Every traveler who wanted to visit Tibet from Nepal should obtain Tibet Group Visa (TGV) before the travel date. Based on our experience of operating Tibet tours for more than a decade, we describe everything that you will need to know to process for Tibet Group Visa (TGV).
Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet
Nepal offers different high-altitude trekking opportunities, including the expedition to the world’s highest, Mount Everest (8848m). Kathmandu is the tourist hub for those planning multi-country tours like Bhutan, Tibet, China, and India. Especially the three-country time of Nepal and Tibet Bhutan is famous, and tourist prefers to start and end the trip from Kathmandu. Also, tourists take side trips to Tibet and Bhutan after completing their trekking in Nepal, such as the Annapurna Base Camp trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, etc.
Suppose you are planning to travel to Tibet. In that case, we recommend starting the trip from Kathmandu, as there are options like group tours and customizable private tours at a reasonable price. Also, it is easier to process the Tibet Group Visa (TGV) from Kathmandu, and you do not require a Chinese Visa. Therefore, it is essential to know how to process the visa and how long it does take.
Mount Everest from the Tibet side (North Face)
The permit for your trip to Tibet will be processed through the local tour operator, which takes a minimum of 5-7 working days to a maximum of 2 weeks. When you confirm the tour itinerary with the price, you will be required to send your passport copy to your tour operator to go ahead. Once the Tibet permit is issued in Lhasa, the local Tibet tour operator forwards the confirmation of the invitation letter to the Kathmandu-based tour operator. TGV can only be processed after the Kathmandu-based tour operator receives a Confirmation of invitation letter from Tibet and then apply for TGV along with your original passport.
Tibet Group Visa (TGV) is a special paper visa for traveling to Tibet from Kathmandu. TGV is a single entry paper visa and valid for approx. 30 days. It would help if you had TGV to travel to Tibet from Kathmandu by flight or road. You can also travel to mainland China from Lhasa by TGV but with conditions. If you are traveling to Tibet from Kathmandu, you do not require obtaining a Chinese visa in your home country – TGV has equal validity as a Chinese visa but you are obliged to travel in a group even in China as stated in the TGV.
Confirm the Tibet trip along with the tour itinerary, price, and dates through your tour operator (local or international). Make sure you have enough time to process the permit and visa (at least one month before the travel date). You must send your color-scanned passport copy to your tour operator.
The local tour operator in Lhasa will process for Tibet Travel Permit, which takes a minimum of 5-7 working days to a maximum of 15 working days. Once the permit is issued, the local tour operator will send a Confirmation of invitation letter to the Kathmandu-based tour operator. The invitation letter includes your confirmation number and personal information according to your passport.
To process for TGV, you must arrive in Nepal at least three working days before the departure date (Saturday and Sunday are off days). Your original passport must be submitted to the Embassy of China in Kathmandu along with your visa application form and Tibet Invitation letter. TGV will be ready within 3-4 working days if everything is in order. The TGV comes in A4 Sized papers (two identical copies, one for entry and another for exit); make sure your personal information is correct and the Embassy stamp is made on your paper visa before you start the journey.
Now, you are all set to leave for Tibet by flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa or by road from the Kyirong border. This is how you successfully complete the Tibet Group Visa (TGV) processing from Kathmandu.
Tibetan Highway
• Confirmation of Invitation Letter – Your Kathmandu-based tour operator will receive the confirmation of the invitation letter from Tibet that includes the Visa number, your approved travel date, your name, DOB, Passport Number, and nationality.
• Visa Application Form – The forms are readily available at the Embassy of China in Kathmandu – the TGV application form is as same as the Chinese Visa form. The visa application form should be filled in by the clients themselves or by the agent on your behalf – Make sure all the information given in the form is CORRECT.
• Recent MPR size photograph with white background – You can take a photograph in Thamel or near the Embassy – this can be ready in 10-15 minutes, or you can bring it home.
• Return Flight or train tickets, tour itinerary: Your flight ticket to/from Lhasa or mainland China along with your day-to-day itinerary of the Tibet tour.
• Photocopy of your Passport – Get ready one photocopy of your passport.
• Existing Chinese visa copy, if you have already – You have to make a copy of your existing Chinese visa. Note that the existing Chinese visa will get canceled and re-issued with a Paper visa as TGV. If you already have a multi-entry China visa, reconsider traveling from Mainland China instead of Kathmandu.
– After the visa application is submitted, you will be requested to present at the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu for a Biometric process.
Note: The visa should be processed through the tour operator based in Kathmandu; your tour operator will help you process the TGV.
| Nationality | No. of Entry | Tibet Group Visa (TGV) Fee – Urgent |
| Nepalese | Single | USD 115.00 Per Person |
| American | Single | USD 185.00 Per Person |
| Canadian | Single | USD 145.00 Per Person |
| Romanian | Single | USD 145.00 Per Person |
| Others | Single | USD 125.00 Per Person |
*Updated in January 2024; the Structure of Tibet Group Visa (TGV) Fee can be changed without prior notification. The given fees include agency service charges as well.
Please read: While your TGV is under processing at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, DO NOT leave the Kathmandu valley. Inform the tour operator if you have a plan to go away for trekking and tours as soon as you apply for the TGV. Sometimes, you may need to be present at the Embassy if the visa officer wants you to be interviewed.
• 7 Nights 8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Tour – Fixed Departure every Saturday
• 7 Nights 8 Days Kathmandu Everest Base Camp Lhasa tour
• Kathmandu Mount Kailash Overland Tour– 14 days
• Lhasa City Tour from Kathmandu – 4 days
If you are looking for private overland tours to Tibet, trekking in Tibet, Mount Kailash Tour, Lhasa & surrounding tours, there are enough rooms for customization; talk with our travel expert for more information.
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