Tibet Permit
As a bright pearl shining in the west of China, Tibet Autonomous Province has a rapid development owing to booming tourism. However, traveling to Tibet is not as easy as traveling to other Chinese provinces for international travelers, as there are lots of stipulations. According to the rule, foreigners must apply for the Tibet Travel Permit, which is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. This permit is an entry license to enter Tibet. Without it, you are not allowed to enter the border of Tibet, board the train or plane to Tibet, check in local hotels, visit Tibetan attractions, etc.
Normally, an individual cannot apply for the Tibet Travel Permit (Tibet Visa). Only a local legit travel agency can apply for it on your behalf. That is to say, before your Tibet holiday, you should book with a Tibet travel agency and authorize them to help you finish the process of application at least 15 days before your departure. Then, you will get a Tibet visa (permit) as soon as it's issued.
Apart from the Tibet Travel Permit, you also need some other permits like Alien’s Travel Permit, Military Permit, or Tibet Border Pass, which are used in some restricted areas like Mt. Everest, Mt. Kailash, etc. If you enter Tibet from Nepal, you should apply for the China Group Visa.
Great Tibet Tour offers the following services:
- The application for a Tibet Travel Permit
- The application for a Chinese Group Visa (Tibet tour from Nepal)
- The application for an Alien’s Travel Permit
- The application for a Military Permit
- The application for a Tibet Border Pass
Online Tibet Permit Application
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP)?
The Tibet Travel Permit is a kind of independent document issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. It contains two pages: the first page will list the full name of the travel agency you commissioned, your tour group number, detailed Tibet tour dates, and your traveling places in Tibet; the second page is the List including travelers’ names, age, passport numbers, sex, nationality and profession of each member.
According to the law of the Republic of China, foreign tourists need to have a Tibet Travel Permit when they enter Lhasa or any other place in the Tibetan Autonomous Region. It can only be applied by your commissioned Tibet travel operator. You need to take your original Tibet Travel Permit to board a flight to Tibet successfully; a copy of the TTP is necessary when you board a train to Tibet. What’s more, if you choose the overland tour to Tibet, you also need to get your Tibet Travel Permit.
Who Needs to Get a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) and Who Does Not Need One?
- Tibet Travel Permit for the Ordinary International Tourists
- In order to protect Tibet’s unique ethnic traditions, cultural and natural heritage, and ecological environment, as well as improve the service capacity and traffic conditions, the National Tourism Administration claims that ordinary international tourists have to get a Tibet Travel Permit before entering Tibet.
- Ordinary Indian tourists will be treated as other international tourists when visiting other areas rather than Ngari (where Mount Kailash is located). Except for Ngari, we can offer help with the application for the Tibet Travel Permit under any kind of situation.
- We can’t receive diplomats, journalists, and government officials in Tibet. - Tibet Travel Permit for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan Residents
- Citizens from Hong Kong and Macau don’t need to get a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet. They can use their HK/Macau SAR Passport and Home Return Permit instead of a TTP.
- Taiwan citizens need to get a Mainland Travel Permit (MTP) for Taiwan Residents and a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet. Overseas Chinese or Chinese immigrants without a Chinese passport still need to get a Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet. - Tiber Visa for Indian Pilgrims
For Indian citizens traveling to Nagri, whether for religious purposes or not, they will be treated as pilgrims. Only the Pilgrims Center and the Foreign Affairs Office of TRA have the authority to arrange their tour to Tibet and assist them in applying for a Tibet visa. We can provide a free consultant.
- Travel to Tibet from Nepal
If you choose to enter Tibet from Nepal, you need to get a Group Tourists Visa, instead of a China visa, along with your Tibet Travel Permit. We can guarantee your Tibet Travel Permit, no matter whether you depart from Nepal or mainland China.
Why is a Tibet Permit Required?
Tibet has its unique religious and ethnic culture. Due to its special geographical environment, many areas are close to international borders (such as India, Nepal, and Bhutan), which involve national defense and security considerations. In addition, Tibet is located on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with an average altitude of over 4,000 meters, which presents risks of altitude sickness. Therefore, obtaining the required permits is necessary to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable travel experience in Tibet.
What Do I Need to Do to Get a Tibet Travel Permit?
In the first step, you need to obtain a China Visa to guarantee you can enter China. You can get it from a Chinese Embassy in your home country or in Hong Kong. There are many kinds of China Visa. For most international tourists to China, a travel visa (L visa) is enough. We can provide help during the process of your China Visa application, such as a travel invitation letter.
Then you need to email copies of your passport and China Visa at least 15 days before your departure to Tibet. We will help you to apply for your TTP. Normally, it takes 8-9 working days to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit from Tibet Tourism Bureau. And once we obtain it, we will deliver it to your address in China, such as your hotel in China.
With your China visa and your Tibet Travel Permit, you can board a flight to Lhasa. If you choose to get to Tibet by train, you just need to take a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit unless you board the train from Chongqing, Xián and Lanzhou. In the 3 cities, your original Tibet Travel Permit is required before boarding the train to Lhasa.
Can I Get a Tibet Travel Permit Without Joining a Tour?
Unfortunately, the answer is no due to Tibet's high altitude, harsh climate, and limited transport.
- Tibet Travel Permit can only be applied through authorized travel agencies. Foreign travelers cannot apply for the Tibet Travel Permit on their own. Only local agencies authorized by the Tibet Tourism Bureau are eligible to submit the application for you. Your trip details, such as your travel dates, group size, and hotel information—all of which will be shown on your permit.
- A licensed guide must accompany you throughout the trip, as independent travel in Tibet is not allowed for foreign visitors. In Lhasa, you may walk around the city, visit restaurants, or enjoy teahouses freely, but for attractions and all areas outside Lhasa, a guide is required. An experienced Tibetan guide can help handle emergencies, explain the cultural background of each site, and assist with communication with locals—making your journey smoother and more rewarding.
How Much Does a Tibet Travel Permit Cost?
Tibet travel permit itself is free of charge, but it requires manpower to handle the process and obtain approval from certain government departments. As long as you book a trip to Tibet with Great Tibet Tour, we offer the service on the application of the Tibet Travel Permit and guarantee to deliver it before you go to Tibet.