No more Restricted Area Permit for foreigners visiting 29 Andamans islands

In a major move to boost tourism in Andaman, Indian government has decided to remove Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from 29 islands in Andaman for foreigners. So, now foreigners planning a trip to the gorgeous Andaman & Nicobar Islands will no longer require RAP to visit 29 inhabited islands in the Union Territory; the restriction has been lifted till December 31, 2022. The RAP is notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963.
Lifting of RAP means that now people from the other countries can also visit Havelock, North Andaman, Smith Island, East Island, Curfew Island, Tillang Chong Island, Katchal, Nancowry, Ayes Island, Middle Andaman, Interview Island, Teressa, North Passage, Baratang, South Andaman, Neil Island, Flat Bay, North Sentinel Island, Little Andaman, Chowra, Great Nicobar, Stewart Island, Kamorta, Pulomilo, Strait Island, Long Island, Little Nicobar, Narcondam Island and Land Fall Island without any permit.

Not only this, foreigners can also go visit the 11 uninhabited Islands here, though only for a day. However, the government is not sure about extending this privilege for people from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
As per a senior MHA official (Ministry of Home Affairs), citizens from these countries would have to take RAP to visit Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In such cases, permits may be granted only after getting prior approval of the ministry of home affairs. Besides, if residents of Myanmar wish to visit Mayabunder and Diglipur in Andamans, they will require RAP, which comes only after prior approval from the MHA.

However, for visiting reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and tribal reserves, people would still require separate approvals of the competent authorities as is the case at present.