Short answer: no, if you're an Indian citizen. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Indian territory, so travelling there is a domestic trip. A valid government photo ID is all you need to board your flight, check into a hotel, and board a ferry.
The confusion is understandable. The islands sit about 1,200 km from the mainland, closer to Thailand than to Chennai, and flights there feel international in every way except the paperwork. Add in the Restricted Area Permit rules that apply to foreign visitors, and it's easy to assume you need more documents than you actually do—which is why so many travellers ask about paperwork before they even look at an Andaman Nicobar package.
Here's exactly what to carry, whether you're Indian, a foreign national, or travelling with children.
The rules below reflect government guidance as of October 2026. Entry rules can change, so confirm before you travel.
For Indian Citizens: No Passport, No Permit
You do not need a passport, a visa, or a Restricted Area Permit to visit Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram), Havelock (Swaraj Dweep), Neil (Shaheed Dweep), Baratang, Diglipur, or any of the main tourist islands.
What you must carry:
- A valid government photo ID. Aadhaar card, driving licence, voter ID, PAN card, or passport all work. Carry the original, not a photocopy or a digital-only version, since some ferry operators and hotels insist on seeing the physical card
- Your flight tickets, printed or on your phone
- Hotel booking confirmations
- Ferry tickets for inter-island travel
A practical tip: carry two forms of ID in separate bags. If one gets lost or soaked on a boat day, you're not stuck.
On Aadhaar specifically: it's widely accepted, but a card with a driving licence or voter ID as backup is safer, particularly at private ferry counters.
Read next: How to reach Andaman Nicobar by flight — direct routes, airlines, and what to expect at Veer Savarkar International Airport.
Travelling With Children
Children need ID too, though the requirements are lighter:
- Infants and toddlers: a birth certificate is the safest document to carry
- School-age children: a school ID card, Aadhaar card, or birth certificate
- Teenagers: Aadhaar or any government-issued photo ID
Airlines and ferry operators both check children's ages for fare purposes, so having proof of date of birth avoids arguments at the counter.
— Travelling with the family? The Andaman Coastal Crusade - standard package covers Port Blair and Havelock with ferries, transfers, and entry tickets handled for you, and you can browse the full range of Andaman and Nicobar packages for family options to compare.
For Foreign Nationals: Passport, Visa, and the RAP Question
Foreign visitors need two things without exception:
- A valid passport
- A valid Indian visa (tourist e-Visa or regular tourist visa)
Immigration officials check your passport and visa on arrival at Port Blair, whether you land by air or by sea.
The Restricted Area Permit, explained
The Andamans historically fell under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, meaning every foreign visitor needed a Restricted Area Permit. That changed in 2018, when the government excluded 29 inhabited islands from the RAP regime to boost tourism. A further 11 islands were opened for day visits.
Currently, most foreign nationals do not need a RAP to visit the main tourist islands, including Port Blair, Havelock, Neil, Baratang, and Little Andaman. You simply present your passport and visa at immigration on arrival. The current relaxation runs to 31 December 2027.
Who still needs a RAP in advance?
This section is the part worth reading carefully, because getting it wrong means you will be turned back.
- Citizens of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan, and foreign nationals with origins in these countries regardless of current citizenship, still require a Restricted Area Permit. It is granted only with prior approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Citizens of Myanmar need a RAP specifically for visiting Mayabunder and Diglipur, again with prior MHA approval
- Anyone visiting for purposes other than tourism or travelling to islands outside the designated tourist list needs a RAP obtained in advance
Travellers in these categories who arrive without written permission are liable to be deported back to mainland India. Applications can be made online through the Indian FRRO portal or via an Indian mission overseas.
OCI and PIO card holders
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders enjoy the same relaxation as other foreign nationals, with the same exceptions for those of Afghan, Chinese, or Pakistani origin. Carry your OCI card alongside your passport.
