Planning to visit Tibet sometime soon? One of the most
important things you will need for your trip is the tour permit, which is also
known as the ‘Tibet travel permit,’ ‘Tibet Entry Permit’, or the ‘Tibet Visa.’
It is essential for every foreign visitor to the country because it serves as
your entry pass to board the train or a flight to Lhasa. Only the TTB (Tibet
Tourism Bureau) can issue the Tibet
tour permit, which will show your tour date, group number, tour
operator, number of travelers, and the daily itinerary. The travel group list
is also covered by the permit, and you need to always have it with you to get
into Lhasa and any other areas of the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Here are the
other things you must know about it:
- Where to get it – You
cannot get the Tibet tour permit by
yourself. Only tour operators will be able to acquire it for you, so you need
to find a reputable and trustworthy travel agency to assist you with that.
- Who needs it – The
National Tourism Administration advises all international tourists to get a
Tibet travel permit before they are allowed to enter the country. All tourists
can acquire it through a reputable Tibet tours operator or travel agency, but
if you are a government official, journalist, or diplomat, you need to see the
Tibet Foreign Affairs Office for it.
- Chinese visa requirement –
Tibet is among China’s provinces, so you need to get a Chinese Visa before you
get your Tibet tour permit. It
is also the ‘L visa’ for international tourists. The travel agency should be
able to help you with this.
- When it is necessary –
The travel permit is essential throughout your trip, so keep it with you until you arrive in Tibet. You will be asked to show it when you
check-in for your train ride or flight to Lhasa. Once you arrive in Lhasa, you need to give your original
Tibet permit to the local guide who is leading your trip as he needs to show it
at the checkpoint when you are traveling by road in a group.
