Obtaining a Tibet Visa for Indian travelers can be a complex process, but with our comprehensive guide, you can navigate through it smoothly. This article aims to provide the most up-to-date and detailed information on how Indian citizens can obtain a Tibet Visa (Tibet Travel Permit), covering crucial aspects such as required documents, application procedures, and important considerations. Read on to get inspired for your next trip to Tibet.

Do All Indians Need a Tibet Visa or Tibet Travel Permit?

Yes, it is mandatory for all international travelers, including Indians, to obtain a Tibet Travel Permit before entering Tibet. The Tibet Travel Permit, also known as Tibet Visa, serves as the initial permit you will need to visit the plateau.

The Tibet Travel Permit is issued by the Tibet Tourism Bureau and acts as a pre-condition for obtaining other required documents for Tibet tours. Without it, it is not possible to take a train or plane from mainland China to Tibet, nor can you cross the border from Nepal to Tibet.

Additionally, individual applications for the Tibet Travel Permit are not permitted. It can only be obtained through an authorized local Tibet travel agency, like us.

How to Get Tibet Travel Permit for Ordinary Indian Citizens?

In accordance with the different destinations in Tibet, the requirement of a Tibet Visa for Indian passport holders is correspondingly distinguishing. Generally, Indian travelers to Tibet are classified as ordinary Indian tourists and Indian pilgrims.

If you are an ordinary Indian tourist with Indian Passport and planning to visit Tibet without heading to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, the application procedure for a Tibet Travel Permit is the same as that of other international tourists.

Specifically, you simply need to book your tour with us, confirm your travel itinerary, and email us the photocopies of your valid passport and Chinese Visa. We will take care of the rest.

The application procedure for the permit typically takes 8-9 business days, and we will deliver the permit to you after it is issued. To ensure successful travel, especially during peak tourism in Tibet, we highly recommend contacting us for the application at least 20 days prior to your arrival.

If you plan to enter Tibet from mainland China, you need to first obtain a China Visa and then apply for the Tibet Travel Permit through us. You can travel to Lhasa from cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Xining, and others by taking the Qinghai-Tibet train, which is the highest train route in the world, or by flying.

If you are entering Tibet from Nepal, you need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit and obtain a Chinese Group Visa, which is issued at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. We can assist you in handling these documents for a worry-free Nepal to Tibet tour.

How to Get Tibet Travel Permit for Indian Pilgrims?

The Indian pilgrims come to Tibet mainly for pilgrimage around Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. In fact, if you are an Indian passport holder, even though you are not a pilgrim, you will be treated as a pilgrim when you plan to visit Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar or just cross Ngari Prefecture.

The application for a Tibet Travel Permit for Indian pilgrims is a little bit special. The Foreign Affairs Office of TAR, Tibet Military Region, Armed Police Tibet Frontier Corps and the Department of Public Security of TAR work together to verify and issue the Tibet Travel Permit for Indian pilgrims. And only the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR (governmental) and Pilgrim Center (non-governmental) in Tibet can authorize the Indian pilgrimage tour. Other organizations and travel agencies are not allowed to receive pilgrims.

However, being a professional travel agency focusing on Tibet tours for many years, we can offer consulting services for pilgrims who plan to make a Mount Kailash tour.

How to Get Tibet Travel Permit for Indians with US or Other Passport?

Fortunately, if you are an Indian-American with a US passport or other passports, you won’t be taken as a pilgrim, even if you go to Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar for pilgrimage. So, you can easily book Mount Kailash tours or other Tibet tours with us. The Tibet Visa application procedure will be the same as mentioned above.

How Much Does a Tibet Travel Permit Cost for Indians?

To our clients, we are delighted to offer you our complimentary service for obtaining the Tibet Travel Permit. For ordinary Indian tourists, once you book your Tibet tour with us, we will take care of your Tibet Travel Permit, and rest assured, there is no need to worry.

What are the Other Permits Required for a Tibet Tour?

Apart from applying for Tibet Travel Permit, Chinese Visa, or China Group Visa in Nepal, ordinary Indian tourists also need to obtain an Aliens’ Travel Permit, if they plan to go to Tibetan unopened Areas, such as Mount Everest, Basum Lake in Nyingchi and so on.

However, don’t worry about it, because compared to the Tibet Travel Permit, the Aliens’ Travel Permit is much easier to obtain. This permit could be applied after you arrive in Tibet. You can apply for it at the Foreign Affairs Office either in Lhasa or Shigatse.

Joining our tour group, the professional Tibetan tour guide will help you apply for it. You just need to prepare the original Tibet Travel Permit and your passport for the tour guide, after 1 - 2 hours, you will receive your Aliens’ Travel Permit.

Conclusion

Indian travelers with an Indian passport fall into two categories when visiting Tibet. The first category includes ordinary Indian tourists who plan to visit places other than Ngari Prefecture. They are required to apply for the Tibet Visa, just like other international travelers.

The second category comprises religious pilgrims or individuals wishing to visit Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar. Even if their visit is not for religious purposes, they will still be considered pilgrims. Pilgrims require a Tibet Visa that must be jointly verified and issued by the Foreign Affairs Office of TAR, Tibet Military Region, Armed Police Tibet Frontier Corps, and the Department of Public Security of TAR.

If you have any further questions regarding the Tibet Visa for Indian travelers, please feel free to contact us or leave a comment below.