Instructions for foreign nationals

Entry Formalities

1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands being the restricted area under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963, no foreigners can enter or stay in the Islands without obtaining permit from the competent authority. At present foreigners can visit the following places for thirty days after obtaining Restricted Areas Permit from the competent authority.

   Day and Night Visit Allowed

   1. Municipal Area, Port Blair
   2. Havelock Island
   3. Long Island
   4. Neil Island
   5. Diglipur
   6. Mayabunder
   7. Rangat

   Only Day visit allowed

   1. Jolly Bouy
   2. Red skin
   3. South Cinque
   4. Mount Harriet
   5. Madhuban

2. Question of opening of more places in Andaman and Nicobar islands for promotion of tourism has been under active consideration of the Government of India for quite some time. It has now been decided to open the following additional places for foreign tourists in Andaman and Nicobar Islands:-

   Places opened for day and night visits

   1. Entire Island of Middle Andaman, excluding tribal reserve.
   2. All Islands in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park except Boat, Hobday, Twin Islands, Tarmugli, Malay and Pluto (Night halt in these Islands subject to special permission of the UT Administration.
   3. Entire Island of South Andaman, excluding tribal reserve.
   4. Baratang Islands.
   5. North Passage Island.
   6. Little Andamans Island excluding Tribal reserve.

   Places opened for day visit only

   1. Ross Island.
   2. Narcondum Island.
   3. Interview Island.
   4. Brother Island.
   5. Sister Island.
   6. Barren Island: Restricted to visit on board vessels only with no landing ashore.

3. The foreign tourists will be allowed to visit the open areas in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands subject to the guidelines issued vide Ministry of Home Affairs circular No.15011/14/91-F.I dated 30.06.92 which are produced:-

   1. The visiting parties would invariably be accompanied by a guide nominated by the Chief Wildlife Warden of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and should follow the code of conduct in the park areas.
   2. Visitors should pay an entry fee. In case of violation of National Marine Park code, suitable fine may be imposed on the offender by the A&N Islands Administration.
   3. No jetties or permanent structures are to be allowed to be built upon or off the islands. No bar-be-que or other cooking is allowed. Only thatched enclosures to serve as toilets made of local materials are to be permitted. No brick and mortar shelters for shade should be allowed to be made. Lean to shelters for shade may be allowed to be made.
   4. Forest should not be diverted for any purpose. Permanent structures like hotel accommodation etc. should not be allowed to come up. I.D.A guidelines should be strictly adhered to and the Coastal Zone Regulations should also be followed in letter and spirit.
   5. Visit to the Marine Park areas is to be restricted to small boats or glass bottom boats. No oil leakage is to be allowed in the area.
   6. Scuba Diving and underwater photography is to be permitted is identified areas, but no removal of coral, fish or any other item from Marine Park is to be permitted.
   7. Restricted Area Permit issued in this regard by agencies would incorporate the word "Subject to restrictions imposed by the Chief Wild Life Warden, Andaman & Nicobar Islands."
   8. Foreigners visit to the Islands of Mount Harriet and Madhuban would be regulated by the Andaman & Nicobar Islands Administration in consultation with the wildlife representatives in A&N Islands.
   9. Guidelines issued by the Ministry of Environment and Forest from time to time will be adhered to by the A&N Islands Administration while regulating tourist traffic to the Islands.
   10. As regards the two volcanic Islands, Barren Island and Narcondum Island foreign tourists may be allowed to visit Barren Island on board vessels but no landing ashore. UT Administration would provide escort to the tourists visiting the Islands. For Narcondum Islands it has been decided that it may be opened to foreign tourists for diving and unescorted day visits.
   11. No Burmese national will be allowed to visit Mayabunder and Diglipur without prior permission of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

4. It has been further decided that the authorities competent to issue Restricted Area Permit could continue to be same as are at present, namely:-

   1. All Indian Missions and posts abroad.
   2. F.R.R.Os, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.
   3. Chief Immigration Officer, Chennai.
   4. Immigration Officer, Port Blair.

Duration of Stay

5. It has further been decided that the individual foreign tourists may be permitted to visit the above places in accordance with the conditions imposed. The total period of stay in Andaman & Nicobar Island shall be for a maximum period of 30 days. The period of stay can be extended for another 15 days as per power delegated to the Administration by the Govt. of India. The Superintendent of Police, South Andaman District is the competent authority in this regard.

Indian national needs no permit to visit the Andamans. However, visiting tribal areas in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is prohibited.