The following competent authorities have been designated to issue inner line permits :
All Indian Missions abroad
Ministry of Home Affairs
All Foreigners Registration Officers
Immigration Officers at Airports at Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai and New Delhi
Deputy Commissioner, Darjeeling
Deputy Secretary/Under Secretary, Home Department, Govt. of West Bengal, Calcutta
Government of Sikkim
Chief Secretary, Gangtok
Home Secretary, Gangtok
Secretary, Tourism, Gangtok
I.G.P. of Police, Gangtok
Resident Commissioner, Sikkim House, New Delhi
Deputy Secretary, Tourism, Siliguri
Resident Commissioner, STCS, Calcutta
Tourism Officer, Rangpo
Clearly, there are numerous authorities from which to obtain inner line permits. If one plans in advance it is best to take an endorsement on the visa itself for permission to visit Sikkim from Indian Missions when applying for Visa to visit India. Once in India, it could be most convenient to approach Government of Sikkim authorities at Delhi, Calcutta and Siliguri.
How much time does it take a get an ILP?
Normally the Inner Line Permits are issued off-the-counter without any delay. The permits would however be available only on government working days. One requires to produce the passport and visa in original to the competent authority.
What fee is charged for ILPs?
There is no fee charged for ILP and can be obtain form Sikkim Tourism Offices.
Are there exceptions to the ILP regime?
Existing guidelines require that nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar can be given Inner Line Permits only after approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. Further all Bhutan nationals are exempt from the requirement of obtaining ILPs. They do not require to obtain permits to enter Sikkim. Permits to foreign diplomats and members of United Nations and International Organisations holding diplomatic/official passports are issued only at Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs.
What is the duration of these inner line permits?
Normally the permits are issued for a duration of fifteen days for the specific purpose of tourism only. Once in Sikkim these permits can be further extended for 30 more days in two spells of 15 days each. These extensions are granted only at Gangtok by State Home Department. Extensions beyond the period of forty-five days are vary rarely given. Foreigners who wish to stay in Sikkim for purposes other than tourism for longer period of time are required to apply directly to the to Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
Once in Sikkim, what all places are 'open' for foreign tourists? What restrictions should be observed by foreigners?
Individual foreign visitors may visit/stay at any of the following towns in Sikkim
EAST - Gangtok-Rumtek-Pakyong,Barapathing-Rongli-Renak-Aritar-Rorathang
WEST - Geyzing . Pemayangtse . Khechepheri, Tashiding . Yuksom . Soreng
NORTH - Phodong . Mangan . Singhik
SOUTH - Namchi . Ravangla
Groups of foreigners (4 or more persons in a group) are allowed to visit following additional places/circuits. Permissions are granted for specific tour circuits as identified with definite entry and exit points and a specified mode of transport. Local tour operators only organize these trips and also provide a local Liaison Officer who accompanies the group.
East District
Gangtok-Penlong-Tinjure-Rumtek/Martam
II. North District
Gangtok-Chungthang-Lachen-Thangu
Mangan-Lingzia-Shabrung-Tholung Monastery-Kisong (except Yabok)
Mangan-Lingzia-Sakyong-Royot Patam (except Gochala)-Dzongri-Yoksum
Yumthang-Phuni-Phunichoka-Tarum Chachu-Chunbgthang
Dikchu-Phodong-Labrang-Namptam-Mangan-Maling-Singhik-Samartek-Chungthang
Lachung-Yumthang-Yume-Samdong
South District
Sirwani-Temi-Damthang-Tendong-Namchi
Damthang-Tendong-Damthong-Rabangla-Maenam-Yangaang-Singchuthang-Sirwani
Rabangla-Maenam-Borong/Polout-Tashiding
Kewzing-Rayong-Tinkitam-Legship
West District
Yuksom-Dzongri (except Gochala)
Yuksom-Dzongri-Thangsing-Lampokhri
Utterey-Chewa Bhanjang-Dhond-Garakhet-Oktak-Dzongri
Hilley-Versay-Singalila-Chewabhanjang
Hilley-via-Sombarey-Versay-Soreng
Hilley-Versay-Dentam
Pelling-Sangcholing-Khecheperi-Yuksom-Dubdi-Sinon-Tashiding.
