Aliens' Travel Permit: how to get a PSD permit offered by local travel agency

Aliens' Travel Permit, also known as "PSB Permit", is a "must" for those who are planing to travel the "unopened areas" outside Lhasa. This permit is issued by the local Public Security Bureau ( PSB ) of Tibet's different prefectures.

Aliens' Travel Permit

1. Who can apply for Aliens' Travel Permit?

All foreign tourists can apply for Aliens' Travel Permit through a Tibet local travel agency, except diplomats, journalists, and government officials who are only able to apply for it under the arrangement of the Foreign Affairs Office of Tibet Government.

2. How and when to apply for Aliens' Travel Permit?

Fortunately, Aliens' Travel Permit is quite easy to be applied for. After arrival at Lhasa, you offer your passport and Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit to your tour guide and they can deal with it for you. It normally takes you several hours and the fee is 50 yuan per person.

3. Where to apply for Aliens' Travel Permit?

Aliens' Travel Permit is issued by Public Security Bureaus in Tibet. You can apply for it in Lhasa, but they usually only offer it to groups who have arranged a tour with a registered travel agency. In addition, you can apply for it in the PSB in different prefectures of Tibet.

4. Which areas require Aliens' Travel Permit?

So far, only Lhasa and Nagqu are open and no need for travel permit, and the following regions are closed to foreign tourists. If you plan to travel there, you must apply for a Aliens' Travel Permit.

1) Tsetang County: Samye Monastery, Tomb of Tibetan King, Yumbulakhang Palace, etc.
2) Shigatse: Sakya Monastery, Mt. Everest Base Camp, Rongbuk Monastery, etc.
3) Gyangtse: Pelkor Monastery, Kubum Stupa, etc.
4) Nyingchi Region: Basumtso Lake, Pomi, Rawotso Lake, etc.
5) Ngari Region: Mt. Kailash, Mansarovar Lake, etc.
6) Chamdo Region: Chamdo, Riwoche, Tengchan, etc.

1. Who needs to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit?

All foreign tourists ( non-Chinese passport holders, overseas Chinese people, and Taiwanese ) need to apply for the Tibet Travel Permit when they plan to enter Tibet Autonomous Region.
2. Which kinds of Tibet Travel Permits do I need to travel in Tibet?

Four permits:

Tibet Tourism Bureau Permit - "TTB permit", "Tibet Entry Permit", "Tibet Visa" or "Lhasa Visa"; a must-have permission for foreign tourists entering Tibet from mainland China, Nepal or other countries.

Aliens' Travel Permit - "PSB permit"; a must permit for foreign tourists visiting the "unopened areas" out of Lhasa, such as Nyingchi region, Ngari region. Your passport and TTB permit are required for applying for.

Military Permit - a permit for those who are planning to travel the military sensitive areas in Tibet, such as the border with other countries. Traveling together with TTB permit and PSB permit.

Frontier Pass - the official permit for all travelers from home and aboard, who travel to the border between Tibet with other regions or countries.

Two visas:

Chinese Visa - "China Visa" or "China Entry Visa"; an officially approved document to foreign tourists applying for, to enter, leave or transit through mainland China.

Group Visa - a "must" for tourists entering Tibet from Kathmandu, Nepal, no mater whether you already have a Chinese Visa or not. Traveling together with other Tibet Travel Permits.
3. How to apply for Tibet Travel Permit?

Because Tibet Tourism Bureau does not accept individual applications for permits, visitors must entrust a Tibet local travel agency to apply for TTB permit, Frontier Pass and Military Permit. As a local travel agency, we can do for you. You need to contact us at contact@tour-tibet.com, book our service, tell us your detailed personal information, send us the documents: copy of your passport, copy of your China visa and work/ study certificates. Then we send your permits to your places.

Aliens' Travel Permit can be applied for after your arrival from Public Security Bureau in Tibet. But we suggest that you entrust us to apply for you, because it is much easy via our service.

Group Visa must be applied for at Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal. You need get TTB permit and Invitation Letter from Tibet local travel agency, and they entrust Nepal local travel agency to apply for Group Visa.
4. How long does Tibet Travel Permit application process take?

Usually, it can be issued in 3 - 5 working days. But if you want to travel some restricted or unopened areas like Everest Base Camp, Mount Kailash, it need several different permits, then it would take more time. If you need our service, please contact us at least 25 days prior to your Tibet tour starting.
5. How much does the Tibet Travel Permit cost?

TTB Permit is free for foreign tourists. But you need to pay $100 to $200 per person for the application service of travel agency. For us, we spend a lot on human resource to handle the application: such as sorting out travel information, preparing paper and electronic documents, dealing with several government departments, delivering the document to tourists, etc.
Alien's Travel Permit: 50 yuan per person
Military Permit: 100 yuan person
Frontier Pass: 50 yuan per person
Group Visa: different price for foreign tourists from different countries.

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