Tibet Permit
For foreign tourists, if you want to Travel in whole Area of Tibet, There are three kinds of permit need to obtain, named Tibet Entry Permit (TTB), Alien’s Travel Permit (PSB), Military Permit & Foreign Affairs Permit .
Tibet Travel Permit
Tibet Travel Permit, also known as Tibet Entry Permit or Tibet Visa or Visa for Tibet, is the required document paper for international travelers to be able to board a train or plane to Lhasa. For this, you need to pre-arrange an itinerary through a legal travel agency in Lhasa before arriving in Tibet. Everything must now be arranged beforehand, and tourists can’t travel to Tibet alone.
Other Permits: Alien's Travel Permit & Military Permit
With a TTB permit, you will be able to enter Tibet and travel to Lhasa and around, but if you were to go further to the regional capital, eg. Mt Everest, etc., you will have to budget an hour or so in Shigatse for your guide to process the Alien Travel Permit, which is issued by the Public Security Bureau(PSB). Usually, you can apply for it once you arrive in Lhasa.
Sensitive border areas – such as Mt Kailash also require a Military Permit.
You should give your agency 10 working days or so to arrange your TTB permit, 30 working days if Military Permit. And certain areas can be closed without warning, so you’ll need certain flexibility if headed off the beaten track.
Alien’s Travel Permit
The Alien’s Travel Permit is an international travel document issued by the Local Public Security Bureau (PSB) of Tibet, and is also called “PSB Permit”. It is not a must for foreign travelers to enter Tibet, but is required when you go to visit areas outside Lhasa.
Military Permit & Foreign Affairs Permit
The Military Permit is required if you are going to visit military sensitive areas in Tibet, such as Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar in Ngari, Basum Tso in Nyingchi. The permit is issued by the military affairs office, and is applied through your tour operator before you enter Tibet.