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 About Bhutan Visa

Visitors From India, Bangladesh And The Maldives

Visitors From India Require A Permit. You May Apply Online For This Before Travelling Bhutan, Or If You’re Travelling With A Tour Operator Or Staying At A Hotel, They Can Apply On Your Behalf. No Fees Are Payable In Advance.

You Can Also Apply At Your Point Of Entry, But Please Be Aware That There May Be A Long Wait Depending On The Number Of Applicants At The Time. If You Are Applying For A Permit On Arrival, You Will Need A Passport-Size Photograph. You Must Also Have Insurance For The Duration Of Your Visit, Which You Can Prearrange Or Purchase Upon Arrival. Your Sdf Is Payable When Applying For Your Permit, Either Online Or In Person.

Indian Nationals Intending To Visit Bhutan Are Required To Carry Any Of The Two Valid 'Travel Documents' (A) Valid Indian Passport Having Validity Of Minimum 6 Months; And/Or (B) Voter Identity Card, Issued By The Election Commission Of India Along With Recent Passport Size Photographs. For Minor Children (Below 18 Years Of Age), If Not Having Passport, The Birth Certificate In Original Is Required. No Visa Is Required To Visit Bhutan.

Indians Coming To Bhutan By Road Are Required To Obtain An 'Entry Permit' On The Basis Of Valid Travel Document From The Immigration Office Of Royal Government Of Bhutan At Phuentsholing, Located On The Indo-Bhutan Border Opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal. Similarly, Indians Coming By Air Must Possess Any One Of The Above Mentioned Travel Document And Get The Entry Permit At The Paro International Airport. The 'Entry Permit' Allows An Indian Tourist To Visit Thimphu And Paro Only. However, Any Tourist Going Beyond Thimphu And Paro Need To Acquire A 'Route Permit' From The RGoB Immigration Office At Thimphu On Any Working Days (Monday To Friday).

Special Advisory:

Indian Citizens Travelling To Bhutan Are Allowed To Carry Indian Currency Upto The Denominations Of Rs. 500 Only Upto The Limit Of Rs. 25000. Over And Above This Amount (Rs. 25000), The Denomination Must Be Of Rs. 100 And Below.

Visitors From Bangladesh And The Maldives Require A Visa, But The Process Is The Same As The One Outlined Above For Indian Nationals: You May Apply And Pay The Relevant SDF Online And Prearrange Your Travel Insurance Before Travelling, Or You Can Do This In Person Upon Arrival.

We Recommend Arranging Your Permit Or Visa Beforehand.

For Other Countries

All Visitors Require A Visa Before Travelling To Bhutan (Except Those From India, Bangladesh And The Maldives, For Whom The Relevant Processes And Fees Are Outlined Separately Below).

As Part Of The Visa Application Process, You Will Be Required To Pay The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) Of US$100 Per Day (Per Adult; Concessionary Rates Apply For Children). A Non-Refundable, One-Off Visa Application Fee Of US$40 Is Also Payable.

You Can Apply Online For A Visa Or Permit By Completing An Application Form, Or If You’re Travelling With A Tour Operator Or Staying At A Hotel, They Can Apply On Your Behalf. 

You Can Apply For Yourself And Anyone You’re Travelling With, Provided You Have The Required Information For Each Person Travelling.

Visa Regulations for Bhutan

Guidelines on how to apply for Official visa clearance (Official Guest of the Ministry)

·        Forwarding letter from the head of the Department addressed to Dy. Chief of Protocol)

·        Note sheet from the concern Ministry

·        Filled up Visa application form (need to be filled up by the guests only)

·        Passport photocopy of the visitor

(Official Guest of the Non-Governmental Organization)

·        Forwarding letter from the Head of Organization.

·        Approval letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

·        Filled up visa applications.(need to filled up by the guests only)

·        Passport photocopy of the visitor

(Official Guest of the Corporate & Autonomous Agencies)

·        Forwarding letter from the Head of Institutions addressed to Dy. Chief of Protocol

·        Approval Letter from the Chairman.

·        Filled up visa application forms(need to be filled up by the guests only)

·        Passport photocopy of the guest.

(Official Guest of the Sport Association)

·        Forwarding letter from the General Secretary addressed to Dy. Chief of Protocol

·        Approval Letter from the President

·        Filled up visa application form (need to be filled by the guests only)

·        Passport photocopy of the visiting guests.

(Long Term Foreign Expatriate’s Guests)

·        Forwarding letter from the concern organizations addressed to Dy. Chief of Protocol.

·        Tenure of Host.(Only long term are allowed to apply)

·        The host must complete six months prior to their arrival in the country.

·        Filled up personal guest application

·        Filled up visa application form

·        Passport copy of the visitor as well as the host.

·        Dependents of expatriates shall be allowed to join them in Bhutan for a period not exceeding the duration of their assignment.

·        Term “Dependents “is defined to include the spouse and children of the expatriates.

·        The duration of the stay of the guests do not exceed one month.

(Official Guests of the Private Organizations)

·        Forwarding letter from the MoEA.

·        Filled up visa applications form

·        Passport photocopy of the guests.

NOTIFICATION:

·        If the Government or any Private organizations wants to employee an foreigner, approval must be sought from Chief Labour Officer, Department of Labour with valid work permit.

·        The visa forms can be downloaded from the MoHCA website

·        The maximum period of days required for processing visa is two working days; hence all the applications applying for visa should be submitted before two days from the prior date of arrival of the guests.

·        The visa clearance from the visa section should be collected only during the afternoon by 2: 00 P.M to 5: 00 P.M.

·        Nationals exempt from advance visa to enter Bhutan.

·        Bangladeshi, Maldivian & Indian nationals do not require visa while coming to Bhutan.

·        Thai and Swiss nationals holding official and diplomatic passports while coming to Bhutan do not require visa. The visa will by stamped upon arrival at the Paro International airport or any other port of entry by Immigration authorities. But those carrying ordinary passports need to process Bhutanese visa in advance.

   Gratis Visa

·        Only those Officials carrying diplomatic, UN & official passports will be issued gratis visas

·        If there is a MoU signed indicating some points about the free charges, then the visiting guests will be issued gratis visas.

·  Extension of Visa for the Visiting Guests:

·        If the guest has to stay back for more than three days, then the concerned Ministry/Organization etc need to write a letter addressed to Dy. Chief of Protocol. The letter must mention the genuine reasons for the extension.

·        A copy of earlier visa which was issued by the Immigration.

·        The visiting officials can bring their immediate family which includes spouse, children & parents to accompany them on their official visits.