Tibet Visa and Permit Information

Complete Guide to Tibet Visa and Travel Permits

A trip to beautiful Tibet is a second-to-none experience. It will present amazing surroundings, a religious inheritance, and a prosperous culture. However, it will require careful preparation because of the special entry laws established by the Tibetan and Chinese authorities. If you are a foreign traveler planning to go to Tibet, you will have to obtain an Invitation Letter, a Tibet Travel Permit, and a Tibet Group Visa. This guide provides you with great information on how to do that easily.

Understanding the Tibet Travel Permit

The Tibet Travel Permit is a must-have document for anyone who planning to visit Tibet. Issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau, it's what allows foreign trippers to get entry and explore this beautiful region. This permit is entirely separate from a mainland Chinese Visa. Even if you have a valid mainland Chinese Visa, you won't be able to enter Tibet without a Tibet Travel permit. However, there will be another process to get a Tibetan Group Visa from the People’s Republic of Chinese Embassy, Kathmandu, if you're traveling to Tibet from Nepal. Also if you're traveling to Tibet from Mainland China, this can be done only after getting your Tibet Travel permit. The team of Dream Nepal Excursion can help you in securing this permit, to arrange all necessary papers and other arrangements. So, planning is a crucial thing to ensuring a very smooth and joyous trip to an inconceivable destination!

Why is the Tibet Travel Permit Essential?

The Tibet Travel Permit serves several purposes:

1. Regulates Tourism: It helps Tibetan authorities manage tourism and apply necessary regulations to preserve their precious culture and environment.
2. Security Clearance: There are some restricted areas in Tibet and the permit specifies the areas in which you may travel or not.
3. Group Coordination: It guarantees that travelers are part of an organized group managed by government-licensed tour operators.

Documents Required for Tibet Travel Permit

Make sure that you have the following documents ready for smooth processing of your application:

1. Photocopy of Passport: You must provide a clear color copy of your passport to your travel agency at least 20 to 25 days prior. Also, your passport should be valid for six months more than your travel date to Tibet

2. Original Passport: Once you arrive in Nepal you must provide your original passport (The original passport should be the same as the one that you have given while booking your trip) to apply for the Tibet Group Visa in Kathmandu.

3. Recent Photo: A color photo without glasses and with a neutral expression on a plain white background.

4. Chinese Visa Copy: A copy of your Chinese visa if you are going to Tibet from mainland China.

7. Filled Application forms: A Chinese visa application form if applying in Kathmandu.

8. Invitation Letter from TTB: Your travel agency will take care of this, as it is needed for processing the Tibet Group Visa.

How to Apply for the Tibet Travel Permit

You cannot be eligible to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit independently because foreigners must go through a registered travel agency such as Dream Nepal Excursion. Here's how it works:

1. Choose a licensed Tour Operator: Make sure the agency is government-registered and has some experience planning trips to Tibet.
2. Submission of Your Documents: For your travel agency, you must submit color and clear copies of your passport, itinerary, and other required documents.
3. Permit Processing: The travel agency will take your documents to the TTB. The time required for processing is usually about ten to fifteen days but it may take more time during peak seasons.
4. Receive Your Permit: The permit will be given to your travel agency, and you will collect it upon arriving at the starting point of your journey (for example, Kathmandu or mainland China).
5. Invitation Letter for Visa: If you are traveling to Tibet from Nepal, your agency will receive a Visa Invitation Letter from TTB, as it is necessary to apply for your group visa in Kathmandu.

Detailed information about How to Get a Tibet Group Visa in Kathmandu

Travelers visiting Tibet from Nepal need a Tibet Group Visa. Here is what you must know:

• Group Requirement: A minimum of four travelers are eligible in the application for a group visa according to the present Chinese Embassy stipulation.
• Submission of Original Passport: You must provide your original passport to your agency and they will apply at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
• Process Duration: Visa processing usually takes 3-4 business days (Monday to Friday).
• Permit Approval Letter: Before applying for a group visa, Tibet Travel Permit must have completed the application and approval process.

Cost of Tibet Travel Permit and Visa

How much applicable Tibet Travel Permit and Group Visa will depend on your nationality. Detailed costs are as follows:

These visa costs may vary, so it is best to confirm with your travel agency.

Important things to consider for a trip to Tibet

• Planning: Start applying 15-20 days before your trip, especially during peak times when processing delays can extend beyond the waiting line.
• Permit Validity: The permit is only valid for the specific dates and areas as per the itinerary you submit. No changes will be allowed outside the approved plan.
• Special Conditions: Applications for permits for diplomats, journalists, state officials, and professional photojournalists will be made through their respective foreign affairs offices.

Visa-free travel to China (2025)

Till December 2025, citizens of selected countries can travel to China without a visa for no more than 30 days. This policy, which applies to ordinary passport holders, also includes entry to Tibet.

Visa-free countries: