Visa Guidelines for Tibet

Visa required before arrival

Thinking about visiting Tibet? Here’s a simple breakdown of the visa and permit process.

Travellers visiting Tibet require both a Chinese Tourist Visa and a Tibet Travel Permit.

Tibet Travel Permit Requirements

• Passport copy: Submit a clear colour scan of your passport at least 30 days before your travel date.
• Chinese visa copy: Provide a copy of your Chinese visa at least 20 days before travel.
• Permit delivery: The Tibet Travel Permit will be delivered to your hotel or designated address in a gateway city in China before your onward journey to Lhasa. The permit must be presented before boarding flights or trains to Tibet.
• Gateway city stay: It is recommended to spend at least one night in a gateway city in China before travelling to Lhasa.

Entry Options

If you are planning to visit Tibet, the visa process differs depending on whether you enter via Mainland China or Kathmandu, Nepal.

Entering Tibet via Mainland China

Chinese Visa Application

• Travellers should apply for a Chinese Tourist Visa in their home country. Supporting documentation for the Tibet portion of your journey can be provided where required.
• Once approved, Chinese visa issuance typically takes 3 days to one week, depending on the application centre and processing timelines.

Visa-Free Entry to China (Selected Nationalities)

Currently, nationals holding valid ordinary passports from certain countries may enter China visa-free for up to 30 days for purposes including tourism, business, visiting family or friends, exchange and transit. This policy is valid until 31 December 2026 (for Russia, validity is until 14 September 2026).

Eligible countries include:

Brunei, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Australia, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Slovenia, Slovakia, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Russia, Sweden, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Note: Extensions or revisions to this policy may be announced by the Chinese government.

Entering Tibet via Nepal

Travellers entering Tibet from Nepal must obtain a Chinese Group Visa/Tibet Group Visa issued in Kathmandu.

We strongly recommend obtaining your Chinese Tourist Visa in your home country, wherever possible. Applying in Nepal should be considered only if the visa cannot be secured in your country of residence.

Tibet Group Visa (TG Visa)

• Issued exclusively by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
• It is a paper visa (not stamped in your passport), valid for Tibet and mainland China.
• Processing time: Minimum 7 working days (Monday to Friday only) for both Visa approval (min 3 days) and Issuance of Visa process (min 3 days).

For Travelers with Limited Time in Nepal

If you’re entering via Nepal with a short stay:

• Apply for an online Nepal visa in advance before arrival in Nepal.
• Share a copy with us so we can start the Chinese pre-approval process early
• This may reduce processing time in Kathmandu to 3–4 days
• Note: Please note that embassy working days are from Monday to Friday (10 am to 4 pm)

Required Documents for Tibet Group Visa

• Documents Required for Visa Application
• One passport-size photo (33mm x 48mm)
• Scanned copy of passport front page
• Scanned copies of any 4 blank passport pages
• Scanned copy of previous Chinese visa (if applicable)
• Invitation letter from Xizang (Tibet)
• Detailed Tibet itinerary
• Travel history for the past 12 months (list of countries visited)
• Complete personal details for the online application

Minimum Requirement of Travellers for Group Visa

• A minimum of 4 travellers is officially required for group visa applications.
• Solo travellers can still apply; however, we must formally submit a group application for 4 persons, and the visa fee must be paid accordingly.
• Your Tibet Group Visa is valid for China as well.
• You must travel in a group throughout Tibet and China, including during entry and exit under group visa guidelines.
• Exception: In an emergency, travellers may separate from the group with official proof. Prior approval is required.

Cultural Briefing

A pre-departure or on-arrival briefing in Tibet is recommended to support cultural awareness, safety, and responsible travel practices. Briefings may be arranged virtually or in person.

Chinese Visa and Tibet Visa Validity

If applying for a Tibet Group Visa in Kathmandu, a prior Chinese visa is not required. Any existing Chinese visa may become invalid once the group visa is issued.

The Tibet Group Visa is a special single-entry Chinese visa, usually valid for the duration of the approved itinerary (typically up to 30 days). It may allow onward travel within mainland China if this is included in the application.

Travellers must share their full China itinerary and length of stay when applying. Changes, extensions or splitting the group visa are difficult and may be refused, so plans should be finalised in advance.

Chinese Embassy Holidays

The Chinese Embassy closes during several government holidays but may accept visa applications in advance and issue visas upon verifying the original passport. Urgent visa fees and necessary documents are required.