a good way to prepare for your voyage. What port were you intending to stop at before departing for Antarctica and when were you hoping to leave? It is possible that you can obtain a permit from the last country you visit before you leave for the continent, e.g., Chile, Argentina, New Zealand etc.

With best wishes, Amanda

Official response from José Luis Agraz, Information Officer of the ATS — Antarctic Treaty Secretariat:

Dear Maxim,

Thank you for contacting us.

As is raised in your message, if your country of nationality Moldova does not require its citizens any kind of permission to travel to Antarctica, you do not need to perform any additional management.

The Antarctic Treaty obligations are only applicable to nationals of any of the 53 contracting and accessing Parties.

I wish you success in your trip to Antarctica.

José Luis Agraz

JonathanReez
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I am not sure I understand whether your grandfather is supposed to get a permit, on what basis and what the practical consequences could be but he can in any case get a permit from the country of departure/last port of call before reaching Antarctica. So being a Moldovan citizen on a Moldovan vessel does not prevent you from applying for a permit.

I reckon your grandfather would probably prefer to spare himself the trouble because that's quite a lot of paperwork to do, especially in a foreign language, but if he needs a permit or decides to get one out of an abundance of caution, that's always a possibility. Depending on his plans, he could thus apply for a permit from Australia, Chile or Argentina.

I will try to add more details and sources for all that later but as an example, consider this guidance from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office:

Any person on a British expedition to Antarctica […] will need to apply for a permit to the Polar Regions Department of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO).

A British expedition is one organised in the UK, or one where the last place of departure for Antarctica is the UK, a British overseas territory, or a Crown Dependency.

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