There are two main documents required for foreign tourists who want to travel in Tibet.Chinese Visa and Tibet Permit

Get Chinese Visa before coming to Tibet

Chinese Visa

   Firstly, please be noted that Chinese visa and Tibet permit is two things totally different.

   To enter Tibet, or any part of China excepting Hong Kong and Macao (Visitors to Hong Kong, holding passports from the some countries DO NOT need a visa when staying for a specified free period), a Chinese visa is necessary. It may be best to obtain it before leaving your home country unless you are taking a package tour to enter Tibet overland from Nepal.

   The first rule when applying for a visa as an independent traveler is to expect that you will be refused a visa if you mention plans to visit Tibet. There is a trick that when you apply for the Chinese visa, you can't tell the officer that you have the plan for traveling to Tibet; you can only inform them you want to travel to somewhere else of China. Or else the application would become complicated and arduous.

Keep in mind

   1. When entering China it is best to have a visa covering the expected duration of stay. Getting extensions inside China can involve delays and other difficulties.

   2. You need to apply for a double- or multiple entry visa when you need to leave and re-enter mainland China. Please note that, even when you leave for Hong Kong or Macao from mainland China, you still need to have a double- or multiple entry visas.

   3. When you apply for China visa, please do not mention Tibet. After you get China visa you can easily get Tibet permit. Otherwise you have to wait for Tibet permit and then you can get China visa. Of course you will face the risk of that you might be refused to come to Tibet even if you get China visa but your destination is Tibet.

How Can I get the Tibet Visa while Travel to Tibet through Nepal

   If you entry Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal, you are required to obtain a Chinese visa in the consulate of P.R China in Kathmandu, the opening time for the Consulate of P.R China in Kathmandu is only available from 9:30AM-11:00AM on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Please note this visa application is compulsory despite you have already had a Chinese visa in your country or not since this is regulated by the border treaty signed between Nepal and China.

   The Chinese visa you get in Kathmandu is a "group visa". A "group visa" is not entered in travelers' passports but is a separate sheet of paper issued in duplicate by the Chinese consulate in Katmandu, listing all members of the group. It usually allows a stay of 15 or 20 days. A "group" may be any number of travelers, and may be just one traveler. One or more travelers entering Tibet together with others may wish to have their own separate group visa so they are able to separate from the others. Obtaining a group visa requires at least two clear days in Katmandu.

What is Tibet Permit(Tibet Visa)?

Tibet Permit is Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit.Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permits are necessary for entry to Lhasa or any other part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and are obtained through tour operators as part of arrangements for travel; A T.T.B. permit does not obviate the need for an Aliens' Travel Permit for any closed areas that may be visited. But you can get them easily from our Lhasa office.

 

How to get Tibet Permit(Tibet Visa)?

   All kinds of people can get Tibet permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

 Generally it takes three days to get the Tibet permit if you could supply the full necessary documents. After having a permit, tibettravel.org could buy you the air tickets, and you can pass the check-in at the airport.

Because we have LOCAL office in Lhasa, it's quite easy for you to get a travel permit with our help. Simply send us your

Tibet Entry Permit (PSB permit)

1) full name;

2) gender;

3) occupation

4) date of birth;

5) passport number;

6) nationality

all information exactly the same as on your passport. And you need to tell us your occupation because journalists and people that could be involved in political matters could be revoked (they need more complicated procedure to get a permit).

   After having a permit, a travel agency could buy you the air tickets, and you can pass the check-in at the airport and the check point reroute with the permit.

   Lhasa PSB will not issue travel permits to individuals and will direct you to a travel agency. Agencies can arrange a travel permit to almost anywhere but only if you book a Land Cruiser, driver and a guide.

How much is Tibet Permit(Tibet Visa)?

Answer: First of all, please note that we never SELL a permit. We only help you abtain a permit from the local authority. the cost for a permit includes the charge by the government and the service fee by tibettravel.org. Usually this cost is included in a package tour. But it takes time, paper work, transportation fee and delivery fee for us to get a permit for you, so tibettravel.org will charge an extra fee for the permits.

How many days should I apply for the Tibet permit in advance?

You need to apply for the travel permit at least 10 days prior to your entry date.

How long can I get Tibet Permit?

Generally it needs three days to get the Tibet permit if you could supply the full necessary documents. But if it needs another 3 days (or more) to Express Deliver the permit.

  Where can I go with Tibet Permit(Tibet Visa)?

You are not allowed to bring with the TTB permit and travel to anywhere outside of Lhasa city you want because except Lhasa you need another permit named as "Aliens' Permit".

What is Aliens' Travel Permits (PSB's)

   These are required to visit closed areas - much of the Tibetan Autonomous Region outside the Lhasa prefecture-level district, and scattered counties elsewhere. They are usually only obtainable through tour operators, for tours by four-wheel-drive car.

   Permits to visit places that are not declared open are known as Aliens' Travel Permits, or PSB's. They are issued by the police (Public Security Bureau, "PSB"). A single permit is normally issued to all the people who are traveling together, the permit naming just one of them and stating how many others are accompanying him; the passports, or at least photocopies of passports and visas, of all persons traveling must be presented in order to obtain a permit.

   If you want to do an overland tour from Yunnan, Sichuan, Qinghai or Xinjiang province to Tibet, you must got the PSB permit before your tour starts.

Can I ask for Tibet Permit(Tibet Visa) only?

If you do not book any tour(Like Land cruiser with driver ,guide ) from us, tibettravel.org can not help you get the permits. No travel agency can provide "permit-only" service. and it is also not allowed by the govement.

Can I hold the Tibet Permit(Tibet Visa) During my tour?

Only the guide could hold the permit after you in Tibet. You are not allowed to bring with it and travel to anywhere you want because except Lhasa you need another permit named as "Aliens¡¯ Permit". Otherwise if you are stopped by the police you will be sent out of Tibet or have trouble politically and economically. Furthermore, the travel agency which helped to get you the permit will also be in trouble.

-Our company can help you get all the permit  you needed travel in Tibet.

-More details please check: Tibet individual self tour starts from $130-$260.

Tel: (+86)-28-85552138 Fax: (+86)-28-85544588 Email:inquiry@tibettravel.org

MSN: china3737@hotmail.com Skype: china3737