Where Indian travellers / Foreign traveller can visit inside India?
Holding a valid Indian visa doesn’t mean that a foreigner can travel to all destinations across the country. Same like if you are an Indian also, you don’t have permission to travel across. There are two kinds of permits. Issued by Government of India, One is ILP permit (Inner Line Permit) which is basically for Indian nationals and for foreign nationals PAP Permit (Protected Area Permit).The cost of the permits are nominal. The basic requirements for ILP and PAP for foreign nationals are copies of passport, visa, passport size photographs, and flight tickets. ForIndian nationals, you need to produce copies ofpassport size photographs and valid photo identity proof (Voter ID/ Aadhaar Card). Those who are holding PIO card, OCI holders and NRI’s who are staying abroad for more than six months have to apply for a Protected Area Permit. It is not necessary that a restricted area would be a dangerous area and vice versa.
What is PAP?
PAP means Protected Area Permit . Non-Indian citizens are not allowed to visit certain protected areas in India according to the Foreigners Protection Area order 1958. For entering these restricted areas, they need to obtain Protected Area Permit to visit these places. The Foreigner Protected Area Act requires foreigners to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit certain areas in India due to security reasons. This requirement is in addition to getting an Indian Visa.
What is ILP ?
ILP means Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by Government Of India to permit inward travel of Indian citizens who are nonresident of these protected / restricted areas inside India. Every Indian citizen who are not resident of those areas require Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter these places. ILP is obligatory for all those who reside outside the protected state.
Validity
The PAP is issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. But it can also be issued by different authorities of the concerned Indian states, FRROs and Overseas Indian Missions. There is a nominal fee for PAP.
Requirement
Tourist must travel in groups of atleast 4 people. In some places restrictions does not apply for married couples. Non resident Indians are not allowed in some places. Also there is some Entry/Exit points in some places. Hence tourists should check with the local concerned administration regarding the current laws prevailing in the destination before applying for permit.
Exception
Citizens of Bangladesh, China, Myanmar and Pakistan can get the PAP only with the approval of the Ministry o Home Affairs.
Areas which require permit to enter in Indian subcontinent
Foreign nationals need to register themselves at the local Foreigner Registration Office (FRO) of the districts they visit within 24 hours of arrival. It is to be noted that Nathula Pass and Gurudongmar Lake are restricted for foreign nationals completely. Also, citizen of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan require prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, before entering the state of Mizoram.
| Sl No | State /UT/Island | Places restricted | Remark | Permit Granting Authority |
| 1 | Andaman and Nicobar Island | 1) Barren island (restricted to visit onboard vessels) 2)Basatang Island 3) Brother Island 4) Diglipur 5)Entire island of center Andaman (exclude tribal reserve) 6) Entire island of south Andaman (exclude tribal reserve) 7) Entire island of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National except Tarmugli Malay, Twin island, Holoday and Pluto 8)Havelock island 9) Interview Island 10)Jolly Buoy 11) Long 12)Neil island 13) North passage island 14)Little Andaman island except tribal reserve 15) Mayabunder 16) Mt.Harriet 17.Madhuban 18)Municipal area ,Port Blair 19) Red Skin 20) Rangat 21) Ross island 22)South North cinque 23) Narcondum island 24) Sister island 25) Long island. 26) Red skin island | Those who are arriving by air, 30 days permit allowed at the airport in port blair. Those who arriving by sea, permit is needed in advance , as it is required to buy the ticket. Only day visit allowed to islands like 1) Mayabunder 2)Diglipur 3) Rangat, 4) Mt Harriet 5) Madhuban 6) ross island 7) Narcondum island 8) Interview island 9)Brother island 10) sister island and 11) Barren island (restricted to visit onboard vessels) | MHA FRROs All india Mission abroad chief immigration officer, Chennai immigration officer. |
| 2 | Arunachal Pradesh | 1)Itanagar, 2) ziro, 3)Along, 4)Pasighat, 5) Miao, 6) Namdapha and 7)Sujesa Bhalukpong | Normally issued 10 days permit. Tourist groups may travel only on identified circuits Individual tourists not permitted | Home commissioner, Itanagar, All FRROs at Delhi, Mumbai, All india Mission abroad, Chief immigration officer, Chennai immigration officer |
| 3 | Himachal Pradesh | Partially protected areas 1)Morang – Dabling 2) Poo – Khab –Sumdho – Dhankar – Tabo – Gompakaza | For trekking only, individual tourist not permitted | MHA, Govt of H P DM/SDM concerned, ITBP special commissioner (tourism), Resident Commissioner, DGP, Shimla |
