If you are familiar with the Northeastern Parts of India, you must already know that you need tourist permits to enter certain states and areas of the region. However, it can be a confusing exercise. Some states need it, some don’t. Rules and regulations are different for each and everyone. It is also different for Indian and foreign tourists. So, here is a comprehensive guide to getting your ILPs in various states of NE.

How to Get Tourist Permits in Northeast India?

What are these permits in Northeast India?

These are tourist permits in the Northeast that are required to visit certain states. There are specific rules and regulations for obtaining the same. It is something like getting a visa for a country but don’t get alarmed, the processes are simpler and the stakes are lower.  At least for tourists it is a mere formality.

ILP vs PAP vs RAP- What’s the Difference?

You may have come across various terms in this context, like Inner Line Permit (ILP), Protected Area Permit (PAP), and Restricted Area Permit (RAP). There are some small differences but in general, I suggest you don’t get confused by the names as all of them are tourist permits in the Northeast. The purpose is the same, to have some control over people visiting certain areas. In short,

Inner Line Permit (ILP) is for the Indian tourists visiting certain states of the Northeast.

Protected Area Permit (PAP) is for foreigners (non-Indian citizens) to visit these states of Arunachal and Sikkim and even for Indian tourists for visiting certain areas of Sikkim.  

Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is an additional permit required for foreigners (non-Indian citizens) to visit certain areas of Sikkim.

PS: Do note that RAPs are also needed to visit some other frontier areas of India but I am restricting the discussion to NE.

Why are the permits Required?

The origin of such restrictions are due to historical and geopolitical reasons. These areas are somewhat historically and culturally different from the rest of India. Also, they are located in the sensitive border region surrounded by several other countries (During the Indo-China War of 1962, the PLA crossed Arunachal and reached northern Assam, before returning). Also, insurgency exists in many parts of the region, as various ethnic groups over the years have tried to assert their identity with armed struggle. Although the situation has comparatively calmed down over the years, some formalities and restrictions are still maintained. It is also seen as a way to protect the demographic balance in some sparsely populated hill areas by protecting them from heavy influx. 

Is it hard to get an ILP?

It is not hard to get an ILP or any other permit as a tourist as tourism is generally encouraged and no one wants to make them unhappy. So, as a tourist you should not have much problem. However, if you are seeking the permit for some other purposes including business, rules can be stricter. Also, there may be some additional criterias, especially for foreign tourists, which is discussed in the next section.

Additional Criteria for Foreigners seeking Permits

There are some additional issues for foreigners seeking PAP

• Solo Travel may not be encouraged for foreigners, especially in Arunachal. They need to be in a group, which means “at least two people together“. If you simply go alone, they will turn you down in your face. So, you should either actually be in a group or at least find travel mates to apply together. However, there are certain areas that are exempt from this. 
• They need to provide visa and other details at the time of applying (Charges are also usually higher for foreigners).
• In spite of everything, certain areas in Sikkim are still off-limits for foreign nationals (More about it in the Sikkim section).

Which NE states need ILP?

The rules are different for Indians and foreigners and sometimes they are even counterintuitive to the point of being hilarious. For example, in some states foreigners don’t need permits anymore but Indians do!

• Indians need ILP for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur & Mizoram.
• Indians need special permission to visit some areas of Sikkim although you don’t need ILP to enter the state.
• Foreigners need PAP for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
• Foreigners still need some additional permits to visit certain frontier areas.

Which NE states DON’T need ILP?

As of now,

• Both Indians and Foreigners don’t need any additional permits for Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
• Indian’s don’t need any permits to enter Sikkim (but need special permits in some areas).
• Foreigners need PAP for Arunachal 
• Foreigners require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter Sikkim. These permits can be obtained from various authorities, including Indian Missions, Sikkim Tourism Offices, and FRROs.
• Until recently foreign tourists had a very lenient system in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram but due to some recent disturbances in Manipur, the rules have been changed and they are getting reimplemented.  

ILP Process for Indian Tourists

Arunachal ILP

There are various ways to get the Arunachal ILP.

• You can nowadays get it done online. It is called eILP and it is the easiest thing for tourists. It was not always so. It has been newly launched. So, consider yourself lucky.
• You can visit the designated offices in various major cities for Arunachal ILP. These offices are located in the major cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Shillong, and also at some smaller places in Assam near the Arunachal Border including Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Lakhimpur, and Jorhat.
• Also, some of the entry gates of Arunachal, such as those at Bhalukpong and Roing offer on the spot ILPs for a short duration (However, to be safe, I don’t suggest this one).
• This is the link to apply Arunachal ILP online for Indian tourists 

Nagaland ILP

You need to apply for ILP at New Delhi, Kolkata, Shillong, Guwahati or Dimapur offices. The good news is that at least for tourists they are not very strict. Even a friend or tour operator living in one of these cities can get these done for you. All you have to do is to mail them a copy of your passport photograph and ID.

