Restricted & Protected Areas

A valid Indian visa doesn’t automatically let you visit everywhere in India. Parts of the Northeast, the Himalayan border regions, and the Andamans require a separate permit — and getting this wrong is a genuine legal violation, not a paperwork technicality.

NOTE

General information only, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements at indianfrro.gov.in. See our full disclaimer on the hub page.

10States/UTs with some restricted zone

ILP ≠ PAPILP is Indian-citizens-only

Dec 2024PAP reimposed for 3 NE states

OCIDoesn’t exempt you either

COMMON CONFUSION

You may see “Inner Line Permit” (ILP) mentioned online — that’s for Indian citizens only, issued to Indians travelling from outside those states. As a foreign national (including OCI and PIO holders), ILP does not apply to you. You need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) instead — a completely separate system.

Where PAP/RAP applies

AreaPermitScope

Arunachal PradeshPAPEntire state

Nagaland, Manipur, MizoramPAPReimposed for foreigners December 2024 — obtain in advance, not on arrival

SikkimRAP (parts only)Most of Sikkim (Gangtok, Pelling, Ravangla) is open without a permit; Gurudongmar Lake and parts of North Sikkim need RAP; Nathula Pass is closed to foreigners entirely

Andaman & Nicobar IslandsRAPEntire Union Territory

Parts of Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Ladakh, Rajasthan, UttarakhandPAP/RAPSpecific border-belt zones only, not the whole state/UT

Bhutanese citizens are exempt from PAP/RAP requirements. Coverage and specific zones shift periodically — the December 2024 reimposition for three Northeast states is a good example of how quickly this changes; always check current status before finalising an itinerary.

How to apply

Where

Primarily through indianfrro.gov.in, or via an Indian Mission if applying from outside India. For Sikkim specifically, physical permits are no longer issued at border checkpoints like Rangpo — apply online before you travel.

Group requirements

Most PAP-designated areas require a group of two or more people, sponsored by a recognised Indian travel agency with a pre-drawn itinerary — solo foreign travellers often can’t get individual permits except in specific zones. Plan around this if travelling alone.

Timing

Apply roughly 30 days in advance if applying from outside India through a mission; faster (1–2 weeks) if arranged locally through a registered tour operator once you’re already in India.

Once you have it

Travel is restricted to the specific route/circuit named on your permit — deviating isn’t allowed. In Northeast states, travel must largely follow National Highways. Carry printed copies; you may need to deposit one at each checkpoint.

CROSS-REFERENCE

Guwahati is the main air gateway for most Northeast India permit destinations — foreign nationals must generally enter/exit the Northeast by air, with Guwahati as the primary hub (Aizawl, Imphal, and Kohima can also work if you already hold a valid permit). See our Guwahati airport guide if this applies to your trip.

Official sources

indianfrro.gov.in

PAP/RAP applications.

mha.gov.in

Current protected/restricted area notifications.