Tibet Travel Permit
There are two kinds of permits for traveling in Tibet: the entry permit (TTB permit) and the Alien's travel permit (PSB permit) which can be arranged from TREKKING MART.
Tibet Entry Permit (TTB Permit)
Overseas tourists (Non-Chinese passport holders) and Taiwanese must, in addition to their visa, obtain a Tibet Entry Permit issued by the TTB. Tourists can join a group organized by a travel agency, which will usually handle the permit for them. For individual tourists the offices of the TTB will do it for you. One can only obtain the permit where he or she departs for Tibet. Visitors to Tibet from Chengdu, Golmud, Xian, Chongqing, and other places can only buy their airplane, train, or coach ticket and check in at the airport by submitting the original permit. And visitors from Katmandu still need the permit to obtain a paper visa or a signature on your visa from the Chinese Embassy in Nepal to buy their airplane ticket and enter Tibet. While in Tibet, one is not allowed to travel alone even with the permit.
The necessary materials to apply for the Tibet Permit are similar to those demanded for a visa. They include one's basic information, such as name, nationality, age, gender, passport number, occupation (journalists and diplomatists are excluded as common tourists to Tibet), tour itineraries, general tour schedule, and phone number, as well as a copy of the visa and the first page of the passport. The permit usually takes 2 days to issue. However, it is best to allow at least two weeks for mailing and processing. After receiving the permit we can arrange the tickets, hotels, and your tour.
Alien's Travel Permit (PSB Permit) :
If you plan to travel into the closed areas of Tibet, such as Tingri, Dromo, Nyalam, Nhagartse, or Purang and Pemako counties, you must further apply for an Alien's Travel Permit which is issued by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) of Tibet. The opened areas of Tibet currently only cover about 16% of the whole region, so apply for one if you plan a deep exploration of the land. These documents can also be done by Seven Peaks. The information you need to submit is similar to those required for the Tibet Entry permit.
Other Permits :
Travel into sensitive borders such as Mt. Kailash and Eastern Tibet still needs permits from the Military Area and Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet. Besides, a permit from the local Cultural Antique Department is also needed if you go to Tholing Monastery , Ruins of Guge Kingdom (Tsaparang) in Ngrai.
The government of Tibet is preparing to simplify these procedures now so this mysterious land can be unveiled to the world. Soon traveling to Tibet will be less of a headache.
VISA FOR TIBET :
For obtaining the Tibet Visa in Kathmandu Seven Peaks will need a minimum of 3 clear working days and the clients will have to reach Kathmandu accordingly. As an information, the Chinese Embassy is open on every Mondays, Wednesday & Friday for one hour only. Tibet Visa Fee: US$ 45 for all nationalities accept for US Passport holder the cost is US$ 98.
