The Union Home Ministry decided on Tuesday, 7th August 2018 to lift restrictions for Foreigners visiting Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the foreigners will no longer need Restricted Area Permit to visit 29 inhabited Islands as the government intends to boost tourism. 11 other uninhabited islands will also be thrown open to foreigners. The 29 inhabited islands have been excluded from the RAP notified under Foreignern order, 1963, till December 31, 2022, subject to certain conditions. However, citizens of Afghanistan, China, and Pakistan and foreign nationals having their orign in these countries would continue to require RAP to visit the Union Territory. For visiting Mayabunder and Diglipur, citizens of Myanamar will continue to require RAP, which shall be issued only with the prior approval of the Ministry. Separate approvals of the competent authority would be require for visiting resvered forests, wildlife sanctuaries and tribal reserves.