Top Concerns about Tibet Permit

1. What is a Tibet Travel Permit?

Tibet Travel Permit, also known as Tibet Permit, is a necessary document for all Tibet tours.

It contains detailed information about the traveler, including name, nationality, age, gender, occupation, passport number, as well as the planned route and estimated duration of the trip.

Issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau, the Tibet Travel Permit can be considered a special license, and only tourists holding this document are allowed to legally enter the Tibet region for tourism.

2. Is the Tibet Travel Permit available for all international tourists?

Currently, a Tibet Travel Permit is available to 182 countries that have diplomatic ties with China. Travelers from those countries can apply for the Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet through a Tibetan travel agency.

However, if you are a diplomat, journalist, or governmental official, you need to look for help from Tibet Foreign Affairs Office. Ordinary Tibet travel agencies are in no position to apply for it on your behalf.

3. Who needs to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit?

Foreign Tourists (Non-Chinese Passport Holders): If you do not possess a Chinese identity card or Chinese passport, you are required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit before traveling to Tibet. You must present a valid Tibet Travel Permit before boarding flights or trains to enter Tibet.

Taiwan Chinese Tourists: Taiwanese residents also need to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit when traveling to Tibet.

4. Do HK and Macau citizens need the permit to Tibet?

Hong Kong and Macau tourists holding a Home Return Permit do not need to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit. The Home Return Permit is a travel document for residents of Hong Kong and Macau visiting mainland China, including Tibet.

Therefore, if you have a valid Home Return Permit, you can directly use this document to travel to Tibet.

However, if you plan to visit places like Everest Base Camp or Mount Kailash, you need to obtain additional permits.

5. If I already have a Chinese residence permit, do I need the Tibet Travel Permit?

Though you have a Chinese residence permit, if you are not a Chinese citizen, you still need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit for your trip to Tibet.

Once you confirm your travel itinerary and book your tour with us, you just need to provide scanned copies of your Chinese Visa, the residence permit, and the certificate (from your school or company) to prove your purpose of living in China. The follow-up will be done by us. You just wait for the permit to be issued.

6. Is a China Visa sufficient, or do I still need a Tibet Travel Permit?

When traveling to Tibet, having a valid China Visa cannot replace the Tibet Travel Permit. The Chinese visa and the Tibet Travel Permit both are necessary.

Even if you possess a valid China Visa, if you plan to visit Tibet, you still need to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit.

Holding a China Visa allows you to enter most areas within China, but a Tibet Travel Permit is required to ensure your lawful entry into the Tibet Autonomous Region.

7. If I hold a Chinese work visa, do I still need a tourist visa to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit?

Tourists holding a Chinese work visa (Z visa) typically need to provide proof of employment when applying for a Tibet Travel Permit to confirm their working status in China.

Proof of employment can be included as part of the Tibet Travel Permit application to supplement your documentation. In such cases, there is generally no need for an additional tourist visa application.

8. If I can travel to China without a visa, do I still need to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit?

In recent years, China has continuously expanded its visa-free policy, and tourists from more and more countries can enter without a visa and enjoy 15 or 30 days visa-free travel in China.

If you travel to Tibet with a visa-free passport, it will be very easy to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit. Just provide a scanned copy of your passport after booking your trip with us.

Please note that your stays in Tibet is also counted as part of the visa-free stay period. Therefore, if you plan to take a China Tibet tour, please make sure that the entire trip does not exceed the validity period of the visa-free period.

9. Can I apply for a Tibet Travel Permit on my own, or must it be done through a Tibet travel agency?

According to the relevant regulations, individuals cannot apply for a Tibet Travel Permit directly. The only way to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit is through a qualified local Tibet travel agency that will act on your behalf.

Simultaneously, the travel agency will arrange official tourist vehicles, professional guides, accommodations, and other details for you, and submit your complete Tibet travel itinerary to the relevant authorities for the permit application.

As the leading Tibet travel agency, we at Tibet Vista successfully assist over 8,000 tourists each year in obtaining Tibet Travel Permits, helping them fulfill their dream of traveling to Tibet.

We have an experienced and professional permit processing team that can provide you with high-quality and efficient Tibet Travel Permit application services, ensuring a smooth and worry-free journey to Tibet.

10. What documents are required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit?

The documents required to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit may vary depending on individual circumstances.

Below are the general requirements for obtaining a Tibet Travel Permit:
1. A copy of your valid passport.
2. A copy of your valid Chinese visa. If holding a non-tourist visa, relevant proof may be required.
3. For citizens of visa-exempt countries like Singapore, providing a copy of the passport photo page is typically sufficient.

Please note:
The requirements mentioned above are general guidelines and may be subject to policy and regulatory changes. When applying for a Tibet Travel Permit, you can contact us to inquire about the most up-to-date document requirements.

Chinese Visa is required for the application of Tibet Permit.

11. What is the process for obtaining a Tibet Travel Permit?

Obtaining a Tibet Travel Permit is a straightforward process. You only need to choose a reliable Tibet travel agency, join a tour organized by the agency, and submit the necessary documents. Here is a brief overview of the Tibet Travel Permit application process:

Step 1: Prepare the required documents
For overseas tourists: passport + Chinese Visa (usually a tourist visa, i.e., L visa).
For foreigners in China: passport + visa (work/study/family reunion visa, etc.) + relevant proof.
For Taiwanese tourists: Taiwan Compatriot Permit + relevant documents.

Step 2: Confirm itinerary and travel dates
Coordinate with the travel agency to confirm entry and exit cities, transportation methods, itinerary routes, travel dates, number of participants, contact information, and other details.

Step 3: Travel agency submits documents to apply for Tibet Travel Permit
After confirming the relevant travel information with the travel agency, the agency will handle the submission of the necessary documents to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit on your behalf.

12. If I travel with an Indian passport, how can I get Tibet Permit?

The process of applying for a Tibet Permit for Indian citizens is a little different.

If you plan to visit Mount Kailash, you need to get your Tibet Permit through the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR or the Pilgrim Center. Ordinary travel agencies cannot handle the Tibet Permit for you.

If you don’t visit Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, you can share the same permit process procedure as other international tourists. First, you book a Tibet tour with us, and then just provide the scanned copies of your passport and Chinese Visa to us.

13. How long can I stay in Tibet with the Tibet Permit?

The validity of your Tibet Permit is determined by your specific Tibet tour itinerary. Your entry and departure dates will be listed on your permit. You can leave Tibet earlier than the scheduled date, but no later.

14. What is the cost of the Tibet Permit?

For our clients, as long as you book any of our Tibet tours, we would help you get Tibet Permit for free.

15. How long in advance should I apply for Tibet Travel Permit?

Generally, we recommend applying for your Tibet Permit at least 20 days in advance. The permit processing takes 8 to 9 days. It will take another 3 days for the permit to be mailed to your address in mainland China from Lhasa after it is issued.

If you are entering Tibet from mainland China, please make sure you already have a Chinese Visa before you apply for your Tibet Permit.

If you travel from Nepal to Tibet, you can obtain a Chinese Visa in your country beforehand. Or, you need to go to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu at least three working days in advance to apply for a China Group Visa.

16. When will I get the Tibet Permit issued? (around 15 days)

After we get your basic information (scanned photos of your passport, Chinese Visa, and your occupation), we will hand it over to the Tibet Tourism Bureau for the Tibet Permit application.

Then, around 8-9 working days, your processed permit is expected to be issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau.

Once we get it, we will manage to deliver it by express from Lhasa to your hotel or residence in mainland China. Generally, it takes 2 to 3 days. We promise to deliver it to you as soon as possible.

In total, from application to delivery, the entire process takes about 15 days to receive your Tibet Travel Permit.

17. How can I receive my Tibet Permit after it is issued?

After we get your Tibet Permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa, we will manage to deliver it by express to your hotel or your residence in mainland China. And your travel consultant will remind you to get it.

In some extreme cases, our staff will give it to you at the airport or train station before you board the plane or the train to Tibet.

If you happen to stop by Chengdu, you can get your Tibet Travel Permit in Chengdu by visiting our Chengdu office. You can also have a nice chat with your travel consultant.

18. What if I lost my Tibet Permit?

It is important to keep your permit properly once you receive it.

If you lost your original Tibet Permit before getting to Tibet, you will be denied access to Tibet until we get a new one or a copy of your original permit with an official stamp on it for you.

To ensure you have a hassle-free travel to Tibet, it’s highly advisable to have two copies of your original copies with you and keep an image of your Tibet Permit in your cell phone just in case.

If you lose your Tibet Permit, please contact your travel consultant in time.

19. Can you send the Tibet Permit to a foreign country?

To minimize the chance of losing your Tibet Permit, we don’t recommend using an international postal service. Your permit will be delivered safely to your hotel in mainland China before you head for Tibet.

20. How many copies of the Tibet Permit do I need to prepare?

We suggest you prepare two copies of your Tibet Permit in case you get lost one of them or the staff of the railway station might take one.

You can use the copy service at the front desk of your hotel or ask the hotel staff where the nearest printing and photocopy shop is. Usually, it takes around 1 or 2 CNY for two copies.

Please notice that if you decide to fly to Lhasa, the original Tibet Permit is a must.

A sample of Tibet Travel Permit

21. Where and when to check my Tibet Travel Permit?

First, the Tibet Permit is checked at the train station or the airport when you board the Tibet train or flight to Lhasa.

Once you arrive in Tibet and start your tour, your guide will keep the permit for you and the group members.

And on the way to different attractions outside Lhasa, your permit will be checked whenever there is a checkpoint, such as from Lhasa to Shigatse, Lhasa to Everest Base Camp, and Lhasa to Namtso Lake.

22. With the Tibet Travel Permit, can I travel to wherever I choose in Tibet?

Sorry, the Tibet Travel Permit alone does not suffice for some remote attractions like Everest Base Camp, Samye Monastery, Mount Kailash, etc.

Since the Tibet Travel Permit enables you to enter and exit Tibet legally, extra travel permits, like an Alien’s Travel Permit and the Military Permit, are required for trips to remote areas outside Lhasa.

However, no worries! Our guide will remind you and help you get all the necessary travel documents based on your itinerary.

23. Can the Tibet Travel Permit be used multiple times after obtaining it?

The Tibet Travel Permit is valid only for the specific travel dates you provide in your application. Once your trip is over, the permit expires and cannot be used again.

If you plan to visit Tibet multiple times, you must apply for a new permit each time. So, make sure the permit's validity matches your entire travel period to avoid complications.

24. Is there a limit on the number of people for Tibet Travel Permit applications?

There is no limit on the number of people when applying for a Tibet Travel Permit. Whether you are traveling to Tibet alone or with family and friends, you can apply for a Tibet Travel Permit through a Tibet travel agency as long as you meet the requirements for the permit.

25. Can the travel dates and itinerary information on the Tibet Travel Permit be modified temporarily?

The travel dates and itinerary information on the Tibet Travel Permit are typically determined based on the plan you provide when applying for the permit.

These details are recorded and submitted to the relevant authorities during the permit application process. Once the Tibet Travel Permit is approved and issued, it is not allowed to be modified temporarily.

Therefore, to avoid unnecessary complications, it's advisable to finalize your travel dates, itinerary, and planned tourist attractions as much as possible before applying for the Tibet Travel Permit.

If your plans change, it's best to communicate with the travel agency handling your Tibet Travel Permit in advance to see if a reapplication or other arrangements are necessary.

26. Can I travel independently in Tibet with a Tibet Travel Permit?

Having a Tibet Travel Permit allows you to enter Tibet for tourism purposes. However, during your travel, you will still need to be accompanied by a qualified guide.

The guide will take you to the designated attractions and routes specified on your Tibet Travel Permit to ensure the smoothness and safety of your trip.

This arrangement helps you gain a better understanding of Tibet's culture, history, and scenery while ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience in an unfamiliar environment.

27. What to do with the Tibet Permit when finishing my Tibet tour?

After you leave Tibet as planned, the original permit will be collected by your Tibetan guide and later archived.

Please note that your detailed Tibet tour itineraries, tour destinations, and travel dates are mentioned on your Tibet Permit. Please follow your travel plan strictly.