How to apply for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Northeast India

Which states need an ILP

Four Northeast states ask Indian visitors from outside the state for an Inner Line Permit: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura do not. In Sikkim, Gangtok is open, but North Sikkim and Nathula need separate permits arranged locally.

The permit is checked at the state's entry points, such as Bhalukpong on the road to Tawang, and can be checked again at hotels and checkposts inside the state.

The official websites

Apply only on the state governments' own portals. Look-alike agent websites charge several times the government fee for the same permit.

• Arunachal Pradesh: eilp.arunachal.gov.in. Permits are also issued at the Arunachal House counters in Guwahati, Tezpur, Kolkata and Delhi.
• Nagaland: ilp.nagaland.gov.in. All Nagaland permits are issued online.
• Mizoram: ilp.mizoram.gov.in.
• Manipur: manipurilponline.mn.gov.in.

Step by step, using Arunachal as the example

• Open eilp.arunachal.gov.in and choose the tourist e-ILP.
• Verify your mobile number with the one-time password.
• Add every traveller with their name exactly as it appears on their photo ID.
• Upload a clear photo ID and a recent photograph for each person.
• Enter your entry point and travel dates, then pay online.
• Download the permit and print two copies per traveller.

Documents you need

A government photo ID for every traveller (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence), a recent passport-size photograph, and your travel dates and entry point. Carry the same original ID on the trip: the name on the permit must match it.

Fees and validity

The government fee is small, usually a few hundred rupees or less per person, and differs by state and by how long you stay. The portal shows the exact amount before you pay. Tourist permits are generally valid for about two weeks to a month depending on the state; if your trip is longer, apply for the right period or for an extension before the permit runs out.

Foreign nationals

Foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) for Arunachal Pradesh, usually arranged through a registered tour operator. Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur have their own rules for foreign visitors; check each state's portal before you book.

Mistakes to avoid

• Applying on an agent website instead of the official .gov.in portal.
• A name on the permit that does not match the ID you carry.
• Travel dates or an entry point that change after you apply.
• Letting the permit run out in the middle of the trip.
• Forgetting that places like Bum La Pass need a separate local permit on top of the ILP.