Your Nagaland Inner Line Permit (ILP) Guide for Hornbill Festival 2026

Planning a trip to Nagaland for the Hornbill Festival this December? Before you book that bus, train or flight, there is one small but important step: the Inner Line Permit, or ILP.

The good news is that for most visitors, the ILP is simple and can be done online from your phone. This guide explains it in plain language, so you know what to expect and what to keep ready.

We are Hornbillai Studio, a small software and AI studio based in Nagaland. We wrote this because friends, guests and fellow locals ask us about the ILP every festival season.

What is the Inner Line Permit?

The ILP is an official travel document issued by the Government of Nagaland. It is governed by Home Department rules under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.

Online tourist ILPs are approved by the Commissioner's ILP Cell. The only official portal is ilp.nagaland.gov.in.

Who needs an ILP?

Anyone who is not an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland needs an ILP to enter. This includes Indian citizens from every other state, and all foreign visitors.

Indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland are exempt. Students have their own arrangement: the official FAQ says students get a 3-month ILP on first entry. If that applies to you, read the FAQ on the official portal for the details.

How Indian tourists apply online

If you are an Indian tourist from any state, you apply in the "Domestic Tourist" category.

Step by step

1. Go to ilp.nagaland.gov.in.
2. Sign in with your phone number and the OTP you receive.
3. Choose the "Domestic Tourist" category and fill in the form.
4. Upload your photo and ID document.
5. Add a local contact in Nagaland.
6. Pay the fee online.
7. Wait for an SMS telling you the ILP is approved.
8. Download your ILP card as a PDF.

You do not need a guarantor. Save the PDF on your phone and keep a printed copy too, in case your battery runs out.

Fee and validity

The fee is Rs 200 per person, plus payment gateway charges. The ILP is valid for 30 days.

How long it takes

If you apply during working hours, approval usually takes about 4 hours. If you apply outside working hours, it is usually processed within the first 3 hours of the next working day.

So do not leave it to the night before. Apply a few days ahead, especially if your travel falls near a weekend or holiday.

Document checklist for Indian tourists

Keep these ready before you start:

• A recent passport-size photo
• Any one ID: Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, bank passbook or ration card
• If you are from Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Karimganj or Hailakandi: your NRC in English
• Files saved as JPG or PNG, each under 300KB
• Name and phone number of a local contact in Nagaland
• A working phone number for the OTP and SMS
• A way to pay online

A quick tip: if your photo is too large, most phones can resize or compress it. Check the file size before uploading.

Foreign tourists: ILP plus Protected Area Permit

Foreign visitors need two things, not one.

1. The Nagaland ILP

The ILP for foreign tourists costs Rs 500 and is valid for 30 days. You will need:

• Your photo
• Both sides of your passport
• Your visa or Protected Area Permit (PAP)

2. The Protected Area Permit

Foreign tourists also need a Protected Area Permit. This is applied for through the Indian e-FRRO portal at indianfrro.gov.in/frro.

Register within 24 hours

After you arrive, you must register with the Foreigners Registration Officer within 24 hours. Please plan for this on your first day.

A note on PAP for Hornbill 2026

A PAP relaxation was applied for the 2025 Hornbill Festival only. As of our last check, we found no official relaxation for 2026. Please check before you travel, using the official portals.

Applying offline or getting help

If you cannot apply online, there are offline options:

• Nagaland Houses in New Delhi, Kolkata, Shillong and Guwahati
• District Deputy Commissioner offices in Nagaland
• ILP counters in Dimapur, which a news report says exist. Please confirm before you go.

For questions about your application, the official support email and phone numbers are listed on the ILP fees and support page.

Support works on government working days only. Office hours are 09:30 to 16:30 in summer and 09:30 to 16:00 in winter.

Planning around Hornbill Festival 2026

The Directorate of Tourism lists Hornbill Festival 2026 for 1 to 10 December 2026.

For entry details and any updates about the festival itself, please check the Directorate of Tourism website. The festival and the ILP are separate. Your ILP lets you enter Nagaland. Festival information comes from the Directorate of Tourism.

Since the ILP is valid for 30 days, one permit can cover the full festival if your dates fit inside that window.

For locals helping visitors

Many of us in Nagaland end up helping guests, relatives or hotel bookings with the ILP. A few simple ways to help:

• Share the official link, ilp.nagaland.gov.in, so visitors avoid unofficial sites.
• Be ready to be listed as the local contact, if you know the visitor.
• Remind foreign guests about the PAP and the 24-hour registration.
• Help resize photos and ID files to under 300KB.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need an ILP if I am an Indian citizen?

Yes, unless you are an indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland. Indian tourists from any state apply in the "Domestic Tourist" category.

How much does the ILP cost?

For Indian tourists, Rs 200 per person plus payment gateway charges. For foreign tourists, Rs 500. Both are valid for 30 days.

How quickly will I get my ILP?

Usually about 4 hours during working hours. Applications made outside working hours are usually processed within the first 3 hours of the next working day.

Do I need a guarantor?

No. Domestic tourists do not need a guarantor, but you do need to give a local contact.

Is the ILP enough for foreign tourists?

No. Foreign tourists also need a Protected Area Permit through the e-FRRO portal, and must register with the Foreigners Registration Officer within 24 hours of arrival.

Disclaimer

This is an unofficial guide written by Hornbillai Studio. It is not a government service, and Hornbillai Studio does not issue permits. Rules and fees can change, so always apply and confirm details on the official sites linked above.

Last checked: 10 October 2026

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