Entry Formalities to Sikkim

Sikkim, due to its contiguity to the borders of neighboring countries like Bhutan, China and Nepal, comes under restricted area regime. And so, foreigners are required to obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) to visit this beautiful state.

Fee & Required Documents

It is free of cost and just takes less than twenty minutes if you have proper documents like the photocopies of your passport and visa along with the original and two of your recent passport-sized photos. The validity of the permit is 30 days which can be extended further for 30 days by the approval of the state Government. The extension can be acquired from the FRO (Foreigners' Registration Office) at Gangtok and office of Superintendent of Police at District Headquarters. Sikkim Tourism Offices are at New Delhi, Kolkata, District Magistrate's Office of Darjeeling, Siliguri, and Rangpo.

Online Application Availability

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) can also be obtained by filling up an online application form, though it would be considered as provisional Inner Line Permit (ILP) unless you get the stamp on it at any of the border check posts of Sikkim.

ILP Rules for Exceptional Countries

For the nationals of Pakistan, China, Myanmar, the formalities for acquiring the Inner Line Permit (ILP) get little more elaborate, as they have to get a written approval from Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi before the Restricted Area Permit can be issued.