Tibet Visa
Tibet Visa
For international travellers, a Tibetan entry permit is required in addition to a Chinese visa to enter Tibet. All international travellers must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit to board a flight or train to Lhasa, check into a hotel, and visit Tibet's famous tourist attractions.
You may be wondering why you need a travel permit to Tibet if you already have a Chinese visa. However, a Chinese visa and an entry permit to Tibet are two different things. A Tibet travel permit is like an entry ticket; it is not stamped in your passport like a visa. Tibet is part of China, and the only visa required to enter Tibet is a Chinese visa. If you are visiting Tibet from mainland China, you can apply for a Chinese tourist visa in your home country or at one of the many Chinese embassies around the world. However, to enter Tibet from Nepal, you will need a Chinese group visa issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. You cannot use a Chinese visa obtained elsewhere. Must be purchased through the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
Please keep your Tibet travel permit in a safe place, as you will need to present it upon departure.
It is easy for any traveller to obtain a travel permit to Tibet. However, it may seem difficult if you do not have the relevant knowledge. The information presented here is based on local expertise. We hope this information will make your trip to Tibet easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who needs a Tibet travel permit?
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Needs: |
Don’t Need |
Who can’t get one |
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International Tourists |
Residents of the HK SAR |
Diplomat |
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Chinese living in Taiwan |
Residents of Macau SAR |
Journalist |
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Overseas Chinese with Chinese ID |
Government Officials |
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Indian Visiting Ngari |
Indians visit Ngari
Note: Diplomats, journalists, and government officials also require a permit to enter Tibet, but only the Tibetan Ministry of Foreign Affairs can process applications for Tibet permits.
Indians visiting Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, or other parts of Ngari (Western Tibet) can book a tour through a Nepali or Indian travel agent affiliated with the TAR Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Pilgrim Center and obtain a Tibet Travel Permit. Additionally, you do not need to apply for a Tibet travel permit if you reside in Hong Kong or Macau. However, you will need a return permit and a Hong Kong/Macau passport.
Note: Diplomats, journalists, and government officials also require a permit to enter Tibet, but only the Tibetan Ministry of Foreign Affairs can process applications for Tibet permits.
Indians visiting Manasarovar, Mount Kailash, or other parts of Ngari (Western Tibet) can book a tour through a Nepali or Indian travel agent affiliated with the TAR Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Pilgrim Center and obtain a Tibet Travel Permit. Additionally, you do not need to apply for a Tibet travel permit if you reside in Hong Kong or Macau. However, you will need a return permit and a Hong Kong/Macau passport.
2. How to get a Tibet travel permit?
Solo travel to Tibet has been prohibited since 2008. Instead, you must arrange your trip in advance with a licensed travel agent. This also means that you cannot apply for a travel permit to Tibet on your own. These are undoubtedly the most important travel documents that all international travellers must obtain before entering Tibet. However, the application requires the cooperation of a local authorized travel agent. Please note that the Tibet Tourism Board does not accept applications from individuals. Similarly, permits are not readily available, so you will need to take additional time to apply before travelling to Tibet.
But there is no need to panic, as we will support and guide you in applying for a Tibet travel permit. As a certified travel agent, we will support you in obtaining your travel permit. The process of obtaining a Tibet travel permit varies depending on your chosen point of departure.
a) Entering Tibet through Mainland China
First, talk to a travel expert about planning and scheduling your Tibet vacation. Next, decide on your travel plans and book accordingly.
Second, you need to apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassy in your hometown. The most common tourist visa type is the "L" visa (Chinese tourist visa). You can receive your China visa by submitting your application and paying the visa fee.
Thirdly, you need to provide your travel advisor with important documents such as Scanned copies of your passport and Chinese visa. Please email at least 20 days in advance. Travel Advisor's Tibet travel partner applies for a Tibet permit from the Tibet Tourism Board.
Before entering Tibet, the Tibet Tourism Board will check your documents and issue a Tibet travel permit to your travel advisor within 7 days.
Finally, your travel advisor will issue you with a travel permit before you board the plane or train to Lhasa. In some cases, we can also send it by express delivery to your hotel in mainland China.
However, if you are unsure how to obtain an entry permit to Tibet, please contact us. A travel advisor will then contact you with further details.
b) Entering Tibet through Nepal
If you are planning to visit Tibet via Nepal, you will also need to follow some processes to obtain the permits listed below.
