Commissioner of Police-cum-Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO), Dimapur, has reiterated that all foreign nationals intending to visit Nagaland must mandatorily obtain a Protected Area Permit (PAP), stating that despite repeated advisories and wide publicity through various media platforms, several foreigners continue to enter the State without securing the required permit, thereby violating existing regulations.
In an official notification, Aotula Chen, IPS, Commissioner of Police-cum-Foreigners Registration Officer, Dimapur, informed that the relaxation earlier granted under the Protected Area regime notified under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958 has been withdrawn from the State of Nagaland by the Ministry of Home Affairs vide Circular No. 602 dated December 17, 2024. The withdrawal, the notification stated, was effected in the backdrop of growing security concerns in the border areas of the State.
Accordingly, all foreign nationals who wish to visit Nagaland are required to mandatorily obtain a Protected Area Permit from the authorities to whom powers have been delegated. The designated authorities empowered to issue the PAP include the Ministry of Home Affairs, all Indian Missions abroad, Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), the Home Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, Kohima, the Resident Commissioner, Government of Nagaland, New Delhi, and the Secretary (Tourism), Government of Nagaland, Kohima.
The notification further clarified that citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan, as well as foreign nationals having their origin in these countries, would continue to require prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before visiting Nagaland. Additionally, prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs is necessary for the grant of PAP to a citizen of Myanmar seeking to travel to the State.
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All foreigners visiting Nagaland are also required to mandatorily register themselves with the Foreigners Registration Officer of the State or District they visit within 24 hours of their arrival. In order to facilitate travel of bona fide foreign visitors and avoid delays in the issuance of PAP, all applications are to be processed through the e-FRRO portal.
In this regard, the Commissioner of Police has directed the general public, organizations, Government departments, travel agents, tour operators, hotels, guest houses, homestays, paying guest facilities and any other entities facilitating the visit or stay of foreign nationals in Nagaland to strictly ensure compliance with the Protected Area Permit requirement. They have been instructed to verify that foreign nationals are in possession of valid PAP before facilitating travel arrangements or providing accommodation within the State.
