Diplomatic Clearance

Diplomatic clearance is the prior authorization a state grants for a foreign warship or other state vessel, or state aircraft, to enter its internal waters, ports, or national airspace, or to conduct activities there. Warships enjoy innocent passage through the territorial sea under UNCLOS but hold no automatic right to enter internal waters or ports; sovereign immunity under UNCLOS Articles 32, 95, and 96 does not waive the entry-permission requirement. Clearance requests run through diplomatic channels and specify the ship, dates, purpose, and any weapons or sensitive cargo carried.