It depends on the state. Four states require an ILP for Indian citizens:

Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram. The remaining states — Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, and most of Sikkim — are permit-free and require only a standard photo ID.

Use the NorthEast India Connect permit guide above to check requirements for your specific states in under 60 seconds. You can also browse our State Tourism Information page for a full overview of each state.

An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the Government of India under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873, allowing Indian citizens to visit protected border states.

In Northeast India, ILP is currently required for four states:

Foreign nationals require a separate PAP (Protected Area Permit) for most of these states — not an ILP. See the question below on PAP for details.

ILP Inner Line Permit — required for Indian citizens entering protected NE states (Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram). Applied for online through state portals. Fast, affordable, usually instant.

PAP Protected Area Permit — issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and required for foreign nationals and OCI cardholders visiting restricted areas like Arunachal Pradesh and specific zones of Sikkim. Applied for via FRRO or Indian embassy abroad. Takes 3–7 working days.

The key difference: ILP is a state-level document for Indian citizens; PAP is a central government document for non-Indian nationals. Both must be carried at all checkposts.

Apply at the official Nagaland ILP portal (ilp.nagaland.gov.in). The process is instant — fill in your details, upload a passport-size photo and any valid government ID, and download your e-ILP immediately.

Cost: ₹50 for Indian citizens | ₹200 for foreign nationals
Validity: 15 days, extendable at the DC office in Kohima or Dimapur

Planning to attend the Hornbill Festival (November 1–10 near Kohima)? Apply at least a week early — demand spikes significantly during this period. Explore verified tour guides and travel agencies in Nagaland on our directory.

Yes, but foreign nationals require a PAP — not an ILP. Apply through the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) in India or at the Indian embassy abroad before travel.

Processing time: 3–7 working days | Cost: Free
Important restrictions:

• Solo travel is restricted for most areas — a minimum group of 2 persons is required
• If visiting Tawang, this must be specifically mentioned on the PAP application
• OCI cardholders are treated as foreign nationals and require a PAP

Find verified travel agencies and tour guides in Arunachal Pradesh who can assist with permit coordination. Read more on our Arunachal Pradesh travel blog.

Yes. OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders are treated as foreign nationals for permit purposes across Northeast India — despite holding an OCI card.

ILP required Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram
PAP required Arunachal Pradesh, restricted zones of Sikkim
No permit Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura

Apply for PAP through the FRRO portal or the Indian embassy in your country of residence before travel. Check our Travel Permits page for the latest application links.

Three states are completely permit-free for both Indian and foreign visitors:

Sikkim is also largely permit-free for Indian citizens — just carry a valid photo ID. However, special inner zones (North Sikkim, Nathu La, Gurudongmar Lake) require a separate Inner Area Permit for all visitors, issued locally in Gangtok.

Standard Indian visa rules apply for foreign nationals in permit-free states. Browse NE India travel guides for detailed planning advice for each state.

Online ILP for Manipur is issued instantly at the official Manipur ILP portal (ilp.manipur.gov.in).

Cost: ₹20 for Indian citizens | ₹100 for foreign nationals
Validity: 30 days, extendable at the DC office in Imphal

The e-ILP is accepted at all major entry checkposts including Jiribam, Mao Gate, and Moreh. Carry a printed copy as backup in remote areas. Foreign nationals must register with the local police within 24 hours of arrival in Manipur.

Explore verified homestays and tour services in Manipur, or read our Manipur travel blog to plan your trip.

Yes — ILP extensions are available at the Deputy Commissioner (DC) office in each state capital. Extensions are generally granted for tourism purposes without much difficulty.

Manipur: DC office, Imphal
Nagaland: DC Kohima or DC Dimapur
Mizoram: Home Department, Aizawl
Arunachal Pradesh: DC office in Itanagar, Tawang, or other district HQs

Allow at least half a day for the extension process and bring your original ILP, a spare passport photo, and your government ID. If your travel involves multiple states, plan extensions before your current ILP expires — do not overstay.

For most NE states, your standard ILP or PAP covers trekking — no separate trekking permit is needed. However, a few zones require extra permissions:

Sikkim — Dzongri-Goecha La trek: Forest Department permit required. Apply in Gangtok before starting the trek.
Arunachal Pradesh — border zones (Mechuka, Tuting, areas near China): A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) may be required in addition to ILP/PAP. Verify with the Ministry of Home Affairs or local DC office before travel.
Nagaland — Dzukou Valley: Covered by standard ILP. No extra permit needed.

Looking for experienced trekking guides in Northeast India? Browse verified tour guides and travel agencies on NorthEast India Connect, or check our Trip Planner Tool to map your route.

Yes — the Hornbill Festival (held November 1–10 at Kisama Heritage Village, 12km from Kohima) is in Nagaland, which requires a standard ILP for all visitors.

Apply online at ilp.nagaland.gov.in well in advance — ILP demand spikes significantly from late October. Cost is ₹50 (Indians) and ₹200 (foreigners). Foreign nationals should also check festival-specific registration requirements with the Nagaland Tourism Department.

Find homestays and accommodation near Kohima on our directory, and check our Upcoming Festivals & Events page for dates and travel tips.

NorthEast India Connect maintains a directory of verified travel service providers across all 8 NE states. Browse by category or state:

Or browse by state to find providers who know their local permit requirements well: