Tibet travel permit

Latest Update:  2024.03.12 information added for upcoming 2024 Tibet travel permit regulations and news.

China is trying to attract oversea travellers more than ever and has announced a 15 days visa free for the 6 nationalities of SPIAN, FRANCE, GERMANY, ITALY, NETHERLANDS and MALAYSIA. The free visa entry date was set from December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024 just with an ordinary passport for business, travel, visiting relatives and friends. Along with your passport we can help you to process Tibet travel permit if you are interested.

Again, starting March 14, nationals of Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, and Belgium can enjoy a trial 15-day China visa-free stay. Contact us now.

Tibet Travel Permit Latest News and Updates

Understanding how to apply for Tibet travel permit is important to know when you are planning to travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region. Therefore, you can’t board a plane or train to this region without having a valid Tibet entrance permit. At the point when entering the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), you should do as such through an authorised tour company. Under the laws and regulations of the PRC, you can not explore Tibet alone. The TAR entirely prohibit for any unguided tour. Here, you can read a complete Tibet travel guide and how to get to Tibet articles.

Adventures In Tibet is a Tibetan-owned travel agency who worked in Tibet travel industry almost 20 years. We have been arranged Tibet travel permit to thousands of oversea travellers with 100% excellent adventures with budge trips in Tibet.

In 2024, Adventures In Tibet is more excitedly ready to stride forward! In order to undertake an outstanding job to get everything guaranteed. And, more hope to see big smiles on our clients faces and to brighten a lifetime trip for everyone! Read Tibet travel permit 2024 updates and the latest news about how to apply for Tibet travel permit. We also have great tips in our blog to help you planning an successful trip to Tibet.

Tibet Travel Permit Table of Content

  1. Ports of arrival (Visa Question)
  2. Make a tour confirmation to apply Tibet travel permit
  3. How long does it take and how can you get it?
  4. Tibet travel permit restrictions and exceptions
  5. Does Kham and Amdo need a travel permit?
  6. Conditions about Tibet travel permit 2023
  7. People also ask questions about Tibet travel permit

1. Ports of arrival: from Nepal or from China (Visa Question)

  1. Visa from Mainland China: To get to China first, you have to process Chinese Visa from the Chinese embassy to your country. Chinese visa is also processable in any countries if it isn’t available in your country.
  2. Tibet Visa from Nepal: Nepal is the one and only country where you will get Tibet Group visa for a trip o Tibet. To get Tibet group visa from Kathmandu, you have to book tour with a licensed travel agency in Lhasa who is also responsible to send you an invitation letter. You can not get Tibet group visa along with yourself but a partner travel agency in Kathmandu who will handle this procession successfully within 3 working days. Make sure that you will have a group of 4 members to get the group visa.
Chinese visa
Visa entering from China
Tibet group visa
Visa entering from Kathmandu, Nepal

2. Make a tour confirmation to apply permit

After finalising your itinerary with Adventures In Tibet Travel & Tour Company, you will be requested to provide us with the following documents in order to confirm your trip and apply for Tibet entrance permit.

  1. Scanned Photocopy of your Valid Passport (*Required)
    (Name and Date of Birth should be clear)
  2. Scanned Photocopy of your Valid Chinese Visa (Not required if arrive from Nepal)
    (Name and Date of Birth should be clear)
  3. Emergency Contact Number in your home country. (Optional)
    (In the rare event of an emergency, this phone number will allow us to contact your relatives or friends. We will not share your personal information with any third parties.)
  4. 30% Deposit (*Required)

Note: It is recommended to send us all necessary documents at least before two weeks.

A. Different paperworks for Tibet travel permit 2024: How to apply a travel permit for Tibet?

  1. Tibet Travel Permit (TTP): Apply through Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB)
  2. Border Permit: Apply for ahead of time and in conjunction with the TTP. **Only required for going to Everest Base Camp tours and Kailsh tours.
  3. Military Permit: Apply for ahead of time and in conjunction with the TTP. **Only required for going to Everest Base Camp tours and Kailsh tours.
  4. Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP): Apply through the nearby PSB upon entry in conjunction with TTP, Border and military permits.

It clearly shows a name list, group tour code and day by day tour program on the official permit issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau. All above Tibet travel permits are only obtained under the name of a licensed local travel agency in Tibet.

