Q: When I apply for a Chinese visa, the application form asks me where I should go in China, should I write down Tibet?
A: The "itinerary" part on the Chinese visa application form is for reference only. Even if you didn't mention Tibet in the application form, you can still come to Tibet. I suggest you to write something simple, like "Spending 2 weeks in Kunming (Yunnan), 2 weeks in Lijiang (Yunnan)". However, if you mention "Tibet" in your visa application form, your visa will probably be denied by the Chinese embassy. DO NOT MENTION Tibet in your application, it will NOT jeopardize your trip in Tibet. It's also DEFINITELY legal to enter Tibet even if you didn't mention "Tibet" in your visa application.
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Q: Then how to obtain a permit?
A: There are two types of permits. Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) and Alien Travel Permit (ATP). To get into Tibet, you will need the TTP; to travel around Tibet, you'll need the ATP. In the past (before February 2009), some tour agencies were willing to sell you a permit without hiring a guide, but everything was changed, you MUST join a tour now, hire a tour guide and rent a car if you want to get the permit. The permit MUST be obtained through a travel agency, you are not allowed to apply one by yourself.
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Q: What are the steps of arranging the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) through a Lhasa tour agency, via the internet?
A: As mentioned above, you need a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) to enter Tibet. This permit will take about 10 days to get. You will need to send a scanned copy of your Chinese visa and the information page of your passport to the tour agency which helped you to get the permit.
Note that even if your Chinese visa didn't have any entry stamp, you can still apply for the TTP permit.
To make it easier to understand, you should:
Get a Chinese visa anywhere first. Do not mention "Tibet" in the visa application.
Contact a tour agency in Lhasa.
Send the scanned copy of your Chinese visa plus the information page of your passport to the agency.
Enter China.
The tour agency will send you either a photocopy or a real copy of the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) by Delivery service.
Enter Tibet either by flight or train.
**If you enter Tibet by train, a photocopy of the permit is required. If you enter Tibet by flight, a real copy of permit is required.
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Q: I'm working in China, would this make any difference when applying for the permits?
A: Depends on what type of Chinese visa you are holding, if you are using the tourist visa (type L), it's totally okay.
For other types of visa, see below:
Tourist (L) visa - no additional documents are rquired.
Visiting (F) visa - a letter of recommendation from your company (with the official company seal).
Business (Z) visa - a letter of recommendation from your company (with the official company seal) and a scanned copy of your work permit (issued by the government).
Student (X) visa - a letter of recommendation from your school or university, with the school stamp (seal) and a scanned copy of the student ID card.
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