CHINESE GROUP VISA
When traveling from Nepal to Tibet
CHINESE GROUP VISA
The Chinese Group visa is issued to travelers who enter Tibet from Nepal. Everyone traveling from Nepal can enter Tibet only with this type of visa. If you already have a multiple-entry valid Chinese visa, you still need to apply for a Group visa. Your current visa will be canceled. It is a single-entry visa, valid for a maximum of 30 days.
The Chinese Embassy won’t stamp this type of visa in your passport. The visa is on a separate sheet of paper. It lists all visitors traveling in a group, along with the dates of your tour in Tibet. Each member of a group tour will receive two copies of the visa. One will be collected upon arrival in Tibet, and another upon departure from Tibet. All members of a group tour have to enter and leave Tibet at the same time.Â
GROUP SIZE REQUIREMENT
Starting from 2023, only groups of at least 5 people can apply for a Chinese group visa. Currently, applications from solo travelers are not accepted.
In addition, all applicants need to visit the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu in person for a biometric appointment.
Below, we explain the process of getting the visa in detail.
visa-free travel
Citizens of certain countries can travel to China and Tibet visa-free. In this case, we only need to apply for a Tibet permit in advance.
Citizens of countries that can travel to Tibet visa-free:
Americas (30 days): Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Dominica, Ecuador, Grenada, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay
Europe (30 days unless noted): Albania (90 days), Andorra, Armenia (90 days), Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina (90 days), Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino (90 days), Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan
Asia-Pacific & Pacific Islands: Australia, Brunei, Fiji, Japan, Malaysia (90 days), Maldives, Mauritius (60 days), Mongolia, New Zealand, Samoa, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Thailand, Tonga
Middle East: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
Citizens of all other countries must apply for a visa before traveling to China.
While citizens of the United States have to apply for Chinese visas, they can enjoy more relaxed requirements. For US citizens only, it is not necessary to submit airline tickets or proof of itinerary, making planning your trip more flexible and the application process easier.
Citizens of the USA and many other countries can now submit their application online for review before visiting the Embassy. Once this review process is complete, you will only need to submit your passport to the Chinese Embassy, making the entire process more streamlined.
Before entering China, all foreigners, with or without a visa, can now submit their entry registration (arrival card) information online. If you won’t complete it online before arrival, you will still be able to use the paper version handed out on your flight to China. Fill it out:
- Online on your laptop
- On your smartphone
- On the NIA 12367 mobile app
- Through mini-programs on WeChat and Alipay
The online arrival card service is free of charge. You should only use official NIA channels and avoid fake websites charging fees.
TIBET TRAVEL PERMIT AND INVITATION LETTER
Processing time: 15 days
Service is included with your tour in Tibet
First, you need to contact a tour agency in Tibet and send a photo or a clear scan of your passport’s page with a photo. You should also discuss the desired itinerary for your vacation in Tibet. The travel agency submits all necessary paperwork to the Tibetan Tourism Bureau and applies for the permit for you. Along with the permit, the Tourism Bureau will issue an invitation letter and send it to the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu.
CHINESE GROUP VISA APPLICATION
Processing time: 3-5 business days
Cost: refer to the table with prices below
The Chinese Embassy in Nepal requires Nepalese travel agencies to submit visa application documents. When you arrive in Nepal, you will meet with our partner agency in Kathmandu. He will submit all necessary paperwork to the Embassy. Please note, you need to spend at least 3 full business days in Nepal. If you have any doubts, please contact us before booking your tickets. The Chinese Embassy is closed during both Nepalese and Chinese official holidays.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
The requirements are the same as for the regular Chinese Visa Application.
- Chinese Visa Application
- Passport, valid for at least 6 months with at least 1 blank page for the visa
- Copies of passport and previous Chinese visas (if you have any)
- Passport-size photo
CHINESE GROUP VISA PRICES
The price of the Chinese Group Visa depends on the urgency and nationality. The service fee paid to our partner in Nepal is between $20 and $60, depending on a number of people in a group.
