Travel Documents FAQ

Should I apply for a visa to visit the mainland China?

Aliens to visit China are generally required to apply for visas in advance, but the following aliens are exceptions:

• Ordinary passport holders from Singapore, Brunei and Japan can gain access to China without applying for visas for up to 15 days for business, sightseeing, visiting relatives and friends, or transit. They can enter and exit from the ports that are open to foreigners.
• The following citizens of Singapore, Brunei and Japan are also required to apply for visas before they enter into China:
  • Ordinary passport holders intending to stay in China for more than 15 days;
  • Ordinary passport holders intending to study, work, reside or gather news;
  • Diplomatic passport or Official passport holders.
• British citizens in transit China to other countries or regions may stay inside the airport (not enter into border control) for less than 24 hours without applying for visas.

Where can I apply for a visa?

• For entry into China, aliens shall apply for visas from Chinese diplomatic missions, consular posts or other resident agencies abroad authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such as Chinese Embassies or Consulates. Each Embassy or consulate has its own consular districts. Usually, applicants are required to apply for visas from the relevant Embassy or Consulate. Applicants also can apply for visas at the nearest Embassy or Consulate.
• Applicants who reside or travel away from the country of his or her nationality can apply for visas at a local Chinese Embassy or Consulate.
• Aliens who are already in China can apply for an extension of duration at a local county level Public Security Bureau.

How to apply for the Tourist Visa?

Tourist visas are generally issued to applicants who intend to visit China for sightseeing, visiting family or friends.

Requirements:

• One completely filled out Visa Application Form for the P.R. China.
• One recently taken 2X2 in. photo showing entire face and without a hat on. Please paste or stick the photo on the application form.
• Original passport with at least 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of application.
• An approval notice from China Tibet Tourism Bureau is required if you intend to travel to the Tibet Autonomous Region (Telephone number for the Tourism Bureau: 86-891-6834313, fax number: 86-891-6834632).
• An applicant born in China who is applying for a Chinese visa with his or her new foreign passport is required to submit his or her Chinese passport or last foreign passport.
• A child of Chinese descent and born in foreign country who applies for a Chinese visa for the first time is required to submit his or her Birth Certificate and foreign passport or foreign permanent resident permit of one of his or her parents.
• The following applicants may apply for multi-entry tourist visas for 12 months:
  • Applicant born in China with the record of visits to China for at least 2 times in the past year: record of visits rquired.
  • Applicant who owns a property in China: copy of certificate of property required.
  • Applicant born in China and needs to visit China frequently for health care: certificate of a doctor required.
  • Applicant whose spouse, children or parents reside in China: copy of certificate of marriage or kindred required.
  • Applicant with a record of multi-entry tourist visas: record of multi-entry tourist visas required.
  • Other applicants who were born in China and intend to visit China frequently: necessary supporting document required.

What travel documents do I need if I plan to travel to Tibet?

It depends on where you will be visited in Tibet. Generally, you need to bring a valid passport, a valid China visa and a Tibet travel permit (some may call it Tibet entry permit or TTB, or Tibet visa). If you want to visit some remote areas in Tibet (just like Mt. Everest or Mt. Kailash), you will need Alien Travel Permit (PSB) and other kinds of permits.

What should I be aware of when apply for the China Visa?

Above all, we recommend you acquire your China visa before leaving your home country. Usually, they will ask you to show your international airtickets to and out of China, and also the hotels booking.

Do I need double/multi-entry visa if I come to Tibet from China mainland and return to China mainland?

No, because Tibet is a part of China. If you enter Tibet from cities in mainland China, and after your Tibet tour, go back to cities in mainland China, a single Chinese visa is enough.

An exception is Hong Kong. If you come to mainland China from HongKong, after your staying in China, go back to Hong Kong, and then if you want to go to China for the second time, you will need a Double Entry or Multi-Entry.

What is Tibet Travel Permit?

Tibet Travel Permit (some travellers also call it TTB) is the official travel document that allows foreign tourists to enter Tibet. It is granted by the Tibet Tourism Bureau. Every foreign travellers should get it before entering in Tibet. It will be commonly checked in Tibet, for example, when check in at the airport or the hotels.

What should I provide to obtain the Tibet Travel Permit?

You should provide us with the high-quality scanned copies of your passport (the page with your photo) and China visa, please make sure the documents are visible. And the following information as well.

1. Full name
2. Gender
3. Date of birth
4. Passport number
5. Nationality
6. Occuptation (this is very important, because travel agent can not help goverment officers/journalists/diplomats to get the Tibet Travel Permits)

Is it easy to get the Tibet Travel Permit?

Travelers can get the Tibet Travel Permit easily through a travel agency except they are diplomats, journalists, and government officials who should travel to Tibet under the arrangement by the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet local government.

When do I need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit?

Usually, we need 3 working days for applying the travel permit. But if your tour is a special one (trekking, overland tours, etc), more time will be cost. But we suggest start to apply the permit at least 10 days prior to your tour date.

How far can I go if with this Tibet Travel Permit?

Tibet Travel Permit only gives you legitimacy 1) to enter Tibet, 2) to stay in Lhasa area and two another major towns, Gyantse and Shigatse. If you want to travel beyond and farther, you are required to get the PSB Permit for which we could help you to apply.

If I travel through Nepal to Tibet, are there any special restrictions on China visa?

If you entry Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal, you are required to obtain a Chinese visa in the consulate of P.R China in Kathmandu no matter whether you have got your Chinese visa in your home country, the opening time for the Consulate of P.R China in Kathmandu is only available between 9:30AM and 11:00AM on each Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is regulated by the border treaty signed between Nepal and China. A new China visa must be applied in Katmandu, and the old one automatically expires.

The Chinese visa you get in Kathmandu is a "group visa". A "group visa" is not entered in travelers' passports but is a separate sheet of paper issued in duplicate by the Chinese consulate in Katmandu, listing all members of the group. It usually allows a stay of 15 or 20 days. A "group" may be any number of travelers, and may be just one traveler. One or more travelers entering Tibet together with others may wish to have their own separate group visa so they are able to separate from the others. Obtaining a group visa requires at least two clear days in Katmandu. Please make sure your schedule fits the visa application.

With the assistance of our long-standing cooperative and reliable agency in Kathmandu, you can get your Chinese visa easily and quickly. The fastest way is that we send the Invitation Letter to Katmandu at least one day prior to your arrival in Katmandu. Chinese Visa fees: US$ 55.00 payable in cash upon arrival in Katmandu [US$ 110.00 for US Citizens].

What's the procedure to get China visa in Katmandu?

1. After you book the tour with us, provide us with the copies of your passports and other required information.
2. We will apply for the 'Visa Invitation Letter' from Tibet Tourism Bureau, after then, the TTB will fax the 'Visa Invitation Letter' to Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, at meantime, we will fax it to our Nepal partner before your arrival in Katmandu.
3. Upon your arrival in Katmandu, our Nepal partner will meet you in your hotel or airport, and then go to the Chinese Embassy together to apply for the China Visa. With the 'Visa Invitation Letter', you can get your Chinese Visa easily.

How can you send the Permit to me, or how can I receive it?

For the entry of Tibet by train, normally just a copy of the Tibet Travel Permit is available for checking in at the train station. If you fly into Tibet, we must use EMS (Express Mail Service) to deliver the Tibet Entry Permit to the hotel you will stay before arrival in Tibet. When you change for the boarding passes at the airport, you're required to show both your passports and the Tibet Travel Permit or Tibet Entry Permit.

Please note, the policy of Chinese Visa and Tibet Travel Permit is changable without notice. To get the latest information, please write to us: info@travelwestchina.com