The embassy in Kathmandu is the only representation of China in Nepal, and is one of 67 different foreign embassies and consular offices in the country. The embassy processes visa applications for travelers intending to visit mainland China, as well as Tibet Autonomous Region. For travelers entering Tibet through Nepal, the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu is the only embassy that can process the visa applications. Unlike any other Chinese Embassy around the world, the embassy in Nepal does not accept personal applications for visas to enter Tibet.

Visa for mainland China

Visas can be obtained in the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu for entry into mainland China by personal application or through a local travel agent. All visitors to the People’s Republic of China must obtain an entry visa before travel, as China does not have an online visa application service or the more popular Visa On Arrival service.

Visa Application Process

The most applied for visa is the “L” type visa, which is for people traveling to China for tourism. Normal visa application processes apply, and the application for a visa for mainland China requires your original passport with at least six month’s validity at the time of travel and two blank facing visa pages. Two passport-sized photos on a white background, proof of a round trip or onward travel flight from China, proof of a hotel reservation within China, and a copy of your expected itinerary are also required. For personal applications, the normal processing time is around three working days, while for travel agent applications, it can be up to five working days. The cost of the Chinese Entry Visa from Kathmandu for mainland China depends on your country of origin, though the normal amount for most foreign nationals is around US$ 30. For U.S. passport holders, the visa costs US$ 140. It should be noted that, if you are applying for a Chinese Entry Visa in Kathmandu and Nepal is not your home country, you will be required to provide proof of nationality. If you are intending to travel to Tibet from mainland China after your trip in China, then you should not mention Tibet in the itinerary on your Chinese Entry Visa application form as this can cause problems. Visa applications for mainland China that include Tibet in the itinerary require a copy of your Tibet Travel Permit, which cannot be obtained without a copy of your Chinese Entry Visa.

Visa for Tibet

The visa for Tibet is different from the normal Chinese Entry Visa, despite Tibet being an autonomous region of China. Known as the Group Tourist Visa, it cannot be applied for personally, and all applicants must make their applications through a registered Tibet tour operator such as Explore Tibet. if your passport already has a standard Chinese Entry Visa in it, then the visa will be revoked in favor of the Group Tourist Visa.

Visa Application Process

All non-Chinese passport holders are required to obtain the services of a Tibet tour operator in order to process their applications to enter and travel in Tibet. Travel in the region is highly restricted, and independent travel is not permitted. All foreign travelers must have a registered guide, a driver, and a private vehicle, which must be provided by a tour operator such as Explore Tibet on the confirmed booking of an organized tour. The first step in applying for the Group Tourist Visa is to contact Explore Tibet and discuss the options of the tour you would like. Once your itinerary is confirmed, and you have confirmed your booking, the tour operator will start the application process for the visa and permits required for travel into and around Tibet. The first thing to be applied for is the Tibet Travel Permit (TTP), which is obtained by the tour operator from the Tibet Tourism Bureau in Lhasa. Processing takes around 15-20 days, and requires a photocopy of your passport showing the data and photo pages. Once the TTP has been received by the tour operator, along with the required invitation letter, the tour operator will apply for the other permits required for entering Tibet from Nepal, such as the Alien’s Travel Permit, the Border Permit, and the Military Permit. The Alien’s Travel Permit and Frontier Permit are required for all foreign visitors to Tibet, whether entering the region overland or by flight to Lhasa. For those traveling overland into Tibet, you will also need to have the Military Permit, which is required for certain military sensitive areas before entering the region. These permits require your Tibet Travel permit and can take some time to arrange, and it is best to arrange your tour well in advance to give the tour operator time to process the applications. In order to apply for the Group Tourist Visa, the tour operator’s agent in Nepal will meet you on your arrival in Kathmandu to get your passport and photos. You need to arrive in Kathmandu at least five working days before your expected date of travel in order to process your visa application. The agent will use your original passport, photos, completed application form, and the other permits for Tibet to make the application on your behalf. The Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu will not entertain personal applications for Group Tourist Visas. The normal processing time for the Group Tourist Visa is three working days. If your application is made before 11:00am on Monday, your visa will be ready for the agent to collect by lunchtime on Wednesday. The embassy does not operate on weekends, and you should allow for this in your application processing time. It is better to arrive a little earlier if your date of travel is on a Monday or Tuesday.

Contact Information

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Nepal is located in Kathmandu City Center, on Manakamana Marga, in Hattisar District. The visa office is in the Consualr Section to the west of the main residence, and is open from 9:00am to 12:00am and 2:00pm to 5:00pm from Monday to Friday. The local telephone number for the Visa Section is 4440286 4425520, and you can also contact them through the website at http://np.china-embassy.org/eng/lxwm/ or by email to [email protected] stating the section your require in the email subject line.
 
Personal visits to the embassy are only available during normal office hours for Chinese Entry Visa purposes only.