Below is the information about the Chinese Group Visa cost:
| Nationality | Ordinary Service (5 business days) | Urgent Service (3 business days) | Extreme Urgent (2.5 business days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizen | 147 | 179 | 205 |
| Canadian Citizen | 96 | 128 | 153 |
| Argentinian Citizen | 65 | 100 | 125 |
| Brazilian Citizen | 140 | 171 | 198 |
| Israeli Citizen | 58 | 90 | 116 |
| Romanian Citizen | 96 | 128 | 153 |
| Panama Citizen | 85 | 118 | 144 |
| Serbian Citizen | 35 | 70 | 95 |
| Uruguay Citizen | 65 | 95 | 115 |
| For Citizens of all other countries | 65 | 100 | 125 |
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHINESE VISA AND PERMITS
CHINESE VISA APPLICATION GUIDE
Detailed instructions on how to fill out an application, requirements to the documents and photograph you submit.
TIBET TRAVEL PERMIT
Everything you need to know about Tibet Travel Permit: How to apply for a permit, what documents you need to submit, processing time and whether you need more than one permit.
MOST POPULAR GROUP TOURS
START PLANNING YOUR NEXT JOURNEY WITH US
Dear All,
I have a general question. We are planning to spend our next holiday in Tibet and Nepal (Privat Tour: Lhasa to Mt. Kailash to Nepal).
Is it possible for us to go by plain from Kathmandu to Lhasa? Which kind of Visa do we need- a group visa or a China Visa?
Can we apply for the China Visa in Austria (= homeland) or is it necessary to apply at embassy of china in Kathmandu?
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards,
Cecylia & Roland
Dear Cecylia and Roland,
I am happy that you would like to visit both Tibet and Nepal. You can take a flight from Kathmandu to Lhasa. In that case, you will apply for Chinese group visa in Kathmandu Embassy. This Embassy accepts applications from Nepalese agencies only. Our representative will meet you in Nepal, collect paperwork and apply for visa for you. It takes 3-5 business days to process the visa. During that time you can travel in Nepal. Price: for 3 days service for Austrian passport holders: USD 89, for 5 days service: USD 51. In addition, the service fee for obtaining the visa is USD 40 per person.
We will also email you details about the tour you like.
Best Regards,
Kalsang
Hello. When applying for the group visa, will the embassy give my passport back immediately, so I can travel around while waiting for procressing? I will do a Base camp trek and get back 12 days later. I will go to Tibet area after the trek.
Dear Dan,
Embassy will return your passport only after your visa is issued. But you can travel in Nepal while your passport is in the Embassy. Make a copy of your passport and Nepalese visa and carry it with you.
Enjoy trekking in Nepal!
Lhamo
Hello, if we (3 persons from Netherlands) obtain Chinese Group Visa from Kathmandu Embassy, could it be processed within one (1) business day or e.g. during the weekend? The point is that we arrive Kathmandu on Thursday late afternoon (Oct 8th, 16:10) and continue our journey to Lhasa on Monday (morning) Oct 12th after. Alternative dates to arrive are not feasible unfortunate.
If possible, would this be subject to “extreme urgent” service ? Any price indication ?
Maybe superfluous, but couldn’t we obtain Visa to enter Lhasa from Kathmandu in another way? I mean preferable we would like to arrange it prior departure to Kathmandu.
Last question, in case my passport includes a Chinese Visa with Multiple Entry which means valid for one (1) year, will it still be cancelled as soon as we pass the border in Lhasa with Chinese Group Visa?
Looking forward to your suggestions.
Dear Bas,
Thank you for your questions!
Chinese group visa takes at least 3 business days. For example, if you arrive on Monday morning and we submit application at 10am on Monday, your visa will be ready on Wednesday afternoon and you can fly to Lhasa on Thursday.
They had 1,5 days visa service before, but more than 2 years ago, nowadays the fastest service is 3 days.
At the same time your current Chinese visa will be cancelled.
I understand that you are looking for a different option. I suggest flying to Tibet from one of the cities in China and visiting Nepal after that.
Best Regards,
Kalsang
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