Nevertheless, online ILP is now available for Nagaland and so you do not have to go through the above processes. 

This is the link to apply Nagaland ILP/PAP online for both Indian tourists

Mizoram ILP

Mizoram ILP can be taken from the designated offices at New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Guwahati (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya) and Silchar (Assam). You need to provide 2 passport photographs and a copy of your ID.

ILP can also be obtained on arrival at Lengpui Airport, which is the only airport in the state near Aizawl. The same documents as above will be needed although the rate is a bit higher for this.

Now you can apple online too.

This is the link to apply Mizoram ILP online for both Indian tourists

Manipur ILP

Manipur ILP has been recently introduced for Indian tourists. There is no online system and nor do you need to go to any office but get them at various entry points of Manipur including the airport and the land crossings. Read the following post for more details.

Now you can apple online too.

This is the link to apply Manipur ILP online for both Indian tourists

Sikkim Permits

While you don’t need an ILP for Sikkim, you need to acquire a special permit to enter certain frontier areas of Sikkim. However, this process is not very strict for tourists and even your tour operator or hotel manager can get it if you provide them a scanned copy of your ID. Sikkim is divided into four districts. Following is a district-wise list of areas that need permits.

East Sikkim: Tsomgo (Changu) Lake, Baba Mandir and Nathula Pass.
West Sikkim: Dzongri and Goechela Trek and Singalila Trek
North Sikkim: Yumthang Valley, Yumesamdong, Thangu, Chopta Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, Katao. Also, a visit to Dzongu requires a special permit obtained from Gangtok and Mangan.
South Sikkim: Destinations in South Sikkim do not require any permit.

PAP for Foreign Tourists

Tourist permits in the Northeast for foreigners is called PAP in Arunachal but in Sikkim the term ILP is also used. As usual, don’t get confused by the names and focus on the task.

Arunachal PAP

Foreign tourists need PAP to enter Arunachal. You can get them made in Delhi, Kolkata or Guwahati offices. However, the most hassle-free way is to get them done through a registered tour operator that you can contact. It costs $50 to apply for the same. As far as I know, the online eILP, which is available for Indian tourists, is not available for foreign tourists as of now.

Also, note that Solo permits for foreigners are given only for certain areas such as the Bomdila-Tawang Circuit, and Ziro Valley, while for the rest of Arunachal you need to get at least two people to apply. It is indeed confusing but hard to argue with the system. You will have to apply at the Guwahati office for this (Address mentioned at the bottom).

PAP & RAP for Sikkim

Foreign nationals can get RAP for Sikkim at designated offices in Delhi, Kolkata, Siliguri, as well as Bagdogra Airport, which is in Bengal but is the nearest major airport to Sikkim. Permits in Sikkim are generally free of cost.

They can also take the help of registered tour operators to get this done.

Apart from the general permit, you will still need additional permits to visit the protected areas

• Foreigners need PAP for places
  • East Sikkim: Tsomgo (Changu) Lake,
  • West Sikkim: Dzongri and Goechala Trek and Singalila Trek
  • North Sikkim: Yumthang Valley, Yumesamdong, Dzongu
• Foreigners are NOT allowed to visit Nathu La & Gurudongmar Lake under any circumstances
• If you want to go trekking, that still requires a separate permit

All these additional permits you can get from the designated office in Gangtok but that takes the whole day. So, it is better to pay a local tour operator to get this for you while you go for local sightseeing in Gangtok.

PAP for Foreigners in Manipur, Nagaland & Mizoram

As they have been recently reintroduced, the situation is not exactly clear. We will update it when more clarity is achieved. The Nagaland ILP application website also has an option for foreigners. However, Mizoram and Manipur websites lack the same. In general, the process is similar, you have to apply through the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) or designated Indian missions abroad, and if you are already in India, at designated offices of the tourism departments. While they may be present in big cities like Delhi and Kolkata, if you are already in NE, Guwahati has all the offices you need as it is literally the Gateway to Northeast. Here are some important office addresses in Guwahati  that you may need,

Office for Emigrants in all the states 

Protector of Emigrants, located at A DEE Tower, 2nd Floor, Lalmati, Opp. Nidhi Bhawan, Guwahati, Assam-781029

For Mizoram 

Liaison Officer, Government of Mizoram, located at Block 61, Hengrabari Road, Ganeshguri, Guwahati – 781006 (Near Public Health Office and DC Office)

For Arunachal Pradesh

Deputy Resident Commissioner’s office, located on G.S. Road, Rukminigaon, opposite Manasa Mandir, Dispur, Guwahati-781021