Permit alert Andaman Islands
 

Our family (foreigners working in India, with a valid Indian visa), decided to viait the Andamans for fall break (October 2017). On arrival at Port Blair airport, we and another foreign family that travelled separately (9 people in total, of which 5 kids) were stopped at the permit counter. We were then told that we were going to be deported back to Delhi because, as we were told, we had to obtain our permit in Delhi. We told them that a permit is normally issued on arrival but they wouldn’t listen. We also explained that we came only for tourism and diving. There was no way to discuss. They just refused in a very unpleasant manner and we had to go back with the same plane we arrived with.

Alert to all visitors of the Andaman islands: double and triple check the rules with the airline, with the hotel, with the tour operator. Better: obtain your permit in Delhi so that you don't waste a flight ticket when denied access. Many people on Fodor have argued that a permit can be obtained on arrival in Port Blair, However – not always, it seems. Many are not aware of the rules or of any tecent changes, including hitels, tour operators and airlines.

"Many people on Fodor have argued that a permit can be obtained on arrival in Port Blair" Name one person..

There have been zero 'arguments' about this since you joined Fodor's.

I did see some comments several years ago, but really, you saw some conflicting take advice from 2004, 2007 and even 2015, and assumed it was correct in 2017?

In the end you are responsible for your own travel arrangements.

You must go to the source.

Take it as a lesson learned,

A tough lesson to learn, but thanks for sharing so future travelers won’t make same mistake.