Sikkim Mandates Online Permits for Foreign Tourists Visiting Protected Areas
The Government of Sikkim has announced a major change in travel regulations for foreign visitors - discontinuing the issuance of physical permits and making online permit clearance mandatory for all foreign nationals wishing to visit protected and restricted areas within the state. The decision comes into effect immediately as part of efforts to enhance national security compliance and streamline entry procedures for international travellers.
Under the revised guidelines issued by the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Restricted Area Permits (RAP) will no longer be issued in printed form under any circumstances. Instead, foreign tourists intending to visit areas such as Tsomgo (Changu) Lake in East Sikkim, Yumthang Valley, and Zero Point in North Sikkim will now need to obtain the required permissions digitally through an official online portal before their trip.
The shift toward a fully digital permit system is intended to improve monitoring and oversight of foreign visitors, particularly in strategically sensitive border regions. Sikkim shares borders with China, Nepal, and Bhutan, and access to certain high-altitude or restricted zones has traditionally been regulated through permits to balance tourism with security priorities. The digital process is expected to make approvals more transparent, quicker, and easier to track for both tourists and authorities.
Sikkim Government Tourism officials have indicated that this move - while rooted in security concerns - may simplify travel planning for international visitors in the long term by reducing paperwork, waiting times, and reliance on intermediaries. Digital permit applications through platforms like the e-FRRO (Electronic Foreigners Regional Registration Office) portal will allow foreign travellers to submit required documentation, receive approvals in advance, and coordinate their travel logistics more efficiently.
