How to Get an Arunachal Pradesh ILP (Inner Line Permit)
Updated · Nomadic Travel team
Everything you need to know about Arunachal Pradesh's Inner Line Permit: who needs it, how to apply online, documents, check gates and PAP for foreigners.
Every Indian citizen who is not a resident of Arunachal Pradesh needs an Arunachal ILP (Inner Line Permit) to enter the state. The good news: the process is now online, quick and inexpensive. This guide explains how it works, what to prepare, and what foreign nationals need instead. Rules and fees can change, so always verify on the official portal before you travel.
What is the Inner Line Permit?
The Inner Line Permit system dates back to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873. It regulates entry into certain northeastern states to protect indigenous communities and land. Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur currently require an ILP for Indian visitors from other states; Assam and Meghalaya do not.
How to apply for the Arunachal ILP online
- Go to the official portal at eilp.arunachal.gov.in (avoid look-alike agent websites that charge extra).
- Choose the tourist eILP option and fill in your details: name, address, ID number, travel dates and the districts you will visit (e.g. West Kameng and Tawang for a Tawang trip).
- Upload a recent passport-size photo and a scan of your photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence).
- Pay the fee online. Fees depend on the permit type and duration — check the current amount on the portal.
- Download the e-permit once approved (often within hours) and print several copies.
Where is the ILP checked?
Permits are checked at entry gates such as Bhalukpong (on the Tezpur–Tawang road), Banderdewa (near Itanagar) and others on routes into the state. Police may also check permits at other points, so keep them handy throughout the trip.
Extra passes for Bum La and Madhuri Lake
Even with an ILP, visiting Bum La Pass and Madhuri (Shungatser) Lake requires a separate pass issued in Tawang (DC office, endorsed by the Army), usually a day in advance. These are open to Indian citizens only and can close at short notice for weather or security.
Protected Area Permit (PAP) for foreigners
Foreign nationals do not use the ILP. Instead they need a Protected Area Permit (PAP), generally applied for through a registered tour operator, with a government fee (typically around USD 50). Some areas such as Bum La remain off-limits to foreigners, and citizens of certain countries need prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not listing every district you will pass through or stay in.
- Travel dates that don't match your actual itinerary (allow a buffer day).
- Using unofficial websites that charge high service fees.
- Forgetting printouts — mobile networks can be patchy at check gates.
When you book an Arunachal Pradesh tour package with Nomadic Travel, we help prepare and submit your ILP or PAP and arrange the Bum La pass in Tawang.
