BIOT Administration Pauses Permit Applications Amid Ongoing Litigation

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Administration has announced a temporary suspension of new permit applications for entry into the territory, effective from 31 March 2026. This decision comes in response to ongoing litigation concerning the issuance of permits, particularly those related to the right of abode for individuals of Chagossian origin.

According to the official statement, the BIOT Administration will pause substantive consideration of new applications for permits to enter the Territory—except in exceptional circumstances—while it reviews its position. This suspension applies to all permits, excluding those necessary for the operation of the military facility on Diego Garcia or for official BIOT Administration business.

The statement further clarifies that, regarding the 'right of abode' for individuals of Chagossian descent, the order of the BIOT Supreme Court has been stayed. Consequently, Section 9 of the Constitution Order remains in force, and applications for entry for the purposes of settlement will not be entertained pending the determination of the appeal.

This development follows a series of legal challenges and court rulings concerning the rights of Chagossians to return to their ancestral homeland. In recent months, the BIOT Supreme Court has issued significant judgments affecting the legal landscape of the territory, including the quashing of removal orders against Chagossians who had returned to the islands without permits.

The BIOT Administration has committed to updating the public as soon as there are any developments regarding the permit application process. Individuals planning to apply for permits are advised to monitor official communications for further information.

For more details, please refer to the official announcement on the BIOT Administration's website.