How to apply for Tibet Entry Permit?

Why do we need Tibet Permit to visit Tibet?

According to Chinese law, and to protect the centuries-old cultural relics, the fragile environment and respect the tradition of Tibetan people and considering the limited reception capacity in Tibet, foreign travelers are required to apply for certain permits before visiting Tibet.

Foreign tourists need to show TTPs when checking in at the airport or train station.

Sometimes it is also required for booking tickets too.

Who is going to need Tibet permit:

Non-Chinese passport holders - US citizens, UK citizens, Australians, Canadians, Germans, etc. Basically all the foreigners all over the world.

The Taiwan tourists, who do not have the valid identity card of China;

The overseas Chinese, who do not have Chinese passport or ID card.

Note: Hong Kong and Macau Citizens can visit Tibet without Tibet permit if they have the home return permit. In Chinese it’s called 回乡证.

What do we need for applying Tibet permit:

If you are planning to enter Tibet from other places of China, you can claim for the Tibet Entry Permit from your travel agent. Please prepare the following documents for the permit application.

Valid passport copy

Valid China visa copy

Occupation

How to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit:

All the holders of ordinary passports are required to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit if they plan to travel in Tibet. So you need the assistance of a local travel agency to help you with Tibet permit application.

Foreign travelers can contact the travel agency first. During your communication, the days to stay in Tibet, the city to enter Tibet and exit Tibet, places and sites to visit during your travel, also your occupation (Foreign journalists and diplomats are not allowed to go to Tibet as a tourist) should be confirmed. The tour would be officially booked after the travel agency receives your tour deposit and send you the receipt. By sending them the first page of a valid passport and a copy of their Chinese visa by fax or by email. Then the travel agency will apply for the Tibet entry permit with all the documents.

Considering you need to confirm the city to enter Tibet before apply your Tibet permit, you could check the flight or train information before apply the permit. Because once we put the name of the city on the Tibet permit, it would be troublesome to change it after we get it. And you can not get on the train or flight with a permit with a wrong city. So buying tickets before applying Tibet permit is also preferred, the price also might be cheaper for early booking.

Usually when the application procedures starts, you will have your Tibet permit within about 15 working days. Your trip advisor should send you the scan copies of your Tibet permit for check, if you are flying into Lhasa, you will receive your original Tibet permit within 3-5 days.

How long does the Permit application procedures take?

After we receive the scan copies of the necessary documents for applying your Tibet permit, the process of the application will take around 15 days. Please note beside the documents,the following details of the travelers are required for the processing of the Tibet permit: city to enter and exit Tibet, days to stay in Tibet, sites you are going to visit in Tibet, and also your career occupation.

Once we get the Tibet permit, we will forward you the Tibet permit scan copies first via e-mail. J