Do I Need an Aliens' Travel Permit for Tibet? A Quick Guide to Check
You might think having a valid passport, Chinese visa, and Tibet Travel Permit is enough—but there's one more thing to confirm: Do you need an Aliens' Travel Permit? The answer depends on where you want to go, because not all areas of Tibet are equally accessible to foreign visitors. Some spots only require your basic documents, while others demand this extra permit (issued by China's Public Security Bureau). Let this quick guide help you figure it out easily, based on your itinerary.
Step 1: When You Don't Need Aliens’ Travel Permit—Sticking to Lhasa's Core Areas
If your entire Tibet trip stays within Lhasa's fully open areas and you only visit well-known downtown attractions, you won't need an Aliens' Travel Permit. This includes:
Exploring top Lhasa spots like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street, Drepung Monastery, and Sera Monastery—all of which are open to foreign tourists with just basic documents.
For these plans, all you need is your valid passport, Tibet Travel Permit and Chinese visa. No extra permit is required—you can enjoy Lhasa's charm hassle-free.
Step 2: When You Do Need the Permit—Leaving Lhasa for Most Other Areas
If you want to go beyond Lhasa to explore the stunning spots, you must apply for an Aliens' Travel Permit. Most areas outside Lhasa are either “border regions” or “partially open areas,” and this permit is mandatory for foreign visitors to protect local culture and manage tourism. Key places that require it include:
Natural attractions: Nagqu's Sape Glacier, Shigatse's Everest Base Camp, Ngari's Mount Kailash/Lake Manasarovar, Nyingchi's Basum tso Lake, and the Tibetan villages around Yamdrok Lake in Shannan.
Cultural/religious sites: Ngari's Guge Kingdom Ruins, Tsedang's Samye Monastery and Yumbulakhang (Tibet's oldest palace), Gyangtse's Pelkor Chode Monastery & Kubum Stupa, and Shigatse's Sakya Monastery & Rongbuk Monastery.
Border counties: Dingri County in Shigatse (home to Mt. Everest) and Purang County in Ngari (near Mount Kailash).
In short: If your itinerary includes anything outside Lhasa, assume you'll need this permit—it's better to be prepared than to miss out on these amazing places.
Step 3: How & When to Get Aliens’ Travel Permit?
You don't need to apply for the Aliens' Travel Permit before leaving your home country. It's processed after you arrive in Lhasa. The cost is around 50 RMB per person (roughly 7 USD), which is usually included in most Tibet tour packages—so you won't have to handle the payment separately.
Even better: Your local Tibetan travel agency will take care of the process for you. Their staff will help collect your documents, submit the application to the Public Security Bureau, and get the permit for you. All you need to do is cooperate with them—no running around government offices!
Step 4: What Documents You Need to Submit for Aliens' Travel Permit?
To apply for the Aliens' Travel Permit, you'll only need two key things:
1.Your valid passport.
2.Your Tibet Travel Permit.
Conclusion
We promise to lay out every detail of your Tibet trip—permits included—no fine print, no surprises.
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35 Comment ON "Do I Need an Aliens' Travel Permit for Tibet? A Quick Guide to Check"
Asked by Liliana Me** from Macau
plan a 7-8days trip for me and my boyfriend in April
Hi! I would like to plan a 7-8days trip for me and my boyfriend in April (3rd to 10th ideally) to Nepal, Tibet, and, if possible, Bhutan. Do you think it would be doable? Based on what I read, there are some places/things to do to consider: Nepal: Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit, ancient temples, sacred sites like Lumbini, Kathmandu, Tibet: The Potala Palace in Lhasa and the Jokhang Temple. eventually the holy Mount Kailash or the high-altitude plains. Bhutan: Thimphu, Paro, and the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. To take part in cultural traditions, yoga, meditation... Of course I am open to any recommendations you could make. For your reference, we are both based in Asia: him, in Bangkok and myself in Macau. Thank you so much for the information you could provide and, if possible, an estimated budget for your offer.
Asked by Ke** from Singapore
Cycling Tour to Mt Kailash
Hi , we are planning a Cycling Trip once Tibet opens for Tourism. The plan is we shall arrive to Kathmandu , travel to the border and enter via Kerung. Can you pls send a day to day Itinerary starting from Kerung - Lake Manasarovar - Darchen - Asthapath. We shall go around Kailash on foot and resume Cycling back to Kerung. We are a Group of 6-8 persons. Thanks Pls send ur reply to Kevin
Asked by Debo** from USA
Please can you tell me the prices and dates for the Tibet Luxury Tour.
Also, could you please provide a detailed itinerary - I want to see how many hours are spent on buses/vehicles. Thank you! Deborah
Asked by S** from HongKong
Tibet Tour from HK
May I know if holding Mainland Travel Permit for HK Residents. is it also need to get the visa permit to Tibet and what is the procedure if need to apply? Thank you
Asked by Na** from USA
Is Kailash Mansarovar Trip open for Indian Passport Holder?
Is it open for Indian Passport Holder?
Asked by A** from Singapore
Enquiry on private tour
We are planning a trip from Hong Kong to Tibet during the 12th to 21st of April. We want a private tour that covers all the scenic places as well as the EBC. Please advise an itinerary along with the cost breakdown. Thanks.
Asked by Na** from Canada
We would like to take the train from Xining to Lhasa
Asked by Gr** from Canada
The "Tibet Entry Permit" should be apply
Asked by Tam** from Singapore
Sightseeing Potala Palace
Asked by Ka** from Singapore
plan to travel to Mount Kailash