Tibet Permit

There are overall four documents required for foreign tourists who want to travel freely in Tibet . One is the Chinese Visa, which you can apply for in Chinese Embassy in your country, one is Tibet Permit , which you have to obtain it in order to enter Tibet, one is the Travel Permit when you are planning to travel to the closed areas in Tibet which you can obtain it after you arrive in Tibet, and the other is the Military Permit, which you have to obtain if you are planning to travel to some military sensitive areas. As a local travel agency, we are able to assist you the process all of those above documents if you book a tour with us.

TOPPassports & Visa

All individuals entering Tibet must hold a passport valid for at least six months. If you are entering Tibet from China, your Chinese visa will be valid, though only travelers with tourist visas (not business, resident or student visas) are permitted. Entering Tibet from Nepal, either by friendship highway or by air requires a separate visa valid for Tibet from the Chinese embassy in Katmandu (30-60 day visas are the norm and it normally takes 2 week days to obtain it.). You may apply for a group visa from us (minimum of two people in a group and you must leave China with this person unless you can change the visa inside China).

TOPTibet Entry Permit

Tibet Entry Permit is issued only to tour groups traveling with a Chinese tour operator. You travel agency will represent you to go on the application process. A permit to Tibet usually costs around 200 yuan.

TOPTravel Permit

Travel Permit, also called Aliens' Travel Permit (A.T.P), is required to visit closed areas.It is issued by Foreign Affairs Section of the Local Public Security Bureau (PSB).The Law on the Control of Entry and Exit of Foreigners (Order of the President of the People's Republic of China (No.31), 22.11.1985, Chapter 4), says:

1. Article 20: Foreigners who hold valid visas or residence certificates may travel to places declared open to foreigners by the Chinese Government.
2. Article 21: Foreigners who desire to travel to places closed to foreigners shall apply for travel permits from local public security organs [i.e., the police].

How to apply for it?

Travel permits are issued by Tibet Tourism Administration. Applications require a copy of passport and Chinese visa, together with other information such as your occupation. The copy must be legible. Permits will be refused by Tibet Tourism Administration if the copy is illegible. The Tibet Tourism Administration reserves the right to refuse a permit to anyone persons in particular occupations e.g. journalists and those they suspect may have political motivations. Multi-entry travel Permits are not available. Your travel advisor will handle all aspects of obtaining your Tibet Permit. Travel to places other than those specified on the application is forbidden.  The entry city  to Tibet must  agree  with the  city shown in  the permit that has been issued.  Differences in any detail will result in non-allowance of entry to Tibet. The Chinese government also requires that any tourist going to Tibet have to travel in group, and required to enter and leave Tibet in the same group.

Which parts of Tibet are listed as the closed areas?

At the present, you have to apply for a Travel Permit if you are planning to visit the following places:

1. Tsetang: Samye Monastery, Tomb of Tibetan King, Changdruk Temple, Yumbulakhang
2. Shigatse : Sakya Monastery, The MT Everest, Rongbuk Monastery
3. Gyangtse: Pelkor Chode Monastery & Kubum Stupa
4. Nqari Region
5. Basumtso lake in Nyingchi Region
6. Chamdo Region 

TOPMilitary Permit

Military Permit is required if you are planning to travel to Ngari, Nyingchi, and Nagqu which are regard as the military sensitive areas in Tibet. It is issued by the Military office in Lhasa and we will need you to provide your passport, Tibet permit to apply for it. It normally takes 1-2 week days and the cost is 100 yuan/person.