Introduction 

The Tibet Travel Permit, is also called the Tibet Permit or TTP or Tibet Visa.  We suggest NOT to call it a Tibet Visa because there are also the China Visa and Tibet Group Visa (TGV).  Since there are already various visas, using this term may cause confusion, so we simply call it the Tibet Permit or TTP. 

Getting a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) is required for all foreigners traveling to Tibet.  We have been helping thousands of travelers from all over the world apply for their permits for free when they sign up with us for a custom or group Tibet tour.  There are no service charges or hidden costs for this service when planning a Tibet trip with us.  Follow the 3 easy steps below to get your guaranteed Tibet Travel Permit with us.

Tibet Travel Permit in 3 Easy Steps

Step 1:  Plan and book your Tibet tour with us

Step 2:  Email us a copy of your passport and Chinese Visa

Step 3:  We submit your application and get you the approved Tibet Travel Permit

It really is that simple! Learn more by watching our YouTube video on How to Get a Tibet Travel Permit.

What Does a Tibet Travel Permit Look Like? 

The Tibet Travel Permit consists of 2 pages.  The first page contains the tour group number, tour dates, itinerary, and name of the tour operator.  The second page contains the number of travelers in the group, name of each member, gender, nationality, passport number, and date of birth.  Travelers must have both pages for the permit to be valid.

Tibet Travel Permit Page 1, Tour Information:  

Tibet Travel Permit Page 2, Traveler Information: 

When to Apply for the Tibet Travel Permit

Ideally, you should email us a copy of your passport and Chinese Visa (if you are entering Tibet from Mainland China) at least 15 days before your trip starts.  Once we receive these documents from you, out staff will fill out the application and submit it to the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa for processing.  

Tibet Travel Permit if Entering Tibet from Nepal

If you are planning to enter Tibet from Nepal,  you will need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) + Tibet Group Visa (TGV).  Tibet Travel Permit will be applied by us in Tibet and our guide will hold the original permit waiting for you at Lhasa airport for pickup, you do not need to have the Tibet Travel Permit for flight boarding from Kathmandu to Lhasa, what you need to do is bring the TGV for the flight. 

Tibet Group Visa is a single entry visa valid for up to 30 days and allows you to travel from Nepal to Tibet and then onwards to Mainland China. Since it is a group visa, it means group action, if you are a group of 2 or more persons, you need to enter Tibet and depart Tibet/China together on same date and same flight, if you enter or depart at different date/flight, please make sure you tell us beforhand, so that we can apply TGV seperately for you. This is very important, if we do not seperate the TGV, you will NOT be able to board on the flight. 

Tibet Travel Permit cost is included in all of our tour packages, but TGV cost is not included, it takes at least 3 working days to apply it, our Nepal office worker will help you to apply with your original passport, you can just pay the TGV cost to our worker in Kathmandu, please click here to check more about TGV application limits and cost details. 

Important Note: Please DO NOT apply for a Chinese Visa in your country if you decide to travel from Nepal to Tibet.  The TGV is enough to cover your Nepal-Tibet route, or Nepal-Tibet-China route.  If you have a China visa already, it will be automatically cancelled when apply for TGV at the Chinese embassy located in Kathmandu. 

• Book and plan your Tibet Tour with us.

• Email us a copy of your passport.

• We submit your application for the Tibet Travel Permit and Invitation Letter from the Tibet Tourism Bureau.

• We apply for your Tibet Border Pass

• When you are in Nepal our agent will help you apply for the Tibet Group Visa. This process takes 3 full business days.

Find out more by reading our article: Tibet Group Visa

Getting Your Original Tibet Travel Permit

• If you take a flight from a city in Mainland China to Tibet, you will need to show the original Tibet Travel Permit during airport check in.  Or if you take the Tibet Train from Xian, Lanzhou, or Chongqing you will also need the original permit to board the train.  We will deliver the original Tibet Travel Permit to your hotel or address in Mainland China.  In some cases we may have one of our staff deliver it to you.

• If you board the Tibet Train from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, or Xining you will only need a copy of the permit.  We will email you a copy of the permit.  Print out 2 copies of the permit beforehand.  The train station staff will check your permit before you board and after you arrive at the train station in Lhasa.  Your tour guide will be waiting for you at the Lhasa train station with your original permit.

• If you travel from Nepal to Tibet, you only need a copy of the Tibet Travel Permit.  We will email you a copy of the permit and you can print out a copy.  You will need to have the original Tibet Group Visa and a copy of the border pass.  Your tour guide will meet you at the airport (or at the border if you enter Tibet by land) and have the original Tibet Travel Permit and Tibet Border Pass for you.

How to Connect With Us

We always strive to make things as easy for you as possible, so take advantage of our services and we can help you apply for your Tibet Travel Permit, other necessary permits, and organize your tour.  You can get in touch with us by sending us an email to info@travelchinatibet.com or submitting your questions online through our website