Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit four Northeast states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim need no ILP, although Sikkim requires a separate permit for border areas such as Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake and North Sikkim.
Foreign nationals face stricter rules. They need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Sikkim, and in most cases it must be arranged online before arrival. This guide explains what each permit is, which states need what, and how to apply without delaying your trip.
Key takeaways
- Indians need an ILP for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. All four states let you apply online.
- Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura need no permit for anyone. Carry a government photo ID.
- In Sikkim, Indians need a PAP only for protected areas such as Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake and North Sikkim, usually arranged by a registered tour operator.
- Since December 2024, foreigners again need a PAP for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Since January 2026, Sikkim issues foreigners' permits only online.
- Apply at least a week or two before you travel, and carry printed copies of every permit.
ILP and PAP: what is the difference?
An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is a travel document that Indian citizens from outside the state need to enter certain Northeast states. It exists to protect the land, culture and identity of indigenous communities, and it is issued by each state government for a fixed number of days.
A Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) applies mainly to foreign nationals entering sensitive border regions. It is issued under central government rules and is usually harder to get than an ILP. In Sikkim, Indians also need a PAP for a few specific border areas.
Permits by state at a glance
| State | Indian citizens | Foreign nationals | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | ILP required | PAP required | eilp.arunachal.gov.in |
| Nagaland | ILP required | ILP and PAP required | ilp.nagaland.gov.in; PAP via e-FRRO |
| Mizoram | ILP required | PAP required | ilp.mizoram.gov.in; PAP via e-FRRO |
| Manipur | ILP required | PAP required | manipurilponline.mn.gov.in; PAP via e-FRRO |
| Sikkim | No ILP; PAP for protected areas | RAP for all of Sikkim, plus PAP for protected areas | Tour operator for Indians; e-FRRO for foreigners |
| Assam | No permit | No permit | Not applicable |
| Meghalaya | No permit | No permit | Not applicable |
| Tripura | No permit | No permit | Not applicable |
Rules can change at short notice, especially for foreign nationals. Always confirm on the official portal before you book.
State-by-state permit rules
Arunachal Pradesh
Indians need an ILP for Arunachal Pradesh, including for Tawang, Ziro, Dirang, Mechuka and Itanagar. Apply online through the official Arunachal Pradesh eILP portal, which issues tourist permits for short stays. The fee depends on how long you stay.
Foreign nationals need a PAP, usually arranged through a registered tour operator. For fees, documents and a step-by-step walkthrough, read our detailed Arunachal Pradesh ILP guide.
Nagaland
Every visitor to Nagaland needs an ILP, and the official Tourism Nagaland entry permits page confirms this applies to domestic and foreign tourists alike. Apply online at the Nagaland ILP portal, or at Deputy Commissioner offices in Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung.
Foreign nationals also need a PAP through the e-FRRO portal. If you are planning a December trip, our Hornbill Festival 2026 guide covers the permit steps alongside dates, tickets and stays.
Mizoram
Indians need an ILP for Mizoram. Apply online at the official Mizoram ILP portal, or get a temporary permit on arrival at Lengpui Airport or Sairang railway station. The Sairang counter has become busy since trains started running to Aizawl, so applying online saves time.
Foreign nationals need a PAP, arranged in advance. Our guide on how to reach Aizawl by train explains the ILP counter at Sairang in more detail.
Manipur
Indians need an ILP for Manipur, a requirement introduced in January 2020. Apply online through the Manipur ILP portal. Temporary permits are also issued at entry points such as Imphal Airport.
Foreign nationals need a PAP. Check current travel advisories for Manipur before planning a trip, as conditions in some districts have changed in recent years.
Sikkim
Indians do not need an ILP for Sikkim. A government photo ID is enough to enter at Rangpo or Melli and to visit Gangtok, Pelling, Namchi and Ravangla.
