Obtaining visas/permits; Independent travel within Tibet

Visitors are not allowed to travel in Tibet independently. You are required to join a group through a travel agency. Here I advise you DO NOT mention that you want visit Tibet in the application form (Tibet Entry Permit is required, but it is very difficult for you to get it by yourself outside of China). After you get tourist visa and enter China. The agency is responsible to handle Tibet Entry Permit for you.

In this case, your first stop in China should not be Tibet.

Thanks, Alvin, for the information. Since tour is required, can one go on tour and stay in Tibet on own for a week? Can any tourist business/office in China arrange Tibet visa? Are visas for Tibet possible/difficult to obtain? Do you know how long it takes and the cost?
Thanks again.

The latest news is that you need to join with other 4 people who share the same nationality with you. You need to enter and leave at the same time to Tibet, and also travel together. Tibet Entry Permit (not Tibet visa) can only be processed in Tibet Travel Bureau (TTB) through travel agencies in China. The application should be handed in one week before departure date to Tibet and processing takes 1-3 working days.

Thanks 4 the info. There are only 3 in our group. Any suggestions?

so better contact a travel agency now, they may able to arrange a tour group with other 2 or more visitors to Tibet.