Tibet Travel Permit 2026/2027: Full Guide to Requirements & Application Process

According to regulations set by the Tibet Tourism Bureau, all non-Chinese passport holders must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet, and only authorized travel agencies can apply for it on their behalf. This permit is a mandatory requirement for traveling to Tibet, regardless of whether you enter from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xining, or other parts of China, or from Nepal.

As one of the leading local Tibet tour operators, Tibet Discovery has extensive expertise in the permit policy and application process. With years of experience, we excel at efficiently securing Tibet Travel Permits for our clients. Obtaining the permit is straightforward—simply confirm your Tibet tour with us and provide the necessary documents, and we will handle all application procedures to ensure you receive it promptly and enjoy your planned journey without delays.

Tibet Travel Permit: Key Details

Issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau, the Tibet Travel Permit (also known as Tibet Entry Permit, Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit, or TTB Permit) is an official document allowing non-Chinese passport holders to enter and travel in Tibet. It is the most essential and compulsory permit required before departing for Tibet.

What Does the Tibet Travel Permit Look Like?

The permit is an authoritative confirmation letter, consisting of a two-page document.

Page 1: Includes your tour details (group number, start and end dates, itinerary) and features several official seals in the top-right corner, along with an anti-counterfeit code.
Page 2: Contains a form listing travelers' personal information (full name, nationality, passport number, gender, etc.).

Important Note: You must carry both pages when traveling to Tibet. Without either page, you will not be allowed to enter Tibet or board flights/trains to the region. Always double-check before departure.

Sample of Tibet Travel Permit (issued in January, 2020)

Important Guidelines Before Applying

1) No Independent Travel Without a Tour Package

Foreigners cannot obtain a Tibet Travel Permit without booking a Tibet tour through a licensed local travel agency. The permit must be applied for by the tour operator; you cannot visit Tibet independently after securing the permit.

2) Strictly Follow the Permitted Itinerary

Your travel route in Tibet must exactly match the itinerary listed on your permit. You must enter Tibet from the city specified on the permit and follow the designated travel order. Example: If your permit lists Chengdu as the entry point, you can only take flights or trains from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport or Chengdu Railway Station.

3) Not Applicable to Diplomatic Passport Holders

This permit is only for non-Chinese passport holders traveling to Tibet for tourism. If you hold a diplomatic passport or service visa, contact the Foreign Affairs Department for specific procedures.

Tourists from Which Country Needs a Tibet Travel Permit for Tibet Tour

According to official regulations, all non-Chinese passport holders must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet. This includes:

• 1) Foreign passport holders (e.g., US, UK, Australian, Canadian, Singaporean, Malaysian, Japanese, Indian, German, Nepalese citizens, etc.).
• 2) Overseas Chinese (such as Chinese Americans, Chinese Australians, and others who do not hold a Chinese passport or ID card).

Tourists from Taiwan also require a Tibet Travel Permit for travel to Tibet. However, Hong Kong and Macau residents holding either a Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport, or a Home Return Permit (Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau residents), do not need a Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet.

Typically, it takes about 20 working days to receive your Tibet Travel Permit after you provide us with copies of your valid passport and Chinese Visa (if required). This timeline accounts for two key stages:

Preparation Phase: We need time to prepare your application form based on your tour itinerary after receiving your documents.

Bureau Processing: Once your application and supporting documents are submitted and accepted, the Tibet Tourism Bureau requires additional time to review and approve it. Processing may take longer if your itinerary includes restricted areas like Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake in Ngari (approximately 30 days).

After the permit is issued, we will collect it and arrange delivery, which adds a few extra days for shipping.

Urgent Requests

If you have a tight or urgent travel schedule, please contact us in advance. We will prioritize your application and explore options for expedited processing, though success cannot be guaranteed. To avoid delays, we strongly recommend planning your Tibet itinerary and booking your tour as early as possible.

Tibet Travel Permit Application Processes

After booking a Tibet tour with Tibet Discovery, you only need to provide a few simple documents. We will handle the entire permit application process, including pickup and delivery, ensuring you receive your Tibet Travel Permit in time for a smooth journey to Tibet and a worry-free travel experience.