You do need a PAP for protected areas, including Tsomgo Lake, Nathu La, Zuluk and North Sikkim destinations such as Lachen, Lachung, Yumthang and Gurudongmar. These permits are arranged through registered tour operators, usually a day before your visit. Our Nathu La permit guide covers the process.
Foreign nationals need a RAP for all of Sikkim, plus a PAP for protected areas. Since 12 January 2026, Sikkim has stopped issuing these permits on arrival at checkposts and airports. Foreigners must apply online through the e-FRRO portal before reaching the border. Some areas, including Nathu La, remain closed to foreign nationals.
Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura
No permit is needed for Indian or foreign visitors to Assam, Meghalaya or Tripura. Carry a government photo ID, which hotels record at check-in.
This makes Guwahati, Shillong, Kaziranga and Agartala easy starting points for a Northeast trip, with permits needed only when you cross into the ILP states.
How to apply for an ILP online
The process is similar across Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur:
- Open the official state portal. Use only the government URLs listed above. Several private sites look official and charge extra.
- Choose the tourist category and enter your entry and exit dates and the districts you plan to visit.
- Upload documents. You will need a passport-size photo and a government photo ID such as Aadhaar, a passport, a voter ID or a driving licence. Keep files small, as portals often limit upload size.
- Pay the fee online by UPI, card or net banking.
- Download and print the permit. Carry it along with the same ID you used to apply.
Apply at least a week before you travel, and earlier in peak season. Processing usually takes one to three working days, but it can take longer around festivals and holidays.
Permits for foreign nationals
Foreign travellers should plan permits before booking flights. Key points:
- Apply through e-FRRO. PAPs for Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram, and RAPs and PAPs for Sikkim, are processed online through the government's e-FRRO portal. Allow at least two weeks.
- Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram were relaxed for many years, but the Ministry of Home Affairs reimposed the PAP requirement in December 2024.
- Arunachal Pradesh PAPs are typically arranged through registered tour operators.
- Some nationalities face extra checks. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and foreigners of Pakistani origin, need prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs for protected areas.
- Carry several copies. Checkposts and hotels may keep a photocopy of your permit and passport.
Planning a multi-state Northeast trip
If your route crosses several states, sort permits by the order you will enter them.
For example, a popular two-week loop runs Guwahati, Shillong, Kaziranga, Tawang and back. Only Arunachal Pradesh needs an ILP on that route, so you apply once for the Tawang leg. Add Kohima for the Hornbill Festival and you need a Nagaland ILP too. Add Aizawl by train and you need a Mizoram ILP as well.
A few practical tips:
- Match permit dates to your real itinerary, with a buffer day in case of road delays or landslides.
- Check which districts you list. Some permits are valid only for the districts named on them.
- Keep digital and printed copies. Mobile signal is patchy at many checkposts.
- Travelling with a tour operator? Most include permit arrangements, which saves time for Sikkim's protected areas and for foreign travellers.
If you would rather have the permits handled for you, Breeziah arranges them for the routes we operate, as long as we have your ID details well in advance. Browse our Northeast India tour packages or ask us to plan a custom route across several states.
Indian citizens need an ILP for four states: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Sikkim do not require an ILP.
No. Meghalaya does not require an ILP or any other permit for Indian or foreign tourists. Carry a government photo ID for hotel check-ins.
Not for most of Sikkim. Indians can visit Gangtok and other main towns with a photo ID. A Protected Area Permit is needed for areas such as Nathu La, Tsomgo Lake, Zuluk and North Sikkim, and is usually arranged by a registered tour operator.
Online ILPs usually take one to three working days. Apply at least a week before travel, and earlier during festivals and holidays.
Yes, but they need a Protected Area Permit. The requirement was reimposed in December 2024, so foreign nationals must apply in advance through the e-FRRO portal. Nagaland also requires an ILP for foreign visitors.
In some states, yes. Mizoram issues temporary permits at Lengpui Airport and Sairang railway station, and Manipur issues them at entry points such as Imphal Airport. Applying online in advance is still faster and avoids queues.