Tibet is a fascinating region that attracts tourists from all over the world with its stunning natural landscape and unique cultural heritage. However, traveling to Tibet requires a Tibet Entry Permit, also known as a Tibet Travel Permit, which is a necessary document for foreigners visiting this autonomous region of China.

Tibet Entry Permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and is mandatory for all non-Chinese citizens entering Tibet. Individual tourists are not allowed to enter Tibet. Foreign tourists must book a preorganized tour through a registered travel agency. This means independent travel is not allowed and travelers must follow a specific itinerary, which you agreed with your travel agency beforehand.

Once you confirm your Tibet itinerary with your travel agent, you need to provide the below docs and info to allow them to apply Tibet Entry Permit for you.

1. PASSPORT DATA PAGE

You can either scan or take a photo of it, as long as it’s clear. And, make sure to cover the entire page, especially the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) at the bottom

2. ENTRY & DEPARTURE CITY

From which city in China will you fly to Tibet, or you may fly from Kathmandu, Nepal?

To which city of China will you fly to after Tibet, or you may fly to Kathmandu, Nepal?

This information must be provided to allow your Tibet travel agent to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit for you. This info will be printed on your Tibet Entry Permit, and making this specific city the only one you can enter Tibet from and depart to. At the airport in China or Nepal, this will be checked, especially the entry city. e.g. On your Tibet Entry Permit says Beijing, but if you change your flight to fly from Chengdu to Lhasa, Chengdu Airport will deny your boarding. Yes, they can!

3. CHINESE VISA

With the above two, your Tibet travel agent can start to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit for you. This means Chinese visa is not urgently needed, and you can apply for it while we apply Tibet Entry Permit for you. But Chinese visa is needed to finalize the application of Tibet Entry Permit.

Same as with the passport data page, full page of Chinese visa is implied.

ADDITION

In some cases, depending on the specific area of Tibet to be visited, additional permits may be required. For example, if travelers plan to travel to areas other than Lhasa, such as the Mount Everest or Mount Kailash regions, they will need to obtain additional permits, such as a foreigner travel permit or a military permit. These permits can be obtained through the travel agency that organizes the tour, of which you do not have to worry about.

It is worth noting that the political and security situation in Tibet may be sensitive and travel regulations may change without prior notice. Therefore, before planning a trip to Tibet, it is recommended that you keep up to date with the latest information and consult with a reliable travel agency.

SUM-UP

Foreigners must obtain a Tibet Entry Permit to go to Tibet. The permit is obtained through a pre-booked tour and requires a valid passport, a detailed itinerary, and a valid Chinese visa. Planning ahead and staying informed is crucial to ensuring a smooth and successful journey to this fascinating part of China. As a local Tibetan travel agency, Tibet4Fun would love to help. Reach us at hi@tibet4fun.com