Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permits.

The government regulates travel into Tibet autonomous region of China in order to minimize the negative effects of tourism upon its fragile environment, culture and politics. Independent traveling, backpacking or hitching is considered serious offence of the laws and you invite a lot of legal and financial troubles if you are caught. All visitors must travel with an authorized Tibetan Tour Operator or its overseas representatives with a prepaid and pre-planned itinerary; equipped with necessary permits .You will be assigned a licensed guide to escort you through out the tour.

There are two kinds of permits for traveling in Tibet: The Entry Permit (TTB permit) and the Alien's Travel Permit (PSB permit). The permits are the part of package you buy with us.

TTB Permit - Tibet Entry Permit

TTB permit or Entry permits must be produced when you check in to Lhasa bound flight or at the port of entry. While entering Tibet overland, besides TTB permit, the guide must be holding PSB - Alien's Travel Permit and numerous other permits needed for different regions.

PSB Permit - Alien's Travel Permit

If you want to go further to the "un-opened" areas out of Lhasa, you need an Alien's travel permit issued by Public Security Bureau (PSB) of Tibet. It is called "Alien's Travel Permit" or "PSB permit".

Traveling Tibet via mainland Chinese Cities

If you plan to travel to Tibet via mainland Chinese cities, you will obtain Chinese visa individually and provide us a copy of it at least a month ahead of the travel date. We will arrange your entry permits and alien permits for Tibet and you are good to go.

In visa application, DO NOT disclose your Tibet intention or you will be directed for a Group Visa which has more demerits than merits. A group visa comes in a letter size paper sheet which lists the names and passport information of all the participants. Travel itinerary should be fixed and the dates of entry and exit are specified. If you are looking for a flexible itinerary and in an event that you have to split from the group or you plan to exit Tibet (China) and re-enter, Group Visa is not the one you want to have.

Traveling to Tibet via Kathmandu

If you are using Kathmandu as the gateway city to travel to Tibet, it’s an obligation that you must travel with a Group Visa and that visa has to be obtained in Chinese Embassy of Kathmandu. The visa should be pre-processed through a booked tour but final visa work will be processed in Kathmandu, upon your arrival. Any kinds of Chinese visa you are holding on your passport will be cancelled without any prejudice when you are issued group visa.

In principle, the group visa is valid for the period of trip you book through us but we can try to add a few days extra if you wish to stay in Lhasa or Chinese mainland cities on your own.

We need your passport information at the time you book your tour and must provide original passport and one passport size photo upon your arrival. You will need to complete and sign on the visa/permit application. Chinese consult accepts visa application only on specified days and time: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 to 11 am.