# Can you travel to Sealand? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 16, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-travel-to-sealand/592947 "2011-08-16T20:42:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-travel-to-sealand/592947/1 "2011-08-16T20:42:02Z")
Bouncing off of > **[Libertarian Island Countries Being Built](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=620573)** > > Story here on Yahoo!. Floating oil-rig style countries with few laws? What are the odds that such a society succeeds? This quote makes me dubious: What are the legalities and practicalities of travel to the micronation of Sealand? I don’t think that the US Government cares a whole lot whether or not I go there, but if I just pull up to Sealand in a boat, what are the immigration and customs regulations? I’d guess that considering how small it is, more than a trivial number of immigrants, guest workers, or tourists is going to cause a little practical problem… ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-travel-to-sealand/592947/2 "2011-08-16T20:52:05Z")
From their website: > [@](#): > > 1 February 2002 > > Due to the current international situation and other factors, visits to the Principality of Sealand are not normally permitted. > > Accordingly, the application list for visas is for the time being closed. > > Emergency or other special circumstances suggesting that a visit might be appropriate require prior approval from the Bureau of Internal Affairs ([burint@sealandgov.org](mailto:burint@sealandgov.org)), SEALAND, 1001 (c/o Sealand Post Bag, IP11 9SZ, UK) and may be considered by making written application. All requests are carefully considered and a delay of at least 30 days may be expected before a decision is made. It is highly unlikely that permission to submit a visa application would be granted. > > In the exceptional case that a request is judged favourable, an application for visitors visa form will be forwarded from the Bureau to the intended applicant and following its return by post by the applicant will then form the formal request for further detailed consideration. Successful applicants will be sent a visa to be produced to Sealand Immigration before travel to the Principality and full details of other arrangements appropriate to the visit will be included in the mailing. More recent: > [@](#): > > 28 September 2010 > > The Principality regrets that visits to and immigration into the Principality continue to be subject to restriction and that the application list for visas remains suspended. > > For exceptional cases only, the regulations quoted in official notice 017/02 apply. > > Questions or comment should be addressed to the Bureau of Internal Affairs [burint@sealandgov.org] either by e-mail or post to our address below. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-travel-to-sealand/592947/3 "2011-08-16T21:03:04Z")
I actually went to preschool with Michael Bates, now styled Prince Regent Michael of Sealand. Nasty little bully he was. I don’t recommend going. In those days his dad ran a bike shop IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![Capitaine\_Zombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@Capitaine\_Zombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capitaine_Zombie)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-travel-to-sealand/592947/4 "2011-08-16T22:38:26Z")
Sealand is a myth. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-travel-to-sealand/592947/5 "2011-08-16T22:40:00Z")
So how would anyone stop you? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2011, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-travel-to-sealand/592947/6 "2011-08-16T23:22:12Z")
Give it a try. Last time, **njtt** ’s ol’ pal Michael took some potshots at interloping workmen. The Prince also repelled some mercenaries who took Mikey hostage and demanded the crown. It’s like a soap opera!