Foreign Nationals

Foreign Nationals

Besides a valid passport and an Indian visa, foreigners require a special permit to visit Sikkim.   These are now easy to obtain, with all Indian embassies, consulates and high commissions abroad authorised to issue a 15-day inner line permit for Sikkim.  Your Sikkim permit can be stamped into your passport on request when you obtain your Indian visa.  You can also get your 15-day permit from any of the Sikkim Tourism Offices in Delhi, Kolkata or Siliguri, or at the Darjeeling District Magistrate’s office.  If your find yourself at Sikkim’s border town of Rangpo without already having obtained a permit,don’t worry, because the Tourism Officer stationed there will issue you a 15-day permit on the spot.  Regardless of where you apply for your Sikkim permit, you must submit photocopies of your passport and Indian Visa details, along with two passport-size photographs.

Your initial 15-day permit can be revalidated for 3 further instalments of 15 days each in case you wish to stay longer.  The maximum stay for any foreigner at one time is 60 days, beyond which it is impossible to extend your permit further.  The Foreigner’s Registration Office at Gangtok and the Superintendents of Police of North, South and West Districts has the authority to extend permits.

With your regular 15-day permit you gain access to Gangtok, all district headquarters (Namchi, Geyzing and Mangan), and all sub-divisional headquarters (Soreng, Pakyong, Ravangla), except Chungthang in North Sikkim, which is only accessible to foreigners who form a group of two or more.  The permit also covers Rumtek, Phodong, Pemayangtse, Khecheopalri and Tashiding.

Areas like Tsomgo Lake, which is a 2 hour drive from Gangtok, the Yumthang Valley in the North Sikkim, and the trekking areas in West Sikkim are open only to groups of two or more and require additional special permits.  These can be arranged through authorised local travel agents on arrival in Sikkim. However, permit to visit North Sikkim is allowed for maximum period of 5 days and 1 day for Tsomgo Lake.

Important: Remember that you are required to carry your passport and Sikkim permit when travelling across the state, as it may be checked and stamped at local check posts.