Not only does Nepal border with Tibet, but it boasts the tourist hub of South Asia. So, a great number of tourists every year enter Tibet from Kathmandu by air or by overland.
According to the Chinese immigration regulation, travelers who enter Tibet from Nepal are required to apply for both of China Group Tourist Visa and Tibet Visa (also named Tibet travel permit). For both travel documents, individual travelers can only get them through a local Tibetan travel agency.
In this article, we will focus on how to get Tibet Visa and China Group Visa successfully for your once-in-a-lifetime Tibet Tour from Nepal.
Latest Notice: (updated on March 10 2020)
Given the current spread of Coronavirus and the global recommendations and measure of the WHO, the government of Nepal has decided to temporarily suspend visa-on-arrival for the following the nationals: (effective from 10 March, 2020 to till the date of further notice)
A. The people’s Republic of China, including Special Administrative Regions
B. Islamic Republic of Iran
C. Italy
D. Republic of Korea
E. Japan
F. France
G. Germany
H. Spain
However, nationals from the above countries, willing to visit Nepal can obtain a visa beforehand from the Nepali missions abroad. Besides, for all visa applicants to Nepal now must submit a recently issued health certificate (produced maximum 7 days earlier before your arrival in Nepal) stating that they are not infected by Covid-19 along with their visa applications. And Tribhuvan International Airport is currently the only entry-exit point for the arrival and departure in Nepal.
1. How to Get Tibet Travel Permit and China Group Visa to Enter Tibet from Nepal?
Step 1: Confirm Your Tibet Trip
Discuss your Tibet tour with our travel consultant; agree with the proposed itinerary and sign the tour contract by paying the deposit; Email the photo image of your passport to us.
Step 2: Submit Tibet Travel Permit Application
We will gather your travel information and submit your Tibet Permit application to Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB); 8-9 business days later TTB will issue Tibet Travel Permit and send the Visa Invitation to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Read more about Tibet travel permit and how to get Tibet travel permit successfully.
Step 3: Arrive in Kathmandu and Give Your Original Passport to Our Staff
You need to arrive in Kathmandu at least 4 days earlier before you enter Tibet either by flight or by road; give your original passport and personal photo and visa fee to our staff in Kathmandu and fill out the application form.
Step 4: Get China Group Visa
After our staff gets your China Group Visa, he or she will give it to you in person in your hotel in Kathmandu.
A Sample of China Group Visa
Step 5: Fulfill Your Tibet Trip
Use your China Group Visa to take the flight or travel by road to Tibet; our Tibetan guide will have the Tibet Permit ready for you and take you for a mesmerizing journey.
2.What Are Needed to Apply for A China Group Visa and Tibet Visa?
| You Prepare: | Travel Agency Prepares: |
| *Original Passport (valid up to 6 months) *Photo for Group Visa (1) *Fill out an application form *Pay the visa fee (check below) |
*Tibet Travel Permit *Visa invitation |
Since the processing of China Group Visa takes at least 3-business days, you are advised to arrive earlier in Kathmandu.
While for Tibet Permit, you need to start preparing at least 20 days before you for Nepal. All you need to do is emailing the photo of your passport information to us.
3.How Much Does a China Group Visa and Tibet Visa Cost?
| Nationality | Times of Entry | Normal Visa Fee(4 working days)(US$) | Semi Urgent Visa Fee(3 working days)(US$) |
| Nepali Citizens | Single | 76 | 115 |
| US Citizens | Single | 182 | 217 |
| Canadian Citizens | Single | 126 | 161 |
| Israeli Citizens | Single | 85 | 120 |
| Romanian Citizens | Single | 127 | 162 |
| Serbian Citizens | Single | 62 | 97 |
| Albanian Citizens & Micronesian Citizens | Single | 64 | 86 |
| Other Citizens | Single | 94 | 129 |
(Updated on Feb. 15, 2020)
Additional $20 is charged for handling China Group Visa Application in Chinese Embassy in Nepal on your behalf and delivering it to your hotel.
As to Tibet Permit, you may enjoy free service for getting your Tibet Permit.
4. How Long Does It Take to Get My China Group Visa and Tibet Visa?
Normally, it takes 4 days to process your China Group Visa in the Chinese Embassy (Mon to Fri) in Kathmandu; for an urgent visa, it only takes 3 days.
Though the processing of Tibet Permit takes 8-9 days in Lhasa,you should offer your passport information to us at least 20 days before you leave for Nepal because we need it to apply for Tibet Permit and Visa Invitation.
A Sample of Tibet Permit
5. Where Can I Get My China Group Visa and Tibet Visa?
The issued China Group Visa will be given to you in person in your hotel in Kathmandu. As to the Tibet Permit, it will be kept by your Tibetan guide throughout your Tibet tour.
6. Where Will My China Group Visa and Tibet Visa Be Checked?
You China Group Visa will be checked as you board the Kathmandu-Lhasa flight or cross the Sino-Nepal border (Gyirong port) by road to Tibet, China.
While your Tibet Permit will be kept by your Tibetan guide and he or she will show it to inspectors at different checkpoints when needed.
7. China Group Visa News and the Difference between China Group Visa and Chinese Visa.
China Group Visa News
According to the latest policy, the China Group Visa will only be issued to a tourist group which consists of at least 5 travelers. And you have to travel together both in and out of China via a pre-arranged tour with a travel agency.
However, to solo travelers, there is no need to worry about getting China Group Visa. As an international travel agency with a large number of global clients from Kathmandu, we promise to get your China Group Visa successfully.
Difference between China Group Visa and Chinese Visa
Firstly, both two visas allow international travelers to enter and exit China. The major difference is that they are used differently. To enter Tibet (TAR) from Nepal, only China Group Visa will do. Check the following table to learn more differences:
| China Group Visa | Chinese Visa |
| Accepted for Tibet Entry from Nepal | Unaccepted for Tibet Entry from Nepal |
| A sheet of paper | A stamp |
| Single entry visa | Either single or multiple entry visa |
| Maximum Validity of 30 days | Maximum Validity of 30, 60, 90 days |
| Non-renewable | Renewable |
| Issued in Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu | Issued in Chinese Embassy in Your Country |
| Apply via a local Tibet travel agency | Apply individually |
If you have a multiple-entry Chinese visa, as you apply for a China Group Visa, the previous Chinese visa will become invalid. If you want to keep it, a great solution is to fly from Kathmandu to Chengdu and later get Tibet Permit for Tibet entry.
Besides,please be aware that the China Group Visa is a special type of visa to Tibet, China. Once your name is written with other travelers, you guys have to enter or exit China at the same time.
