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TRAVEL PERMITS FOR INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

Northeast India Travel Permits - PAP / RAP

Planning a trip to Northeast India? Some states require additional travel permits for foreign nationals. This guide explains what you need, where you need it, 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.

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.

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STATE-BY-STATE GUIDE

Which States Need Permits?

Quick reference for foreign nationals travelling in Northeast India.

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) 3–7 working days ✅ Yes
Arunachal Pradesh ✅ Required Protected Area Permit (PAP) 3–7 working days ✅ Yes
Manipur ✅ Required (since Dec 2024) Protected Area Permit (PAP) 3–7 working days ✅ Yes
Mizoram ✅ Required (since Dec 2024) Protected Area Permit (PAP) 3–7 working days ✅ Yes

Permit rules can change. Nexplore confirms current requirements when your itinerary is planned.

✈️ Planning your journey from abroad ?

Figuring out border permits is just the first step!
Travel in Northeast India is special and slower and wilder than the rest of the country. We specialize in looking after international guests—from sorting out your paperwork and booking trusted local drivers to finding cozy, authentic village homestays and guides who speak the local tribal languages.

See Our Northeast India Guide & Tour Packages →
QUICK REFERENCE

Do You Need a Permit?

Permit requirements depend on the state you plan to visit. Here is the quick answer for foreign nationals.

ADDITIONAL PERMIT REQUIRED

Protected & Restricted Areas

Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim have additional permit requirements for foreign visitors.

NO ADDITIONAL PERMIT

Easy to Visit

Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura generally do not require an additional travel permit for foreign visitors with a valid Indian visa.

PERMIT ASSISTANCE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS

Not Sure Which Permit You Need?

Send us your travel dates and the states you want to visit. We'll check the permit requirements for your itinerary and tell you exactly what documents are needed.

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HOW IT WORKS

How Nexplore Handles Your Permits

Once your itinerary is confirmed, we identify the permits required for your journey and guide you through the paperwork.

01

Confirm Your Trip

Share your itinerary and travel dates with us.

02

Send Your Documents

We send you a clear checklist of the documents required.

03

We Apply

Our team submits the permit applications on your behalf.

04

Receive Your Permit

We send you the approved permits digitally.

05

Start Your Journey

Carry your permit copies and travel with peace of mind.

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

  • Copy of valid passport (bio-data page and all visa pages)
  • Copy of valid Indian Tourist Visa/ e-Visa
  • Recent passport-size photographs
  • Completed PAP application form (Nexplore provides and pre-fills this for you)
  • Confirmed tour itinerary from Nexplore

Border area Travel
Certain border areas are not allowed for foreign travelers. Confirm your itinerary from Nexplore Travel before finalizing your trip.

View our Arunachal Pradesh tour packages for international visitors

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.

View our Sikkim tour packages for international visitors

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).

Assam tours  |  Meghalaya tours |  Enquire about Manipur & Mizoram tours for international visitors

Frequently Asked Questions — Permits for Foreign Visitors

Yes, some parts of Northeast India require special permits for foreign travellers. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and certain areas of Sikkim have specific permit requirements. The rules can vary depending on your nationality and the places included in your itinerary. We can help you understand the requirements and arrange the necessary permits before your journey.

Most international travellers enter Northeast India through Guwahati, which is the main gateway to the region. Guwahati has an international airport and good flight connections with major Indian cities. From Guwahati, you can continue by road or domestic flight depending on your destination and itinerary.

The best time depends on the destination and the type of experience you are looking for. October to April is generally suitable for many parts of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The winter months are particularly popular for cultural experiences, wildlife and clear mountain views. The monsoon season can also be rewarding for travellers interested in Meghalaya's waterfalls and green landscapes.

Northeast India is visited by travellers from India and around the world. However, the region includes remote mountain roads and areas where travel conditions can change with weather. Travelling with a reliable local operator can make the journey easier, particularly when permits, road conditions, accommodation and local logistics need to be coordinated.
Independent travel is possible in some parts of Northeast India specially in Assam and Meghalaya, but certain destinations have permit requirements and limited transport connections.

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.

Yes. Nexplore can assist international travellers with the permit process for destinations where special permits are required. Once your itinerary and travel dates are confirmed, we can explain the documents required and help coordinate the application process.

We recommend confirming your itinerary at least 3-4 months before departure to allow comfortable processing time for all permits.

Yes, all foreign passport holders require a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter and travel within the state of Nagaland. While domestic Indian tourists require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) before entering the state.

Foreign nationals cannot apply for a Nagaland PAP directly online on their own. Applications must be sponsored and processed through a government-registered local tour operator based in Northeast India. When you book a tour package with Nexplore Travel, our team completely manages the official submission through the state home department on your behalf.

For most international nationalities (including the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Singapore), standard Nagaland PAP processing takes approximately 5 to 7 working days.

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.

To process your state permits, you only need to provide Nexplore Travel with digital scans of the following:

  • The bio-data page of your valid international passport.
  • Your approved Indian Tourist Visa or e-Visa document.
  • Two recent passport-sized photographs.

We take care of all application forms, government fees, and local department submissions as a standard component of our tour packages.

The standard processing timeframe for an Arunachal Pradesh or Nagaland Protected Area Permit (PAP) is approximately 5 to 7 working days.

READY TO PLAN?

Plan Your Northeast India Journey

From permits and transport to stays and local experiences, we can help you plan a smooth journey through Northeast India.

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.

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Explore Arunachal Pradesh Mountain landscapes, monasteries & tribal cultures Explore Nagaland Tribal villages, culture & Hornbill Festival Explore Sikkim Himalayan landscapes, monasteries & local culture