All tourists visiting Tibet
requires valid China visa & a special Alien Travel Permit, which
they can obtain only by joining tours organized by recognized travel
agencies. Those who arrive in Kathmandu with a Chinese visa issued
by Chinese Consulates outside of Kathmandu will find it useless for
entry into Tibet.
There is no minimum group size requirement for traveling into Tibet.
As long as one is traveling in an organized tour visa will be issued
for even individuals. Please note Tibet visa regulations often change
& hence given information may not be true at the time when you
travel.
Diplomatic passport holders must get clearance from Beijing for travel
into Tibet, which often takes long time. It is advisable to travel
on non-diplomatic passports, if you have one.
We require at least 7 days notice to process your Tibet visa via Lhasa
& at least 4 days in Kathmandu for the Chinese Embassy to handle
your passport. Consular section of the Chinese Embassy is open for
business between 10-12 am on Monday, Wednesday & Friday only.
Visa can also be issued in less than 3 days upon payment of visa rush
fees. Normal group visa fee is USD 26 & visa rush fee is another
USD 17. For USA nationals the group visa fee is USD 95.
60 days Nepal visa is readily available at the Tribhuvan International
Airport or any other land entry points on payment of USD 30 visa fee.
Those traveling to Tibet, Bhutan or Sikkim & transiting through
Nepal must obtain multiple entry visa & cost USD 50. Tourists
transiting through Kathmandu & spending less than 3 days are now
issued with gratis visas. Also nationals of SAARC countries &
Peoples Republic of China are no longer required to pay visa fees. |