Tibet Permit

Tibet Permit

China Visa
1. Entering Tibet via Mailand China
Tibet is part of China, under the Chinese Central Government's Sovereignty. Thus to travel to Tibet, you have to obtain a China Visa at first stage before all are followed up. Visas for individual travel in China are very easy to get from most Chinese embassies. Most Chinese embassies and consulates will issue a standard 30-day, single entry tourist visa in three to five working days ( an 'L' means travel). If you are lucky, some embassies abroad may give you a 60 or even 90days. But in Hongkong it is very easy to get a 90 day visa, most agencies can arrange it in one day. If you want more flexibility to enter and leave China several times, most Chinese embassies will issue a double-entry visa. Usually only ' L' visa can travel in Tibet, but recent with a resident or business visa still can travel in Tiet.

Tips from our WindHorse Tour when you apply for a China visa to Tibet:
It's better not to mention Tibet as your travel destination when you are applying for a visa to China (China Embassy in Kathmendu is the exceptional). Because you may be refused by stating that you will go to Tibet. Otherwise, you need to get a Tibet Permit beforehand and apply for a China visa with it then. It is very difficult to apply for a Tibet Permit when you are abroad, or you need to join some groups.

2. Entering Tibet via Nepal
If you want to enter Tibet from Nepal, you have to get your GROUP VISA in the Chinese embassy of Kathmandu, whether you have already Chinese visa or not. Group Visa is a A4 size sheet of paper, with all members of the tour and their passport number, date of birth and profession listed. The dates of entry and exit are precisely mentioned. Usually, the visa is valid for the length of the trip you have booked but it's possible to get visa for few additional days, for stay in Lhasa only. There will be two original copies of Group Visa, one for each immigration at the entry and exit. As the processing can be done by local travel agencies in KTM.

Tips from our WindHorse Tour:
If you enter Tibet via Nepal, it's better not to apply for any individual China visa in your country. Because when you arrive at KTM, you need to join a group to Tibet with a group visa, the Chinese embassy will cancel your former individual china visa.

It is very difficult to get a individual china visa back or the group visa extension if you still want to travel in other places in China after Tibet, usually the PSB in China will ask you to leave China before the group visa expires.

Permits to Travel in Tibet

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 (If you go to Tibet via mainland China).
- One is Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit (TTB), which you have to obtain in order to enter Tibet.
- One is the Alien Travel Permit (PSB) when you are planning to travel to the 'unopened' areas in Tibet.
- The other is the Military Permit, which you have to obtain if you are planning to travel to some military sensitive areas.

Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permit
It is necessary for entry to Lhasa or any other part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and is obtained as part of tour arrangements for travel to Tibet. When you take a flight or train to Lhasa you will need to show this permit when you check in. Furthermore, whenever you buy a flight or train ticket to Lhasa you need to show this permit. TTB permit is also needed by groups traveling by Land Cruiser but this will be arranged by the travel agency organizing the trip. Here is a picture of TTB permit:

Travel Permit ( PSB Permit)
It is required to visit 'unopened' areas. It is issued by Foreign Affairs Section of the Local Public Security Bureau (PSB). Usually you can apply for it once you arrives at Lhasa. For tour group our guide will ask you for your passport and TTB permit and submit it to the Foreign Affairs Section of PSB. It normally takes several hours and the cost is 50 yuan/person. For individual travellers you need to join the tours to 'unopened' areas, and the local travel agencies will arrange the PSB as well. Please note that there is no travel agency can provide 'PSB permit-only' service. A must service includes land cruiser and guide. Here is a picture of PSB permit :

Which parts of Tibet are listed as the closed areas?
At present, you have to apply for a Travel Permit if you are planning to visit the following places:
Tsedang: Samye Monastery, Tomb of Tibetan King, Trandruk Monastery, Yumbulakhang
Shigatse: Sakya Monastery, The Mt. Everest, Rongphu Monastery
Gyangtse: Pelkor Chode Monastery & Kubum Stupa
Ngari Region: such as Mt.Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, Tsaparang, Ali, ect.
Nyingchi Region: Such as Basum-tso, Pomi, Rawo-tso, ect.
Chamdo Region: Such as Chamdo, Riwoche, Tengchen, ect.

Military Permit
It 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. Travel agencies will arrange it as you will visit this areas. It usually takes about 3-4 days.

Important Issues about Tibet Permit:
1. All kinds of people can get Tibet permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

2. Generally it needs three days to get the TTB if you could supply the full necessary documents. After having a permit, a travel agency could buy the air or train ticket for you, and you can pass the check-in with the permit.

3. The details of the travelers are required for TTB Permit: name, nationality, passport number, Sex, date of birth and occupation ( The copies of your passport and china visa)

4. If you do not book any tour (Like Land cruiser with driver, guide ) from us, we can not help you get the permits. No travel agency can provide "permit-only" service.

5. Only the guide could hold the permit after you establish yourself on Tibet land. You are not allowed to bring with it.