Northeast India Permits Explained: ILP, PAP and RAP by State

Several Northeast Indian states control entry with permits. Indian citizens who live elsewhere need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and most of Nagaland, while foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for the same border states and for Sikkim. Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura do not require an ILP from tourists. Rules change often, so treat this guide as a map and confirm on the official portal before you pay or board.

Quick facts

ILP: for Indian citizens who are not residents of the state. Needed for Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland (Dimapur district is exempt).
PAP and RAP: for foreign nationals in protected or restricted areas, including Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim.
No ILP system for tourists: Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, though Meghalaya has proposed a visitor verification system (see below).
Where to apply: state portals for Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland; the Manipur ILP portal, plus counters at Imphal airport and other entry points. Foreigners apply through central government channels.
Typical tourist validity: about 14 days in Arunachal Pradesh, up to 15 days in Mizoram, 15 or 30 days in Nagaland and 30 days in Manipur.
Gateway: most travellers start in Guwahati, which also has permit facilitation offices for several states.
Re-check: fees, validity and portals as of October 2026 on the official sites named below.

What do ILP, PAP and RAP mean?

An Inner Line Permit is a travel document that lets an Indian citizen from outside a state enter it for a limited time. It is checked at entry gates and at police or army posts. It is not a visa, and it is not the same as a Restricted Area Permit.

A Protected Area Permit or Restricted Area Permit applies to foreign nationals. The Protected Area Permit comes from the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958. Different official pages use PAP and RAP for the same states, so do not worry if two sources use different labels. What matters is which authority issues the permit and how early you apply.

Indian citizens do not need a PAP or RAP. Foreign nationals do not use the ILP portals for tourist travel.

Which states need which permit?

State	Indian visitors	Foreign visitors
Arunachal Pradesh	ILP (online e-ILP)	PAP or RAP from central or state authorities
Mizoram	ILP (online portal)	Registration within 24 hours of arrival, plus PAP regime
Nagaland	ILP, except Dimapur district	PAP regime reimposed Dec 2024
Manipur	ILP (online portal or counters)	PAP regime reimposed Dec 2024
Sikkim	Check with Sikkim Tourism	Online PAP or RAP via the FRRO portal
Meghalaya	No ILP or permit for tourists in general; visitor verification system proposed	Listed among states needing PAP or RAP by Air India
Assam, Tripura	No ILP for tourists	No tourist permit identified in the sources used

How does the Arunachal Pradesh ILP work?

Indian tourists apply on the state's e-ILP portal (eilp.arunachal.gov.in). You register with a mobile number, enter traveller details and pay online. A published description of the system gives the tourist fee as Rs 300 for up to 3 days and Rs 500 for 4 to 14 days, and says the permit covers stays of up to 14 days. Longer stays need a different permit. Children under 14 do not need their own permit if an adult accompanies them. Confirm the current fee on the portal.

Tourists who need a permit on arrival can also use state government offices in Delhi, Kolkata and Guwahati, and permit centres at places such as Naharlagun, Gumto and Itanagar airport. Bumla Pass and some border areas need extra permission from the local administration and the Army. The full explanation is in the Arunachal Pradesh ILP guide, and the road side is covered in the Sela Pass and Bumla road guide.

How do I get a permit for Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur?

Mizoram. The state launched an online ILP portal in December 2019 at ilp.mizoram.gov.in, and temporary permits for visitors can be requested there. The Aizawl district administration says a temporary ILP is valid for up to 15 days. It also lists liaison offices in Guwahati, Shillong, Kolkata, Silchar and Delhi. See the Mizoram ILP guide for step-by-step detail.

Nagaland. The state Home Department says citizens who are not domiciled in Nagaland need an ILP for every district except Dimapur. For domestic tourists, the state runs an online portal at ilp.nagaland.gov.in. As of October 2026, the portal's fees page lists a fresh domestic ILP at Rs 200, valid for 30 days, plus a payment gateway charge. Older coverage from the 2019 launch quoted lower fees, so ignore it. You upload a photo and a government ID. If you plan to attend the festival in December, read the Hornbill Festival guide.

Manipur. The Manipur ILP portal lists a Temporary ILP for tourists, valid for 30 days and not renewable. You can apply online, at a kiosk, or at a counter at Mao Gate, Jiribam railway station, Imphal airport or a district Deputy Commissioner's office. Carry the original ID used in your application.

What about foreign visitors?

