1. What is the Tibet Travel Permit & Who Needs It?

The Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), officially known as the "Tibet Tourism Bureau Approval Letter," is a mandatory travel document issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau for foreign visitors.

- Who needs it:

- All non-Chinese passport holders (including citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, etc.).

- Taiwanese citizens (even with a Taiwan Compatriot Permit).

- Note: Hong Kong and Macau residents can enter Tibet using their valid Home Return Permit. They do NOT need a Tibet Travel Permit.

2. Which Nationalities Can Enter China/Tibet Visa-Free?

Please note: Visa-free entry to China does NOT mean you can travel freely to Tibet. Even if you are from a visa-exempt country and can enter specific Chinese cities (like Beijing or Shanghai) without a visa, you MUST STILL obtain a Tibet Travel Permit through a travel agency in advance.

Below are some common visa-free transit policies for specific Chinese cities (TTP still required):

- 24-hour Visa-Free Transit: Applies to citizens of all countries transiting through any city with a stay of less than 24 hours.

- 144-hour Visa-Free Transit: Applies to citizens of 54 countries including Schengen countries, the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, etc. This policy applies to travelers entering through designated ports and staying within specific regions (e.g., Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta).

The Key Point:

You can use the 144-hour visa-free policy to fly into Chengdu or Xi‘an, but your travel agency must deliver your Tibet Permit to your hotel there. Without the TTP, you will not be allowed to board your flight to Lhasa.

3. How to Get the Tibet Travel Permit?

The process of obtaining the TTP is handled entirely by your Tibetan travel agency. You cannot apply for it yourself.

The Process:

（1）Book & Confirm Your Tour in Advance:

You must confirm your booking for a Tibet tour with us at least 15-20 days (earlier is recommended) before your planned entry date to Tibet.

（2）Provide Required Documents: You need to send us clear, color scans/photos of the following:

- Your passport information page (must be valid for at least 6 months).

- Your Chinese Visa page (if you are not using a visa-free transit policy).

- If entering from Nepal, the process is different and requires a "China Group Visa."

（3）We Process It For You:

Upon receiving your documents and payment, we will submit the application to the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Processing usually takes 7-15 working days.

（4）Receive Your Permit:

Once approved, we will email you a copy and mail the original physical permit to your first hotel in China (e.g., in Chengdu, Beijing, or Xi'an). You must carry this original paper document to board your flight or train to Tibet.

Important:

Without the TTP, you cannot purchase flight or train tickets to Tibet. It is essential to plan your trip in advance with a licensed Tibetan travel agency like us.