Permit for foreign nationals

Tibet Autonomous Region — Tibet Travel Permit

Permit for foreign nationals · China

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In short

For visitors: permit in advance, via an agency.

Boundary area — 1,189,527 km²
Checked against the act on 20 October 2026
Local name: 西藏旅游批准函 (入藏函)

Who may enter, and with what

Rules by group of people, as the source states them, with dates. We give no assessments of our own.

Foreign nationals — permit in advance, via an agency. Foreigners need a Tibet entry permit arranged by a travel agency; travel is allowed only as an organised group.Issued by: Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Department — through a licensed travel agency · Processing time: About 3 working days (Tibet Autonomous Region government page, 2017)Exceptions: Only as part of an organised group; independent travel is not allowed; Diplomats and journalists — through the TAR Foreign Affairs Office, at least 15 working days in advance; Border counties also require a border-area pass or an alien travel permit — arranged by the agency
Original wording
不论客人人数多少，必须有组织、有计划地组团旅游
Tibet Autonomous Region government (page on gwytb.gov.cn) · as of 6 June 2017 · checked 20 October 2026
Citizens of Taiwan — permit in advance, via an agency. Taiwan residents and overseas Chinese without a PRC passport need the same Tibet entry permit as foreigners.Issued by: Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Department — through a travel agencyTibet Autonomous Region government (page on gwytb.gov.cn) · as of 6 June 2017 · checked 20 October 2026
Citizens of Hong Kong — no permit. Hong Kong and Macau residents do not need a Tibet entry permit; their mainland travel document is enough.
Original wording
现已取消港澳地区人员进藏旅游必须提供“入藏旅游批准函”的规定
Tibet Autonomous Region government (page on gwytb.gov.cn) · as of 6 June 2017 · checked 20 October 2026

Legal basis

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Questions

Permits and restricted zones — FAQ

Do you need a permit: Tibet Autonomous Region — Tibet Travel Permit?

For visitors: permit in advance, via an agency. Foreigners need a Tibet entry permit arranged by a travel agency; travel is allowed only as an organised group.

Where do I get the permit?

Issued by: Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Department — through a licensed travel agency. The link to the official application page is in the rule above.

Will the planner see this zone on my route?

Yes: the zone has a boundary, and the trip plan will show a line if the route or an overnight stop falls inside.

Other zones: China

Border management areas of China Tibet border management area Xinjiang border management area

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