Two things foreign visitors often miss
- Form C registration. Hotels are required to submit your details to the Foreigners Registration Office in Port Blair. Your hotel handles this, but they'll need your passport at check-in
- Stays over 180 days require registration with the FRRO in Port Blair within 14 days of arrival
Permits You May Still Need, Even as an Indian Citizen
No permit is needed to enter the islands, but a few specific places require separate permissions, which your tour operator normally arranges:
Baratang Island. The road north passes through the Jarawa tribal reserve, so vehicles travel in timed convoys with a forest department permit. Photography and any interaction with the tribal community are strictly prohibited and carry legal penalties.
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park. Jolly Buoy and Red Skin Islands need a forest department permit and entry ticket. The two open alternately for six months each, so check which is accessible for your dates.
Completely off-limits to everyone: North Sentinel Island, the Nicobar group and all tribal reserve areas. These are protected by law, not by bureaucracy, and no permit is available for tourism.
Defense and sensitive areas around Port Blair harbor also remain restricted.
— Want the permits, tickets and convoy timings handled rather than chased? The Andaman Tropical Paradise - premium package covers all three main islands with everything pre-arranged.
Documents You'll Need Once You're There
Entry is only half the story. These come out of your bag repeatedly during the trip:
At hotel check-in. Every guest's photo ID is recorded. Indian hotels are legally required to do this, and Andaman properties are strict about it.
At the ferry counter. Inter-island ferries check ID against the name on the ticket. A mismatched spelling between your booking and your ID causes real problems, so check it when you book your ferry from Port Blair to Havelock rather than at the jetty.
For activities. Scuba diving operators ask for ID and a signed medical declaration. Certified divers should carry their certification card.
At forest checkpoints. The Baratang convoy and marine park entries both involve ID checks.
Read next: Adventure sports in Andaman — what's on offer, and what each activity requires.
A Simple Document Checklist
Indian travellers:
- Government photo ID, original (plus a backup ID)
- Flight tickets
- Hotel confirmations
- Ferry tickets
- Children's birth certificates or school IDs
- Photocopies kept separately from originals
- Offline copies of everything on your phone
Foreign nationals, additionally:
- Passport, valid for the duration of your stay
- Valid Indian visa
- RAP, if your nationality or purpose of travel requires one
- Passport available at hotel check-in for Form C
Why offline copies matter: mobile data between islands is patchy and sometimes absent. Screenshot your tickets and confirmations rather than relying on an app that needs a signal.
Common Myths, Cleared Up
"You need a passport because it's so far from the mainland." Distance has nothing to do with it. The islands are Indian territory, so the flight is domestic.
"Indians need a permit for Havelock and Neil." It is not available for either island or for Port Blair, Baratang, or Diglipur.
"Foreigners can't visit without applying months ahead." Most nationalities need no advance permit at all under the current relaxation, though the exceptions above are firm.
"A digital Aadhaar on DigiLocker is always enough." Usually, but not always at private ferry counters. Carry a physical ID.
"You need a permit to go to any beach." Only the marine national park islands and Baratang involve permits, and your operator arranges them.
Read next: Places to visit in Andaman — beaches, landmarks, and islands worth building your days around.
Plan a Trip Without the Paperwork Stress
The documentation for an Andaman trip is genuinely simple once the myths fall away: Indian travellers need a photo ID, foreign travellers need a passport and visa, and the handful of site-specific permits are usually arranged by whoever organises your itinerary.
Booking a complete Andaman and Nicobar Islands package means ferries, forest permits, and marine park tickets are built into the plan rather than chased on the day. If you'd rather arrange stays yourself, compare hotels in Andaman across the islands, or look at hotels in Port Blair for arrival nights, hotels in Havelock Island for beach days, and hotels in Neil Island for a quieter stretch.
— Planning a luxury escape? The Andaman Oasis Escape - luxury package pairs Port Blair and Havelock with upgraded stays. At the same time, couples can start with the Honeymoon Sunset Escape - standard package or browse every Andaman honeymoon package on offer.
Book Your Trip to Andaman Islands
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