TIBET TRAVEL PERMITS

   
  safety guidelines | privacy policy | contact us
HOME ABOUT US CONTACT US BOOKSTORE TRANSPORTATION TIBETAN ART PRINTS RESERVATIONS LINKS
 
 
  

TRAVEL BLOGS

Join TWYA Blogs

EXPLORING TIBET
Population/People
Language

Economy
Geography
Natural Resources
Flora & Fauna
Climate
Mountains
Rivers & Lakes
Culture/Customs
History
Monasteries
Religion
Major Attractions
Events & Festivals
Shopping/Arts & Crafts
Cuisine

Tibetan Medicine
TIBETAN MUST-SEES
Tibetan A. Region TAR
Lhasa
Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Barkhor kora
Namtso Lake & Nagqu
Sera Monastery
Drupung Monastery
Lhasa & Surrounding
Qinghai Lake
Kanbula National Park

Yushu Horse Racing Fest
Million Mani Stone Kora
Mt. Everest Base Camp
DESTINATIONS
Qinghai - Xining
Nepal Friendship Hwy
Shigatse - Ghantse
Lhasa & Surrounding
Yarlung River Valley
Shannon - Tsetang

Ngari - Mt. Kailash
Nyingchi - Bayi Town
Chamdo - Yushu - Kham

Nakchu - Namtso Lake
Volunteer VACATION
Tibetan Orphanages
Teach English
Learn Tibetan

The Nomad Experience
TRAVEL & TOURS
Build Your Own Itinerary
Winter Budget Tour Ideas
Monastery Tour Options
Learn Tibetan
Singles Trips
Travel Permits
Tibet Books & Guides
Links/Resources
Exchange Rate
Altitude Sickness
Transportation Options
Tibet Maps
MEET TOUR GUIDEES
Qinghai Guides
Yushu Guides
Xining Guides
Lhasa Guides
Mt. Everest Guides
Shigatse Guides

GUIDES SIGN UP HERE
 
KALSANG
NO "TOUR GROUP" LIMITATIONS
ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO
WE TAKE YOU!
CHEMI

 
 TIBET TRAVEL PERMITS
INFORMATION CENTER
 

   
   
 TIBET AREA TRAVEL PERMITS  

FIRST CLUE:
Do not mention visiting Tibet on your application for your Chinese visa. For up to date Tibet travel restrictions check our TWYA blogs or connect the Chinese embassy nearest you.

As a tourist in China, there are several Tibetan areas you can visit without permits, such as Yushu near Xining. Travel permits for Tibet refers to the TAR (Tibet Autonomous Region). However, other areas may or may not be "open" to visitors depending on the current Chinese regulations. Please double check with a travel agency in the area you want to visit BEFORE making your plans. Usually our guides are connected with travel agencies in their areas who help them get your permits. If this doesn't work out, contact a travel agency IN the area, such as www.tibetanconnections.com in Xining, China or www.shangrilatours.com for the TAR/Lhasa/Friendship Highway areas. These agencies can assist you if you book a tour with them.

Tibet Travel Permits & Tibet Visa

There are two kinds of permits (Tibet visa) for traveling in Tibet: the entry permit (TTB permit) and the Alien's travel permit (PSB permit). 

TTB Permit - Tibet Entry Permit (Tibet visa)

When you buy a flight or train ticket to Lhasa you need to show this permit. When you fly from any city to Lhasa you will need to show this permit when you check in at the airport. TTB permits are also needed by groups traveling by Land Cruiser but this will be arranged by the travel agency or guide organizing the trip.

 

PSB Permit - Alien's Travel Permit

If you want to go further to the "unopened" areas, you need an Alien's travel permit issued by PSB of Tibet. It is called "Alien's Travel Permit" or "PSB permit". Here is a picture of PSB permit :

 

Tibet Entry Permit (PSB permit)
















How to get the travel permits?

Getting a permit for Tibet seems almost impossible, but if you use the right travel agency it's not that difficult. You will need to supply this information.

1) full name
2) gender
3) date of birth
4) passport number
5) nationality
6) china visa number

All information provided must match exactly the information on your passport. If you are a writer, journalist, researcher, or any way involved or connected to Tibetan organizations, websites, or political matters regarding Tibet politics you may be denied a permit.

You need to apply for the travel permit at least 10 days prior to your entry date.

Important Issues about Tibet Travel Permit

1.Most people can get a Tibet permit through a travel agency except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who must travel to Tibet under the arrangement through the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

2. After having a permit, a travel agency could buy you air tickets, and you can pass the check-in at the airport and the check point enroute with the permit.

