Almost all PRC Embassies issue individual visas for China, which can be used for Tibet. Generally, the closer the Embassy is to China, the longer the visa they can issue. For instance, the PRC Visa Issuing Office (Formerly the PRC Embassy) in Hong Kong, which is considered by some as the best place to get a visa, gives a 3-month visa for 80 US dollars, even a 6-month visa, in two working days; Hanoi gives a 3-month visa; Islamabad, 2-month; and New Delhi, mostly 1-month, but 2-month visa possible. However, be sure to inquire if the visa starts to run out on the date of issue or not, especially the visa from Hong Kong. When you purchase your visa it is advisable not to mention that you intend to travel to Tibet or Xinjiang; Chinese consulates in Australia, England and several other countries are believed to have denied visas to travellers who have mentioned Tibet as a destination or as their port of entry on their visa application forms. For a complete list of Chinese Embassies and Consulates world wide, visit the web site of the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng. It is also recommended that when applying for a visa, do not put your profession as reporter, journalist, writer, photographer, or diplomat.

You will probably not be able to obtain an individual visa for China from the Embassy in Kathmandu unless you have proof of a ticket to China (that is, not to Tibet). These visas usually specify that they are not valid for travel in the TAR. Group visas can be obtained through tour operators.

An individual visa should says "L" at the top corner; this means tourist (Chinese: luyouzhe), family visitation or other personal reasons. An "F" Visa is issued to an applicant who is invited to China for visit, research, lecture, business, scientific-technological and culture exchanges or short-term advanced studies or intern practice for a period of no more than six months. A “Z” Visa is given to an applicant who is to take up a post or employment in China, and their accompanying family members; An “X” Visa for the purpose of study, advanced studies or intern practice for a period of six months or above; “C” Visa to crewmembers on international aviation, navigation and land transportation missions and family members accompanying them. “J-1” Visa is Issued to foreign resident correspondents in China; “J-2” Visa to foreign correspondents on temporary interview mission in China; “G” Visa for transit through China; and “D” Visa is given to some one who is to reside permanently in China.

Prior to the introduction of new regulations in 1999 it had been possible to extend a tourist visa for a short period from within Tibet. Now it is virtually impossible to get an extension inside TAR, especially Lhasa. If at all possible, one would be required to produce proof of departure at the end of the extension, such as a flight ticket to Kathmandu. Some travellers have had more luck through travel agents in Shigatse. A tourist visa could be extended at the “Foreign Affairs Section” of the Public Security Bureau (PSB) in most major cities in China, including Chengdu, Xining and Kunming.

It is irresponsible to travel in Tibet without a valid entry visa, because it could endanger Tibetans with whom you have associated. Walking across a border is particularly dangerous and unjustifiable, since you may be assumed to be a spy if you are found without a stamped entry visa. This may not affect the way you are treated, but could have very serious implications for any Tibetan whom you are seen to have met or spoken with.

Permits
To enter Tibet, it is often necessary to obtain a special permit as well as a Chinese visa. The 'Tibet Permit', which most travellers do not see, is a piece of paper with the group itinerary and some times the names of the group members. It is essential if you are planning to fly to Tibet, and is highly recommended even if you enter Tibet at a land border (see below). Permits can normally be obtained through travel agencies specialising in Tibet tours, the most reliable of which are said to be in Chengdu. It is also possible to arrange a permit with an agency in Lhasa and have it sent to you before you enter the TAR. If you are travelling in a group, it is advisable to carry a photocopy of your group permit in case you become separated from your group.

Alien Travel Permits
Local police may give special permits to individuals wishing to travel to closed areas. These are called Alien Travel Permits (ATPs). In some places ATPs may be issued on condition that tourists be accompanied by a guide. The police in Lhasa also issue ATPs and seem to be alone in being able to issue them for places outside their prefecture. However they usually only offer ATPs to groups who have arranged a tour with a registered tour operator. Permits are apparently quite easily obtained for well-known places such as Mount Kailash - but they may be expensive and/or must to be obtained through a travel agent.

In 1993 an increasing number of individual travellers were fined for arriving without an ATP in well-known but technically closed places like Kailash or Samye. At that time these routine fines were small - they were then really just fees for a permit - and usually the traveller could stay for a while in the area once these fines had been paid. Since 1996 the fines have become much larger, so it may be advisable to get a permit from the nearest open town before travelling to one of these places. Much larger fees appear to be charged on mountaineering routes used by groups in vehicles, notably at Rongbuk checkpoint leading to Everest base camp.

In 1997 the Tibet authorities produced a new regulation, which required all travellers leaving Tibet by air from Gongkar airport (Lhasa) to hand back their ATPs at the airport. Most travellers do not have an ATP (they are often retained by a tour group guide or were never needed), and so could not hand them back. These travellers were fined US $10 for not handing back their ATPs.

For certain areas an ATP may not be sufficient - other permits from the Tibet Tourism Bureau or the army may be needed as well, especially in border areas, the east and west TAR, Ngaba (Aba) prefecture and parts of Nyingtri prefecture. Travellers are usually required to hire a guide for these areas. Permits for military areas may only be obtained by a travel agent. These are classified as secret documents, and not usually shown to the foreigner.