Because of Tibet’s position in China, it is not so easy to travel to Tibet as other mainland China provinces. In addition to Tibet Travel Permit (which is used during the whole Tibet tour itinerary from your entering into Tibet to leaving from Tibet), we will also need to help you apply for other Tibet permits: Aliens’ Travel Permit or Military Permit if your destinations cover the special sites, the non-open areas or border area in Tibet.

Aliens’ Travel Permit

1. What is Aliens’ Travel Permit?

Aliens’ Travel Permit is a “must” paper for an international traveler whose Tibet itinerary covers the special site, the non-open area or border area in Tibet. It is issued by the local Public Security Bureau so also known as PSD permit.

Usually, one group will have a Aliens’ Travel Permit paper together for the rest of itinerary. On the permit, tour destinations, travel date and traveler’s information will be listed.

2. Which places to Use Aliens’ Travel Permit

If your Tibet tour only contains Lhasa city and around, Nyingchi downtown, Tsedang downtown, Gyantse and Shigatse, Namtso Lake, you do not need Aliens’ Travel Permit.

But if your Tibet tour contains these two special sites: Basumtso Lake in Nyingchi, Samye Monastery in Tsedang, or remote regions of Tibet, such as: Tingri Everest Base Camp, Ngari Mount Kailash, Bomi, etc, we will need to help you apply for Aliens’ Travel Permit.

The remote regions includes:
Shannan Prefecture: Samye Monastery
Shigatse Prefecture: Sakya Monastery, Mount Everest, Rongbuk Monastery, etc.
Ngari Prefecture: Mount Kailash, Manasarovar Lake, etc.
Nyingchi Prefecture: Basumtso Lake, Bomi, Ranwu Lake, etc.
Qamdo Prefecture (not open)

3. How to Apply for Aliens’ Travel Permit

No trouble at all. It is quite easy. During the Tibet trip, your Tibetan tour guide will remind you to give your passport to him/ her and he/ her will help you get it. It normally takes around 1-2 hours to process the permit applications.

Now the PSDs in Lhasa, Nyingchi, Gyantse and Shigatse can issue the Aliens’ Travel Permit for the group. But usually, the PSD in Nyingchi issues the permit for group to Basumtso Lake and Bomi region, the PSDs in Gyantse and Shigatse issue the permit for group to Mount Everest and Ngari prefecture, and the PSD in Tsedang issues the permit for group to Samye Monastery.

Aliens' Travel Permit

Military Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit and Frontier Permit

1. What is Military Permit? What is Foreign Affairs Permit?

Military Permit is a permit for international travelers whose covers “sensitive” areas of Tibet under military control. The Foreign Affairs Permit and Frontier Permit are filed in Foreign Affairs Department. They are together.

2. Which places to use Military Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit?

If your itinerary contains the following regions, we will need apply for Military Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit. They are:
Ngari Prefecture: Mount Kailash, Manasarovar Lake, etc. Also for overland group from Xinjiang to Tibet.
Nyingchi Prefecture: Bomi, Ranwu Lake, etc. Also for overland group from Sichuan or Yunnan to Tibet.
Qamdo Prefecture (not open)

3. How to Apply for Military Permit

Both of Military Permit and Foreign Affairs Permit is applied for by us from Foreign Affairs Department. Usually we have got it before you start Tibet trip. It often takes 15-30 days. Therefore, if you will visit the above regions, please try to send your passport and China visa copies to us 30 days in advance.

Frontier Pass for Chinese people holding China’s ID Card or Home Return Permit

Frontier Pass

The Frontier Pass is also known as the Border Permit (边防证). It is required for Chinese persons holding China’s ID Card or the residents of Hong Kong and Macau holding Home Return Permit (Chinese: 回乡证), whose Tibet itinerary contains the western Tibet Ngari prefecture or the border, such as Mount Everest, Gyirong Border~ Motuo area. After you book Tibet tour with us, we can help you apply for it from PSD in Lhasa. It takes one days to process.