Archive · 12 Jan 2026
Sikkim Discontinues Physical Permits for Foreigners
The Sikkim government has stopped giving out physical permits to foreign tourists who want to visit certain protected and restricted areas.
Instead, they now have to get these permits online.
This change was made to make things more secure and easier for tourists.
The government also received an award for being the most tourist-friendly state in India.
Many tourists, including foreigners, visit Sikkim every year, and this new system is meant to make their visits smoother.
The state is also known for its focus on sustainable and community-based tourism.
Sikkim government has discontinued physical permits for foreign tourists visiting protected and restricted areas.
All protective and restricted area permits (PAPs and RAPs) for foreign nationals will now be issued digitally.
The decision was made to enhance national security and streamline the entry process.
Sikkim received the 'Most Tourist-Friendly State of India' award at the Bengal Travel Mart.
The state is committed to sustainable tourism practices and enhancing visitor experiences.
- Who
- Sikkim government and foreign nationals visiting Sikkim
- What
- Discontinuation of physical permits and introduction of digital permits for foreign tourists
- When
- Recent directive, specific dates not mentioned
- Where
- Sikkim, India
- Why
- To enhance national security and streamline the entry process through digitalization
- Permit Type
- Protective Area Permits (PAPs) and Restricted Area Permits (RAPs)
- Affected Tourists
- Foreign nationals
- Affected Areas
- Protected and restricted areas in Sikkim
- New Process
- Online clearance mandatory
- Reason
- National security and streamlining entry process
- Tourist Statistics
- 17.12 lakh tourists in 2025, including 71,000 foreign nationals
- Award
- Most Tourist-Friendly State of India
- Event
- Ninth edition of the Bengal Travel Mart (BTM)