First, you need to book your Tibet trip with a local travel agent by selecting your desired itinerary, paying a deposit, and completing your travel contract. You will also need to email a photo of your passport to your travel agent.
Second, your travel agent will collect all your travel documents and submit your Tibet Travel Permit application to the Tibet Tourism Board (TTB). TTB will then approve and submit the visa invitation to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu within 8-9 days.
Thirdly, you must arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal, at least three days before entering Tibet. You will need to fill out a group visa application form and send your original passport, personal photos, and the cost of your China group visa to your travel advisor.
The travel agent will send the Chinese group visa to your accommodation in Kathmandu.
Finally, after completing all the necessary formalities, enter Tibet by plane or car using a Chinese group visa. Upon arrival at Lhasa Airport or by land at the Gyirong border, your Tibetan guide will prepare your Tibet travel permit. And so begins an interesting and unforgettable adventure in Tibet.
However, if you are unsure how to obtain an entry permit to Tibet, please contact us. A travel advisor will then contact you with further details.
3. How long does it take to get a Tibet permit?
It usually takes 8-9 working days for the Tibet Tourism Board to issue a Tibet travel permit. Once the TTB issues your permit, your travel advisor will deliver it to your accommodation in mainland China or hand it over to your Tibetan guide. Approval may take an additional 3-4 days. Therefore, we recommend that you send a copy of your passport and Chinese visa at least 20 days before your trip to Tibet. Additionally, during the peak season for visiting Tibet (April to October) and during Chinese festivals, processing and delivery of Tibet permit applications will take longer. In such cases, it makes sense to contact your travel agent a few days before starting your trip to Tibet to have them confirm your Tibet travel permit.
4. How much does a Tibet permit cost?
In most cases, the cost of the Tibet entry permit is included in the Tibet package, and no additional payment is required. When planning a trip to Tibet, most travel agencies offer a free Tibet permit service, which you must obtain before leaving for Tibet. If you are entering Tibet from Nepal, you will need to obtain a Chinese group visa application. For this purpose, the travel agency charges a small fee to process the Chinese group visa at the Chinese embassy in Nepal. We may also charge a small fee to process and issue your Tibet travel permit application on your behalf. Please note that it is not possible to apply for a Tibet travel permit online.
If you have any questions about the cost of a Tibet travel permit, please contact us. Our travel advisors will help you with all the costs of your Tibet trip. All you have to do is contact us!
5. How to apply for a Tibet travel permit?
Unlike regular Chinese visas, applications for Tibet travel permits must be coordinated with the Tibet Tourism Board through an authorized travel advisor. Tibet permit applications can only be processed by the Tibet Tourism Board and must be submitted in Tibet. Additionally, a Tibet travel permit cannot be obtained without a tour, so you will need the assistance of an authorized travel agent to apply for the permit. Additionally, you will need to confirm your travel details, such as Itinerary, dates of entry, and return. All this information must be included in the Tibet permit. To apply for a permit, you must also submit the following documents along with your Tibet permit application:
Documents required for the Tibet travel permit application
a) Passport
The passport used to apply for a Chinese visa must be valid for at least 6 months.
If your previous passport contains a Chinese visa that is no longer valid, you will need to present both passports to your travel agent. You must bring both passports with you during your stay in Tibet.
b) Chinese Visa/ Chinese Group Visa
If you are entering Tibet from other parts of China, you must apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassy in your home country.
If you are entering Tibet from Nepal, you will need to apply for a Chinese group visa at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal.
If your passport already includes a China visa, you will need to cancel your passport to obtain a China group visa.
6. How to get a Tibet travel permit from Kathmandu, Nepal?
Nepal is the only global gateway to Tibet. If you are visiting Tibet via Nepal, you do not need to apply for a Chinese visa. All visitors entering Tibet from Nepal must apply for a Chinese group visa at the Chinese Embassy in Nepal. It is the only country where you can get a Chinese group visa. To obtain a China group visa, you must plan and arrange your Tibet holiday through an accredited tour operator. Three days before your trip to Tibet, the Tibet Tourism Board will issue a visa invitation to the Chinese Embassy in Nepal.
