Do Need Visa To Travel Bhutan ?

Yes, all visitors need a visa to enter Bhutan, except for visitors from India, who require a permit.

Nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives, as well as nationals of Switzerland and Thailand who hold diplomatic or government-official passports, are also eligible for a visa on arrival at their port of entry.

Visitors from India will need a permit to enter Bhutan and are required to hold an Indian passport or an Indian voter ID card. Indian nationals under the age of 18 may enter with a birth certificate or passport and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

How Do I Apply For Visa Or Permit ?

Visitors can apply for their visa or permit through email Us, We can engage tourism service providers to process their travel documents.

Although visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives can process their visas on arrival at their port of entry and visitors from India can process their permits on arrival, it is recommended that these be applied for online instead in order to reduce the wait time at the port of entry.

What Documents I Need For Order To Apply For Visa ?

  • A digital copy of your passport if applying online (or the hard copy of your passport if applying in person). The passport must be valid for six months from the intended date of departure from Bhutan.

  • A recent digital passport-appropriate photograph (or recent passport-size photograph if applying in person).

  • Valid travel insurance for the duration of the trip.

How Much Visa Fee ?

The visa fee is US$40 per person; this fee is non-refundable.

How Long Does It Takes To Issue Visa ?

It may take up to five working days to process a correctly input visa application.

What Documents Do I Need To Apply For Permits ?

  • As a visitor from India you will need a digital copy of your passport or voter ID card if applying online (or the hard copy of your passport or voter ID card if applying in person). The passport must be valid for six months from the intended date of departure from Bhutan. Those under the age of 18 can use a birth certificate or passport and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

  • A recent digital passport-appropriate photograph (or recent passport-size photograph if applying in person).

  • Valid travel insurance for the duration of the trip.

How Long Does My Visa Allow To Stay In Bhutan ?

The visa allows you to remain in Bhutan only for the number days for which SDF is paid.

Can I Extend My Visa Or Permits while Stay in Bhutan ?

Yes, provided the extension is applied for before the original visa or permit expires.

Visitors can extend their stay via the online visa application portal on this site, using the same log-in details that were used to process the original visa.

The fees for processing your extension application, and daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for the duration of your extended stay, are payable via the same portal.

What Is Sustainable Development Fees (SDF) ?

Following our reopening on September 23rd 2022, visitors to Bhutan will be required to make an active contribution to Bhutan’s economic, social and cultural development. The Sustainable Development Fee will go towards investment in transformative programmes that preserve our cultural traditions, protect our heritage and environment, upgrade infrastructure, create opportunities for our young people, and build resilience.

How Much SDF & where Do The Funds Go ?

For all visitors, except those from India, the SDF is US$200 per person, per night. For guests from India, the SDF is 1,200 ngultrum, or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees, per person, per night.

Children aged 6 to 12 at the time of travel receive a 50% concessionary discount on the SDF. Those aged 5 or younger are exempt.

Day visitors to the Bhutanese towns bordering India are also exempt from paying the SDF until they reach a point designated by the Bhutanese government.

The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and funds are allocated to various projects that enhance facilities, services and infrastructure for Bhutanese nationals and visitors, as well as funding free healthcare and education.

How Do I Pay My SDF ?

The SDF must be paid during the visa or permit application via wire transfer or using a credit card.

The SDF is paid in US dollars. Indian nationals applying for a permit can pay in Indian rupees.

Visitors eligible for a visa on arrival pay the applicable SDF in US dollars at the port of entry.

If I Cancel My Trip, Will My SDF Be Refunded ?

Yes, the SDF will be refunded by the Department of Immigration for any cancelled or shortened trips; any bank charges will be deducted from the total refunded. Requests for SDF refunds should be submitted online using the visa portal. The refund will be processed after visitors leave Bhutan.

Is Travel Insurance is Mandatory ?

Yes. All visitors must have full, valid travel insurance for the duration of their visit. For all visitors except for those from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives this is required to be in place when you make your visa application.

Visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives have the option to purchase domestic travel insurance from Bhutanese insurance providers at their port of entry. Please contact tourism information officers stationed at all ports of entry if you need assistance, or click here for more information on travel insurance sold by Bhutan Insurance Limited.

What Documents Are Required for Travel Insurance ?

The Documents Required Are As Follows:

1) Passport/Travel Visa/National ID Card

2) COVID 19 Travel Document (COVID Travel Itinerary if available. COVID-– 19 Vaccine Certificate)

3) Travel Itinerary if available.

4) COVID-– 19 Vaccine Certificate) 19 Test Result if additional COVID 19 coverage is required.

5) Baggage Details if additional Loss of Baggage cover is required.

What Is The Best Time To Travel Bhutan ?

You can travel to Bhutan all year round, but the best months are March to May and September to November. For more information please visit Best Time To www.bhutanztours.com

Is it possible to travel alone in Bhutan, without the minimum spending / tariff (USD 250 for high and USD 200 for low). Can we arrange our tour in private?

That’s not possible. Your visa is tied to you purchasing or spending the minimum spending above.

How And Where Do I Apply For Visa?

Registered travel agent such as us. The Visa will come together with your travel package to Bhutan. You can’t apply Visa yourself and Bhutan embassy does not have travel visa services.