Inner Line Permit Guide for Northeast Road Trips
20 January 2026 · 6 min read
Which states need an ILP, how to apply online, and what to keep in the car at every check gate.
Who needs a permit
Indian travellers need an Inner Line Permit for Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Assam, Meghalaya and Sikkim need none for Indians (Sikkim's protected-area permits apply only to specific high-altitude zones). Foreign nationals face different rules and must register locally in Nagaland and Arunachal.
Applying online
Each state runs its own e-ILP portal. Apply 3–7 days ahead with a photo ID, a passport-size photograph, your travel dates and your entry point. Fees are small. Print two copies — mobile signal at check gates is unreliable.
At the check gate
Keep the ILP, everyone's ID, the vehicle RC, insurance, all-India permit and your rental agreement in one folder on the dashboard. Our cars carry valid all-India permits, so the vehicle side of the paperwork is already handled.
Common mistakes
Entry point mismatches (applying for Bhalukpong then entering via Bomdila), expired dates on the return leg, and forgetting a permit for a child travelling on the same trip. Check all three before you leave Guwahati.
Ready to drive it yourself?
Pick a car from our owned fleet and we will brief you on the route, permits and fuel stops before you leave Guwahati.
Routes covered in this guide
- Guwahati → Kohima route guide · 345 km
- Guwahati → Gangtok route guide · 590 km
- Guwahati → Shillong route guide · 100 km