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Not your normal visa question

Replies: 4 - Last Post: 27-Apr-2007 05:30 Last Post By: Losang

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bostonpilot

bostonpilot avatar

26-Apr-2007 19:16
Posts:  20

Not your normal visa question

So, I was scheming about where to go for a few days on my next biz trip to China, and I am thinking that a run to Tibet is in the cards. But, in doing some reading about the tourist permit, I saw somewhere that they will only issue them to tourist visa holders.

1 - Does anyone know if this is the case?

2 - I have a 12 month, multiple entry business visa. If I can only get the tourist permit on a tourist visa, is it possible to concurrently have a tourist visa and a business visa at the same time?

laowaigirl

laowaigirl avatar

26-Apr-2007 20:02
Posts:  40

1

When I was in China two years ago you could only get into Tibet if you were part of a "tour", so the visa you get is sort of a "tourist group visa". Perhaps that's what you read about. If it is . . .

You couldn't just get a visa alone, you had to be part of a "tour group", which only needed to be at least 4 people I think. If you are alone a travel agency would be able to hook you up with people, or you could go to a hostel in somewhere like Chengdu and meet people going to Tibet and join a group with them -- I believe many hostels will handle the visa stuff for you. Once you get into Tibet, you do not need to stay with them.

Anyway, this only applies if you can go on a Business visa. I hope you can! Tibet is a truly amazing place.

Jakescustaard

Jakescustaard avatar

26-Apr-2007 22:55
Posts:  69

2

OP, to answer your question, This is not the case. I went to Tibet last July, got the permit and flight ticket through a hostel in Chengdu.
I was also on a 12 month multi-entry (F) business visa. No problemo!
Cheers! :-)

zhaoyun

zhaoyun avatar

27-Apr-2007 05:10
Posts:  733

3

It isn't true OP. You can go, but I'm not sure it'll be worth it if you only have a few days.

Losang

Losang avatar

27-Apr-2007 05:30
Posts:  1,526

4

You will have no problems going to Lhasa on an F visa. That rule changed a long time ago.

Need more travel information for Tibet? Check these out…

The Land of Snows

Life on the Tibetan Plateau

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