Due to Tibet’s position in China, all international travelers are required to get several permits to travel to Tibet, in addition valid passport and China Visa. This post lists all permits you will apply for based on your Tibet tour itinerary.

Tibet Travel Permit - Essential Document to Entry Tibet

Tibet Travel Permit, also known as Tibet Entry Permit or Tibet Visa, is an indispensable permit for international tourists to enter into Tibet. You will use it during your whole Tibet journey till your tour end and tour guide get it back.

Tibet Travel Permit is an official travel paper issued by Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB). All international tourists, overseas Chinese with no China’s ID card, and Taiwan citizens need get it via Tibet tour operator from TTB. But a diplomat, journalist, or a government official can not get it via tour operator. He/She need apply for it from Tibet Foreign Affairs Office.

After you confirm your Tibet tour with a travel agency, they will need to help you apply for Tibet Travel Permit. It needs at least 8 working days. So it is better to give them the copies of your passport and China Visa at least 15 days in advance. After they receive it from TTB, they will give your permit copy or original one to you. If you book your Tibet tour through us, we will also offer you a Tibet Travel Permit application for free.

Aliens’ Travel Permit - Required for Visits Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar

The Aliens' Travel Permit is an international travel document issued by the local Public Security Bureau in Tibet, also known as the “PSB Permit.” Foreign tourists do not need this permit to enter Tibet, but it is required for visiting the special site, the non-open area or border area in Tibet, such as Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in Ngari Prefecture.

Applying for the Aliens’ Travel Permit is also very simple. Like the Tibet Travel Permit, only a travel agency that arranges your Tibet tour for you can apply on your behalf. This permit is usually applied for after you arrive in Tibet, as it requires your original passport and Chinese Visa.

During your Tibet trip, your Tibetan tour guide will apply for it from local Public Security Bureau with your passport. It takes 1-2 hours.

Military Permit - Access to Ngari and Restricted Areas

Military Permit is a necessary permit for foreign travelers and Taiwan compatriots to visit “sensitive” areas of Tibet under military control, like Ngari Prefecture, etc. If you plan to travel to Tibet overland from Sichuan and pass through restricted areas, you will also need to apply for this permit.

The Military Permit is issued by the Military Affairs Office in Lhasa and must be applied for through a travel agency before entering Tibet. The processing time usually takes about 15-30 days, so we recommend that you contact us at least one month in advance to book your Tibet tour and arrange this permit.

Frontier Pass - For Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau Residents

The Frontier Pass, also known as the Border Permit, is a special document required for the residents of Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan compatriots who wish to visit certain restricted areas in Tibet, particularly those close to the Chinese border with Nepal, including Mount Everest, Gyirong, and Ngari Prefecture.

It is issued by Tibet Armed Police Border Corps in Lhasa and can only be applied by a registered travel agency in Tibet. It takes at least 1 working day to process.

Chinese Mainland travelers can apply for the Frontier Pass at the local Public Security Bureau in their place of residence or household registration, or obtain it after arriving in Tibet. In addition to a valid ID card, other certificates are also required.

For Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan travelers, the process is relatively more complicated and not as convenient as for mainland residents. Therefore, we recommend that you let a travel agency handle the Frontier Pass on your behalf to ensure a smooth process and a worry-free journey.

Climbing Permit - Needed for Everest Climb

If you plan to climb Mt. Everest in Tibet, you will need get Tibet Climbing Permit, which is also known as Mountaineering License and join in the climbing team. It need 2-3 months.

Conclusion

Some travelers prefer independent travel to Tibet without a Tibet tour and just ask for Tibet Permits application service. This is impossible. Because when applying for Tibet Permits, Tibet tour operators need to submit the tour schedule, Tibet entry and exit dates, travelers’ information, tour guide and vehicle registration license, etc.

Moreover, documents such as the Tibet Travel Permit, Aliens' Travel Permit, and Military Permit can only be applied for through a travel agency, individuals cannot apply on their own. If you have any further questions about obtaining Tibet travel permits, feel free to contact us at any time. We provide one-stop service for your Tibet trip, not only helping you obtain all necessary travel permits, but also ensuring you enjoy a perfect journey in Tibet.