Although visas and permits are usually required for travel between countries, an Indian passport does not guarantee unrestricted travel throughout the country. In addition to international travel, there are beautiful states within India itself where even Indian citizens require a special permit to visit. Therefore, travelers should know which regions of India require obtaining the appropriate permit before traveling to avoid issues on the road and save time.
If you plan to visit one of the four Northeastern Indian states—Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, or Manipur—you will need an Inner Line Permit (ILP).
The ILP is an official document issued by the state government. It grants Indian citizens arriving from other states permission to enter and stay in that region for a specified period. It is important to note that this is not a visa nor a ban on tourism, but merely an administrative procedure. Currently, the option to apply online is available in many states.
The roots of the ILP system trace back to the British period. In 1873, the British introduced the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulations, creating an internal line. The main purpose of this regulation was to prevent conflicts between residents of the plains and tribal communities during tea and timber trade. After gaining independence, this legislation was retained, although its purpose changed. Today, the main task of the ILP is to protect the culture, traditions, land rights, and demographics of the local tribes of Northeast India.
In Arunachal Pradesh, there is an electronic permit system (eILP) for foreign tourists; the cost ranges from 300 to 500 rupees for a stay of up to 14 days. In Nagaland, domestic tourists can apply for a 30-day permit online for a fee of 200 rupees, and entry points such as Dimapur are also equipped with counters. In Mizoram, tourists are usually granted a temporary permit for 15 days, which can be extended by another 15 days. Manipur became the fourth state to join this system in December 2019; here, a temporary permit for 30 days costs only 100 rupees.
When applying, you must provide a government-issued identification document, a recent passport-sized photograph, travel details, and, if necessary, the contact information of a local representative.
