No restriction for Foreign tourists anymore as Home Ministry plans to relax travel restrictions

Foreign tourists will be able to visit the restricted areas in India after the Union Home Ministry relaxed the travel restrictions.

Till now, the foreign tourists had always required a special permit from the home ministry to visit places identified as protected areas in states like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand Jammu and Kashmir, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts Himachal Pradesh, among others.

However, with the relaxation of the travel restrictions, the foreign tourists, except those from Pakistan and China will be able to travel to such places as well. 

Some provisions of Restricted Area Permit system, which have been in existence for over 50 years, in some areas are now being planned to relax by the Centre to allow foreigners visit remote places in a bid to boost the tourism and generate extra revenue.

Discussions are being held with various state governments to identify the possible places where restrictions on the movement of foreign tourists can be relaxed further. 

Most northeastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, Sikkim, some parts of  Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir fall under the category which is out of bounds for foreign tourists for now.

However, the government provides an exemption for such areas on certain occasions for foreigners particularly for diplomats, United Nations personnel and staff of some international organisations with valid diplomatic or official passports. These special permits provided by the external affairs ministry are given to visiting restricted areas.