How to apply for Tibet Travel Permit
I. Notice to Foreign Applicants
1. According to the government regulations, before traveling to Tibet, non-Chinese citizens, foreign tourists, Taiwanese tourists and overseas Chinese (the Chinese carrying a foreign passport) should first apply to Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Administration for “Tibet Travel Permit”. It’s also regulated that foreign reporters, diplomats and government officials cannot enter Tibet as a tourist. (Hong Kong and Macao tourists needn’t apply for Tibet Travel Permit as long as they have Home Return Permit, a red identity card looking like student’s identity card, or an SAR passport, a permit the same as the 2-generation ID card)2. According to the National Tourism Administration, foreign tourists, Taiwanese tourists and overseas Chinese (exclusive of the Hong Kong and Macao residents carrying an SAR passport or Home Return Permit) are not allowed to make a self-guided tour to Tibet, but should participate in an organized tourist group.
3. All organized foreign tourist groups should commission their travel agency to apply to Tibet Tourist Administration and all related local offices for Tibet Travel Permit.
Attention please:
4. Taiwanese should submit Mainland travel permit for Taiwan residents to the Taiwan Affairs Office of Tibet Autonomous Region to apply for a permit.
5. The regulation that Hong Kong and Macao residents must first apply “Tibet Travel Permit” before traveling to Tibet has been canceled. All Hong Kong and Macao residents carrying an SAR passport, “Home Return Permit” (issued before 1998, valid for 10 years) or “Mainland permit for Hong Kong and Macau residents” can make a self-guided tour to Tibet.
II. Relevant Permits
1. Permit card for Tibet is a certificate that all foreigners should apply before traveling to Tibet.
2. Travel permit will need to be applied for if tourists pay a visit to the regions outside of Lhasa (Lhasa District, including Namtso), Gyangz and Shigatse.
3. Permit card for the military regions will need to be applied for if tourists enter Tibet along the four highways (Bayi Region) or go close to the holy mountain in Ngari.
III. How can Foreigners apply for “Tibet Travel Permit”?
1. Passport+visa: Foreign tourists first need to apply for a Chinese visa in China’s embassy (consulate) in the locality, with the exception of the countries that have signed a visa abolition agreement with China.
2. Main travel information: (including name, nationality, age, gender, profession and passport No.), route to Tibet, round trip time, and traveling intention. If a work visa needs to be apply for, applicants’ employer should provide a certificate of employment and contact number, for verification by the Tourist Administration.
3.“Tibet Travel Permit” can be issued soon after a photocopy of foreign applicants’ passport and visa are received. 2 workdays are required for the examination and issuance of the permit. Considering the matters related to travel, such as ticket, hotel, guide and coach, tourists should file an application as early as possible, so that relevant information, including itinerary in Tibet, time, and destinations, etc., should be confirmed.
Please contact Tibet Comfort Travel Service Co., Ltd. and send relevant materials to it half a month in advance if you plan to apply for Tibet Travel Permit, so that we help you apply for Tibet Travel Permit in time, so as not to delay your journey.
