Yes. Every foreign passport holder needs a Tibet Travel Permit, which only a registered Tibet agency can apply for. Plan on three to four weeks.
Who needs a permit
The permit is checked when you board a flight or train to Lhasa, at hotels and at road checkpoints, so it is not optional. Foreign passport holders need it, and so do foreign residents of China: a Chinese residence permit does not replace it. Mainland Chinese citizens do not need one for most of Tibet. Visitors from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan face different rules, so tell us your passport when you enquire and we will confirm the current position.
You also have to travel on a booked tour with a licensed guide. Independent travel is not possible for foreign visitors, and any route beyond Lhasa needs a private vehicle.
How it works, step by step
The permit is attached to a booked itinerary, so dates and route are fixed first.
A clear scan of your passport photo page and of your China visa page.
We submit the application to the Tibet authorities. There is no extra fee on top of the tour price.
Flying passengers usually need a copy to show on arrival. Train passengers must board with the original, so we plan courier time.
Keep it with your passport. Your guide handles checkpoints once you are in Tibet.
When to send your documents
The permit usually takes 15 to 20 working days. In busy periods it takes longer, so send your scans earlier. The count below skips weekends only, because Chinese public holidays are hard to predict.
How early to send documents
- November to April: 20 working days before arrival
- May to September: 25 working days before arrival
- Golden Week (1 to 7 October) and Losar (February or March): 30 working days before arrival
We file the Tibet Travel Permit with every booking. Send passport and China visa scans at least 20 working days before arrival.
Other permits you may hear about
The Tibet Travel Permit gets you into the region. Going outside Lhasa needs the Aliens’ Travel Permit, which your agency usually arranges once you are in Lhasa. Places such as Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash also need a border permit, issued case by case. If you enter from Nepal, a Tibet group visa issued in Kathmandu replaces your normal China visa. We file all of these as part of the tour.
Mistakes that cost a trip
Da fare
- Send scans as soon as you book
- Check your passport is valid for six months beyond travel
- Keep dates and cities the same after filing
- Tell us your occupation when you book
Da evitare
- Book flights to Lhasa before the permit is confirmed
- Change the itinerary after the permit is filed
- Plan to enter from Nepal without a group visa
- Assume a holiday week will take the usual time
Dicci le date e risponderemo con un piano e la timeline dei permessi.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the Tibet permit myself?
No. Only a registered Tibet agency can apply, because the permit is tied to a booked tour and a licensed guide.
Does the permit cost extra?
Not with us. Permit filing is included in every tour price. A Tibet group visa for entry from Nepal has its own visa fee.
What if I change my dates?
Tell us as early as you can. The permit is filed for fixed dates and cities, so a change usually means a new application.
Is the permit checked on a train?
Yes. Train passengers must board with the original document, so we send it by courier before you travel.