Sikkim has made online clearance mandatory for foreign nationals visiting protected and restricted areas, discontinuing the issuance of physical Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Restricted Area Permits (RAP) with immediate effect.
The decision, notified by the state’s Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, follows directions from the Ministry of Home Affairs and is aimed at strengthening monitoring and security in sensitive border regions.
Under the revised framework, no paper-based permits will be issued by district authorities or tour operators. Foreign tourists must now obtain digital approval before travelling to designated areas, marking a complete shift to an online permit system.
The state government said the move would reduce paperwork, speed up approvals and ensure stricter compliance with national security protocols. It also aligns with Sikkim’s wider push towards digitisation and e-governance in tourism administration.
As per the current guidelines, foreign nationals are allowed access only to select locations, subject to online clearance. These include Tsomgo (Changu) Lake in East Sikkim, Yumthang Valley in North Sikkim and Zero Point in North Sikkim. Entry to other protected regions remains restricted.
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Foreign travellers are required to apply digitally, typically through the e-FRRO platform, after arriving in India. Applications must include passport details, travel plans and information on local sponsors. Clearances are generally processed within 24 to 48 hours, according to officials.
Authorities said the online system would enable real-time vetting, minimise the risk of forged documents and allow closer tracking of foreign tourist movement in border areas. Sikkim shares international borders with China, Nepal and Bhutan, making the regulation of access a key security concern.
Tourism officials believe the streamlined digital process will improve travel planning for international visitors in the long term, despite requiring stricter compliance. However, tour operators and corporate travel planners have been advised to factor in approval timelines while finalising itineraries.
The move reflects a broader national trend towards digitising travel clearances in frontier regions, following similar initiatives such as Ladakh’s QR-based Inner Line Permit system introduced in 2025.
By replacing physical permits with mandatory online clearance, Sikkim aims to balance security imperatives with sustainable tourism, while safeguarding its fragile ecosystems and strategically sensitive areas.
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