Permits
Northeast India permits, the complete overview
Which states need an ILP, which need a PAP, and which need nothing: the full permit map of the Northeast in one page.
The rules
What applies, with sources
Everyone
Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura require no ILP or PAP for any nationality. Source: Tripura Tourism ↗
Indian nationals
Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur require an ILP for Indian nationals. Source: Nagaland ILP portal ↗
Everyone
Arunachal Pradesh requires an ILP for Indians and a PAP for foreigners. Source: Arunachal eILP portal ↗
Everyone
Sikkim permits apply to specific protected areas (Nathula, North Sikkim, trek zones), not the state as a whole. Source: Sikkim Tourism PAP page ↗
Detail
The full picture
Two acronyms run the Northeast’s doors: the Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Indian citizens and the Protected Area Permit (PAP) system for foreign nationals. Seven of the eight states sit on a spectrum between "no paperwork" and "per-zone permits", and the rules change often enough that every serious traveller should verify on the official portal before booking.
The quick map: Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura need no permit for anyone. Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur run ILP systems for Indian nationals. Arunachal Pradesh runs an ILP for Indians and a PAP for foreigners. Sikkim has no state-level ILP but permits protect specific areas: Nathula, North Sikkim and the trek zones.
Quick answers
Permit FAQs
Which Northeast states need no permit?
Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura: no ILP or PAP for Indian or foreign visitors.
Do foreigners need a PAP everywhere?
No: PAP systems apply in Arunachal Pradesh and specific Sikkim zones, and foreign visitors face registration or permit rules in Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
Where do I apply?
Each state runs its own portal: eilp.arunachal.gov.in, ilp.nagaland.gov.in and the Mizoram and Manipur systems. Always use the official portal, not agents promising shortcuts.
Plan it
Permits handled, honestly
Every trip we run includes permit handling: you upload ID details, we run the paperwork, and we flag it immediately when a rule changes.
Rules verified 2026-09-26 against official portals · Permit rules change: confirm on the official portal before travel.