Permits & entry rules · as of July 2026
Andaman entry permits and requirements
The short version: Indian nationals need no permit to visit the Andamans — a valid photo ID is enough. Foreign nationals no longer need the old Restricted Area Permit for the main islands; they register on arrival instead. Below is who needs what, island by island, the documents to carry, and the areas that stay off-limits. Because these rules change, we date this page and recheck it each season.
Indian nationals
No permit needed
For Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and the usual tourist islands. Carry a valid government photo ID — that is the whole requirement.
Foreign nationals
No RAP — register on arrival
The Restricted Area Permit was dropped for most tourist islands in 2018. You still need a passport and a valid Indian visa, and you register on arrival in Port Blair.
Rules current as of July 2026. Restricted tribal areas and the Nicobar group stay off-limits regardless of nationality — see below.
Permit rules, island by island
| Island / area | Indian nationals | Foreign nationals | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram) | No permit | Register on arrival | Arrival gateway, fully open |
| Havelock (Swaraj Dweep) | No permit | Register on arrival | Most-visited island |
| Neil (Shaheed Dweep) | No permit | Register on arrival | Open to all tourists |
| Ross Island (Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep) | No permit | Register on arrival | Small entry / forest fee at the jetty |
| North Bay Island | No permit | Register on arrival | Snorkelling site; forest fee applies |
| Baratang | No permit + photo ID | Register + photo ID | Convoy transit through Jarawa Reserve |
| Diglipur (North Andaman) | No permit | On-arrival + local registration | Register locally on arrival |
| Little Andaman | No permit | Extra clearance | Limited tourist access |
| Nicobar group | Special permission | Not open to tourists | Restricted — not a tourist destination |
"Register on arrival" means foreign nationals are recorded on arrival in Port Blair; no advance RAP is arranged for these islands. A few North Andaman and Little Andaman routes can need extra clearance for foreign nationals — message us with your plan and we will confirm the current rule.
Do Indians need a passport for Andaman? No.
This is the question we are asked more than any other, so here it is plainly: the Andaman Islands are part of India, and Indian nationals travel on a domestic photo ID — Aadhaar, Voter ID, driving licence or passport, any one of them. A passport is only involved if it happens to be the ID you are carrying. No visa, no permit, no special paperwork: for an Indian citizen, flying to Port Blair is the same as flying to any other Indian city. Foreign nationals, of course, do need a passport and a valid Indian visa.
Documents to carry
Indian nationals
- Government photo ID — Aadhaar, Voter ID, Passport or Driving Licence (original)
- Photo ID for children — birth certificate or school ID
- Flight or ship tickets, for verification at the airport and jetties
- Hotel and ferry booking confirmations (we hold these for our guests)
Foreign nationals
- Passport with at least six months validity
- Valid Indian visa — tourist visa or e-visa
- Two passport-size photographs, in case a counter asks for them
- Return flight ticket and hotel booking confirmation
Restricted areas, and how to act around them
Some parts of the Andamans are closed to protect the indigenous communities who live there. This is the part of the rules we take most seriously — it is about people, not scenery.
- Tribal reserves are not sights
The Jarawa, Onge, Great Andamanese, Sentinelese and Shompen reserves exist to protect people, not to be visited. They are closed to tourists, and no reputable operator will offer a "tribal tour". Treat this as settled, not a grey area.
- The Jarawa Reserve is transit only
The road to Baratang crosses the Jarawa Reserve. You travel through in a timed convoy — no stopping, no photography, no interaction. Filming or feeding is a serious offence, and we brief every guest on this before the drive.
- Nicobar is off the table
The Nicobar Islands are a restricted zone. They are not part of any tourist itinerary and are not somewhere we can arrange access, so we do not offer it.
Permits arranged on the spot
A handful of places need a small forest or park permit that is bought locally rather than in advance. You do not arrange these ahead of time; they are handled at the checkpoint — and for our guests, by us.
- Baratang — reached by a timed convoy that transits the Jarawa Reserve; photo ID is checked at the Jirkatang check-post. No separate paid permit, but the day has to be timed around the convoy.
- Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park — a forest permit, arranged at the entry point; fees differ for Indian and foreign visitors.
- Ross Island & North Bay — a small entry / forest fee at the jetty, again with different rates for Indians and foreign nationals.
- Barren Island volcano — viewed only from a boat under permitted trips; landing is not allowed, and access is arranged locally through registered operators.
A few rules that catch people out
- No coral or shells
Collecting, buying or carrying coral, shells or marine specimens is illegal. It is checked at the airport, with fines and confiscation.
- Single-use plastic is banned
Carry a reusable bottle and bag. Shops do not hand out plastic bags, and the ban is enforced.
- Do not touch the reef
Standing on or touching coral while snorkelling or diving damages it and is not allowed. Reef-safe sunscreen only.
- Photography limits
No photography in or near tribal reserves. Some underwater sites charge a small camera fee.
Permit questions, answered straight
Do Indian citizens need a permit to visit the Andaman Islands?
No. Indian nationals do not need any permit for the usual tourist islands — Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, Ross, North Bay, Baratang or Diglipur. You carry a valid government photo ID and that is the whole requirement. There is no fee and no form to fill in advance.
Do foreign nationals still need a RAP (Restricted Area Permit)?
For most tourist islands, no. The Restricted Area Permit requirement was relaxed in 2018, so foreign nationals no longer arrange a RAP in advance for Port Blair, Havelock, Neil and the common islands. You do still need a passport and a valid Indian visa, and you register on arrival in Port Blair. A few areas — parts of North Andaman and Little Andaman — can need extra clearance, so tell us your plan and we will confirm the current rule for your route.
What ID should Indian travellers carry?
Any valid government photo ID works — Aadhaar, Voter ID, passport or driving licence. Carry the original, not just a photo of it. For children, a birth certificate or school ID is enough. IDs are checked at the airport and at some jetties, so keep one handy rather than packed in a bag.
Is a passport required for Indian nationals?
No. The Andamans are part of India, so Indian nationals travel on a domestic ID — a passport is not required. It is only needed if it happens to be the photo ID you are carrying. Foreign nationals, of course, need a passport and Indian visa.
Do I need a permit for Baratang?
There is no separate paid permit for Baratang, but the trip is different: you reach it by a timed convoy that transits the Jarawa Reserve, and your photo ID is checked at the Jirkatang check-post. Convoys run to a fixed schedule, so Baratang is a full-day trip that has to be timed around them. We handle the timing and the check-post formalities for our guests.
Which islands are restricted or off-limits?
The Nicobar group and all tribal reserves — Sentinelese, Jarawa, Onge, Great Andamanese and Shompen — are closed to tourists and are not part of any itinerary. These are protected areas for indigenous communities, not sights to visit, and no legitimate operator will offer access. The Jarawa Reserve can only be crossed in transit, without stopping, on the way to Baratang.
Do I need permits for national parks and beaches like Ross or North Bay?
Yes, small forest or park permits apply at places like Ross Island, North Bay and the Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. These are arranged on the spot at the checkpoint, with different fees for Indian and foreign visitors. When you travel on our package, these forest permits are arranged for you, so there is no separate queue to worry about.
Do the permit rules change, and can I rely on this page?
They do change — the RAP relaxation itself is a recent example — which is why we date this page and recheck it against current government guidance each season. Use it to plan, but for a firm answer on your exact islands and dates, message us and we will confirm against the rule in force at the time.
Planning the rest of the trip? See how to reach the Andamans for flights and ferries, and our weather and best-time guide for the season trade-offs, month by month.
How this page stays true
Written by the Tropical Andamans editorial team from our own experience running trips from Port Blair. Because permit and entry rules change, every claim here is verified against current Andaman & Nicobar Administration guidance, as of July 2026, and rechecked each season and before we quote a trip. We keep fees as ranges rather than exact figures on purpose — government rates are the fastest-moving part of this page. For a firm answer on your exact islands, nationality and dates, ask us and we will confirm against the rule in force at the time.
Not sure what applies to you?
Tell us your nationality, the islands you want and your dates. We will confirm the current permit position for your trip and handle the on-the-ground formalities.