Everything You Need to Know About Tibet Travel Permits and Chinese Visas Now

Tibet Travel Permits are necessary for visiting Tibet, along with a Chinese Visa. The permits differ based on the destinations. We are an experienced local Tibet travel agency, regarding processing travel permit and documents. We offer information and assistance with permit applications for both group and private tours. Contact us for more details.

The Chinese government issues the China Visa, also referred to as China Entry Visa. It is as document for foreign tourists or diplomat to enter, leaving, or transiting China. All travellers must obtain this visa, and it can be acquired at a Chinese Embassy. The cost and process time differ based on nationality and visa type. Some travellers may be exempt from the visa requirement.

China Group Visa

Group Visa is an entry visa for China, specifically for foreign tourists travelling to Tibet from Nepal. Unlike other travellers entering mainland China, these tourists do not need to apply for a separate China Visa. If you already have a China Visa, it will automatically expire when you apply for the Group Visa in Kathmandu. However, one advantage is that you can enter mainland China with just the Group Visa.

When you apply for Group Visa, you need to submit a TTB permit and Invitation Letter (Tibet local travel agency can help you) to the Nepal local travel agency (they help you to apply for one at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu), and 4-day or more to get it. Its validity is 15 to 20 days. The price is different for foreign tourists from different countries.

Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit,

Also referred to as the “Tibet Entry Permit“, the “Tibet Visa” is a necessary authorization from the Chinese government for foreign tourists entering Tibet from mainland China, Nepal, or other countries. All foreign tourists must engage a local travel agency in Tibet to apply for this permit from the Tibet Tourism Bureau at least 20 days prior to commencing their Tibet tour. Officially, there is no fee for the application itself, but you will need to cover the cost of the application service provided by the travel agency.

This fee is necessary because the agency invests significant resources in handling the application process, including organizing travel information, preparing both paper and electronic documents, liaising with various government departments, and delivering the permit to the tourists.

The Aliens’ Travel Permit,

known as the “PSB Permit,” is essential for travellers intending to explore the “unopened areas” outside Lhasa, such as Ngari Prefecture and Mt. Everest. Local Public Security Bureaus (PSB) in various Tibetan prefectures issue this permit. The good news is that applying for an Aliens’ Travel Permit is a straightforward process. Once you arrive in Lhasa, simply hand over your passport and Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit to your tour guide. They will take care of the application for you, typically requiring a few hours, and the fee is 50 yuan per person.