RAP renewal

Regulated Activity Permit Application

Renewal
The Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) has a tiered system of Regulated Activity Permits. This helps ensure that environmental assessments are scalable and commensurate with the potential impacts of activities.To make sure you are completing the correct category of application form for your project, please follow the flowchart here

If you have a category 2 RAP for a long-term project you can renew this up to THREE times, after which you must submit a full application.

If your work involves animal handling you must submit upto date ethical approval EVERY year.

There is no renewal option for projects which work on the South Sandwich Islands.

In addition to the necessary permissions issued by GSGSSI, any application involving Marine Scientific Research which is to be undertaken on non-UK flagged vessels must also apply for approval through the FCDO Article 246 approvals process. The necessary guidance is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marine-science-research-msr-guidance/marine-science-research-msr-guidance

Please complete the form as accurately as you can. Missing information may delay the processing of your application. Fields marked * with are compulsory.

Please make sure you save the form regularly to avoid losing data.

If you have any difficulties completing the form please e-mail permits@gov.gs
Part 1 - Personal Details
1. a) Name*

First NameLast Name
1. b) Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityCountry

Postal / Zip Code
1. c) Organisation*
1. d) Email*
example@example.com
Part 2 - Project Details
2. a) Project title*
2. b) RAP number(s) for permit issued for this project in last 3 years *
This should be the permits issued within the last 3 years for the project of the same title
2. c) In what year did you last submit a full application?*
This will usually be the same as the year the permit was issued for the first time
2. d) List all personnel who will be present in the Territory and taking part in the project
2. e) Start date*

DayMonthYear
Date
2. f) End date*

DayMonthYear
Date
2. g) What vessel will you be travelling to and from South Georgia on?
2. h) Is your project supported by a cruise ship or yacht?*

YesNo
2. h - i) If so, please upload a letter from your logistic provider confirming they are willing and able to support your project*

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2. i) Do you work for, or is your project supported by the British Antarctic Survey?*

YesNo
2. i - i) Confirm methods and mitigation measures have been approved by the BAS Environment Office?*

YesNo
Part 3 - Area of Operation
3. a) Will you be working in any different areas or sites on land this year, compared to any previous field season(s) under this permit?*

YesNo
3. a - i) Where will your project be taking place? (tick all that apply)

Bird IslandKing Edward PointElsehul visitor siteRight Whale Bay visitor siteRosita visitor siteSalisbury Plain visitor sitePrion Island visitor sitePrince Olav Harbour visitor sitePossession Bay visitor siteFortuna Bay visitor siteHercules Bay visitor siteLeith Harbour visitor siteStromness visitor siteHusvik visitor siteJason Harbour visitor siteMiavikenGrytvikenSorlingRookery visitor siteCobblers Cove visitor siteGodhul visitor siteOcean Harbour visitor siteSt Andrews Bay visitor siteRoyal Bay visitor sitesGold Harbour visitor siteCooper Bay visitor sitesRosita visitor siteKing Haakon Bay visitor siteOther
3. a - ii) Please provide a justification for changing the area of operation. Note you may be asked to apply again in full if the new area of operation has different environmental or safety risk factors
3. b) Will you be working in any different areas at sea this year, compared to any previous field season(s) under this permit?*

YesNo
3. b -i) Where will your project be taking place? (tick all that apply)

CCAMLR area 48.3CCAMLR area 48.4CCAMLR area 48.2West Shag BCAWest Gully BCANorthern BCAEastern BCASouthern Seamounts BCAsNorth Georgia Rise BCANorth East Georgia Rise BCAProtector Shoals BCAKemp Seamount & Calderas BCASouth Sandwich TrenchWithin 30 km of the Island of South GeorgiaWithin 50km of the South Sandwich IslandsSouth of 60 degrees SouthOther
3. b - ii) Please provide a justification for changing the area of operation. Note you may be asked to apply again in full if the new area of operation has different environmental or safety risk factors
3. c) If you have a map of your sampling sites, please upload this here

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Part 4 - Changes to Methodology and/or sampling
4. a) Have there been any changes to methodologies or sampling regime to your project since the last full application?*

YesNo
4. a -i) If yes, please provide details and justification for the requested changes and detail any additional mitigation measures which you will put in place
Ordinarily permit renewals will be for the same sampling regime as in previous years. However, if there are small changes to your planned work, you should detail above. GSGSSI will determine if these changes require a full re-assessment of your project or if they can be incorporated in a renewal.
4. a - ii) If changes involve additions or deletions from the sampling regime, please up load a new sample request form here

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https://www.gov.gs/docsarchive/Visitors/Regulated_Activity/008_sample%20collection.xlsx Cancelof
4. b) All projects that involve handling wildlife must be approved through an ethical review panel EVERY year. Please submit evidence this has been completed

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The ethical review must have been within the last 12 months and it must be clear that it relates to the project you are applying to undertake on SGSSI Cancelof
4. b - i) If you are unable to provide a letter from an ethical review panel at this time, please provide details of when you expect to be able to do so
Part 5 - Declaration

Adherence to previous permit conditions including agreed methods and mitigation measures and feedback/reporting will be a condition of all permit renewals. If you require a copy of your previous application contact permits@gov.gs
5. a) Confirm that unless a specific change has been requested above, you will adhere to the methods and mitigation measures outlined in your last full application*

YesNo
5. b) Confirm that you have submitted the required feedback form(s) for previous years work?*

YesNo
Part 6 - Entry Control Order
From 1 August 2025 all persons (unless otherwise exempted) entering South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands for work or visitor purposes will require an Entry Permit. There will be separate permits for work and visitor purposes. Those persons exempted from the need for a permit are listed in ‘Persons Who Have Deemed Permission.’

Applications for a Permit will need to be made through a dedicated web-based application portal which will go live on 1 August 2025 at 09:00 (UK Time). Details are available here
I understand that under the Entry Control Order, a work permit may be required to conduct the activities outlined in this Regulated Activity Permit application, and all participants will apply for a work permit if required to do so*

Agree
Part - Submit your application

When you have completed all sections of the form, submit using the button below. You will be emailed a copy of your application automatically
Should be Empty:

Regulated Activity Permit Application

Part 1 - Personal Details

Part 2 - Project Details

Part 3 - Area of Operation

Part 4 - Changes to Methodology and/or sampling

Part 5 - Declaration

Part 6 - Entry Control Order

Part - Submit your application