Foreigners go to Tibet for short-term business, not sightseeing. Do you need to go through any formalities?

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 those holding China SAR passports or visiting relatives) must apply for the "Approval Letter for Foreigners to Visit Tibet" issued by Xizang Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau [TTB] before entering the country. At the same time, it also stipulates that

-Who needs to apply for a "Travel Approval for Tibet"

1, a non-China citizen ID card holder-a tourist from Taiwan Province Province, China;

2. Non-China passport holders-foreign passport holders.

Note: Overseas Chinese who do not have a China passport also need to apply for a "Travel Approval Letter to Tibet".

Note: The requirement that Hong Kong and Macao personnel must provide the "Approval Letter for Traveling to Tibet" has been cancelled. Hong Kong and Macao tourists can travel to Tibet by themselves with China SAR passport, Home Visit Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Compatriots (issued before 1998 and valid for 10) or Mainland Pass for Hong Kong and Macao residents.

-Relevant regulations on foreigners' travel to Tibet

According to the regulations of the National Tourism Administration, foreign tourists, tourists from Taiwan Province Province and overseas Chinese (except those holding 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, you must travel in groups in an organized and planned way.

Any organized overseas travel team must apply to Tibet Tourism Bureau and its local office for a letter of approval to enter Tibet. For overseas individual tourists who wish to enter Tibet, Xizang Autonomous Region Tourism Bureau has set up offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Golmud to take charge of overseas individual tourists.

-How to apply for the "Approval Letter for Foreigners to Visit Tibet"?

Visa: Overseas tourists need to apply for a Chinese visa at the local embassy (consulate) of China, except countries that have concluded visa-free agreements with China.

-Letter of approval for applying for Tibet tourism;

Please submit your basic information (including name, nationality, age, gender, occupation, passport number), route to Tibet, approximate travel time, travel intention, contact telephone number and other information through the local travel agency or directly to the designated office of Tibet Tourism Bureau. At the same time, fax or email us a copy of the first page of your passport and your visa, and you will get the relevant confirmation procedures for entering Tibet within 2-4 days.

After receiving a copy of the guest's passport and visa, you can usually sign the "Letter of Approval for Foreigners to Travel to Tibet" immediately. Although it only takes three working days to examine and issue this approval letter for entering Tibet, considering the arrangement and reservation of tourist matters related to the guests, please go through the application formalities as soon as possible so as to confirm the relevant information such as travel route, time and place.

Don't take any chances and get away with it! Being caught has serious consequences, you know!