Tibet Visa Information

To Tibet

Tibet is a unique destination to travel with beautiful Himalayan landscapes, ancient monasteries, rich Buddhist traditions and amazing cultural heritage. Tibet is unlike many other countries and regions in that it requires special travel permits on top of the usual visa requirements.

Mission Himalaya Treks will assist travellers with all the necessary permit and documentation to make the process easy and hassle-free.

Do you need a visa for Tibet?

Yes. All foreign visitors must have a valid passport and all required travel papers to enter Tibet. The exact requirements differ depending on whether you are entering Tibet from mainland China or from Nepal.

International visitors are not allowed to travel independently in Tibet. Travellers must be on an organised tour arranged through an authorised travel agency.

Tibet Travel Permit

The Tibet Travel Permit is the most essential document required for all foreigners entering Tibet. This permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and you should obtain it before you arrive.

Travellers who don’t have valid Tibet Travel Permit are not allowed to get on flights or trains to Tibet and may be refused entry into the region.

To get the permit, travellers usually need to provide:

• A clear copy of your passport
• Copy of Chinese Visa (For Entry from Mainland China Only)
• Travel itinerary confirmed
• Personal information needed to process permits

Mission Himalaya Treks will arrange Tibet Travel Permit as part of your travel package.

Getting to Tibet from Mainland China

All travellers entering Tibet from cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, Guangzhou or other places in China, must obtain a Chinese Visa from a Chinese Embassy or Consulate in their home country before entering Tibet.

After the issuance of the Chinese Visa, the Tibet Travel Permit application can proceed.

You will need both of the before going to Tibet.

Getting to Tibet from Nepal

The procedure for travellers entering Tibet from Nepal is different.

If you are entering Tibet from Kathmandu you will need a special Chinese Group Visa. If you are entering Tibet from Nepal, a standard Chinese Visa issued in some other country before cannot be used.

Chinese Group Visa is issued through Chinese Visa Application Center in Kathmandu after arrival in Nepal.

Our team will fully guide you and help with all arrangements.

Additional Permits for Restricted Areas

Other than the Tibet Travel Permit, some areas of Tibet require permits.

These additional permits might be required for locations like:

• Base Camp Everest (Tibet Side)
• Mt Kailash and Lake Manasarovar
• Shigatse Prefecture
• Tibet (Western)
• Border zones and closed zones

It depends on your itinerary, what permits you need. Mission Himalaya Treks will arrange all the necessary permits before you go.

How long does it take to process permits?

Processing a permit usually takes several working days. For this reason, we recommend you to book your Tibet tour well in advance of the planned travel date.

Booking early also gives you enough time to prepare documents and get permits approved.

Passport Requirements

Travellers must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their planned travel dates.

The passport details you provide when you apply for the permit must be exactly the same as the passport you will use to travel.

Any discrepancies may result in permit delays or travel complications.

Important Travel Details

Visa and permit policies in Tibet may change from time to time in accordance with government policies and travel regulations. Travellers should wait to make any non-refundable travel arrangements until permits have been approved.

Our team monitors the latest travel requirements and will keep you updated throughout the booking process.

Travel to Tibet with Mission Himalaya Treks

Obtaining permits for Tibet may seem complicated but with the help of experienced local assistance it is a simple process. Mission Himalaya Treks will take care of the formalities, and will give you the step-wise help before your journey.

Whether your plans are for a cultural tour of Lhasa, an overland journey across the Tibetan Plateau, a trip to Everest Base Camp or a pilgrimage to Mount Kailash, our team will help ensure that all visa and permit requirements are properly arranged.

Please contact Mission Himalaya Treks for the latest Tibet visa and permit information before booking your trip.