Basic info: There are overall four documents required for foreign tourists who want to travel freely in Tibet. 1)One is the Chinese Visa, which you can apply for in Chinese Embassy in your country, 2)one is Tibet Permit, which you have to obtain it in order to enter Tibet, 3)one is the Travel Permit when you are planning to travel to the closed areas in Tibet which you can obtain it after you arrive in Tibet, 4）and the other is the Military Permit, which you have to obtain if you are planning to travel to some military sensitive areas.   

Passport & Visa 

All individuals entering Tibet must hold a passport valid for at least six months. If you are entering Tibet from China, your Chinese visa will be valid, though only travelers with tourist visas (not business, resident or student visas) are permitted. Entering Tibet from Nepal, either by friendship highway or by air requires a separate visa valid for Tibet from the Chinese embassy in Katmandu (30-60 day visas are the norm and it normally takes 2 week days to obtain it.). You may apply for a group visa from travel agent.

Tibet Entry Permit

Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) Permits are necessary for entry to Lhasa or any other part of the Tibetan Autonomous Region, and are obtained through tour operators as part of arrangements for travel.

Tibet Travel Permit

What's Travel Permit?

Travel Permit, also called Aliens' Travel Permit (A.T.P), is required to visit closed areas.It is issued by Foreign Affairs Section of the Local Public Security Bureau (PSB).The Law on the Control of Entry and Exit of Foreigners (Order of the President of the People's Republic of China (No.31), 22.11.1985, Chapter 4), says:

1.Article 20: Foreigners who hold valid visas or residence certificates may travel to places declared open to foreigners by the Chinese Government.

2.Article 21: Foreigners who desire to travel to places closed to foreigners shall apply for travel permits from local public security organs [i.e., the police].

How to apply for it?

Usually the travel agent can help you. They will ask you for your passport and the Tibet Permit then submit it to the Foreign Affairs Section of PSB. It normally takes several hours and the cost is 50 RMB/person.

Which parts of Tibet are listed as the closed areas?

At the present, you have to apply for a Travel Permit if you are planning to visit the following places:

1.Tsetang: Samye Monastery, Tomb of Tibetan King, Changdruk Temple, Yumbulakhang

2.Shigatse: Sakya Monastery, The MT Everest, Rongbuk Monastery

3.Nqari Region

4.Basumtso lake in Nyingchi Region

5.Chamdo Region

Military Permit

Military Permit is required if you are planning to travel to Ngari, Nyingchi, and Nagqu which are regard as the military sensitive areas in Tibet. It is issued by the Military office in Lhasa and we will need you to provide your passport, Tibet permit to apply for it. It normally takes 1-2 week days and the cost is 100 RMB/person.