Antarctica Visa Requirements

Antarctica Passport & Visa Info

There is no visa for Antarctica itself — no country owns the continent. What matters is the gateway country you travel through: nearly all Antarctica cruises depart from Ushuaia, Argentina or Punta Arenas, Chile, so it is those countries’ entry rules that apply to your trip. (New to planning a polar expedition? Start with our guide on how to get to Antarctica.)

The good news: citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and most of the EU can enter both Argentina and Chile visa-free for tourism (stays of up to 90 days), and neither country charges reciprocity fees any more. For full details, see our Argentina visa requirements and Chile visa requirements guides.

Good to know for an Antarctica trip

• Travel insurance: nearly all Antarctic expedition cruises require comprehensive travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation. Your cruise operator will confirm exactly what’s needed.
• Permits: Antarctica is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, and your tour operator holds the required permits — so on an organized cruise there is no separate permit for you to arrange.
• Passport: make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.