As of March 15, 2023, all types of China visas is resumed. If you’ve waited for a long time to travel to Tibet, it’s time to start planning your trip, as Chinese Tourist Visa applications are now open. However, in Tibet, foreign nationals are required to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Entry Permit), issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. All foreign nationals are required to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet.
Travelers must apply for Tibet Travel Permit through a travel agency in Lhasa, Tibet, and independent applications are not accepted. The application process is very straightforward: passport copies and China visa copies are all that are needed.
Tibet Travel Permit is a vital document that permits foreign travelers to enter and travel across the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). This permit is issued by the Chinese government and strictly required for all non-Chinese passport holders.
The primary purpose of this permit is to regulate tourism in Tibet, ensuring that visitors comply with local laws and regulations. It allows tourists to visit Lhasa city, Mount Everest Base Camp, and other key attractions within TAR.
It’s essential to note that having a China visa does not grant entry into Tibet. You must have both your regular China visa along with your Tibet travel permit when enteringTAR. Otherwise, you’ll be denied access or face hefty fines.
Moreover, individual regions in TAR may require additional permits depending on their political sensitivity or security concerns. For example: if you plan on visiting Ngari prefecture or Mount Kailash and Manasarovar region outside Lhasa city — you will need an Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP) from the Public Security Bureau (PSB).
Therefore it’s crucial to apply for these documents well ahead of time before traveling to avoid any issues during your trip.
All international tourists must obtain a Tibet Permit to legally enter Tibet (TAR). Diplomats, journalists, and governmental officials must acquire theirs via the Tibet Foreign Affairs Office. Indian citizens traveling to Mt.Kailash, Manasarovar, or Ngari in western Tibet will need to book their tour through a Nepali or Indian travel agency affiliated with TAR’s Foreign Affairs Office or Pilgrim Center for Tibet-India pilgrim reception. Up to 178 countries who have diplomatic ties with China are eligible for the permit, including travelers from the US, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Spain and other nations. Norwegians and Bhutanese can also attain their visas with us this year. If you’re not sure if your nation is eligible for this permit contact us and our consultant will be able to answer any questions regarding it. Residents of Hong Kong and Macau may enter Tibet with their SAR passport and Home Return Permit. Chinese living outside mainland China may also visit if they possess Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (MTP). If you hold a non-Chinese passport but were born in China you’ll need both a visa for China along with the Tiben permit for travelling in the area.
Once you’ve found us, we will typically ask you for your passport and Chinese visa after your tour confirmed. We may also require additional documentation such as proof of employment or study, depending on the nature of your trip.
After providing all necessary information, we will submit your application to the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) on your behalf. The TTB will review and process your application within 7-15 working days.
If you possess a Visa other than an L (Tourist) one, to get your Tibet Permit, you need to provide additional documentation in addition to your passport and visa copies. We will be glad to guide you through the process, providing a template that should help with arranging the documents properly. Depending on your Visa type, you may be required to provide proof of employment (a letter from your company or employer including their official stamp), recommendation letter from your school if you hold a Student visa (along with a scanned copy of your student ID card), invitation letter from relatives in case of Private (S-1, S-2) / Family (Q-1, Q-2) Visas; and if you have a Journalist (J-1, J-2) / Diplomatic Visa then the application process would run through the Tibet Foreign Affairs Office instead of via travel agency. You can use our sample of employment proof as reference.
Entering Tibet from Nepal is one of the most popular ways to visit this beautiful region. But applying for a Tibet permit from Nepal can be slightly different than applying for it outside China.
In order to enter Tibet from Nepal, you need to acquire a China visa from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. Any other nation’s passport will not be valid for travel to Tibet. You should start by making a booking and confirming a Tibet tour with our tour agency – ours is an excellent option. Subsequently, send us a copy of your passport and we will submit an application for your Tibet permit. Also, you must apply for a visa in person or via an agency at the Chinese Immigration office in Kathmandu. It usually takes 3 working business days to collect the visa; if you used our services, it should reach you directly. Finally, your Tibetan permit would be mailed by us to our local operators in Kathmandu; you can get the permit from our guide upon arriving there.
With a Tibet Permit and a Residence Permit, expats can easily travel to Tibet. Here is an example of how the Tibet Permit procedure works. To begin the process, you will need to provide photocopies of your passport and visa pages after confirming a package with us. We will then submit these documents to Tibet Tourism Bureau. Three steps to get Tibet entry permit:
Our Tibet tour package includes free Tibet Permit service, and we guarantee that you will get your Tibet Permit before you depart for Tibet.
Getting a Tibet Travel Permit can be time-consuming and requires patience, but it’s an essential requirement for visiting the region. The permit process typically takes around 10-15 days from submission to approval. However, this timeline can vary depending on several factors, such as Chinese holidays or political situations.
If you’re applying for your Tibet Permit through us, we will take care of submitting your application and communicating with the relevant authorities on your behalf. This option can save you a lot of time and hassle.
It’s also important to note that applying too far in advance might not necessarily speed up the process. In fact, permits are usually only issued closer to the date of travel due to changes in government policies.
Additionally, if there are any discrepancies in your application or supporting documents – even minor ones – it could result in delays or rejection of your permit application. It’s crucial to ensure all information is accurate and complete before submitting.
It usually takes 5-7 business days for the Tibet Tourism Bureau to process a Tibet Travel Permit application. When you’re flying to Lhasa, your guide or hotel in the pre-Lhasa city can receive the original permit after an additional 3-5 days. In contrast, if you’re travelling by train no delivery time is required since only a copy of the permit is checked at the station; once it’s issued your agency will send you a copy. To ensure everything goes smoothly with your trip, it’s recommended that documents are submitted to your travel agency no later than 10 working days before your tour date depending on how you arrive in Tibet.
Tibet Travel Permit is a vital document that permits foreign travelers to enter and travel across the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). This permit is issued by the Chinese government and strictly required for all non-Chinese passport holders.
The primary purpose of this permit is to regulate tourism in Tibet, ensuring that visitors comply with local laws and regulations.
To obtain a Tibet Travel Permit, you will need to apply through an authorized travel agency. The application process can be quite complicated, with several documents needed and approval from the Chinese government required. We recommend that you seek the help of a professional travel agency who is familiar with the process, as they can offer advice and guidance along the way.
Yes, there are regulations and restrictions that come with having a Tibet Travel Permit. Travellers must comply with the laws and regulations of China, the TAR and their place of origin. It is important for travellers to respect local customs and beliefs, as well as abide by the regulations of nature reserves throughout the region. All activities must be documented properly in accordance with Chinese law, including any visits to monasteries or pilgrimage sites. Failure to adhere to these rules may result in revocation or other penalties associated with your permit.
Absolutely. The Tibet Travel Permit covers a wide range of activities, including visiting iconic attractions like Potala Palace and Mount Everest, trekking on popular routes like the Kailash Kora and Changtang Nature Reserve, and cultural excursions to Tibetan villages. You may also use it for shopping in major Tibetan cities or for road trips across the plateau. As long as your activities are within the TAR region, you should be covered with this permit.