Do you need a permit

It depends on who you are and where you want to go. Indian citizens do not need special permission to visit the areas of the islands that are open to tourists. Foreign nationals need a valid Indian visa, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have long been a protected area where extra rules applied to them. Everyone, Indian or foreign, is barred from tribal reserves without special permission, and some islands are closed to all visitors.

Foreign visitors and the Restricted Area Permit

For many years foreign tourists needed a Restricted Area Permit, usually called the RAP, to visit the islands. It could be issued by Indian missions abroad and, in some cases, on arrival at Port Blair airport.

In 2018 the rules were relaxed. According to public reference sources, foreign visitors to about 30 inhabited islands no longer needed a RAP after 2018. Visitors still show their passport at immigration when they arrive at Port Blair's airport or seaport.

The relaxation did not apply to everyone. Public sources report that citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan still need a RAP, and that citizens of Myanmar need one to visit Mayabunder and Diglipur. If you hold one of these passports, contact an Indian mission well before your trip.

Can US citizens travel to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Yes, US citizens and most other foreign nationals can visit the main tourist islands, provided they hold a valid Indian visa and follow the entry procedure in force at the time. The same restrictions on tribal reserves and closed islands apply to them as to everyone else.

Indian visitors

Indian citizens can visit the open islands without a permit, though they should carry valid photo identification for flights, ships and ferries. The rules for tribal reserves, forest areas and closed islands apply to Indian citizens too. Some excursions, especially to protected forest and marine areas, may involve an entry ticket or a local permission, which tour desks and jetties usually explain on the spot.

Places that stay closed

Which areas are restricted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands? A few categories stand out:

  • North Sentinel Island: entry is banned by law, and approaching within 3 nautical miles is prohibited.
  • Tribal reserves, including large parts of the Nicobar group: off limits without special permission, which is not issued for ordinary tourism.
  • Forest areas along the road north to Baratang, home to the Jarawa: open only for transit under strict rules, with no stopping, photography or contact.
  • Defence and other restricted zones, which are marked locally.

These rules exist to protect indigenous peoples who have chosen little or no contact with outsiders, and to protect visitors from diseases and conflicts that such contact can cause. Breaking them is a criminal offence. The guide to islands to visit describes which places are open.

Andaman Islands entry requirements: a checklist

  • A valid passport and Indian visa for foreign nationals, or valid photo identification for Indian citizens.
  • Your travel documents ready for the passport check on arrival, if you are a foreign visitor.
  • A RAP applied for in advance if your nationality still requires one.
  • Copies of documents kept offline, as you may be asked for them at jetties and hotels.
  • A last check of the current rules a few weeks before you fly.

Where to check current rules

Use official sources first. The Andaman and Nicobar administration publishes entry information on its websites, the South Andaman district administration explains how to reach the islands, and the Bureau of Immigration and Indian missions abroad explain visa and permit rules for foreign nationals. Travel agents and forums can be helpful, but rules move faster than their pages are updated.

When the paperwork is clear, plan how to reach the Andaman Islands.