Permit for foreign nationals

Himachal Pradesh: Kinnaur and Spiti villages — Protected Area Permit

Permit for foreign nationals · India

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In short

For visitors: permit required.

Boundary area — 8 km²
Approximate boundary: a strip at the average distance
Checked against the act on 21 October 2026

Who may enter, and with what

Rules by group of people, as the source states them, with dates. We give no assessments of our own.

Foreign nationals — permit required. Foreigners need a permit (Protected / Restricted Area Permit) to enter or stay in the area; applications are online only via e-FRRO.Issued by: Authorised bodies of the Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs, embassies, FRRO, state governments) · Processing time: At least 30 days in advance from abroad; 15 days via the FRRO if already in IndiaExceptions: Citizens of Bhutan (except persons of Afghan, Chinese and Pakistani origin) and those who lived in the zone for at least 5 years before 01.09.2025 — without a permit
Original wording
Every foreigner shall be required to obtain a permit to enter into or stay
Apply · Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025 (Gazette of India, S.O. 3986(E)), para. 14 · as of 1 September 2025 · checked 20 October 2026
Citizens of Afghanistan — permit required. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and persons of that origin get the permit only with prior approval of the Government of India.Issued by: Only with prior approval of the Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Original wording
except with the prior approval of the Central Government
Apply · Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025 (Gazette of India, S.O. 3986(E)), para. 14 · as of 1 September 2025 · checked 20 October 2026
Citizens of Bhutan — no permit. Citizens of Bhutan do not need the permit.Exceptions: Except persons of Afghan, Chinese and Pakistani origin
Original wording
any person who is a citizen of Bhutan
Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025 (Gazette of India, S.O. 3986(E)), para. 14 · as of 1 September 2025 · checked 20 October 2026
Citizens of China — permit required. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and persons of that origin get the permit only with prior approval of the Government of India.Issued by: Only with prior approval of the Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Original wording
except with the prior approval of the Central Government
Apply · Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025 (Gazette of India, S.O. 3986(E)), para. 14 · as of 1 September 2025 · checked 20 October 2026
Citizens of Pakistan — permit required. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and persons of that origin get the permit only with prior approval of the Government of India.Issued by: Only with prior approval of the Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs)
Original wording
except with the prior approval of the Central Government
Apply · Immigration and Foreigners Order, 2025 (Gazette of India, S.O. 3986(E)), para. 14 · as of 1 September 2025 · checked 20 October 2026

Legal basis

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Questions

Permits and restricted zones — FAQ

Do you need a permit: Himachal Pradesh: Kinnaur and Spiti villages — Protected Area Permit?

For visitors: permit required. Foreigners need a permit (Protected / Restricted Area Permit) to enter or stay in the area; applications are online only via e-FRRO.

Where do I get the permit?

Issued by: Authorised bodies of the Government of India (Ministry of Home Affairs, embassies, FRRO, state governments). The link to the official application page is in the rule above.

Will the planner see this zone on my route?

Yes: the zone has a boundary, and the trip plan will show a line if the route or an overnight stop falls inside.

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