| 4 | Kashmir | Khaltse Sub Division (Drokahpa Area) – Khaltse – dunkhar – Sroduchan – Hanudo – Biana – Dha Nubra sub Division Leh – Khardung La – Khalsar – Tirit – Panasik Leh – Khardung La – Khalsar – Hunder Leh – Sabo – Digar La digar – Labab – Khungru Gampa – tangar 3.Nyona Sub Division Pangong Lake – Spanksik Leh –Upshi – Chusathang – Mahe – Puga – Tso – Moari lake Leh –karu – chang la Durbuk – Tangtse – Lukung Spansik Leh –Upshi – Debring – Puga – Tso – Moari Lake | Normally issued 7 days permit. Tourist groups may travel only on identified circuits. (group should consit 4 – 20 person accompanied by a liason officer) Individual tourists not permitted | MHA District Magistrate |
| 5 | Lakshadweep Islands | Bangaram, suheli Islands, Agatti | Lakshadweep administration, Willington Island Kochi. | |
| 6 | Manipur | 1)Lohtak Lake, 2)Moirang INA Memorial, 3) Imphal, 4) Kaibul deer sanctuary 5)Kongjam War Memorial and 6) Waithe Lake | Normally issued 6 days permit. Individual tourists not permitted Entry by road allowed only on NH39 NH53 for Dimapur – Kohima – Imphal – Jiribam – Silchar. Culcutta to Imphal by air only | All FRROs & MHA, State government of Manipur |
| 7 | Mizoram | 1)Vairangte, 2)Thingdawi, and 3) Aizwal | Normally issued 10 days permit. Tourist groups may travel only on identified circuits Individual tourists not permitted | Home commissioner, Izwal, All FRROs at Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta, All india Mission abroad, Chief immigration officer, Chennai immigration Officer. |
| 8 | Nagaland | 1.Dimapur District – dimapur Town , Chumudima Sethikima, NH no 39 enroute to Kohima town 2.Kohima District – Kohima town, Khonoma Dzulakie Kigwema, Jakhama Viswema, Dzuku valley, Japhfu, Khuzama 3. Mokochong District – Mokochong town, Lungkhum, Ungma, Impur Mopungohukit, Tuli, Chani, Chuchlyumlang 4. Wokha District – Wokha town, Mount Tlyi, Governers camp, Doyang, Vankhosand , Tsunki | Normally issued 10 days permit. | Home commissioner, Kohima, All FRROs at Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta, All india Mission abroad, Chief immigration officer, Chennai immigration Officer. Resident Commissioner, State government of Nagaland , Kohima |
| 9 | Rajastan | NH No:15 (Upto indo pak border) running from Sriganga nagar to sanchore. | Exception to enroute cities, towns and villages on which it passes and the city limits of suratgarh, Bikaner, Phalodi, Pokaran, Jaisalmer, Barmerand Sanchore | MHA DM Concerned |
| 10 | Sikkim | Partially protected Areas 1.Gangtok, Rumtek, Phodang, Khecheperi Tashiging and Pemayangtse 2.Zongri 3. Tsangu (day visit only) (Individual tourist not allowed) Home secretary, Govt of Sikkim, Gangtok 4.Maangan, Singhik, tong, Chungthang, Yumthang, Lachung (5 days permit allowed) Home secretary, Govt of Sikkim, Gangtok | 1.(Individual tourist permitted ) Normally issued 15 days permit. 2. Normally issued 15 days permit. Tourist groups may travel only on identified circuits. (group should accompanied by a liason officer) | All FRROs at Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta, All india Mission abroad, Chief immigration officer, Chennai immigration Officer. Resident Commissioner, State government of Sikkim, Siliguri |
| 11 | Uttaranchal | Partially protected Areas 1)Nanda devi Sanctuary , 2) Kalindi Khal in chamoli, 3) Niti ghati, 4)Adjoining areas of Milam Glaicier | Individual tourist not permitted | MHA Government of Uttaranchal DM/SDM Concerned , ATBP |
With a view to promote tourism, some areas (notified by the Government of India from time to time) can be visited by foreign tourists, either in groups, or as a couple in the case of a husband and wife, or by individuals, after obtaining the necessary permit from the competent authority. Necessary powers have been delegated to various authorities to issue the special permit, without the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, to facilitate foreign tourists subject to the following exceptions:
- Special instructions applicable to foreign diplomats and members of the United Nations and International Organisations holding Diplomatic / Official Passport are issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
- (ii) Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin, shall not be issued a special permit without the prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
What are the specific instructions to be followed by PAP/RAP holders?
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1. The permit is valid for group tourists consisting of two or more persons only.
2. The permit is valid for the specific tourist circuit/route and the specific entry / exit point. No area other than the ones indicated in the permit shall be visited.
3. The permit holder must keep sufficient number of photocopies of the permit as he/she may be required to deposit a copy at each point of entry/exit.
4.The permit holder shall not stay in the restricted/protected area after the expiry of the permit.
5. A foreigner must enter/exit the North-Eastern States by air only.
6. A foreigner can travel within the North Eastern states through the National Highways or by air. While travelling by road, the tour should be undertaken largely through the National Highways. Where the places to be visited are situated on a National Highway, no other road should be utilized. In cases where the places, which are to be visited, are not on a National Highway, the tour should be undertaken in such a way that the maximum distance is travelled on a National Highway, restricting the utilization of other road routes to the minimum in such a way that the maximum distance is travelled on a National Highway, restricting the utilization of other road routes to the minimum.