3. Only the guide may hold the permit after you arrive. There is no free travel in Tibet. You must have a guide. Otherwise if you are stopped by the police you will be sent out of Tibet and/or have trouble politically and economically. Furthermore, the travel agency which helped to get you the permit will also be in trouble, facing fines or closure.

4. There is a service charge (by the government) to get the Tibet permit. And it takes time, paper work, transportation fee and delivery fee to get a permit for you. The agency will explain this fee and their charges to obtain it.

How long can I get Tibet Permit?

Generally it takes three days to get the Tibet permit if you could supply the full necessary documents. It may take ten days in some circumstances, and another 3 days (or more) to Express Deliver the permit.

Other documents and information:

CHINESE VISA

Other documents are the same as you travel to other places of China - you need a valid passport with valid visa (issued by Chinese Embassy). Be sure your Chinese visa is valid for your entire length of stay. If you apply for a one-year visa, you'll be allowed to stay in China for three months, leave and return, but if you don't like the cost of leaving and returning be sure your air tickets get you in and out within that three month period. The Chinese government charges a very hefty fee at the airport if your visa has expired, plus you may never get another visa for China. To extend your visa while in China, find a public services bureau, but take this warning; American's are charged ten times what some other countries pay to extend a visa!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARRIVING FROM NEPAL

If you are expecting to get to Lhasa via the Friendship Highway from Kathmandu, even if you applied for a have a "Tibet" visa before you left home, you will still need to get a visa in Kathmandu, which is regulated officially between China and Nepal.

 

   
CHINESE VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION
 
NOTICE: Chinese Embassies process visas, but it is usually worth doing it online to avoid the long lines and frustration of the process. Find a reliable China visa service ONLINE. They require you to send them your ORIGINAL passport, so be cautious! For instance, ask a local travel agency or the embassy to recommend a company. We do not recommend because companies on the internet change, but there are some good ones out there. It may take between 10 days and three weeks so don't delay. Call them, ask for references, don't deal with one that doesn't have a phone number. Get one located in one of the cities that have a Chinese embassy in your country. Use common sense.
 
FIRST CLUE:
Do not mention visiting Tibet on your application for your Chinese visa.
 
MOST POPULAR CHINESE VISA TYPES
Tourist Visa (L Visa) Issued to foreigners who enter China temporarily for touring, family visiting or other personal affairs. Single-entry, double-entry or multiple-entry are all available for tourists. The duration of (each) stay is 30, 60, or 90 days respectively.
   
Business Visa (F Visa) Issued to foreigners who are invited to China for business visit, research, lecture, scientific, technological and cultural exchanges. Single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry business visa are available. The duration of (each) stay is 30, 60 or 90 days.
   
Work Visa (Z visa) Issued to foreigners who are to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members. Only single entry work visa is available. Multiple-entry is not granted for work visa. The duration of stay varies.
   
Student Visa (X/F Visa) Issued to foreigners who come to China for study or intern practice for a period of six months or above. Only single entry student visa is available. The duration of stay varies. Multiple-entry is possible for 1 year study.
 
CHINESE EMBASSIES in USA
Chinese Embassy in Washington DC
Address: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 338-6688, (202)5889760
Fax: (202) 588-9760

Chinese Consulate General in Chicago, IL
Address: 1 East Erie Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611
Tel: (312) 573-3070/3071
Fax: (312) 803-0122

Chinese Consulate General in Houston, TX
Address: 3417 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006
Tel: (713) 520-1462
Fax: (713) 521-3064

Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, CA
Address: 443 Shatto Place, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Tel: (213) 807-8088
Fax: (213) 807-8091

Chinese Consulate General in New York, NY
Address: 520 12th Avenue, New York, NY 10036
Tel: (212) 244-9392
Fax: (212) 465-1708

Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, CA
Address: 1450 Laguna Street, San Francisco, CA 94115
Tel: (415) 674-2900
Fax: (415) 563-0494

 

 

for more details check Frommers facts

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
       

SAVE MONEY - NO MIDDLE MAN - CUSTOM TOURS
Hire a Private Tour Guide

     
 

   Home - Terms of Use - Disclaimer - Press/Media - Cancellation Policy - Return Policy - Privacy Statement - Report Website Issue - Unsubscribe - Contact

 
   


© 2008 all rights reserved

DISCLAIMER: The data on this website is the collaborative experience by both travel professionals and non-professionals, contributions, and research of various websites,  books,  documents, research, articles, associates, attorneys,  etc. The information on this site may or may not be accurate or up to date. The primary purpose of this site is education and service. We do not advocate any specific course of action, but offer ideas to think about. What you do with this information and any course of action you decide to take, if any, is entirely your responsibility. We wish you happy travels.