Can foreigners go to Tibet freely?

At present, foreigners are not allowed to travel freely in Tibet, which must be handled through travel agencies.

Foreign guests traveling in Tibet must be organized, that is, they must have a reception unit and a definite travel itinerary, and go to the office of Tibet Tourism Bureau to handle the "Confirmation Letter of Entering Tibet". With this confirmation letter, they can go to the airline to buy tickets to Tibet and check in.

1. According to national laws and regulations, in view of Tibet's special ethnic traditions, cultural relics and ecological environment protection needs, as well as Tibet's traffic conditions, tourism service facilities and reception capacity, the government stipulates that non-China citizens, namely foreign tourists, tourists from Taiwan Province Province and overseas Chinese (except Hong Kong and Macao residents with China SAR passports or home visit permits) must apply for the "Approval Letter for Foreigners to Visit Tibet" issued by Xizang Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau [TTB] before entering Tibet.

2. According to the regulations of the National Tourism Administration, foreign tourists, tourists from Taiwan Province Province and overseas Chinese (except Hong Kong and Macao residents with China SAR passports or home visit permits) are not allowed to travel by themselves during their stay in Tibet. No matter how many guests there are, we should organize tours in an organized and planned way. Remarks: Travel agencies can't organize foreign individual travelers, so please organize foreign individual travelers to be received by our agency. All foreign guests' groups are received as independent groups. There is no limit to the number of foreign guests and the nationality of members. One person can also make a trip, and there can also be domestic tourists in the team. )

Three. A brief process of applying for a letter of approval to enter Tibet (letter of approval to enter Tibet):

First, prepare the required documents:

1, passport+visa (for foreign guests who are suitable for inbound tourism, it is generally a tourist visa, L type).

2. Passport+residence permit+company work certificate (suitable for foreign guests working in China).

B, please confirm the route in and out of Tibet, travel time, scenic spots, reception standards and the number of teams, and provide them to our agency together with the convenience of contact. We will give the detailed quotation of this team according to the specific itinerary and feedback it to the tourists for confirmation.

C. After the team's itinerary is confirmed, our agency will handle the approval letter for entering Tibet in a unified manner. The processing time also depends on the itinerary. Generally, it takes about five days to review and issue the routine itinerary. If you are going to a closed area (Note: The Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is not open to foreign guests, please do not apply for traveling to this area. ), it will take half a month to approve. In view of the arrangement and reservation of tourist matters related to guests, such as air tickets, hotels, tour guides, vehicles, etc., please go through the application procedures as soon as possible so as to get the corresponding confirmation on the relevant information such as the travel route, time and place to Tibet.

D. After applying for the issuance of the approval letter to Tibet, our agency will deliver the documents to the tourists according to the team's itinerary. A group that enters Tibet by train only needs the fax of the approval document to buy a ticket and get on the bus. For teams entering Tibet by plane, our agency needs to express the original approval letter to tourists, and only team members can board the plane and enter Tibet with the original.

E. Other supplementary explanations:

1. Visitors to Lhasa, Shigatse and Namco scenic spots only need a letter of approval to enter Tibet.

2, Linzhi, Mount Everest and other scenic spots, in addition to the approval letter to Tibet, you also need to apply for a travel permit, the official fee is 50 yuan/person.

3. Non-open areas such as Bomi, Shannan and Ali. It also needs the approval of the military region, and the processing time takes about half a month, so please go to these places for team confirmation more than 20 days in advance.

4. According to the complexity of the procedures required for the team trip, our agency charges a certain handling fee.

5. Overseas Chinese, Taiwan compatriots and foreign guests need to apply for a "confirmation of entry into Tibet". Compatriots from Hong Kong and Macao can travel in Tibet like domestic guests with valid home visit permits, and there is no need to apply for a "confirmation letter for entering Tibet". Foreign guests, overseas Chinese and Taiwan compatriots may go to the office of Tibet Tourism Bureau or entrust a travel agency with their valid passports (photocopies), visas (photocopies) and personal work certificates. Generally, you can go through the formalities within one week, and it will be expedited for 2-3 days.

I hope I can help you.