India lifts visit limit to Andaman Islands

Oct 9, 2018 by Triton Staff

In a move to boost tourism in the Andaman Islands, the government of India has removed a 30-day restriction on foreigners visiting 29 of the islands, making it possible for visiting yachts to stay however long they’d like.

“The restricted area permit (RAP) is now completely removed,” stated R. Rathnam, managing director of Asia Pacific Superyachts. “Before, yachts interested in a long stay had to leave the country and then return. The crew had to have a multiple-entry visa if they wanted to spend more than 30 days in the Andamans. Now, crew and guests may visit with a single-entry visa and stay as long as they want, as per the validity of the visa.”

The RAP requirement has been lifted through Dec. 31, 2022. Visitors will still require separate approvals of the authorities for visiting reserved forests, wildlife sanctuaries and tribal reserves.

Previously, most of the tribal reserve and forest reserve areas were totally banned for tourists, Rathnam noted.

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