Many Malaysian and Singaporean travelers who want to go to Tibet are often confused by the "Letter of Entry" and "China Visa Waiver":Entry into ChinaA visa or visa waiver policy at the national level;Entering Tibetthen an additionalLetter of Admission (TTP).. This article is based on2025-2026Written with the latest policy, it will teach you hand in hand: who needs the Letter of Entry, how to apply, how long it takes to get it, the difference between flight/train documents, additional documents, and the entry of Malaysian/Singaporean travelers into China.Visa-free daystogether withHow to apply for a visa after the expiration date.
I. What is a letter of admission? Why it must be done (TTP)
admission letterTibet Travel Permit (TTP)
The Tibet Travel Permit (TTP) is an official letter of entry into Tibet.Official Tourism License, not a visa.
- No Tibet Entry Letter: You cannot board a plane to Tibet or take a train to Tibet, and your hotel/checkpoint will also be checked.
- Foreign passports (including Malaysia, Singapore, etc.)Not allowed to travel freelyThe tour must be organized by a qualified travel agency (e.g. CITS) and travel in compliance with the license.
- Chinese visas for "entry into China" and Tibet entry letters for "entry into Tibet".You can't have one without the other..
It is recommended to confirm this before the ticket is issued:
- Passport number is the same as the entry letter, visa or visa-free entry information.
- The date of the trip and the destination city match the route of the entry letter.
- Carry your original passport and Tibet entry letter (original for airplanes, photocopies for trains).
- It is recommended to keep an electronic backup copy on your phone and one on the cloud in case the documents are lost (the group will have a traveler representative in possession of the entry letter).
- If there is any pre-departure group notification change (meeting point or flight time), please refer to the latest notification from the tour guide.
II. Who needs a letter of entry to Tibet? Who is exempted
Those who need to apply for a letter of admission to Tibet (TTP)
- foreign passportTravelers: Malaysia, Singapore, etc. All non-Chinese mainland passport holders
- Taiwanese residentholdTaiwan Travel Permit(Exit-entry Permit for Taiwan Residents Traveling to and from the Mainland of China)
- Those who do not have a mainland Chinese resident's identity card: Includes foreign Chinese, long-term overseas residents, etc.
Generally exempt (open area)
- Mainland China Resident Identity Cardholders
- Hong Kong and Macao residentsrun (i.e. administer)Homecoming CardNormally exempt from TTP in open areas (additional documents such as border passes may still be required for borderline/sensitive areas).
III. Information required for the letter of admission
(be applicableForeign passport travelers (e.g. Malaysia, Singapore, etc.)
To apply for a Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), foreign passport holders need to apply through a qualified Chinese travel agent (e.g. CITS China International Travel Service) submit the following information:
1.Photocopy of passport photo (color and clear)
- Passport must still be available on the day of entry into Tibet Valid for at least 6 months.
- Passport images should be in color, high resolution, no reflection, no blurring, no missing corners.
2. Photocopy of China entry visa
If a visa is required to enter China (applies to most countries):
Provide a clear image of the issued Chinese visa (L Tourist / M Business, etc.).
If enjoying multi-day visa-free entry (Malaysia / Singapore):
We will provide you with passport and other information, if necessary, the commissioner will contact you to obtain the information.
3. Personal Information Form
- Full name (passport pinyin)
- distinguishing between the sexes
- date of birth
- citizenship
- Occupation (English title preferred)
- Cell phone number / email (to reach me)
4.Tibet Trip Plan
The approval of the letter of admission isBased on itineraryconducted, so it is important to confirm your Tibet travel itinerary before applying.
The travel agency will submit the plan information you provide for approval on your behalf in a uniform manner.
5. Processing procedure and time (30-45 days are recommended)
- ① Confirmation of route and departure date(with or without Everest/Ali/border section)
- ② Submission of information to the travel agency(CITS is the centralized submission for review, and individuals cannot apply on their own)
- ③ Audit period about 30-45 days(May take longer during peak season; expediting can be discussed but not guaranteed for nearer departures)
- ④ Confirm the information of the admission letter(Name/Passport No./Date/Route correct→Pay the final payment→Join the tour group)
- ⑤ We will meet you at the airport in mainland China to hand over the Tibet Entry Letter to you, if it is the airport in Chengdu, we will arrange our Tibet Entry Letter tour guide to assist you in boarding the plane and other matters.
6. Additional documents that may be required (by route)
In some areas, due to the proximity of borders or special control areas, additional documents are required in addition to the Tibet Traveling Permit (TTP). We will assess and handle these documents when designing the itinerary, so that travelers do not need to make multiple trips.
| Area / Route | Documents that may be required |
|---|---|
| Everest Base Camp | Frontier Pass |
| Ali - Gonzaga | Military Area Permit (MAP) |
| Murdock/Shannan and other border segments | Travel Permit / Special Permit (Alien Travel Permit / Restricted Area Permit) |
Timetable of Tibet Tourism Consultation to Travel Suggestion Arrangement
- before departure 1 year: Popular tours can be locked in first!
- before departure 45 days: Submission of information and routing
- before departure 20-30 days: Approval in progress, synchronized locking of hotels/car guides
- before departure 3-7 days: Send out letters of admission and join the group
- The week of departure: extra copies of documents andseparate
V. Letter of Admission Fees and Expedited Instructions
As long as you are at the same airport as your group, your entry letter is usually already issued.Included in tour farewhich is centralized by the travel agency.
Travelers do not need to pay a separate fee.
standard processing
- Normal application cycle: approx. 30-45 days.
- Fee: Included in the tour price if you follow the standard airports (no separate billing).
handle a matter urgently
- In case of time constraints (less than 30 days) prior to departure, you may request an expedited service from your travel agent.
- The acceptance of expediting depends on the volume of approvals by the Tibet Tourism Bureau in the current period and the sensitivity of the route.
- Administrative fees may be incurred, please refer to the travel agent's notice.
VI. Transportation to Tibet (airplane/train)
The main ways to travel to Tibet are divided intolit. fly into Tibettogether withtrain to TibetTwo.
Both methods require a Letter of Entry (TTP) in order to successfully board the plane or enter the station.
lit. fly into Tibet
- Ideal for travelers on shorter vacations who want to save time or are concerned about altitude sickness.
- boardingYou must bring the original letter of entry, which will be checked at the airport check-in counters.
- Common departures: Chengdu, Chongqing, Xining, Kunming, Guangzhou, etc.
- Group travelers will be assisted in checking in by the tour guide with a letter of entry to Tibet.
Train to Tibet (Qinghai-Tibet Railway)
- Suitable for travelers who want to get used to the highland environment. (Not recommended for those who have not traveled by train for a long period of time.)
- General usePhotocopy of the admission letterYou can board the train (subject to the rules of each station).
- Along the way, you can enjoy the scenery of the Tibetan Plateau, which makes the trip smoother and more scenic.
- Common departure cities: Xining, Lanzhou, Chongqing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, etc.
