Arunachal travel permit: the Inner Line Permit (ILP)
Every Indian citizen who is not a resident of Arunachal needs an ILP to enter the state. It is straightforward, it is done online, and if you book with us we do it for you.
Checked September 2026. Permit fees and rules are set by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh and do change. Always confirm the current fee and validity shown during your own application on the official portal, and follow the dates printed on the permit you receive.
Who needs a permit
Indian citizens who are not residents of Arunachal Pradesh need an Inner Line Permit (ILP). This applies whichever route you enter by — Bhalukpong, Kimin, Banderdewa, Ruksin or any other gate — and it applies to Tawang, Ziro, Bomdila and everywhere else in the state.
Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) instead, and must travel in a group of at least two, typically for up to 30 days. PAP takes longer, needs a fixed itinerary and is usually arranged through a registered operator. We handle these — give us three to four weeks.
Residents of Arunachal Pradesh are exempt.
Tourist eILP fees and validity
The official portal lists tourist eILP as applicable for stays of up to 14 days, with a revised fee of ₹300 for up to three days and ₹500 for stays beyond three days and up to fourteen. Longer permit categories exist for trekking, research and employment.
| Permit | Who | Validity | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist eILP (short) | Indian citizens | Up to 3 days | ₹300 |
| Tourist eILP | Indian citizens | Beyond 3 and up to 14 days | ₹500 |
| Protected Area Permit | Foreign nationals, min. 2 people | Typically 30 days | Varies |
How to apply online
- Go to the official Arunachal Pradesh eILP portal at eilp.arunachal.gov.in. (The older address arunachalilp.com is still widely quoted; use the government portal.)
- Register with your name, mobile number and email.
- Fill in your travel dates, your purpose of visit, and every district you intend to enter.
- Upload a photo ID (Aadhaar, voter ID, passport or driving licence) and a passport-sized photograph.
- Pay online by UPI, card or net banking.
- Download the permit when approved. Carry it on your phone and printed.
Most applications are approved within a day, but apply four to five working days ahead — longer during peak season and holidays.
Tour permit, travel pass or ILP: are they the same?
Travellers search for an Arunachal tour permit, a travel pass or a travel permit, and for Indian tourists all three mean the Inner Line Permit. There is no separate tourist “pass”. The ILP you apply for online is the document checked at the entry gates.
Two other things get confused with it: the Protected Area Permit, which is for foreign nationals, and the local permissions inside the state (Bum La and Madhuri Lake, for example), described below. If you book with us, the ILP is applied for on your behalf at the government fee.
Three mistakes that cost people a day
- Leaving a district off the form. Your permit covers the places you listed. A check gate in a district you did not name can turn you back. List everything on your route, including places you might only pass through.
- Assuming you can get it at the gate. Checkposts such as Bhalukpong verify permits; they do not issue them. Apply before you travel.
- Letting it expire mid-trip. Entry and exit are recorded. If your itinerary runs longer than your permit, sort out the extension before it lapses.
Extra permits inside the state
An ILP gets you into Arunachal. Some places need a second permission issued locally:
- Bum La Pass and Sangetsar (Madhuri) Lake — a separate permit from the Deputy Commissioner's office in Tawang, applied for a day ahead, with army clearance. Foreign nationals are generally not permitted at Bum La.
- Namdapha National Park — forest department entry permission from Miao.
- Border areas in Anjaw and Dibang Valley — additional clearance depending on how far you go.
We arrange all of these as part of the tour.
If you book with us: send a scan of your photo ID about ten days before travel and we take care of the ILP and any local permits. There is no separate service charge — only the government fee, at cost.
Related guides
- Do we need permission to enter Arunachal Pradesh?
- Can foreigners visit Arunachal Pradesh?
- How many passes in Arunachal Pradesh? Permits and mountain passes
Further reading
Independent sources, if you want a second opinion before you book:
- Arunachal Pradesh Tourism — the state’s official tourism site, which also notes the ILP and PAP requirements
Tell us what you want to see. We'll build the trip around it.
Send us your dates, the city you're flying from and how many people are travelling. You'll get a day-by-day plan and a firm price, usually within a few hours.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Arunachal Inner Line Permit cost?
The official portal lists the revised tourist eILP fee as ₹300 for stays up to three days and ₹500 for stays beyond three days and up to fourteen days. Confirm the fee shown during your own application, as government rates change.
How long is an Arunachal ILP valid?
The tourist eILP application describes stays of up to 14 days. Follow the dates printed on the permit you actually receive, and arrange an extension before it lapses if your trip runs longer.
Can I get an ILP on arrival at Bhalukpong?
No. Checkposts verify permits rather than issue them, so apply online before you travel. The state has discussed a permit-on-arrival system but you should not plan a trip around it.
Do children need a separate Inner Line Permit?
Children below 14 travelling with a permit-holding adult generally do not need a separate permit, but rules vary. Include them on your application and carry their ID to be safe.
Do foreigners need a permit for Arunachal Pradesh?
Yes — a Protected Area Permit, not an ILP. Foreign tourists must travel in a group of at least two, with a fixed itinerary, usually valid for 30 days. Allow three to four weeks and apply through a registered operator.
Is an ILP needed for Tawang specifically?
Yes. Tawang is inside Arunachal Pradesh, so an ILP is mandatory. Bum La Pass and Madhuri Lake need an additional permit issued locally in Tawang.
Is an Arunachal travel pass different from an Inner Line Permit?
No. “Travel pass” and “tour permit” are informal names for the tourist eILP that Indian visitors need. It is the document checked at Bhalukpong and the other entry gates.