Special Permits for Restricted Areas
Non-Indian citizens are not allowed to visit certain protected areas in India (mainly North-East) according to the Foreigners (Protected Area) Order 1958. They need to obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit these protected areas. Indian citizens who are not resident in these areas are also required to get an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter these places.
According to the Foreigners (Restricted Area) Order 1968, non-Indian citizens are not allowed to visit certain
restricted areas in India. They are required to obtain a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit these areas in India.
As of 2009, non-Indians need RAP to visit the Union Territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of the state of Sikkim.
Why Should One Get Protected / Restricted Area Permit
For security reasons and protection.
To disallow permanent stay of Foreign Citizens who find it difficult to settle with their family abroad and want to settle permanently in Protected/Restricted Areas of India.
For tourism.
Note- Long-term or permanent permits are not given to non-Indian family members, not even to NRIs (persons
of Indian origin but foreign citizens now).
Areas for which a Protected Area Permit is required:
1. All of Nagaland
2. All of Sikkim
3.Parts of Arunachal Pradesh
4.Specific regions of Himachal Pradesh
5.Specific regions of Jammu and Kashmir
6.Specific regions of Manipur
7.Specific regions of Mizoram
8.Border areas of Rajasthan
9. Parts of Uttarakhand
Areas for which a Restricted Area Permit is required:
1. Andaman and Nicobar
2. High alert areas of Sikkim
The Restricted Area Permit is issued by:
Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India, All Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO), Chief
Immigration Officer, Immigration Officer.
The Protected Area Permit can be issued by:
1. Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India, LoK Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi
2. All Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Amritsar,
Hyderabad and Bangalore
3. All Indian Mission Abroad
Application Process: How to Get Protected / Restricted Area Permit
1. Download the RAP application form from here – http://www.in.ckgs.us/resources/pdf/rap-permit-form.pdf
and RAP application form from here- http://www.indischebotschaft.de/downloads/RAP-form.pdf
2. Submit the application form in person or by post to the closest Indian Mission in your nationprior the visit. If
you are already here submit the requisite application to any of the authorities, delegated the powers to issue such
a special permit.
3. On arrival, you are required to report at FRRO office of the district you are visiting within 24 hours of the
arrival. You will be issued the PAP/RAP with a limited days validity depending upon the state you visit.
Documents required for Protected / Restricted Area Permit
3 copies of Filled-in Application Form
2 Copies of the applicant passport
2 passport photographs
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