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 to boost tourism. That relaxation was withdrawn by MHA circular dated 17 December 2024 on security grounds. As of 2026, foreign nationals need a PAP for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, and an RAP for Sikkim. Only Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura remain permit-free.
Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and holders of Pakistan-origin OCI cards, additionally require prior PAP clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for all Northeast states.
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 required again since 17 December 2024 (MHA reimposed the Protected Area Regime). Indians: ILP required.
- Fee & validity
- PAP issued by MHA / state government; no fixed government fee (tour-operator service charges apply). ILP for Indians: ₹100–₹200 online.
- Where to apply
- Foreign nationals must obtain PAP in advance from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) or from the Nagaland Home Department, normally routed through a registered Indian tour operator. On arrival, foreigners must also register at the nearest Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) within 24 hours. Indians apply for ILP at ilp.nagaland.gov.in or at entry points (Dimapur, Kohima).
- Notes
- The earlier 2010 PAP relaxation for Nagaland was withdrawn by MHA circular dated 17 December 2024 on security grounds. Even during Hornbill Festival, foreigners now need a valid PAP before travelling — start the process 4–6 weeks in advance through a registered tour operator, since some files are routed through MHA. Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese nationals continue to require prior MHA clearance.
Manipur
- Who needs it
- Foreigners: PAP required again since 17 December 2024. Indians: ILP required since 2020.
- Fee & validity
- PAP issued by MHA / state government; no fixed government fee. ILP for Indians: ₹100 (regular) / ₹500 (special) via manipurilponline.mn.gov.in.
- Where to apply
- Foreign nationals must obtain PAP in advance from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Manipur Home Department, typically through a registered Indian tour operator. On arrival, foreigners must also report to the FRRO Imphal within 24 hours. Indians apply for ILP online or at Imphal airport / Mao gate / Jiribam.
- Notes
- The 2011 PAP relaxation for Manipur was withdrawn by MHA on 17 December 2024. Check the current MEA / MHA travel advisory before booking — parts of Manipur remain under Section 144 / additional entry restrictions due to the ongoing law-and-order situation. Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese nationals require prior MHA clearance.
Mizoram
- Who needs it
- Foreigners: PAP required again since 17 December 2024. Indians: ILP required.
- Fee & validity
- PAP issued by MHA / state government; no fixed government fee. ILP for Indians: ₹120 (regular) / ₹220 (special) via ilp.mizoram.gov.in.
- Where to apply
- Foreign nationals must obtain PAP in advance from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Mizoram Home Department, normally through a registered Indian tour operator. On arrival, foreigners must also register at the Superintendent of Police (CID/SB), Aizawl within 24 hours. Indians apply for ILP online or at Lengpui Airport / Vairengte / Bairabi entry points.
- Notes
- The 2010 PAP relaxation for Mizoram was withdrawn by MHA on 17 December 2024, citing the influx of foreign nationals across the Myanmar border. Pakistani, Afghan and Chinese nationals require prior MHA clearance.
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.
Permit assistance for booked package tours
Living Roots Expeditions provides permit assistance exclusively to international travellers who have booked a complete package tour with us. We do not offer a standalone permit-only service.
We prepare and pre-check the file 4–6 weeks before departure. The formal submission is normally made after the traveller arrives in India, because a copy of the Indian immigration arrival stamp is required; the two timelines are complementary, not alternatives. Clear soft copies may be submitted by email or WhatsApp. Where the applicable state procedure permits, our team can also coordinate hard-copy submission in Guwahati.
Documents required:
- Clear passport bio-page copy
- Valid Indian visa copy
- Passport page showing the Indian immigration arrival stamp
- International flight ticket or travel itinerary to India
- Recent passport-size photograph
We prepare the supporting tour itinerary and application documents for confirmed package guests. The relevant government authority makes the final decision and issues the permit. Approval must be received before entering the protected state.
Permit requirements and processing procedures differ by state and nationality and may change. Confirmed guests receive current instructions for their particular itinerary.
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.
Official sources
Always confirm current rules on the government portals below before booking flights.
Frequently asked questions
Do all foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Northeast India?
Yes, for most of the border states. As of 2026, foreign nationals need a PAP for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, and an RAP for Sikkim. The PAP relaxations that Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram enjoyed since 2010–2011 were withdrawn by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) circular dated 17 December 2024. Meghalaya, Assam and Tripura do not require any permit. Citizens of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China additionally require prior MHA clearance for all Northeast states.
When did the PAP come back for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram?
The MHA (Foreigners Division) issued circular No. 25022/160/2010-F.I on 17 December 2024, reimposing the Protected Area Regime in Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland with immediate effect. The move was announced on security grounds, citing the influx of foreign nationals from across the Myanmar border and the situation in Manipur.
How long does it take to get a Protected Area Permit?
Standard processing takes 4–6 weeks when applied through a registered Indian tour operator, because the file is routed through MHA (Foreigners Division) and the concerned state Home Department. For Arunachal Pradesh, walk-in applications at Arunachal Bhawan Delhi or Kolkata can be faster (2–5 working days). Group PAPs (2+ travellers) are approved faster than single-traveller PAPs.
How much does a PAP for Arunachal Pradesh cost?
The official government fee for Arunachal Pradesh 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. Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram do not levy a fixed PAP fee; only tour-operator service charges apply.
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 stamped on arrival at Bagdogra or Rangpo. For Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, PAP is currently not available on any online portal — it must be applied for through a registered Indian tour operator or directly at MHA.
Do I need a PAP to attend the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland?
Yes. Since 17 December 2024, foreign nationals need a valid Protected Area Permit for Nagaland — including for the Hornbill Festival at Kisama. Start the process 4–6 weeks ahead through a registered tour operator. Where the state procedure requires a copy of your Indian immigration arrival stamp, the final submission is made after you land, so the paperwork should be ready before departure. On arrival, foreigners must also register at the FRO in Kohima or Dimapur. Indian citizens continue to need only an Inner Line Permit (ILP), obtainable online.
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 — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and parts of other border states. 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 and Manipur 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.
Can Living Roots arrange only my permit without a tour booking?
No. Permit assistance is available only to international travellers who book a complete package tour with Living Roots Expeditions.
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.