Foreigners Entry Formalities

Foreigners must obtain inner line permit (ILP) to visit Sikkim, the permits can be obtained from all Indian missions, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism office, New Delhi, Sikkim Tourism Office, Calcutta and Sikkim Tourism Office, Siliguri on the strength of an Indian Visa. Foreigners are issued a permit for initial period of 15 days duration on the spot without any delay provided photocopies of Passport and Visa details along with two passport photos of applicants are made available then and there. It can be extended for further 30 days from the Home Dept., Govt. of Sikkim, depending on the merits of the case.

For those interested in going for trekking in the interior regions of the state, the department of Tourism issues protected area permit (PAP) at Gangtok which is available for certain specified area for groups consisting of 2 or more foreigners subject to the condition that the trekking program is arranged through a registered travel agency.

Foreigners interested in religious/ research work will require a special permit for long-term stay from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. Individual tourists should confirm permitted areas from the Tourist Information Centre, Gangtok