Tibet Tourism Bureau

According to the rules and because of the special traditions, cultures, and environmental protection, non-Chinese travelers must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit to travel in Tibet. International travelers, including Taiwanese travelers, overseas Chinese, and travelers from other countries, must have this permit. However, Hong Kong citizens don’t need a Chinese Visa or Tibet Travel Permit to visit Tibet.

Tibet Travel Permit, which is also known as “Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit”, “TTB Permit” or “Tibet Entry Permit”, is issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. It’s also called “Tibet Visa” by some people.

For international travelers, a Chinese Visa is indispensable when applying for the Tibet Travel Permit. You can get a Chinese Visa from the Chinese embassy in your country. However, according to laws, journalists and diplomats from other countries can’t visit Tibet. If you can enjoy a 15-day or 30-day China visa-free policy, you can get your Tibet travel permit by your passport.

Tibet Travel Permit can’t be applied as an individual traveler. The Chinese government doesn’t allow international travelers to travel alone in Tibet. To protect Tibet as well as visitors, foreign travelers should be organized in groups accompanied by a licensed travel guide during the tour in Tibet. If you want to travel to Tibet with the permit, you’d better book a tour with a tour agency Your Tibet travel agency will take care of your Tibet permit application, with a scan copy of your passport and China visa. However, days are needed to submit your documents to the Tibet Tourism Bureau and get your permit. You are suggested to book your tour at least one month before the departure and send the document as soon as possible. After obtaining your Tibet travel permit, your agency should deliver it to your hotel in China so that you can take it to board the flight/train to Lhasa. When you check in hotels in Tibet, or even at checkpoints on the roads in Tibet, the permit will be checked. Whichever transport you choose to travel to Tibet, by plane, by train or by overland driving, a permit is always needed.

If you plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, the document required is a Group China Visa instead of a Chinese Visa. It can be applied at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu and 3 working days are needed to get it. At present, the authority asks 4 travelers to apply for one Group visa together and all participants should present at the Chinese embassy to collect fingerprints. If there are fewer than 4 people from you, we suggest you get to mainland China first by applying for a China visa.

There’s no need to worry about the Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit if you plan to travel to Tibet. We are glad to provide assistance if you need our help.