Inner line permit, apply online before you travel.
Arunachal Pradesh is a restricted state, so you cannot just drive in. If you are an Indian traveller, you need an Inner Line Permit, and you can apply online on the official site, eilp.arunachal.gov.in. If you are a foreign traveller, you do not get an Inner Line Permit. You need a Protected Area Permit instead, and WayToIndia arranges it for you through a registered operator.
Who needs it
- Every Indian traveller who is not a resident of the state needs an Inner Line Permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh.
- Foreign travellers need a Protected Area Permit, which is a different document, arranged through a registered operator.
- The permit is checked at the entry points, such as at the Assam border on the way in, and at inner check posts.
For Indian travellers
- Apply online for the Tourist eILP on the official site, eilp.arunachal.gov.in, before you travel.
- You can also apply through the district administration counters and some facilitation points if you cannot apply online.
- Choose your entry point and your travel dates, add each traveller with identity details, pay the fee, and download the permit.
- Carry a printout of the permit and your original identity, because both are checked at the gate.
For foreign travellers
- You need a Protected Area Permit, not an Inner Line Permit.
- Foreign travellers must travel through a registered operator, and usually in a small group, so a do it yourself application is not possible. WayToIndia arranges this for you.
- The Protected Area Permit is normally issued for a set number of days, with an option to extend, and carries a small government fee for all nationalities. [Exact fee, group size, and validity are set by the government and are handled with your permit. Confirm your own case in advance. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
- Certain nationalities face extra checks, so always confirm your own case well ahead.
What it costs
- Indian travellers: the Inner Line Permit carries a small government fee, shown on the official site at the time of application. [The live fee and validity are shown on eilp.arunachal.gov.in. Following the honest rule of this resource, we do not print a fee we cannot see on the official source. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
- Foreign travellers: the Protected Area Permit has its own small government fee, which WayToIndia includes when it arranges the permit for you.
Documents you need
- Indian travellers: one government photo identity for each person, such as Aadhaar or a voter card, and your travel dates and entry point.
- Foreign travellers: your passport and Indian visa, and the details WayToIndia asks for to arrange the permit.
- Carry a printout of the permit plus your original identity.
Sensitive border points (important)
Some far points near the border, such as Tawang, Mechuka, Anini, Dong, and the areas towards Bum La and Kibithoo, may need extra district or Army clearance on top of the usual permit. This extra clearance is arranged on the ground and is not always granted. If your plan includes one of these, arrange it well ahead through WayToIndia, and do not assume the basic permit is enough. [Extra clearance rules change and are handled case by case. Confirm before you travel. Last checked 13 September 2026.]
Common mistakes to avoid
- Indian travellers arriving without the Inner Line Permit, then being stopped at the Assam border.
- Foreign travellers trying to get an Inner Line Permit. You need a Protected Area Permit, which WayToIndia arranges for you.
- Carrying only a phone copy. Carry a printout for the check posts.
- Assuming the basic permit covers the sensitive border points. It may not.
- Applying on a look alike site. Only eilp.arunachal.gov.in is official for the Indian permit.
Questions people ask
Do Indians need a permit for Arunachal Pradesh?
Yes, an Inner Line Permit, applied online on the official site before you travel.
Where do Indians apply?
On the official site, eilp.arunachal.gov.in.
Do foreigners need a permit?
Yes, a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered operator. WayToIndia arranges this for you.
Can a foreigner travel alone in Arunachal?
Usually not. Foreigners travel through a registered operator, often in a small group, so plan ahead.
Do I need extra clearance for Tawang or Mechuka?
These border areas can need extra district or Army clearance, so confirm your exact spots before you go.