Call: + 91 - 73990 54196Northeast India Travel Permits for Foreign Visitors
Planning a trip to Northeast India ? To visit Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram or other protected states in Northeast a foreign national, you will need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) before you travel. This guide explains exactly which states require which permits, what documents you need, how long processing takes, and what Nexplore Travel does on your behalf so you don't have to navigate the system alone.
Foreign travellers also need to registering with the Foreign Registration Office (FRO). Nexplore arranges the PAP for all these states on your behalf — contact us as soon as you confirm your travel dates, as processing takes 5–7 working days.
Quick Reference — Which States Need Permits?
Here is a state-by-state summary for foreign nationals (non-Indian passport holders) travelling to Northeast India in 2026. Indian nationals have a separate permit system (ILP) — this guide covers foreign visitors only.
| State | Permit Required | Permit Type | Processing Time | Nexplore Arranges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assam | ❌ No permit needed | — | — | N/A |
| Meghalaya | ❌ No permit needed | — | — | N/A |
| Tripura | ❌ No permit needed | — | — | N/A |
| Sikkim | ✅ Required | Restricted Area Permit (RAP & PAP) | 1–2 working days | ✅ Yes |
| Nagaland | ✅ Required (since March 2025) | Protected Area Permit (PAP) | 2–7 working days | ✅ Yes |
| Arunachal Pradesh | ✅ Required | Protected Area Permit (PAP) | 3–5 working days | ✅ Yes |
| Manipur | ✅ Required (since Dec 2024) | Protected Area Permit (PAP) | 3–5 working days | ✅ Yes |
| Mizoram | ✅ Required (since Dec 2024) | Protected Area Permit (PAP) | 3–5 working days | ✅ Yes |
* Permit rules are subject to change by the Ministry of Home Affairs. Nexplore confirms current requirements at the time of every booking. Citizens of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan are not eligible for apply the PAP. — please enquire directly.
How Nexplore Handles Your Permits — Step by Step
As a registered tour operator authorised by the Government of Assam, Nexplore Travel has been arranging permits for international visitors since 2015. You do not need to contact government offices, visit embassies or navigate bureaucratic portals. Here is exactly what happens when you book with us:
- You confirm your itinerary and travel dates with us. We identify every permit required for every state on your route.
- We send you a document checklist. Typically: passport copy (bio-data page), Indian visa copy, and two passport-size photographs. For Arunachal Pradesh PAP: also a completed application form which we provide pre-filled.
- You send us the documents by email or WhatsApp. Originals are not required at this stage — scanned copies or clear phone photographs are accepted.
- We submit your applications immediately. For Nagaland PAP: 2–3 working days. For Arunachal Pradesh PAP: 3–5 working days. We apply well in advance of your travel date.
- We send you the approved permits digitally. You print them (or keep digital copies on your phone) and carry them throughout your trip. We also keep copies in case of loss.
Permit Details for Foreign Nationals
Protected Area Permit (PAP)
Do I need a permit?
Yes. All foreign nationals have been required to hold a Protected Area Permit
(PAP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. This has been in effect continuously and is
non-negotiable at all entry checkpoints.
Documents required
Border area Travel Certain border areas are not allowed for foreign travelers. Confirm your itinerary from Nexplore Travel before finalizing your trip.
Sikkim — Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Protected Area Permit (PAP) in some places
Do I need a permit?
For most of Sikkim : Yes
A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required for all foreign
nationals to enter any part of Sikkim, including Gangtok, Pelling, and
Ravangla. As of January 2026, the RAP must be obtained digitally via
India's e-FRRO portal before arrival. A Protected Area Permit (PAP)
is additionally required for North Sikkim destinations including Lachen,
Lachung, Yumthang Valley and Tsomgo Lake. Foreign nationals are not
permitted at Nathula Pass or Gurudongmar Lake. Solo travel is not
permitted — a minimum of two foreign nationals per group is required. This is arranged through your registered tour operator.
Documents required
- Copy of passport
- Copy of Indian visa
- Passport-size photograph
Foreign nationals and Gurudongmar Lake
Important: Foreign nationals are currently not permitted to visit border areas Nathula Pass, Dzongri and Gurudongmar Lake.
Assam, Meghalaya & Tripura — No Permit Required
Foreign nationals with a valid Indian Tourist Visa may enter Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura freely. No Inner Line Permit, Protected Area Permit, or any additional travel document is required beyond your Indian visa. These three states cover some of Northeast India's most iconic destinations: Kaziranga National Park, Majuli Island, and Manas (Assam); Shillong, Cherrapunji, Dawki, and Mawlynnong (Meghalaya); and Unakoti, Neermahal, and Sepahijala (Tripura).
Frequently Asked Questions — Permits for Foreign Visitors
Do I need to carry physical printouts of my permits?
Yes. Physical printed copies are required at state entry checkpoints, military checkpoints on sensitive routes, and at the Foreigners' Registration Office on arrival. Keep at least two printed sets — one to submit at checkpoints and one to retain. Digital copies on your phone are useful as backup but are not universally accepted as primary documentation at border posts. Your Nexplore guide carries additional copies throughout the tour.
Can I apply for PAP permits myself without a tour operator?
Technically yes — PAP applications can be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs in Delhi or to the respective state's resident commissioner offices in Delhi, Kolkata, or Guwahati. However, the process is complex, documentation requirements are strict. Most international visitors find that the simplest, fastest, and most reliable method is to book through a registered tour operator like Nexplore, for whom permit processing is a routine part of every tour booking. There is no additional charges — permit fees are included in all Nexplore packages.
What happens if I arrive at a state checkpoint without the correct permit?
You will be refused entry at the state border checkpoint. There is no on-arrival PAP issuance for foreign nationals at land border checkpoints in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur or Mizoram. Nexplore has never had a guest refused entry — because we arrange all permits well in advance of travel.
My itinerary crosses multiple states — do I need separate permits for each?
Yes. Each state that requires a PAP or RAP issues its own permit. If your tour covers Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, for example, you need two separate permits. Nexplore submits all permit applications simultaneously as soon as your itinerary is confirmed, ensuring all permits are ready well before your arrival date.
I am travelling as a couple — can we apply on one joint permit?
For most states, couples travelling together are treated as a qualifying group (minimum of two persons) and can be covered under a shared PAP application. Each individual's passport details must be listed on the application. Nexplore manages joint applications as standard for couples and small groups.
How early should I confirm my travel plans if I need a PAP?
We recommend confirming your itinerary at least 3-4 months before departure to allow comfortable processing time for all permits.
Can citizens of all countries get a PAP for Northeast India?
Citizens of most countries can obtain a PAP. However, nationals of China, Pakistan and Afghanistan — and foreign nationals whose parents or grandparents were born in and permanently resident in these countries can not enter many places.
Let Nexplore Handle Every Permit — So You Can Focus on the Journey
Since 2015, Nexplore Travel has arranged permits for international visitors. We have never had an international guest refused entry due to a permit issue.
Tell us your travel dates and the states you want to visit. We will confirm exactly which permits you need, what documents to send us, and how long the process will take — within 24 hours of your enquiry.