Detailed Application Procedure

✔ Step 1: Book Your Tibet Tour

Contact our travel consultant to plan a customized itinerary tailored to your preferences. There is no fixed official tour route—your Tibet adventure can be flexible based on your travel dates, preferred destinations, and other requirements.

✔ Step 2: Submit Required Documents

Send us clear copies of your valid passport (with at least 6 months validity remaining) and Chinese Visa. If you are entering Tibet from Nepal, please visit our Group Visa from Nepal page for specific instructions.

✔ Step 3: Provide an Accurate Delivery Address

The address can be your hotel, a friend’s residence, or a local agency office in other Chinese cities. Once your Tibet Travel Permit is issued, we will collect it and express it to you before your departure for Tibet.

✔ Step 4: Prepare for Your Trip

Bring your passport, Tibet Travel Permit, and all necessary travel items to start your journey to Tibet.

Important Reminder:
The Tibet Travel Permit is only valid when both pages are intact and the anti-counterfeit code is visible. After receiving the permit, keep it safe and avoid losing it.

The Tibet Travel Permit cannot be applied for independently. After booking a Tibet tour with Tibet Discovery, simply email us the required documents. We will handle the entire application process for all necessary permits, including the Tibet Travel Permit.

While we invest time and effort in processing your application with the Tibet Tourism Bureau, there is no additional fee or extra cost—the permit service is already included in your tour package. As indicated in the bottom-left corner of the first page of the permit, the Tibet Travel Permit is provided free of charge.

Tibet Travel Permit is Required When Taking Train and Flight to Tibet

The Tibet Travel Permit will be checked at multiple points during your journey, including:

• ☞ When taking a train at the railway station.
• ☞ When boarding a flight at the airport.
• ☞ When crossing the Gyirong Port on the Nepal-Tibet border.
• ☞ Upon arrival at Lhasa Airport.
• ☞ When checking into hotels in Tibet.

Rest assured: Your Tibet tour guide will keep the permit safe throughout your trip and present it to inspectors when required, ensuring no inconvenience.

Original Permit vs. Photocopies

Taking trains from Chongqing/Xi'an/Lanzhou, or domestic flights to Tibet - The original permit is required. Tibet Discovery will mail it to you before departure.

Taking trains from Beijing/Shanghai/Chengdu/Guangzhou, or international flights from Kathmandu to Tibet - Colored photocopies are accepted for boarding. Your guide will bring the original permit to meet you in Tibet.

The Tibet Travel Permit is an essential document for visiting Tibet. With this permit, you can explore the holy spiritual center of Lhasa, home to the majestic Potala Palace, the sacred Jokhang Temple, and numerous Buddhist monasteries. To travel to more remote and border regions in Tibet, such as Ngari, Mount Everest, Shannan, and others, additional permits like the Aliens' Travel Permit and Tibet Military Permit are required. Rest assured—when traveling with us, you can simply focus on enjoying your journey. We will handle all necessary permits for you.

For all non-Chinese passport holders planning to travel to Tibet from Nepal, both a Tibet Travel Permit issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and a Tibet Group Visa (a special type of Chinese tourist visa) are required. The Group Visa is a single-entry Chinese visa that can only be applied for through a travel agency at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Processing typically takes 3-5 working days. When you book your Tibet tour with Tibet Discovery, we will handle all visa and permit applications in Kathmandu, ensuring you have all necessary documentation for your Tibet journey and any subsequent travel to other Chinese cities.

> How to Get a Tibet Group Visa for Nepal Tibet Tour

> Tibet Permit Guide for Indian Citizens

Indian nationals wishing to undertake the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrimage in Ngari, Tibet, must register and participate through a special government-organized group tour. For Indian travelers who do not plan to visit Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake, the standard Tibet Travel Permit application process applies, the same as for other foreign tourists. This requires joining an authorized travel agency to arrange the necessary documentation.

> Tibet Permit Guide for Indian Citizens

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