Tibet Travel Permits

What is a Tibet Travel Permit

A Tibet Travel Permit is not a visa or any other kind of stamp that goes in your passport. It is an entirely separate document that is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. It has two pages: the first page is the “permit” page and lists the name of the registered travel agency that is responsible for the organized tour as well as the dates and planned itinerary (place names within Tibet Autonomous Region); the second page lists the names, passport numbers, nationality, age, and occupation of each group member. It is a must to Travel in Tibet and you can’t take your flight or train to Tibet without it. It is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau only and can be applied by travel agencies on behalf of you only. If you want to get the permit, you can contact us and send us the related certificates(such as, tourist visa, settlement visa, visitor’s visa, vocational visa, student visa), we can apply for the permit for you.(all Tibet permits can only be applied by travel agency).

Note: There are three travel permits. If you just want a sightseeing around Lhasa, a Tibet Entry Permit will meet your requirement. If you want to explore places outside Lhasa such as Mount Everest, you need to obtain both the Tibet Entry Permit and Aliens’ Travel Permit. If you want to travel to backend areas such as Mt Kailash, you need to get an extra Military Permit(Frontier Pass). The Frontier Pass and Aliens’ Travel Permit are easy to handle after the completion of the Tibet Travel Permit and take about 1.5 hours respectively.

Who Needs A Travel Tibet Permit

  • All foreign citizens who hold non-Chinese passports
  • Chinese people who live overseas without Chinese passports
  • Taiwan residents

Note: Although people from Hong Kong and Macau do not need a Tibet Travel Permit, they shall need Chinese SAR passports and Home Return Permits.

How to Get A Travel Tibet Permit

Please send your basic information (including name, nationality, age, gender, occupation, passport number), an itinerary, approximate travel time, travel intention, contact number, etc. to the local travel agency or directly to the Tibet Tourism Bureau. At the same time, please send a copy of the passport homepage and visa to us at contact@MysteriousTibet.com, and you will get the confirmation procedure for admission within 2 to 4 days.

After receiving the passport and visa copy of the guest, you can usually check out the “Foreigner’s Tibet Travel Permit”. Although it only takes 3 working days to review and issue the Tibet Travel Permit. In consideration of the arrangements for the travel matters,  such as, hotels, guides and vehicles, related to the passengers, please handle the application procedures as soon as possible so that the relevant information such as an itinerary, time, location, etc. can be confirmed accordingly.

Note: Your occupation on the permit shouldn’t be diplomat, journalist, or government official. Otherwise, you have to apply for permit through the Tibet Foreign Affairs Office.

Is Free to Get a Tibet Travel Permit

No, it isn’t. The Tibet Tourism Bureau does not charge anything to issue the permit. Any cost associated with processing the TTP is charged by the travel agency that you hire, and is usually just included in your tour price. Such charges are understandable due to the time and hassle required by the agency to send staff in person to both submit the application and return to pick it up.

How Long to Process A Tibet Travel Permit

Generally, it takes about two weeks to process a TTP. Theoretically, it can be completed as quickly as 3-4 days but often takes longer, which means that travel to Tibet shall be planned in advance by booking a tour with a registered travel agency, so the related personnel can get the original permit to you before going to Tibet.

How to Use A Tibet Travel Permit

  • It is good to print at least 2 copies of the Tibet Travel Permit. A copy of the Tibet Travel Permit will be checked at your departure train station. Your original permit will be checked at your departure airport. 
  • When you enter into Tibet, the TTP can be checked at any time, especially, check in at your hotel.
  • When you are in major Tibet attraction sites, the TTP may be checked.

Travel Tips

  • Those people who have these diseases, such as severe hypertension, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, severe altitude sickness, cannot go to Tibet. 
  • Respect the local customs.
  • Do a detailed plan in advance.
  • Know the local customs before going to Tibet.