Who Needs a Tibet Travel Permit

The table shows which document holders need a Tibet Travel Permit and which don't.

a.) Non-Chinese passport holders: All foreign residents (non-Chinese passport holders), including expats living in China, need a Tibet Entry Permit to enter Tibet.

If you are a journalist visa or diplomat visa holder, your Tibet Entry Permit must be approved by the China Foreign Affairs Office, and you must travel accompanied by a foreign affairs officer.

b.) Special note for Indians: Indian nationals who wish to travel to the Ngari region (Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar) need to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit through the Tibet-India Pilgrim Reception Center, which is a non-governmental organization in India.

You are suggested to contact an Indian travel agency for more details. China travel agencies are unable to facilitate trips for Indian passport holders to Ngari, no matter whether for a pilgrimage or any other visit.

If you are not heading to Ngari, the application procedure for a Tibet Travel Permit is the same as for other international tourists.

c.) Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (MTP) holders: Residents of Taiwan need a Tibet Entry Permit, including MTP holders.

d.) Visa-free passport holders: Travelers from countries with visa-free access to Chinese mainland, nevertheless need a Tibet Entry Permit.

For example, citizens of Singapore or Japan can enjoy a visa-free stay of no more than 15 days in Chinese mainland, but they still need to apply for a Tibet Entry Permit using their passports to enter Tibet.

e.) China passport / China ID cardholders: Some people living outside of China have both a China passport and a China identity card. Many ask us which should be used to travel to Tibet.

We say… Please travel to Tibet using your China identity card so that you can visit every region in Tibet.

It is not suggested to use your China passport to visit Tibet, as you can only visit Lhasa and its nearby areas (such as Lake Yamdrok), but you will not be allowed to visit other regions including Mount Everest or Mount Kailash.

f.) HK/Macau Return Home Permit Holders: Residents of Hong Kong and Macau can travel to Tibet without a Tibet Entry Permit if they hold an HK/Macau Home Return Permit. An HK/Macau SAR visa/passport is not accepted.