Apply for Indian Visa: Places You Need PAP For

Posted by onlinevisa on October 17th, 2019

India is a prominent country to travel and sightsee exotic topography and cultural extravaganza. The country is home to many hill stations, world heritage sites, beautiful beaches, and more, which will leave you spellbound for most of the trip. Most Indian tourist hotspots don't require more documentation than an Indian Visa. But some places would require you to get a Protected/Restricted Area Permit (PAP/RAP) to facilitate your tour. PAP is a special permit that foreign tourists or NRIs require to visit or travel to certain protected or restricted areas in the country. You can submit a PAP application when you apply for Indian Visa online. Another alternative is to get it in India as well before going to the restricted areas. Speaking of which, here is a list of the protected or restricted areas that will need you to possess the Protected Area Permit. 

North-Eastern States

Several Indian northeastern states house tourist hotspot locations that are protected or partially restricted. States like Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura used to have PAP requirements but don't require it now. In Arunachal Pradesh, areas like Itanagar, Ziro, Pasighat, Miao are protected areas, and therefore, need PAP to travel or temporarily stay there. In Sikkim, areas like Rumtek, Phodang also including the capital city, Gangtok, requires PAP documentation. Some places in Mizoram like Vairangte, Thingdawl, including capital city Aizawl comes under protection, requiring PAP to travel. In Nagaland, districts of Kohima, Dimapur, Mokochong, and Wokha are protected territories that demand extra permissions. And finally, Manipur is the last state in the northeast having protected zones in it. To travel in these states, foreign tourists need to carry PAP documentation with them.

Northern States

North India is a gorgeous place and houses the majestic range of the Himalayas. Packed with famous hill stations to challenging trek trails, the part of India is a delight to tourists. However, some areas of trek and sanctuaries are partially protected and require extra documentation before a visit. In Himachal Pradesh, several villages that come under the Spiti circuit like Sumdho, Dhankar, Tabo, Kaza, etc. are partially protected, and individual foreign tourists are not permitted. In Kashmir, several passes near Leh and Ladakh are also not opened for individual tourists, and even with PAP, only seven days are permissible to groups. And in Uttarakhand as well, treks like Kalindi Khal, Nanda Devi, Niti Ghat, etc. also require PAP.

Island Groups

India has two island groups. Lakshadweep islands reside in the Arabian Sea, while the Bay of Bengal in the east houses the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Both island groups are protected areas and require PAP documentation. However, most of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands come under various stages of protection and has various levels of PAP to stay or travel in the respective areas.  

Rajasthan

Several areas in Rajasthan coming under the western side of the NH-15 highway route up to Indo-Pak Border, with a few exceptions in between, are partially protected areas. Although traveling and staying temporarily in these areas also require the PAP documentation for foreigners and NRIs. 

Get PAP documentation while you apply for Indian Visa and go to these extremely aesthetic places on your next voyage to India.