Foreign nationals visiting protected or restricted areas must carry a PAP or RAP. Air India's guidance says these can be requested online through the e-FRRO portal and typically take at least two weeks, so apply early.

The Home Ministry reimposed the Protected Area Regime in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram in December 2024, ending a long relaxation. Foreigners on non-tourist visas generally need Ministry approval first. Tourist-visa holders who want to visit areas not open to tourism also need prior approval. Foreigners in Mizoram must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival.

For Sikkim, trade press reported in January 2026 that Sikkim had stopped issuing physical PAP and RAP permits to foreigners, following Ministry of Home Affairs directions. Applications go through the e-FRRO portal on the Indian FRRO site. The same notice lists only Tsomgo Lake, Yumthang Valley and Zero Point as open to foreign nationals. The report says foreign visitors apply online after arriving in India and before entering Sikkim. Check the Sikkim Tourism notice again before you book.

What should I carry and avoid?

Keep a printed and digital copy of the permit, plus the original government ID used to apply.
Match names, dates and ID numbers exactly. Arunachal's portal warns that wrong information can lead to penalties.
Apply for the dates you will actually travel. Many permits cannot be extended or refunded.
Do not rely on getting permits at a border gate. Mizoram says it does not issue them there.
Check that your route does not cross a second restricted area, as with Bumla Pass or other border sites.
Meghalaya Tourism says Indian nationals usually need no permit, and foreign nationals register on arrival. A 2019 law amendment proposed registration for all visitors, and a July 2026 report said a visitor verification system, not an ILP, was still being prepared and not yet running. Accommodation providers are also asked to register guests through the state tourism app. Ask Meghalaya Tourism for the current position.

What does a multi-state trip look like?

Permits are issued per state, not per region. A trip that covers Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland needs two ILPs. Most circuits begin in Guwahati, so you can sort the paperwork in advance. Read the guide to reaching Northeast India via Guwahati for flight and rail options, and the Imphal and Ukhrul guide for Manipur, which needs extra care because of the security situation. The US State Department's India advisory, last issued in June 2025 according to the report we read, told its citizens not to travel to Manipur. Check your own government's and the Manipur government's current positions.

Plan your trip

Foreign nationals should apply as early as possible, since Air India's guidance says PAP or RAP permits typically take at least two weeks. Indian citizens should apply online before leaving and confirm validity for their exact dates. Keep documents on your phone and on paper. If you want help with the driving side of an Arunachal Pradesh or Meghalaya route, Palanquin can arrange a driver or car for those routes.

Questions answered

Which Northeast Indian states need an Inner Line Permit for Indian tourists?

Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland (outside Dimapur district) and Manipur require an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian citizens who are not residents. Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura do not run an ILP system for tourists, but always confirm with the state tourism department before you travel.

What is the difference between ILP, PAP and RAP?

An ILP is the entry permit for Indian citizens visiting certain states. A Protected Area Permit (PAP) or Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is the equivalent control for foreign nationals, issued under central government rules. Official pages use PAP and RAP somewhat interchangeably for Arunachal Pradesh.

Can I get an ILP on arrival?

It depends on the state. Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur issue permits at designated counters, including at Itanagar airport and at Imphal airport. Mizoram's Aizawl district administration says permits are not issued at check gates, so apply before you reach the border. Nagaland now issues domestic tourist permits through an online portal.

Do foreigners need a special permit to visit Northeast India?

Yes, for protected and restricted areas. Foreign nationals need a PAP or RAP for states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Sikkim. The Home Ministry reimposed the Protected Area Regime in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram in December 2024, so check the current position with the Ministry of Home Affairs or an Indian mission before booking.

Does Meghalaya need an ILP?

No ILP applies to tourists in Meghalaya, and Meghalaya Tourism says Indian nationals usually do not need a permit. Foreign nationals register on arrival. A 2019 amendment to the state's residents safety law proposed visitor registration, and as of July 2026 a new visitor verification system was still being prepared and not yet in operation, so confirm the current position with Meghalaya Tourism.

Is a permit needed for Sikkim?

Foreign nationals need online Protected Area or Restricted Area clearance, and in January 2026 Sikkim authorities announced, following Ministry of Home Affairs directions, that physical permits are no longer issued to foreigners. Rules for Indian citizens differ by destination, so check with Sikkim Tourism.

Sources

Permits, fees, timings, road conditions and advisories change often. Confirm the current position with the official body named in the article before you travel.