How to get China Visa when traveling from Nepal to Tibet

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, is a key gateway to Tibet and serves as an excellent starting point for travelers wishing to experience both sides of the Himalayas. When planning a journey from Nepal to Tibet, understanding the travel policy is crucial. This includes knowing how to apply for the China Group Visa in Kathmandu and being aware of its cost. This article aims to provide comprehensive details about the China group visa and Tibet permit requirements for travelers going to Tibet from Nepal.

Table of the contents

1.Travel policy when going from Nepal to Tibet

2.China group visa and Tibet permit procedure with WindhorseTour

3.China group visa cost and processing time

4.Other special notes for China Group Visa

Travel Policy when going from Nepal to Tibet

Tibet, as a region of China, has specific entry requirements for foreign visitors. All foreign travelers to Tibet must obtain a Tibet Travel Permit in addition to a valid Chinese visa. Furthermore, independent travel in Tibet for foreigners is not permitted; visitors must join an organized tour led by a licensed guide.

For travelers entering Tibet from Nepal, the visa process is unique. Rather than obtaining an individual Chinese tourist visa from a local Chinese Embassy in your home country, you will need a China Group Visa. This visa is issued by the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu. Typically, the travel agency organizing your Tibet tour will assist with the application process upon your arrival in Kathmandu. The visa processing takes about 2-5 working days, so plan to stay in Kathmandu during this period.

It’s important to note that if you already have an individual Chinese Tourist Visa or any other type of Chinese visa and plan to enter Tibet from Nepal, your existing visa will be cancelled. In this scenario, you are required to apply for the China Group Visa with your passport at the Chinese embassy in Kathmandu.

(Updated in May 2024) Good news for those who qualify for China’s visa-free policy: you will not need a China Group Visa. You can proceed directly to Tibet with your passport and Tibet Travel Permit, bypassing any waiting time in Kathmandu. Your Tibetan guide will meet you at the Lhasa airport or the Gyirong border with your Tibet Travel Permit.

China group visa procedure with WindhorseTour

Here is the detailed procedure for WindhorseTour clients traveling to Tibet from Nepal:

Step 1: Upon confirmation of your booking, email us copies of your valid passports (with at least 6 months of validity remaining).

Step 2: We will submit your Tibet Travel Permit application, along with your passport copies, to the Tibet Tourism Bureau (TTB) office for recording and approval.

Step 3: Once approved, we will receive a China Group Visa invitation letter from the TTB office in Lhasa. This letter will then be sent to our partner agency in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Step 4: Plan to arrive in Kathmandu a few days before your intended travel date to Tibet, as processing the China Group Visa takes 2-5 working days (just depending on which you choose). On arriving in Kathmandu, contact our partner agency. A staff member will visit your hotel to collect your original passport and assist you with filling out the visa application form. You will also need to provide a passport photo and pay the visa application fee at this time.

Step 5: Our Kathmandu staff will return your passport, now containing your China Group Visa. With this visa, you can travel to Tibet smoothly. Upon arrival at Lhasa airport or the Gyirong border, our guide will meet you and provide your Tibet Travel Permit.

China visa cost and processing time

(Updated on 15 May, 2024)

e.g. If you are a US Citizens, the Ordinary Visa fee is 204USD (189US$+15US$) per person /Urgent Visa fee is 231 USD per person.

Ordinary  Visa processing time    => 4-5 working days  

Urgent         => minimum of 3 working days  

Top Urgent  => minimum of 2 working days  (Not available all the time, only for exceptional cases)

Agency handling charge includes =>  Logistic services – including documents pick up and drop from the hotel in Kathmandu City.

Visa Rejection Charges

If China Embassy rejects a visa due to whatever reason below charge will be levied.

Charges are categorized as per the visa category. In the case of re-apply additional charges need to be added to balance the visa fee.

Other special notes for China Group Visa

Visa Length and Visa Extensions

The Group China Visa, issued for travel to Tibet from Nepal, is a single-entry visa. It typically has a validity of up to 30 days, although in exceptional cases, it can be valid for up to 60 days. Unlike a standard Chinese Tourist Visa, the Group China Visa cannot be extended.

If your travel plans require a stay in China for more than 30 days, we recommend starting your journey from mainland China with a normal Chinese Tourist Visa. This approach allows you to first visit Tibet and then continue to Nepal. For this route, you should apply for the Chinese tourist visa at the local Chinese embassy in your country. The duration of this visa can range from 60 to 90 days, depending on your travel itinerary.

Group China Visa is not in Your Passport

Unlike the standard China Tourist Visa, which is a sticker affixed directly in your passport, the Group China Visa is a set of two full-sized paper documents. One document details your travel dates and destinations within China, and the other lists the names of all members in your group. This visa is issued collectively for your entire group, and it requires all members to enter and exit China through the same border crossing simultaneously. If your group plans to exit China from two different cities, you must inform us in advance so that we can apply for two separate Group China Visas to accommodate this need.

China Group Visa is valid for all of China

The China Group Visa obtained from the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu is valid for travel throughout all of China. This means that after completing your tour in Tibet, you are free to continue traveling to other parts of China independently. An organized tour is only mandatory for your time in Tibet; for the rest of your journey within China, you are not required to be part of a guided tour.
 

China Group Visa Entry and Exit Requirements:

The group must enter and exit China together through the same border crossing at the same time. This is a strict requirement and is essential for the validity of the group visa.

Interested in traveling to Tibet from Kathmandu? Please check out more information on this article: How to get to Tibet from Kathmandu in Nepal