Tibet Travel Permit, Tibet Group Visa Updates
When you start to planning a trip to Tibet, there is the thing that you need to think about is Tibet travel permit, along with Chinese Visa. And quizzing about Tibet group visa. This entry permit is more important than anything while you are about to make a trip to Tibet. Here, we make it very easy than others have a lot of confusing and unnecessary topics. Just in 5 minutes you can clearly understand what is a Tibet travel permit and how to apply a Tibet travel permit over all. Read few what to know before travel to Tibet.
It is just a travel permit to enter the Tibet autonomous region but not for all Tibet. The term “Tibet” refers to the entire Tibetan Plateau. The Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) 西藏 refers to only 50% the land mass of the Tibetan Plateau. Parts of Tibet are spread across 5 provinces and regions of southwestern China.
Tibet is a much, much larger area than just the TAR. Roughly 60% of the Tibetan people live outside of the TAR in other regions of Tibet and largely covered in Kham and Amdo, as the names before 1959. The terms “Tibet” and “Tibet Autonomous Region” mean two very different things. Here, what the topic of Tibet travel permit is what it required for the TAR 西藏. Trip to Amdo and Kham regions usually eligible with a valid Chinese Visa. Read our articles on specific why travel to Tibet is so expensive for a great plan on the way.
Note: We are accepting tour confirmations for 2023 and apply for Tibet travel permit for oversea travellers!
Make a Tour Reservation and Apply Tibet Travel Permit
in the first, talk and discuss for a customised Tibet tour package with us. Confirm your trip once you think it is the final decision to start an adventure for all reasons. We request you to provide the following documentation in order to confirm your trip and apply for Tibet travel permit.
- Scanned Photocopy of your Valid Passport (*Required)
(Name and Date of Birth should be clear) - Scanned Photocopy of your Valid Chinese Visa (Not required if arrive from Nepal, we have details in the following content)
(Name and Date of Birth should be clear) - 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.) - 30% Deposit (*Required, Bank transfer to western union)
Note: We would recommend to confirm tour two weeks earlier to make sure that we have enough time to process your Tibet travel permit before you enter Tibet. And send your hotel name of your first arrival city in mainland China to send the original paper permit. This Tibet travel permit cost is free. Here is a complete Tibet travel guide is for planning a trip to Tibet and it is 100% helpful.
Thus, you have applied the entry permit to Tibet through us. usually give us a time of 10 working business days.
What will be your port of departure? China or Nepal? Tibet travel permit & Visa Questions
If you want to visit the part of the map labelled ‘Tibet Autonomous Region’, you only have two options for entry. There are no direct international flights to Tibet, which is legally a part of the People’s Republic of China. You can travel to Tibet from Nepal, OR overland or air from China. Check our article about your guide to traveling in Nepal if you plan tours.
- If you plan to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region (T.A.R.) by travelling through the People’s Republic of China, require Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit.
- If you plan to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region (T.A.R.) by travelling through Nepal, You need Tibet Group Visa. Read more how to get Tibet group visa.
Tibet group visa application
In the event that you are entering the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) straightforwardly from Nepal. You do not require a Chinese Visa. At arrival in Kathmandu, our representative can process Tibet group visa with the invitation letter we send to them. Please keep in mind that group visa processing needs at leat 3 working days. And, you should take 2 passport sizes photos with you. If your travel destination after Tibet autonomous region, you can also go home via mainland China on the way. Check our office on a Map.
Exceptions
Japanese passport holder: If you are a Japanese passport holder (non-diplomat). You are allowed a 15-day period of visa free travel to the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) This includes travel to Tibetan areas outside of the Tibet Autonomous Region (T.A.R.). However, if you intend to travel to the T.A.R., you will need to obtain a Chinese Tourist Visa (L Visa).
Taiwanese National: Taiwanese Nationals traveling to the Tibet Autonomous Region, T.A.R. through mainland China are required to travel in a group of at least 4 members and must apply for Tibet Travel Permits (TTPs) 50 days prior to the date of intended entry to the T.A.R.
Are you a journalist, involved in politically sensitive activities, or a government employee or diplomat in your country of origin?
If you answered yes to any of these lines of employment, Adventure Travel Himalayas and all other licensed tour operators do not have the authority to issue you a Tibet travel permit or to assist you with a permit application. If you wish to travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region (T.A.R.) or to some select, other Tibetan areas in the People’s Republic of China you must do so under the guidance of the Foreign Affairs Department.
Important! When applying for your Chinese Visa, it is important that you do not mention travel to Tibet or Tibetan areas in your visa application. Travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region (T.A.R.) requires further documentation that can only be obtained upon arrival. Mentioning plans to travel to the T.A.R. while applying from abroad often leads to the direct rejection of visa applications. Instead, write your intended port of entry or other major cities (i.e. Beijing, Shanghai, Xi’an, Chengdu). Even if you intend to travel to Tibetan areas outside of the T.A.R. It is best to mention major provincial cities as your intended destinations.
Keep in mind that failing to provide correct information about your line of employment not only puts you at risk of not being allowed to visit any part of the P.R.C., but also puts your tour operator at risk of losing their business license. We recommend to your checklist for tours in Tibet: Tibet Everest Base Camp Adventure and Tibet Historical Trip if you are interested. Also check how to plan a trip to Himalayas.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tibet travel permit
Yes, you can. However, you can not get Tibet travel permit if you are a journalist, involved in politically sensitive activities, a government employee or diplomat in your country of origin.
Finalise and reserve a trip from a local travel agency in Lhasa. They will submit and apply your documents to Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB).
You need Tibet travel permit as it shown places you want to go, as per the Chinese rule on Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). You can not board flights and trains to Lhasa without this permit.
Once Tibet travel permit is processed, it will be shipped to your hotel in China as per the booking information you shared with the operator.
Individuals and groups are not permitted to apply for Tibet Travel permit (TTP) by themselves. Your Tibet travel agency will all information and keep alerted during processing your Tibet travel permit.
