Travel essentials · Updated 2026
Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Northeast India
A complete, up-to-date 2026 guide for foreign nationals visiting Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura — what permit you need, where to apply, fees, documents, validity and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) rules for Indian citizens.
What is the Protected Area Permit?
Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, large parts of Northeast India were notified as "Protected Areas" and foreign nationals required a special Protected Area Permit (PAP) in addition to their Indian visa. Sikkim, and small pockets of a few other states, fall under the parallel Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963 — the permit for those areas is called a Restricted Area Permit (RAP).
Between 2008 and 2011, the Government of India relaxed PAP requirements for Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland — foreign nationals can now enter these states on a regular Indian visa and only need to register at the local Foreigners Registration Office (FRO/FRRO) within 24 hours of arrival. As of 2026, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are the only Northeast states that still require a PAP / RAP for most foreign nationals.
Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and holders of Pakistan-origin OCI cards, continue to require prior PAP clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for all Northeast states, regardless of the relaxations above.
Permit requirements by state (2026)
Arunachal Pradesh
- Who needs it
- Foreigners: PAP required. Indians: Inner Line Permit (ILP) required.
- Fee & validity
- USD 50 per foreign national (typically 10 days, group of 2+). ILP ~₹100 for Indians.
- Where to apply
- PAP issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs / Arunachal Pradesh Government through the Resident Commissioner, Arunachal Bhawan (Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Itanagar, Tezpur, Dibrugarh). Most foreigners apply via a registered Indian tour operator.
- Notes
- Group of 2 or more strongly recommended. Single-traveller PAPs are possible but slower. Extra endorsement needed for Tawang, Mechuka, Anini, Vijaynagar and border areas.
Nagaland
- Who needs it
- Foreigners: PAP no longer required since 2010; only online registration on arrival. Indians: ILP required.
- Fee & validity
- Foreigners: free registration. ILP for Indians: ₹100–₹200 online.
- Where to apply
- Foreigners must register within 24 hours of arrival at the nearest Foreigners Registration Office (FRO), or online at nagalandtourism.gov.in. Indians apply for ILP at ilp.nagaland.gov.in or at entry points (Dimapur, Kohima).
- Notes
- Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese nationals still require prior PAP clearance from MHA. Hornbill Festival visitors should register in advance to avoid queues at Kisama.
Manipur
- Who needs it
- Foreigners: PAP no longer required for most nationalities since 2011; only FRRO registration. Indians: ILP required since 2020.
- Fee & validity
- Foreigners: free registration within 24 hours. ILP for Indians: ₹100 (regular)/₹500 (special) via manipurilponline.mn.gov.in.
- Where to apply
- Foreign nationals report to the FRRO Imphal within 24 hours of arrival. Indians apply online or at Imphal airport / Mao gate / Jiribam.
- Notes
- Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese nationals still require prior PAP. Currently check the latest travel advisory before visiting — parts of Manipur may have entry restrictions.
Mizoram
- Who needs it
- Foreigners: PAP no longer required for most nationalities; only FRRO registration. Indians: ILP required.
- Fee & validity
- Foreigners: free registration within 24 hours. ILP for Indians: ₹120 (regular) / ₹220 (special) via ilp.mizoram.gov.in.
- Where to apply
- Foreigners register at the Superintendent of Police (CID/SB), Aizawl within 24 hours. Indians apply online or at Lengpui Airport / Vairengte / Bairabi entry points.
- Notes
- Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese nationals still require prior PAP from MHA.
Sikkim
- Who needs it
- Foreigners: RAP (Restricted Area Permit) required. Indians: no ILP; only protected-area sub-permits for high-altitude zones.
- Fee & validity
- RAP: free, valid 30 days (extendable up to 60). Protected-area sub-permits: ₹200 per person for Tsomgo Lake, Nathula, Gurudongmar, Yumthang, Dzongri etc.
- Where to apply
- RAP issued at Indian embassies abroad, at Bagdogra Airport, Rangpo entry gate, Sikkim Tourism offices (Delhi, Kolkata, Siliguri) or online via sikkimtourism.gov.in.
- Notes
- Nathula, Gurudongmar, Zero Point, Dzongri and Goecha La require additional sub-permits arranged only through a registered Sikkim tour operator. Foreigners are not permitted at Nathula Pass or Gurudongmar Lake.
Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura
- Who needs it
- No PAP or ILP for either foreigners or Indians.
- Fee & validity
- None.
- Where to apply
- Enter freely with a valid Indian visa (foreigners) or ID (Indians).
- Notes
- Foreigners staying more than 180 days must register with the FRRO in Guwahati, Shillong or Agartala.
Documents required for a PAP / RAP
- Passport with valid Indian visa (minimum 6 months validity, 2 blank pages)
- 4–6 recent passport-size photographs
- Photocopy of passport data page and Indian visa page
- Detailed day-by-day itinerary with entry / exit points and dates
- Confirmed flight tickets (arrival and onward)
- Confirmed hotel bookings or invitation letter from the host / tour operator
- PAP application form (Form A for Arunachal, state-specific forms elsewhere)
- Covering letter from a registered Indian tour operator (for Arunachal, Sikkim high-altitude, and restricted zones)
How to apply — three routes
1. Through a registered Indian tour operator (recommended). The operator files your PAP with the state government or MHA, secures group approval and hands you the printed permit before you fly in. This is the fastest and most reliable option, and mandatory for Sikkim's high-altitude zones and Arunachal's restricted circuits (Mechuka, Anini, Vijaynagar).
2. At an Arunachal Bhawan or Sikkim Tourism office in India. Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Shillong, Itanagar and Siliguri all issue PAPs / RAPs to walk-in foreign applicants. Turnaround is usually 2–5 working days.
3. At the Indian mission abroad or on arrival. Sikkim RAP is stamped on arrival at Bagdogra Airport, Rangpo road-entry gate or at any Indian embassy that issues an Indian visa. Arunachal PAPs cannot be obtained on arrival.
Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian citizens
Indian citizens do not need a PAP, but they do need an Inner Line Permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. The ILP is issued under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 and can be obtained online in a few minutes on each state's official portal, or on arrival at the airport / entry gate. Fees range from ₹100–₹500 depending on the state and duration.
Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura and Sikkim do not require an ILP for Indian nationals.
Frequently asked questions
Do all foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Northeast India?
No. As of 2026, PAP is mandatory only for Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim (as RAP). Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram removed PAP requirements for most nationalities in 2010–2011, replacing it with a simple FRRO registration on arrival. However, citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China still require prior PAP clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for all Northeast states.
How long does it take to get a Protected Area Permit?
Standard processing takes 3–4 weeks when applied through a registered Indian tour operator. Applying at Arunachal Bhawan Delhi or Kolkata can be faster (2–5 working days) if you visit in person. Group PAPs (2+ travellers) are approved faster than single-traveller PAPs.
How much does a PAP for Arunachal Pradesh cost?
The official government fee is USD 50 per foreign national, valid for 10 days and typically issued to groups of two or more. Tour operator service fees are additional. Extensions cost the same and must be applied for at Itanagar before expiry.
Can I apply for a PAP online?
Arunachal Pradesh offers online PAP applications for foreign nationals at eilp.arunachalilp.com (also used for Indian ILPs). Sikkim RAP can be obtained on arrival at Bagdogra or Rangpo — no advance online application needed. For faster and reliable processing, most foreigners apply via a registered Indian tour operator.
Do I need a PAP to attend the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland?
No. Foreigners only need to register at the FRO in Kohima or online at nagalandtourism.gov.in within 24 hours of arrival. Indian citizens require an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be obtained online in minutes or at Dimapur airport.
What is the difference between PAP, RAP and ILP?
PAP (Protected Area Permit) is issued to foreign nationals for areas notified under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958 — mainly Arunachal Pradesh and border regions. RAP (Restricted Area Permit) covers areas under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963 — Sikkim, Andaman & Nicobar. ILP (Inner Line Permit) is issued to Indian citizens for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and parts of Lakshadweep under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
Are foreign nationals allowed everywhere in Sikkim?
No. Foreigners are not permitted at Nathula Pass, Gurudongmar Lake or Cholamu Lake. Access to Tsomgo Lake, Yumthang Valley, Zero Point, Dzongri and Goecha La is allowed only with a protected-area sub-permit arranged through a registered Sikkim tour operator, and only in groups of two or more.
What happens if I travel without a PAP?
Entering a Protected/Restricted Area without the required permit is an offence under the Foreigners Act, 1946 — punishable with fine, deportation and a possible ban on re-entry to India. Police check-posts on all entry roads verify permits, so travelling without one is not practical.
Disclaimer: Permit rules for Northeast India change frequently. This page is updated for 2026 based on notifications from the Ministry of Home Affairs and state tourism departments, but always confirm the latest requirements with your Indian mission or a registered tour operator before you travel.