Andaman permit rules for foreign visitors in 2026
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a restricted area for foreigners. The Restricted Area Permit, or RAP, was long the main hurdle. A notice of 5 March 2026 confirms tourist exemptions from the RAP until 31 December 2027. The exemption covers 29 islands, and 11 more for daytime visits only.
The main tourist islands are among those exempt. Confirm that your route is covered before you travel, because this is not a blanket opening of the whole group.
The RAP exemption is only part of the picture. Permits for tribal reserves, forests, wildlife areas and security zones apply independently of it. Some activities, such as the Baratang limestone caves and Jolly Buoy, have their own permits. This page shows what applies where.
Who still needs a RAP or approval
The exemption does not cover everyone. These are the main exceptions.
Afghanistan, China, Pakistan
Visitors from Afghanistan, China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Pakistan, and people of that origin, need RAP and Ministry of Home Affairs approval before they travel. Origin includes a former nationality and the birthplace or residence of parents or grandparents. Without approval, entry is refused.
Myanmar
A special rule covers Myanmar for Mayabunder and Diglipur: a RAP is needed there.
Islands not yet opened
Islands outside the exempt list still require a RAP, as do trips for non-tourist purposes. The application goes through the Indian FRRO system.
Indian visitors
Indian citizens are not waved through. Forest, wildlife and Tribal Pass rules still apply to them.
Our pick: a tour with permits included
The Baratang day trip has the permits for the mud volcano, the caves and the mangrove boat in the price.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Andaman island tours and boat trips
Island trips, boat tours and activities in areas that are open to visitors, with live prices and availability. Check each listing for what it includes.
Registration after arrival
Some governments, for example the Austrian foreign ministry, advise foreign visitors to register after arrival in the Andamans. The exact place, deadline and procedure depend on your nationality, so check the current rules before you leave. This registration is not the same as the long-term FRRO residence registration, and it is not the international arrival card.
Keep your passport with you, not in your luggage. You will need it for the document check at the convoy gate on the Andaman Trunk Road.
Permits for specific places
Even with a RAP exemption, these places have separate rules.
| Place | What you need | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Baratang limestone caves | Forest Department permit for all visitors | Issued at the Baratang jetty before the boat leaves |
| Jolly Buoy | Permit, seasonal access | Book permit and boat in advance; daily capacity is limited |
| Ross and Smith islands near Diglipur | Forest permit | ₹50 for Indian visitors and ₹500 for foreign visitors; Forest Office Diglipur 06:00 to 14:00, closed Sunday |
| Nicobar Islands | Tribal Pass | Foreigners cannot travel beyond Hut Bay |
| Tribal Reserves | No visits | Meeting or photographing people is forbidden |
Check the current rates for Ross and Smith before you go. For most visitors on the classic route of Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair), Havelock and Neil, the paperwork comes down to the activity permits above. Confirm the current exemption for your nationality and route first.
Protected areas and the Andaman Trunk Road
The Jarawa Tribal Reserve lies along the Andaman Trunk Road, the road to Baratang and the north. You pass through it in a convoy. Departures from Jirkatang are at about 06:00, 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00. Confirm the current times before you go, and have your documents ready for the check.
Stopping, photos, video and any contact are forbidden. A buffer zone of 5 km on land and 1 km at sea bans commercial and tourist activities. Driving through is not a visit to the Jarawa. Under the PAT Regulation of 1956, visiting a reserve to meet or photograph people is forbidden everywhere.
North Sentinel Island is closed to all visitors, and no tour goes there. Read our page on North Sentinel Island for the rules and the reasons. The same applies to the Nicobar Islands, which stay closed to tourists.
Planning the route? Our Baratang guide covers the convoy and caves, and the Jolly Buoy page explains permits and seasons.
More pages for your planning
Baratang
Caves, mud volcano and the convoy on the Andaman Trunk Road.
Jolly Buoy
A seasonal island with its own permit in the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park.
Diglipur
Ross and Smith islands, Saddle Peak and the northern route.
North Sentinel Island
Why the island is closed and what the protected zone covers.
Andaman permit: frequently asked questions
Do I need a RAP for the Andaman Islands in 2026?
For many visitors, no. A notice of 5 March 2026 confirms tourist RAP exemptions until 31 December 2027, covering 29 islands and another 11 for daytime visits only. Visitors from Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, and people of that origin, still need approval first.
Can foreigners visit the Nicobar Islands?
No. Travel to the Nicobar group needs a Tribal Pass, and foreigners are not allowed to travel beyond Hut Bay.
Do I need a separate permit for the Baratang caves?
Yes. All visitors need a Forest Department permit, issued at the Baratang jetty before the boat leaves.
Is a permit needed for Jolly Buoy?
Yes, and access is seasonal. Book the permit and the boat in advance, because daily capacity is limited.
Do I have to register after arriving?
Some governments advise registering after arrival. Procedure and deadline depend on your nationality, so check them before you travel.
Do Indian visitors need permits too?
Indian citizens are not waved through. Forest, wildlife and Tribal Pass rules still apply to them, for example at the Baratang caves and Jolly Buoy.