All the Info on Inner Line Permit

All the Info on Inner Line Permit

The Inner Line Permit, or ILP, is a required document for Indian citizens to visit specific protected or 

restricted regions within the country. This document, issued by the Indian government, serves to regulate and monitor the activities of tourists in areas near international borders or that are culturally unique and remote.

The permit has limited validity, with a maximum of 15 days for foreigners and up to 3 weeks for Indian citizens and can be customized to specify the start and end dates of the validity period. Visitors are allowed unlimited entry into restricted areas as long as the permit remains valid.

What are Some Restricted Areas in Ladakh?

The areas located near the Line of Control (border with Pakistan) and the Line of Actual Control (border with China) are restricted. Access to these areas is regulated by check posts located along the roads.

Places that need you to carry an Inner line permit include

Khardung La Pass, Nubra Valley and Shayok
Chang La Pass, Tangtse and Pangong Lake
Chumathang, Tsaga La and Tso Moriri Lake
Dha-Hanu Valley and Batalik

Process For Getting An Inner Line Permit
The process hardly takes more than a few minutes, but there are some points that you need to keep in mind while applying for an ILP.

It is advisable to allow a period of one business day for the processing of your application.
The permit office operates from Monday to Saturday, and during the summer, it is also open on Sundays.
Indian citizens must present a valid form of identification such as a driving license, passport, election card, Aadhaar card, or PAN card.
Foreign tourists must present a valid passport along with a visa or an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card to obtain the permit
Verify the current regulations with the Deputy Commissioner's Office.

Cost Of Getting An Inner Line Permit
The cost breakdown for obtaining an Inner Line Permit is detailed below.
Environment fee: Rs 400
Red Cross Donation: Rs 100
Wildlife protection Fee: Rs 20 per day

There is also a nominal processing fee of around Rs 200, which can be avoided if you obtain the permit stamp directly from the Deputy Commissioner's Office.

Points to Note
For foreigners with a diplomatic passport and United Nations members, obtaining an Inner Line Permit requires a separate application process with the Ministry of External Affairs located in New Delhi.

Visitors from countries like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka need to apply for an Inner Line Permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi.