Tibetan Refugee Settlements in India, particularly in South and North Eastern India, are considered restricted areas by the Indian Government. A Protected Area Permit (PAP) from the Ministry of Home Affairs of Government of India, New Delhi is therefore required for all foreign nationals to stay overnight anywhere inside these Tibetan Refugee Settlements.

PLEASE NOTE: Without a PAP, foreign nationals may only visit the area during the day but cannot stay over night.

You can download a PAP Application Form here: [1] PDF | [2] MSWord

The process is as follows:

• Notify YTDR Foundation of your interest to visit the Mainpat Tibetan Settlement 
• Obtain your Indian Visa. Visit the India Visa Center website for information if traveling from the US.

• Apply for your PAP from Ministry of Home Affairs, Delhi. The address of visitation and contact for the Children's Monastery in Mainpat are as follows:

Destination:

New Monastery
Mainpat Tibetan Settlement
P.O. Kamleshwarpur   
Dist. Surguja, Chhattisgarh 497127

Contact:

Khandro Karzang Dolma
942-426-2785

• Indian Ministry of Home Affairs sends a copy of your application to the local Police where you are proposing to visit
• The Local Police would inquire at the proposed settlement, monastery, Guest house etc., as to whether or not you are expected
• Upon confirmation, your PAP application will be approved
• Upon arrival, you will need to proceed to the P.R.C.F. Office to pick up your PAP and may also need to visit the local Police Station at the Settlement for registration and documentation.

• Send your application directly to :

  Mr. K. B. Singh
  Government of India
  Ministry of Home Affairs
  Rehabilitation Wing
  Jaisalmer House, Mansingh Rd.
  New Delhi , INDIA

You need to provide:

• 1 competed and signed PAP Application Form
• 2 recent passport size photographs of yourself
• 1 photocopy of the photo page of your passport

Normally it requires 3-5 months from the time of Application to the approval of a PAP.

HINT: Take a photo copy of your PAP application while travelling without the approved PAP.

For Information and Assistances Contact:

The Secretary
Bureau of His Holiness the Dalai Lama
10/B Ring Road
Lajpat Nager IV
New Delhi - 24

The Secretary
Tibet Information Office
8/13 Napier Close
Deakin ACT - 2600