Who needs a permit
Everyone who isn't a Lakshadweep native needs an entry permit, Indian citizens included.1
Foreign nationals (with a tourist visa) may visit Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat only. Indian citizens may visit the islands listed on their permit.4
Foreign nationals can't book ship tickets online. IRCTC sends them to the Samudram package instead.5
Apply in 5 steps
- Sign up on the e-permit portal with your name, email and mobile number (OTP).
- Apply under the Tourist category, listing every traveller.
- Pay the application and heritage fees online.
- Track the application status.
- The permit arrives by email. Save a copy offline.7
Apply yourself online under the Tourist category. Tourists no longer need a sponsor or a police clearance certificate.8 One application form covers up to six people.9
Upload a recent passport-size colour photo and proof of address (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence; a birth certificate for infants).21
A submitted or issued permit can't be edited. To fix a name, photo or address you submit a fresh application.23
Or let your dive centre apply
Dive centres can apply for the permit on their guests' behalf once a booking deposit is paid.25
Tell us your dates and who's travelling, and we'll set this up with a checked partner.
Fees and timing
Fees: ₹50 application fee per applicant (non-refundable), plus a heritage charge of ₹200 per adult and ₹100 for ages 12–17. Payment-gateway charges may be extra.2
Apply early. When a Kavaratti dive centre checked on 15 Oct 2026, the earliest travel date the portal accepted was 15 days away. List your exact dates and every island, including ones you only pass through.3
A tourist entry permit is valid for up to 30 days from issue and can be renewed once for another 30 days.22
Book in this order
- Permit first.
- Ship ticket, if you're sailing. Get your permit before you book a ship. The booking asks for your permit application number and fails if the permit's dates, islands or travellers don't match.10
- Flights. See the flights guide.
On arrival
Report to the island's Registration Officer within 24 hours of arriving, and carry your permit.11
On arrival, officials scan the QR code on your permit to verify it.24
Your permit is valid only for the islands listed on it.12
Transit happens only via Kavaratti or Agatti, for up to 12 hours.13
Rules while you're there
Don't touch, collect or damage coral or marine life, and never anchor on coral.14
Single-use plastic is banned, including PET water bottles and plastic cups.15
A 2026 regulation may allow alcohol at approved resorts. No licensed outlet is confirmed, so don't plan on it.16
We haven't found an official source on dress or photography rules yet. Ask us before you go.17
What changed
- 29 Apr 2026A circular dated 29 Apr 2026 dropped the sponsor and police-clearance requirements for tourists; Lakshadweep Police now do the background check.18
- 18 Aug 2026The Samudram cruise package is suspended "until further directions" while its ship is maintained.6
- 1 Sep 2026Hotels, resorts, homestays and water-sports centres need a Lakshadweep Tourist Trade Permit. New businesses need one before opening, existing ones by 30 Sep 2026.19
- 15 Oct 2026From 15 Oct 2026 all e-Permit services moved to a new portal, lak.e-permit.utl.gov.in. The old epermit.utl.gov.in site carries a notice pointing there.20
Permit checklist
- Photo and proof of address ready for every traveller
- Permit application submitted on lak.e-permit.utl.gov.in, with every island listed (including ones you only pass through)
- Application and heritage fees paid
- Permit email saved offline
- Ship ticket booked in your own IRCTC Lakshadweep account, with your permit number
- Flights booked (small planes: check the baggage allowance)
- Photo ID that matches your bookings
Common questions
- Do Indian citizens need a permit for Lakshadweep?
- Everyone who isn't a Lakshadweep native needs an entry permit, Indian citizens included.1
- Where do I apply for the Lakshadweep entry permit?
- From 15 Oct 2026 all e-Permit services moved to a new portal, lak.e-permit.utl.gov.in. The old epermit.utl.gov.in site carries a notice pointing there.20
- How much does the Lakshadweep permit cost?
- Fees: ₹50 application fee per applicant (non-refundable), plus a heritage charge of ₹200 per adult and ₹100 for ages 12–17. Payment-gateway charges may be extra.2
- How far ahead should I apply?
- Apply early. When a Kavaratti dive centre checked on 15 Oct 2026, the earliest travel date the portal accepted was 15 days away. List your exact dates and every island, including ones you only pass through.3
- How long is the permit valid?
- A tourist entry permit is valid for up to 30 days from issue and can be renewed once for another 30 days.22
- What documents do I need?
- Upload a recent passport-size colour photo and proof of address (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence; a birth certificate for infants).21
- Which islands can foreign nationals visit?
- Foreign nationals (with a tourist visa) may visit Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat only. Indian citizens may visit the islands listed on their permit.4
- Can someone apply for me?
- Dive centres can apply for the permit on their guests' behalf once a booking deposit is paid.25
Stuck? Ask us
Sources & fact checks (25)
- Everyone who isn't a Lakshadweep native needs an entry permit, Indian citizens included.
- Fees: ₹50 application fee per applicant (non-refundable), plus a heritage charge of ₹200 per adult and ₹100 for ages 12–17. Payment-gateway charges may be extra.
- Apply early. When a Kavaratti dive centre checked on 15 Oct 2026, the earliest travel date the portal accepted was 15 days away. List your exact dates and every island, including ones you only pass through.
- Foreign nationals (with a tourist visa) may visit Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat only. Indian citizens may visit the islands listed on their permit.
- Foreign nationals can't book ship tickets online. IRCTC sends them to the Samudram package instead.
- The Samudram cruise package is suspended "until further directions" while its ship is maintained.
- Sign up on the new e-Permit portal, apply under the Tourist category, pay the fees online and track the status. The permit arrives by email.
- Apply yourself online under the Tourist category. Tourists no longer need a sponsor or a police clearance certificate.
- One application form covers up to six people.
- Get your permit before you book a ship. The booking asks for your permit application number and fails if the permit's dates, islands or travellers don't match.
- Report to the island's Registration Officer within 24 hours of arriving, and carry your permit.
- Your permit is valid only for the islands listed on it.
- Transit happens only via Kavaratti or Agatti, for up to 12 hours.
- Don't touch, collect or damage coral or marine life, and never anchor on coral.
- Single-use plastic is banned, including PET water bottles and plastic cups.
- A 2026 regulation may allow alcohol at approved resorts. No licensed outlet is confirmed, so don't plan on it.
- We haven't found an official source on dress or photography rules yet. Ask us before you go.
- A circular dated 29 Apr 2026 dropped the sponsor and police-clearance requirements for tourists; Lakshadweep Police now do the background check.
- Hotels, resorts, homestays and water-sports centres need a Lakshadweep Tourist Trade Permit. New businesses need one before opening, existing ones by 30 Sep 2026.
- From 15 Oct 2026 all e-Permit services moved to a new portal, lak.e-permit.utl.gov.in. The old epermit.utl.gov.in site carries a notice pointing there.
- Upload a recent passport-size colour photo and proof of address (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence; a birth certificate for infants).
- A tourist entry permit is valid for up to 30 days from issue and can be renewed once for another 30 days.
- A submitted or issued permit can't be edited. To fix a name, photo or address you submit a fresh application.
- On arrival, officials scan the QR code on your permit to verify it.
- Dive centres can apply for the permit on their guests' behalf once a booking deposit is paid.