Yachts visiting the Andaman Islands will no longer be restricted to a stay of 30 days. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) has been revoked with immediate effect until 2022

Published 6 years ago

As reported by: R Ratham of Asia Pacific Superyachts

In a major move to boost tourism in the Andamans, the Indian government have decided to remove the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from 29 islands in the Andamans for foreigners.

Now yachts planning a trip to the Andamans will no longer require a RAP to visit these islands in the Union Territory:

Havelock, North Andaman, Smith Island, East Island, Curfew Island, Tillang Chong Island, Katchal, Nancowry, Ayes Island, Middle Andaman, Interview Island, Teressa, North Passage, Baratang, South Andaman, Neil Island, Flat Bay, North Sentinel Island, Little Andaman, Chowra, Great Nicobar, Stewart Island, Kamorta, Palomino, Strait Island, Long Island, Little Nicobar, Narcondam Island and Land Fall Island.

The restriction has been lifted until December 31, 2022. The RAP is notified under the Foreigners (Restricted Areas) Order, 1963.

Foreigners may now stay in the Andamans as long as their visas permit and visiting yachts can stay for much longer than 30 days if they wish. Until now, 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 Andaman Islands. Now yacht crew may visit with a single entry visa.

It is unlikely, however, that the lifting of the RAP will have any effect on the current restrictions applied to the Andaman Nicobar Islands (Restricted Area).

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