China group visa processing takes approximately 5 working days. Associated travel agencies in Nepal will assist you in applying for a visa. In contrast to the China visa, the group visa will not be recorded in the passport and will only allow them/one entry into China. It also includes all personal data of all group members and arrival and departure dates. Furthermore, the cost of a Chinese group visa is divided into two parts: the visa fee and the processing fee. Fees range from $20 to $45 per person, depending on the number of tourists in the group. The following documents are also required to apply for a group visa:
a) Application form
b) Passport with a validity period of at least six months
c) Copies of passports and prior Chinese visas (if you have any)
d) Passport-sized photograph
If you are interested in booking a Tibet tour from Nepal or customizing your itinerary, please contact Journey DMC. All you have to do is fill out an application and pay the visa fee based on your travel dates and citizenship. We will handle the rest of the formalities and issue your visa once approved.
7. What are the other permits required for a Tibet tour?
Even those with Tibet travel permits are not allowed to leave Lhasa. If you want to leave Lhasa, such as EBC or Mount Kailash, you must first obtain other permits, such as a foreign travel permit or military permit. However, you don't need to worry about obtaining these permits. Once you arrive in Lhasa, your Tibetan guide will help you get your permits correctly and make all the preparations for your next visit after your Lhasa day trip. Other permits required to travel to Tibet include:
a) Alien’s Travel Permit
The Tibet Public Security Bureau (PSB) issues foreign travel permits, commonly known as PSB permits. Usually, travellers want to visit unexplored places in Tibet, such as the Everest Base Camp in Shigatse or the Samye Monastery in Tsedang. You can apply as soon as you arrive in Lhasa. Your Tibetan guide will submit the required documents (passport, Chinese visa/Chinese group visa, Tibet travel permit) to the PSB Ministry of Foreign Affairs on your behalf. It usually takes a few hours and costs 50 CNY per participant.
b) Military Travel Permit
The military office in Lhasa issues military permits. Military travel permits are required for travel to some remote and military-sensitive locations, such as Mount Kailash and eastern Tibet. Usually, it takes 10-15 working days. You will also need to apply through a travel agent. Similarly, you will need to bring a copy of your passport and a Chinese group visa/Chinese visa. We recommend submitting your application before travelling to Tibet, as the process can take some time. This permit is required to visit his three regions in Tibet: Ngari region, Nyingchi region, and Chamdo region.
c) Foreign Affairs Permit
Travelling to remote and highly sensitive locations such as Mount Kailash or eastern Tibet requires a diplomatic permit in addition to a military travel permit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Lhasa issues diplomatic permits. The Department of Cultural Heritage issues diplomatic permits to visit western Tibet, including Tholing and Tshaparan. Usually, it takes 10-15 working days. You will also need to apply through a travel agent. Additionally, you will need to bring a copy of your passport and a Chinese group visa/Chinese visa. We recommend submitting your application before travelling to Tibet, as the process can take some time.
Recent condition of Tibet Travel
Until now, Tibet tours were only open to mainland Chinese tourists, expatriates, and a few others. Finally, after three long years of waiting, China will start issuing all categories of visas to foreigners from Wednesday, March 15, 2023. This means foreign tourists can finally apply for Tibet permits. However, there are some changes to the requirements in this document:
• Copy of passport and visa or residence permit.
• Confirmation letter from the employment company (including name, passport number, nationality, and relationship with the accepting organization).
• A three-month non-eviction letter issued by your workplace or neighbourhood residential committee.
• Green health code screenshot.
• To apply for an entry permit, you will need a COVID-19 test result within seven days.
• If you contract COVID-19 within 48 hours of being on a plane or train to Tibet.
We hope that our information on how to obtain a Tibet travel permit will clear your doubts. If you know the best time to travel to Tibet (April to October), we recommend applying for a Tibet Travel Permit in advance. Enjoy the peach blossoms of Nyingchi and explore centuries-old temples and caves. Remember that applying for a Tibet travel permit is not difficult if you have an experienced local agent and a professional Tibetan tour guide.
So far, Journey DMC has served thousands of Western tourists. We always give priority to our customers' decisions. Therefore, we provide useful information on the important factors related to Tibet travel permits so that your trip goes smoothly from start to finish. Additionally, you may be wondering how to organize all these travel documents. Please let us know your preferred location within Tibet. Your travel advisor will be able to advise you on this. We guarantee that all Tibetan permits will be received on time. Now all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy your exciting trip to Tibet. Hurry and book your trip!