Since 2008, solo travel to Tibet has been prohibited; instead, you must pre-arrange your trip with a licensed travel agent. This means that it is impossible to apply for a Tibet Travel Permit on your own. This is undoubtedly the most important travel paperwork that every international traveler should obtain before arriving in Tibet. However, you can only apply with the help of a certified local travel agency. Please note that the Tibetan Tourism Bureau does not accept applications from individuals. Likewise, the permit is not immediately available, so you should allow extra time to apply before traveling to Tibet.
However, you do not need to panic because we are here to assist and guide you through the process of obtaining a Tibet Travel Permit. As an authorized travel agency, we will help you obtain your travel permit. The process of obtaining a Tibet Travel Permit depends on the destination you choose.
- Entering Tibet via Mainland China
- To get started, talk to a travel expert about your Tibet vacation plans and schedule. Then plan your trip and do book your trip accordingly.
- Second, you must apply for a Chinese visa at the Chinese embassy in your country. The most common type of tourist visa is an “L” visa (Chinese tourist visa). You will receive your Chinese visa after you submit your application and pay the visa fee.
- Third, you must email your travel advisor your important documents, such as your passport and a scanned copy of your Chinese visa, at least 20 days in advance. Your travel advisor’s Tibet travel partner will apply for a Tibet permit with the Tibet Tourism Bureau.
- Before entering Tibet, the Tibet Tourism Bureau will review your paperwork and issue your travel advisor a Tibet travel permit within 7 days.
- Finally, before boarding the plane or taking the train to Lhasa, a travel advisor will issue you with your travel permit. In some cases, they may send it to your hotel in mainland China via express delivery.
- Entering Tibet Through Nepal
Similarly, if you are planning to visit Tibet via Nepal, you need to follow some procedures to obtain the permit, which are listed below:
- First of all, you need to book your Tibet trip with a local travel agency by selecting the itinerary and making a deposit to complete the tour agreement. You also need to send your passport photo to the travel agency via email.
- Secondly, the travel agency will collect all your travel documents and submit the Tibet Travel Permit Application to the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). Then, the TTB will issue the permit and submit the visa invitation letter to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu within 8-9 days.
- Thirdly, you need to arrive in Kathmandu, Nepal at least 3 days before entering Tibet. You need to complete the group visa application form and send your original passport, personal photo, and Chinese group visa fee to your travel consultant.
- Your travel agency will send your Chinese group visa to your accommodation in Kathmandu.
- Finally, after completing all the necessary formalities, you will enter Tibet by flight or drive with the help of a Chinese group visa. Your Tibet travel permit will be ready with your Tibetan guide when you arrive at Lhasa airport or Kyirong border by road. After this, you will begin your exciting and unforgettable adventure in Tibet.
However, if you are unclear about how to obtain a Tibet entry permit, please contact us and one of our travel consultants will get back to you with further details.
