Almost every foreign visitor to Tibet needs a Tibet Travel Permit arranged in advance. It is not something you collect on arrival at the airport. Our Lhasa office prepares the paperwork once dates, passport details and your route are clear.
The basics
You will usually need a valid Chinese visa (or a visa-free entry route that still allows Tibet travel), plus the Tibet Travel Permit itself. Journeys toward Everest, Mount Kailash or parts of eastern Tibet can require additional permits. We list those when we propose an itinerary so there are no surprises mid-trip.
Timing
We ask for passport scans early — ideally several weeks before departure. That gives time for corrections if a name is misspelled or a date shifts. Once permits are issued, last-minute route changes can be difficult, so we lock the outline before you fly.
If you are joining a fixed departure or travelling privately, the permit process is the same in principle: clear dates, clear names, and a realistic route. Tell us where you want to go and we will confirm what paperwork applies.
