Sikkim Permit

Permits for Foreign Nationals in Sikkim

Entry Formalities for Foreigners in Sikkim
To enter Sikkim, foreign visitors must get an Inner Line Permit (ILP). On the basis of an Indian visa, they may be acquired through all Indian missions as well as the Sikkim Tourism Offices in New Delhi, Kolkata, the District Magistrates Office in Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Rangpo. As long as photocopies of the applicants’ passports, visas, and two passport pictures are on hand, the 30-day permit is immediately and without delay given. For the first 30 days, visitors from other countries are allowed to stay.

The State Government permits to extend it for an additional 30 days. The Gangtok FRO and the North, West, and South Districts’ Superintendent of Police’s offices are the places to go for the extension of the permission.
A protected area permit (PAP), available for certain specified areas for groups consisting of two or more foreigners. Subjected to the condition that the trekking program organized through a registered travel agency, they issue permit. Issued by the Tourism and Civil Aviation in Gangtok for those interested in going on treks in the state’s interior.

Entry limitation for Sikkim

Sikkim has several entrance limitations, unlike the adjacent state of West Bengal. Sikkim as a whole is really subject to a limited area policy because of its closeness to nearby nations like China, Nepal, and Bhutan. Therefore, in order to visit any location in Sikkim, including Gangtok, a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required for all foreign nationals. This license frequently referred to as an Inner Line Permit.

It becomes a little more challenging to visit Sikkim if you are a citizen of Pakistan, China, or Myanmar. Before the Restricted Area Permit may be given, a formal clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi is needed.
For a few particular sites in Sikkim, there are additional limitations that apply to all visitors, including Indians. A few locations, including Tsomgo Lake, Nathula, Yumthang Valley, Gurudongmar Lake, and Zuluk, designated as Protected Areas because of their proximity to international borders and the presence of specialized military forces needs permit.

To enter these protected regions, everyone—including residents of other countries and citizens of India—needs a special authorization called as a Protected Area Permit (PAP). A PAP given out for a certain number of days and at certain locations along a route. They aren’t universal passes that let you into any secured place. For instance, Lachung/Yumthang cannot be visited with a Tsomgo Lake permission.
However, due to international border limitations, foreign nationals are not permitted to visit a few protected places including Nathula, Gurudongmar Lake, Zuluk, etc. In truth, when it comes to granting a permission, whether it be a Restricted or Protected Area Permit, there are a number of exclusions for foreign nationals. For more information, see the section below under “Foreign Nationals.”

Sikkim Permit
Permit for Sikkim

How to get inner Line Permits or Restricted Area Permits (RAP)

The RAP issued free of cost by :

  1.   Ministry of Home affairs, Government of India, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi
  2.   All Foreigners Registration Offices.
  3.   All Indian Mission Abroad
  4.   Immigration Offices at Airports at Mumbai, Kolkatta, Chennai and New Delhi
  5.   Tourist Information Center, SNT Complex, Siliguri, Tourism Department phone no: +91 8348554260 / +91 9832438118 / +91 9775600888
  6.   Assistant Director – Tourism Department, Sikkim House, Panchasheel Marg, New Delhi,Tourism Department, phone number : 011- 41680421/011-26115346
  7.   Assistant Director – Tourism Department , Sikkim Tourism Office, 4/1 Middleton Street,Kolkata, Phone Number : 033 22817905
  8.   Assistant Director– Tourism Department , Melli, Near Melli Police Check Post, South Sikkim, Mobile No: 9775453611, 03595-248536
    ***( PLS NOTE: ILP issuing time is from 8 am to 8 pm everyday.)
  9.   Assistant Director, Tourism Department, Sikkim Tourism Office, Rangpo, East Sikkim phone no: 03592-240818
  10.   Resident Commissioner, Government of Sikkim, Sikkim House, New Delhi
  11.   Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling, West Bengal
  12.   Assistant Director, Tourism Department, Sikkim Tourism Office, Rangpo, East Sikkim phone no: 03592-240818
  13.   Deputy Secretary/ Under Secretary, Home Department, Government of West Bengal,Kolkata
  14.   Tourist Information Center, Bagdogra phone no : +91 9933133819 / +91 9609888821

How to get Protected Area Permits (PAP)

  1. East District:-
    1. Tsongo – Baba Mandir – permit issued by Police Check Post for Domestic Tourist. Foreign tourist allowed till Tsongo Lake, permits issued by Tourism & Civil Aviation Department and Police check post.
    2. Nathula Pass – Permit : Issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post for domestic tourist.
  2. West District:-
    1. Dzongri Trek – Permit : Issued by Adventure Cell of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Govt. of Sikkim
    2. Singalila Trek – Permit : Issued by Adventure cell of Tourism & Civil Aviation Department, Govt. of Sikkim
  3. North District:-
    1. Yumthang – Permit : Issued by Police check post for Domestic Tourist and for foreigners permits issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post
    2. Yumesamdong – Permit : Issued by Police check post for Domestic Tourist and for foreigners permit issued by Tourism Department and Police Check Post
    3. Thangu-Chopta Valley – Permit : Issued by Police Check post for Domestic Tourist and for Foreigners permit issued by Tourism Department and Police check post. Foreigners must apply through a Sikkim Tourism registered Travel Agent in groups of two people or more for visiting these areas.
    4. Gurudongmar – Permit : Issued by Police check post for domestic tourist and for foreigners permit issued by Tourism Department till Thangu.
    5. Green Lake Trekking Permit : Issued by Tourism Department after obtaining a valid permit from Ministry of Home Department, New Delhi.
  4. South District:-
    1. Restricted Area Permit is a valid permit for trekking anywhere in the South District for Foreign Tourist.
    2. Alpine Mountaineering Expedition permit : Issued by Tourism Department after obtaining valid permit from Home Department , Government of Sikkim , Gangtok, for the following peaks as per the Home Department Notification no: 25/Home/2006 dated 20/3/2006                            TinchenKhang 5603 metres ( West Sikkim)
                                  Jopuno 5935m (West Sikkim)
                                  Freys peak 5830m(West Sikkim)
                                  Lama Angden 5868m( North Sikkim )
                                  Brum Khangse 5433m ( North Sikkim )
    3. National park and Wildlife Sanctuary entry permits : Issued by Forest Department at Gangtok.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR PROTECTED AREA PERMITS

  • Voters ID/Driving license
  • Passport size photo
  • Kids below 18 require their birth certificate. Adhar card doesn’t not work ,as there is no date of issue and expire date

You can check the Sikkim Government Official Site for any recent changes in entry formalities

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