Protected Area Permit (PAP) & Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Foreign Nationals
India also has a few areas that are closed to foreign nationals in the interests of security and the maintenance of native cultures. Foreign visitors, including the Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) card holders, need special permits, which are referred to as the Protected Area Permit (PAP) and Restricted Area Permit (RAP), to travel to these places. Access to certain destinations is governed by these permits to promote national security and protect local societies.
What is a Protected Area Permit (PAP)?
Protected Area Permit (PAP) is needed for foreign tourists who want to enter specific restricted places in India. Such places are mostly in the northeastern states and border areas where movement is regulated for security purposes.
Areas Requiring PAP:
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Himachal Pradesh (certain regions)
- Uttarakhand (certain border areas)
- Jammu & Kashmir (restricted regions)
- Rajasthan (border areas)
- Sikkim (specific locations near the Indo-China border)
What is a Restricted Area Permit (RAP)?
Foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, are required to obtain a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for visiting some strategically sensitive areas, especially island regions. These are more sensitive as they are geographically located in sensitive areas and have indigenous tribes.
Areas Requiring RAP:
- Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Certain islands like North Sentinel, Little Andaman, and Middle Nicobar)
- Lakshadweep Islands (Entry is restricted to certain inhabited islands)
- Parts of Sikkim (Some locations near international borders)