B. Details of the latest news on paperwork we undertake

  1. Tibet Travel Permit (TTP): The Tibet tourism bureau issues Tibet entrance permit. Whether traveling alone or in a group, travellers to the TAR can obtain entrance permit to Tibet only through a licensed travel agency in Lhasa. After confirming with your travel dates, providing a scan of the first page of your passport and your Chinese visa, we will submit the application for you. Student, business, and residence visa holders should contact us to determine the additional required information they need to provide.
  2. Border Permit: The border defence police in Lhasa issues this in conjunction with Tibet permit. An itinerary includes certain areas of Shigatse, Ngari, Nyingtri, and Nagchu are require a Border Permit.
  3. Military Permit: The military base in Lhasa issues a military permit in conjunction with Tibet travel permit. A trip route that includes Mt. Everest and Kailash regions. Thus, this permit is also a must if you are taking an overland trip as Sichuan-Tibet and Qinghai-Tibet by roads.
  4. Aliens’ Travel Permit: the Foreign Affairs Section of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in location issues an Aliens’ travel permit. A traveller must procure an ATP if your trip to the TAR takes you beyond Lhasa. In addition to the Tibet travel permit, Border and military permits.

3. How long doest it take and how can you get Tibet permit?

It normally takes almost 10 working days to get from related offices since submitting your documents. After successfully getting paper permits, we will send it to your reserved hotel in mainland China and usually delivered within 3 days. We recommend you to confirm your trip to Tibet 20 days ahead. Read Faqs on how to get TTP.

If you are in urgent to the last minutes, we can push and get your permit within 5 working days. However, this may charge fee for the urgent procession. Check how long does it take to obtain the permit?

4. Tibet entry permit restrictions and exceptions (New updates 2024)

Restrictions: If you are employed as a diplomat, journalist, media photographer, or government personnel in your country of origin, Tibet tourism bureau (TTB) will not award a travel permit. Any tour agency in Lhasa are ineligible to assist submitting you a permit and persons to whom this restriction applies are only permitted to travel to Tibet with the approval of The Foreign Affairs Department.

Exceptions:

  • Japanese and Singaporean nationals are visa free entry to the mainland China. However, you will need to apply a entry permit to travel to the Tibet autonomous region.
  • Hong Kong and Macao SAR do not need to apply this permit. Only HK/Macau SAR Passport and Home Return Permit is eligible for travelling in Tibet.
  • Chinese resides in Taiwan need to obtain Permit. But Taiwan residents with Mainland Travel Permit (MTP) is eligible to travel to Tibet.
  • Indian and Bhutanese nationals are subject to additional restrictions when applying for a TTP. Required to apply permit a minimum of 30 days in advance of the intended date of travel. We also have information about Tibet travel permit for pilgrims.
  • Norwegian can not get Tibet travel permit.

5. Does Kham and Amdo Tibet need a permit?

Generally, Tibetan cultural areas outside of the TAR do not need a Permit. These areas can be visited with most regular, valid, Chinese Visa. However, certain areas in Kham and Amdo are subject to closures and for select areas, visiting or overnight stays may require an Alien’s Travel Permit (ATP ) or a Military Permit. Contact us directly to find out if the area you are interested in has special requirements. For this, we have a complete Tibet travel guide to let you know more about Tibet before you go. Check amazing tours in Amdo and Kham.

6. Conditions about Tibet entry permit 2024

  1. Non-extendable
  2. Single Entry
  3. It is to make Tour confirmation at least before 2 weeks or earlier
  4. Tibet travel permit is COMMISSION FREE, and certainly not FOR SALE
  5. Duration of permit validity depends upon the travel plans outlined in your original travel permit application

Remarks

  • Tibet is strictly forbid Backpacking alone, or any unguided travel under the laws and regulations of the PRC.
  • You need to obtain a travel permit before boarding in train and flight to Lhasa. And besides, you need to show original travel permit and passport to get a ticket from the window.
  • The duration of your permit will depend on the number of days you presented in your original itinerary at the time of application. As not permitting some deviating from this itinerary in terms of places to visit or duration of stay, much information as possible at the time of permit application.

7. People also ask questions

Why do you need permit to enter Tibet?

A foreigner passport-holders require a Tibet permit to visit Tibet. Foreigners living in mainland China are equally to follow the authority and require to provide a business-recommendation in addition. Without a Tibet permit causes denying at boarding train or flight to Lhasa.

Can you travel independently in Tibet?

Independent travellers are currently not allowed in the Tibet Autonomous Region. You are required to book one of our private tours in Tibet and need visiting sights with a local tour guide. According to permit application, any unguided tours are not allowed without an exact travel itinerary and places you want to go.

How much does a Tibet travel permit cost?

Since it is the fundamental permit document travelling in Tibet, a licensed travel agency in Lhasa can legally obtain Tibet travel permit cost at free. Since it is mentioned that a Tibet permit is free of cost on the solid paper and this cost is already included in the cost you book a Tibet tour package.

How to get travel permit for Indians?

Indian passport holders need extra permit from foreign affair office in Lhasa. Read information regarding our permit for Indians pilgrims page.

Can you cross from Nepal to Tibet

Yes, Nepal is the only country where you can get Tibet group visa where Chinese visa is not valid. You will get group visa within 3 working days with the help of a local travel agency in Nepal.

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