Planning a Tibet trip? Getting your Tibet travel permit and China visa is simple when you work with a registered Tibetan travel agent.
It’s smart to use a registered Tibet travel agent because it’s nearly impossible to get the permits and visa on your own. The Chinese government doesn’t issue Tibet Travel Permits directly to individuals — you can only get them through an authorized travel agency. And without these permits, you can’t board flights or trains into Tibet.
Handling the process solo can also be frustrating, aside from being time-consuming. Agents already know the system and have established connections with the right authorities, so they can speed things up and make your Tibet trip so much smoother. They know exactly which permits you need and how to avoid delays or rejections especially for restricted areas.
In short, using an agent guarantees that you meet all the legal requirements, saving you from the hassle of complicated paperwork.
A trusted agency like ours here at Tibet Shambhala Adventure can handle everything for you. That said, it’s helpful to understand exactly what goes into the visa process if you’re planning a Tibet trip so that you can make informed decisions about your trip. Here’s what you need to know:
How many kinds of Tibet travel permits do I need?
Different permits are needed based on your destination in Tibet. This is because administrative procedures and regulations vary depending on the destination. For example, for our standard tours, such as Everest Base Camp or Lhasa, you’ll need Tibet entry and road permits issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. If you’re heading to restricted areas like Mount Kailash or Eastern Tibet, you’ll need additional permits from various government departments.
How long does it take to complete a Tibet travel permit?
For regular Tibet tours, permits take about a week to process, but for restricted areas, expect the process to take up to two weeks.
How do I obtain a Tibet travel permit?
Getting a permit is easy when you work with an experienced local Tibetan agent. Tibet Shambhala Adventure has been arranging Tibet tours for over 19 years and makes the process seamless for visitors like you. We are fully registered and authorized by both the China National Tourism Bureau and the Tibet Tourism Bureau.
Does the group size affect the permit process?
No — group size doesn’t affect the permit process. Whether you’re traveling solo on your Tibet trip or with a large group, Tibet Shambhala Adventure can arrange your permits. Do you plan to stay longer? Permits can be arranged for up to two months.
Note that the government offices in Tibet process permits Monday through Friday. In general, applications are submitted in the morning, and permits are picked up in the afternoon.
Do I need to show Tibet permits at the airport or train station?
It depends.
If you’re coming from mainland China, you’ll need to show your permits at your boarding gate. Don’t worry — Tibet Shambhala Adventure will deliver the permits to your departure city.
If you are traveling from Nepal, you don’t need to show a permit at the Kathmandu airport. Your Tibetan trip guide will have everything ready when they meet you at the airport.
Are Tibet travel permits different from Chinese visas?
Yes. Tourists often mix up Tibet travel permits and China visas. If you’re traveling from mainland China, you need a China visa from your home country’s Chinese embassy. Tibet is part of China so that same visa covers your travel to both regions. After you have your China visa, you send it to your Tibetan agency, which will handle the Tibet travel permit for you. It’s not a separate visa, just a permit required to enter Tibet.
Why is it crucial to use an officially registered Tibet travel agent?
Always make sure that your travel agency is officially registered when you plan your Tibet trip. Check if they have a Tibet travel agency certificate (this is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau). The certificate must list both the company and website names exactly as registered.
For example, our travel company “Tibet Shambhala Adventure Co. Ltd” is fully and legally registered — our company name appears on the official certificate and matches the name on our website. This means that we work directly with the Tibet Tourism Bureau and other government offices. We can secure your permits and keep you updated on any changes related to Tibet travel permits and group visas.
Be careful when you’re booking a Tibet trip online. Many websites that claim to be selling Tibet tours are actually not official Tibet travel companies. These sites often operate from mainland China and then buy permits from legitimate agencies. This puts your Tibet trip at risk since the Chinese government or Tibet Tourism Bureau does not recognize these unregistered companies. And without proper registration, you, as a tourist, will have zero protection if something goes wrong.
To be safe, book here on our official website. We look forward to arranging your Tibet trip and making sure that your experience is smooth and your holiday pleasant.