If you are planning to visit Tibet, it is important to understand the visa process carefully. Even though Tibet is officially open to international travelers and tourism is encouraged, getting a Chinese Tourist Visa can be tricky if you do not follow specific guidelines.
For over 15 years, Chinese Embassies and Consulates worldwide have consistently rejected visa applications that mention "Tibet" as a destination. To ensure a smooth visa approval process, follow these steps carefully.
Do Not List Tibet on Your Visa Application
When filling out your Chinese visa application, do not mention Tibet or any city or town in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Listing Tibet can result in your application being denied, even if you have an official invitation letter from a travel agency.
Chinese Embassies and Consulates do not require you to list every single place you plan to visit in China. Instead, they usually ask for two or three major cities.
To avoid any issues, we recommend listing two major cities in Mainland China such as Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Shanghai, Kunming, and Guangzhou. You are free to travel to Tibet even if it is not listed on your application. Once you have your Chinese Tourist Visa, you can enter Tibet without any problems.
Providing Proof of Hotel Bookings
Most Chinese Embassies and Consulates require applicants to provide proof of hotel bookings as part of the visa application process. However, since you should not list Tibet on your visa application, you cannot show hotel bookings for Tibet either. Here’s how you can handle this requirement:
1. Book hotels in major Mainland China cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Xi’an, Guangzhou, or Kunming.
2. Use Chinese travel websites like C-Trip to book hotels. C-Trip allows you to book rooms without entering credit card details by selecting the "Pay at Hotel" option.
3. Another option is Hotels.com, which allows free cancellations.
4. Print out your hotel booking confirmations and submit them with your visa application.
5. Cancel your hotel bookings immediately after printing the confirmation to avoid any charges. The Chinese Embassy does not check with hotels to confirm your stay.
6. If you plan to stay in China for more than three weeks, make several bookings across different cities. Again, these bookings are 100% refundable.
Following these steps ensures that your visa application meets the embassy’s requirements without raising any red flags.
Providing Proof of Flight Tickets
Chinese Embassies and Consulates also require proof of round-trip flights to and from China. When submitting flight details, do not include flights to or from Tibet. Here’s what you should do:
- Show proof of an international flight arriving in and departing from a Mainland Chinese city such as Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, or Guangzhou.
- Do not submit domestic flight bookings within China, including flights from Mainland China to Tibet. Flights to Lhasa or other Tibetan cities should not appear on your application.
- If you are flying into China and leaving Tibet, do not mention Tibet at all. Instead, provide proof of a return flight from another city in Mainland China.
What to Do If Traveling from Tibet to Nepal
If your trip includes travel from Lhasa to Nepal, either by flight or overland, this creates a challenge since embassies require proof of departure from China. Since you cannot show a flight from Tibet, you need an alternative booking. Follow these steps to get a refundable flight booking:
1. Go to the Travelocity Flights website.
2. Click on the "Flight Only" tab.
3. Select "One-Way" as your trip type.
4. For the "Leaving From" field, enter a major Mainland Chinese city like Beijing, Chengdu, or Kunming.
5. Set the "Departing" date to match the end of your trip to China.
6. For the "Going To" field, choose a major international city such as Bangkok, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur.
7. Click "Refundable Flights Only" to filter results.
8. Click "Search" and select a flight that allows free cancellation.
9. Book the flight using your credit card.
10. Print the flight booking confirmation and submit it with your visa application.
11. Cancel the booking within 24 hours for a full refund.
By following these steps, you provide the required documentation without affecting your actual travel plans.
China Visa Summary
To summarize, here are the most important things to remember when applying for a Chinese Tourist Visa:
- Do not mention Tibet or any cities/towns in Tibet on your visa application.
- Do not include flights to or from Tibet in your flight documentation.
- Use major Mainland Chinese cities like Beijing, Chengdu, or Xi’an when listing your travel destinations.
- Provide proof of hotel bookings in Mainland China, but use refundable options and cancel them after printing the confirmation.
- Provide a refundable outbound flight booking if you are exiting China via Tibet and going to Nepal.
We understand that these extra steps may seem unusual, but they are necessary due to Chinese bureaucratic procedures. Following this guide will ensure that your visa application is approved without issues. Many travelers have used these steps successfully and had an amazing journey to Tibet without any problems.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us! We are here to help make your journey to Tibet smooth and hassle-free.
