Andaman Visa

Andaman and Nicobar is a part of India, therefore, Indian Nationals do not require a Visa for the Andaman Islands. They can freely enter the Andaman Islands without a Visa. However, if they need to visit tribal areas they might need permission from the Deputy Commissioner, Andaman District. The locals of the Islands are also not allowed to visit the Tribal areas without permission.

 

For Foreign Nationals

Tourists from Nepal and Bhutan can also enter India without any Visa as they are exempted from Visa Formalities. But if the citizens of Nepal are entering India from China then they need to have a Visa. People of Maldives also can stay up to 90 days in India without any Visa.

Foreign nationals need to have a permit- RAP (Restricted Area Permit) in order to visit the islands. This permit can be made easily available when you arrive at Port Blair by flight or ship and is issued by the Immigration Authorities which is valid for 30 days, however, it can be extended for 15 more days.

For the residents of Burma, RAP will not allow them to enter places like Mayabunder and North Andaman. For them to visit these parts of Andaman they need to get prior permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

RAP can also be made available from the Foreigners Registration offices at New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata and from the Immigration Authorities of the same. Nicobar group of Islands is not open for tourists and special permission is required from the Deputy Commissioner, Nicobar District to visit the latter of the beautiful group of islands due to bonafide reasons. Some of the places are strictly prohibited to the visitors which are tribal areas in Nicobar island, but if someone wishes to get there, they need special permission from the Deputy Commissioner of Port Blair.

 

Places Covered Under Restricted Area Permit

For Day & Night Visits:

• Entire Island of Middle Andaman, excluding tribal reserve.
• All islands of Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park except Boat, Hobday, Twin Islands, Tarmugli, Malay & Pluto. (Night halt in this island are subject to special permission from Administration)
• Entire Island of South Andaman, excluding tribal reserve.
• Baratang Island.
• North Passage Island.
• The little Andaman Islands, excluding the tribal reserve.

For Day Visit Only:

• Ross Island
• Narcondam Island
• Interview Island
• Brother Island
• Sister Island
• Barren Island (Live Volcano) – restricted to visit on-board vessels only, with no landing ashore.

 

VISA Requirements

1. If you are NOT Indian by nationality, you must have a valid Indian Visa. It can be obtained in your country of residence prior to arrival in India.
2. You can apply for an Indian Visa at the Indian Embassy in the country where you are residing before arriving in India.
3. NRI, PIO and OCI cardholders should also get a restricted area permit on arrival at Port Blair.
4. E - Visa is available for certain nationalities.

 

Visa for India

There are two main ways to obtain your India visa for entry into the Andaman Islands.

1. The first way to obtain your India visa for entry here is to apply from the country of departure. Hence if applying for your India visa in the UK, then you can select on their online India visa application processes, the option for visiting the Andaman. The embassy will usually write inside that you are entering this area. The Indian embassy usually charges a fee of £20 additional if they are to process your India visa application with entry into the Andaman’s.
2. The second option is to obtain your India visa entry permit from the Foreigner’s Registration Offices at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and the immigration authorities at the airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai. They will issue this permit after having seen your India visa.
3. The third option is that you can obtain your permit for Andaman on arrival at the airport, after having shown your India visa also. Your stay is restricted for up to 30 days, after which you can enter India, on your India visa which needs to be an Indian visa multi-entry. You can then enter Andaman after 72 hours with your India visa.

 

Entry Formalities for foreigners

1. Foreigners are permitted to visit the following Islands without the requirement of Restricted Area Permit- (1) East Island (2) North Andaman (3) Smith Island (4) Curfew Island (5) Stewart Island (6) Landfall Island (7) Ayes Island (8) Middle Andaman (9) Long Island (10) Strait Island (11) North Passage (12) Baratang (13) South Andaman (14) Swaraj Dweep (15) Shaheed Dweep (16) Flat Bay (17) North Sentinel Island (18) Little Andaman (19)Chowra (20) Tilang Chong Island (21) Teressa (22) Katchal (23)Nancowry (24) Kamorta (25) Pulomilo (26) Great Nicobar (27) Little Nicobar (28) Narcondam Island (29) Interview Island & (30) Wiper Island(Day visit only). 
2. Citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals having their origin in these countries would continue to require the Restricted Area Permit to visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In such cases, the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) would be granted only after prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs. If any such national is found visiting these Islands without the Restricted Area Permit, necessary penal action would be taken under the relevant provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946.
3. Myanmarese nationals who want to visit Mayabunder and Diglipur can do so only after prior permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs. 
4. Visits to Tribal areas are permitted only after obtaining a Tribal Pass issued by the Deputy Commissioners of South Andaman, North & Middle Andaman and Nicobar. 
5. The visits to the forest areas are subject to the restrictions imposed by the Chief Wildlife Warden, A & N Islands and the guidelines issued by the Ministry. 
6. For visits to the National Parks, the visiting parties would invariably be accompanied by a guide nominated by the Chief WildLife Warden of A & N Islands and should follow the code of conduct in the Park areas. 
7. In case of violation of the National Marine Park Code suitable fine may be imposed on the offenders by the A & N Islands Administration. 
8. Visit the Marine Park area is to be restricted to small boats or glass-bottom boats. No oil leakage is to be allowed in the area. 
9. Scuba Diving and Underwater Photography is to be permitted in the identified areas but no removal of Corals, Fish or any other item from the Marine Park is permitted. 
10. Taking photographs of the Aboriginal Tribes (Jarawas/Sentinelese/ Great Andamanese / Onge / Shompen) in the Tribal Reserves is not permitted. It is an offence punishable under PAT Regulation 1956. 
11. Camping on sea beaches and sleeping in the jungle is strictly prohibited. 
12. No one should remain on the sea beach and jungle after sunset. 
13. Do not drive any vehicle without valid International Driving License Wearing of the helmet is compulsory for two-wheeler riders and pillion riders.