Every Indian rider entering Arunachal Pradesh needs an Inner Line Permit, and since 2017 it has been online only. For a tourist trip the electronic ILP (eILP) costs ₹300 for up to 3 days or ₹500 for up to 14 days, per person, and it isn't refundable. Here's how it works for a ride to Tawang, Mechuka or Dong, checked against the state's official eILP portal on 14 October 2026.
Quick Summary:
- Who needs it: Every Indian citizen visiting Arunachal, rider and pillion both. Children under 14 don't need their own, but must travel with an adult. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit instead.
- Fee (tourist eILP): ₹300 for up to 3 days, ₹500 for more than 3 and up to 14 days. Non-refundable.
- Where: Online only, at eilp.arunachal.gov.in. Manual permits have been banned since a July 2017 government order.
- Longer trips: The tourist eILP covers stays of up to 14 days. Beyond that, you need a provisional ILP.
- Help: Toll-free 155250, or nodal.eilp@gmail.com (Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM).
Verified by MileMarked · Last verified: October 2026
Sources: Government of Arunachal Pradesh eILP portal: the tourist eILP declaration and revised fees, ILP information, and notices. Checked 14 Oct 2026.
Do you need an ILP for Arunachal on a bike?
Yes, and so does your pillion. The ILP is a permit for people, not vehicles. The portal says plainly that the eILP is mandatory for Indian nationals visiting Arunachal Pradesh. The requirement dates back to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873, and you'll be checked at the state's entry gates and again at check posts inside.
Your bike doesn't need a separate permit to enter Arunachal. Carry its RC, insurance and PUC as you would anywhere, because checks in the Northeast are thorough.
What the Arunachal ILP costs
| Permit | Stay | Fee per person |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist eILP | Up to 3 days | ₹300 |
| Tourist eILP | More than 3, up to 14 days | ₹500 |
| Provisional eILP | Longer stays | Apply separately |
These are the revised tourist fees shown on the portal's tourist eILP form as of October 2026. The portal's general fee table still lists ₹100, as do many older guides, but the tourist form shows ₹300 and ₹500, and that's what you pay. The fee isn't refundable once paid, so get your dates right.
How to apply for the eILP
- Go to eilp.arunachal.gov.in and choose Tourist eILP. Start with your mobile number.
- Upload a colour photo with a light background and no border, and a photo ID such as Aadhaar or a voter ID. Files must be JPG, JPEG or PDF, between 20 KB and 200 KB. You can also pull documents from DigiLocker.
- Enter your travel details and pay online.
- Download and print the permit. Carry paper copies: there's little or no signal at many check gates.
If the portal is down: the official site has gone into maintenance before. Its notice points to arunachalilp.com as the alternative for applying. Apply a few days before you ride, not at the gate.
Photo rules are enforced. The portal warns that applicants who break its photo rules can face action under the 1873 regulation. Use a recent, sharp, front-facing photo.
The 14-day limit, and longer trips
The tourist eILP is valid for stays of up to 14 days. That's enough for most rides:
- Tawang: Guwahati → Bhalukpong → Dirang → Sela Pass → Tawang and back takes about a week. See our Guwahati to Tawang route and the Sela Pass to Tawang leg.
- Mechuka: our Jorhat to Mechuka route fits inside 14 days with buffer for landslides.
- Dong and Walong: the far east of the state, near the Myanmar and China borders. Our Walong to Dong Valley ride and the Dong rider's guide cover it.
Planning a long Northeast loop that keeps you in Arunachal for more than 14 days? Apply for a provisional eILP instead, which is listed on the same portal. Or split the trip with separate permits for separate visits.
Riding into Arunachal: practical rules
- Every adult needs one. The rider, the pillion and every adult in a group needs a permit covering their dates in the state.
- Show it at the gate and inside. Riders heading to Tawang are checked at the Bhalukpong entry gate, and again at check posts on the way. Keep the printout and your ID together and easy to reach.
- Border areas have extra rules. Some places near the China border need additional army or district permissions on top of the ILP, and these change. Ask in Tawang or the district town before riding to restricted spots.
- Plan around weather, not the permit. Sela Pass gets snow in winter, and monsoon landslides close Northeast roads for days. Leave buffer days inside your 14.
📋 Complete Guwahati to Tawang Itinerary on MileMarked This route has a verified day-by-day plan over Sela Pass, fuel stops and a packing checklist. Visit the Guwahati to Tawang trip page on MileMarked to download the complete planning kit.
For the wider region, read our Northeast India motorcycle guide.
Permit fees and rules are set by the Arunachal government and change from time to time. If something on this page is out of date, tell us. We re-check it every 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Arunachal ILP cost in 2026?
The tourist eILP costs ₹300 per person for a stay of up to 3 days, and ₹500 per person for more than 3 and up to 14 days. The fee isn't refundable. The portal's older general table still shows ₹100, but the tourist eILP form charges the revised fees.
Where do I apply for the Arunachal ILP?
Online only, on the Government of Arunachal Pradesh's eILP portal, eilp.arunachal.gov.in. Manual permits have been banned since 2017. If the portal is under maintenance, its notice points to arunachalilp.com.
How long is the Arunachal tourist ILP valid?
The tourist eILP covers stays of up to 14 days. For longer stays, apply for a provisional eILP on the same portal.
Does my bike need a permit for Arunachal?
No. The ILP is for people, not vehicles, so you and your pillion each need one. Carry your bike's RC, insurance and PUC, as check posts in the Northeast are thorough.
Do children need an Arunachal ILP?
Children under 14 don't need an individual eILP, but they must travel with an adult who holds one.