Tsomgo Lake in East Sikkim (day visit only)
Mangan, Singhik, Toong, Chungthang, Lachung and Yumthang (for 5 days only)
It must be remembered that foreigners cannot stay at any place, which is not mentioned above. Violation of above instructions and conditions specified on permits are treated as an offence under the Foreigners Act and are punishable under law.
Refer to Sikkim Tourism Website: http://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/
Where is Sikkim? Sikkim is in the north eastern part of India bordering the state of West Bengal ( India )
How do I get to Sikkim ? Sikkim can be reached by flight, regular flights are of all carriers are avaible upto Bagdogra airport. From airport frequent pre-paid taxis are available to Sikkim. By rail nearest railway station is new jalpaiguri station( NJP). From NJP frequent pre-paid taxis are available to Sikkim. Buses are also available from siligurilocated near NJP. Bagdogra airport to Gangtok is 123 kms. From New jalpaiguri 125 kms to Gangtok .
Why there is need for Inner Line Permit , Restricted area permit / Protected area permit required for foreign nationals? Sikkim being a border state sharing its boundaries with 3 other countries. The foreigners are required to obtain ILP for security reasons. The numbers of the Tourist Information Centers are listed in http://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/Essential%20Information/TIC.aspx
Do foreign nationals need to come to Sikkim through a Travel Agent registered with Sikkim Government? No, but for visiting Protected Areas they need to travel through a Sikkim Tourism registered Travel Agent. The list of travel agents are available in http://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/TATO/TATO_List.aspx
Why Nathula and Gurudongmar lake are not yet opened for foreign nationals? Since Nathula and Gurudongmar lake are located in the international border areas. These are not open for foreign nationals.
Why foreign tourist has to be in group of two or more to travel around in Sikkim ? The practice is being followed in pursuance of the guidelines / instructions issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
Why do Indian citizens need permit to visit Nathula and Gurudongmar Lake and other protected areas of Sikkim? Since Nathula and Gurudongmar lake are in international border areas, hence, domestic tourist as well as locals need permit to visit these areas. Permit for Nathula and Gurudongmar lake are issued by Tourism and Civil Aviation Department. Domestic tourists are to contact travel agents listed inwww.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/TATO/TATO_List.aspx to get permits from Tourism Department.
Do we need permit to visit North Sikkim? Yes, Beyond Singhik all areas in North Sikkim require permit for tourist. North Sikkim tour cannot be made in one day. Better to confirm the hotel reservations in advance in North Sikkim to avoid complications.
Do bikers need special permit to ply in Sikkim? And what about driving in private cars? Bikers need special permit to ply in Protected areas , private vehicles are not allowed in protected areas.
Do Overseas Citizens of India ( OCI ) holders need ILP? OCI holders need Inner Line permits to visit Sikkim on the strength of a valid Indian visa.
Why department does not conduct any tours and have any kinds of government transports? Government acts as a facilitator , private tourism stakeholders are encouraged as tour operators, transporters.www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/TATO/TATO_List.aspx
Is there a online system of Inner Line Permit? Online Inner Line Permit has been launched and will soon be operational under the name www.sikkimilp.in
Is there online Hotel booking and helicopter booking? There is no online booking for helicopter but online hotel booking is available in STDC websitehttp://www.sikkimstdc.com/ProtectedResources/Booking/Booking.aspx
Why there is no system of pre-paid taxi service? The government is introducing the system of pre-paid taxi service and is expected to be operational soon.
Is there any tour itinerary ? Tour itinerary are available inhttp://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/PlacesOfInterest/Tour_Itinerary.aspx
It would be nice if there was Tourism Calendar incorporated in your tourism website? Tourism calendar of events is being prepared for the coming year which will be hosted in the official website of Tourism Department.
Do we need to book beforehand for hotels and transportation to plan a trip to Sikkim ? Travelers are advised to book hotels and transportation beforehand to avoid any complains. Further, it would be better if tourist contact the registered travel agents listed in our website to plan the trip to Sikkim.
Is there online permit for trekking in Sikkim? At present there is no system of getting the Trekking permits online.
Is there any fees charged for obtaining Inner Line Permit? There are no fees charged for obtaining Inner Line Permit. Online ILP can be obtained from www.sikkimilp.in
Can we tour Sikkim on our two wheeler bikes? As per the rules of Sikkim State Government, two wheeler motor bikes are to obtain permission from Home department of Govt. of Sikkim. Pls see in link :http://www.sikkimtourism.gov.in/Webforms/General/pdf/RAP.pdf