Visa Requirements

All visitors, except those from India, require a visa to enter Bhutan. Indian nationals must obtain a permit instead.

Citizens of Bangladesh and the Maldives are eligible for visa-on-arrival at the port of entry. Additionally, nationals of Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic or official passports may also obtain a visa on arrival.

For Indian travelers, a permit is required to enter Bhutan. This applies to individuals holding an Indian passport or voter ID card. For Indian nationals under 18 years of age, a passport or birth certificate is acceptable, provided they are accompanied by their legal guardians.

Visa Process

Visitors can obtain a visa or permit online through the Department of Immigration’s official website. Alternatively, you may engage a licensed tourism service provider, such as ourselves at Wild Nature Quest, to handle all aspects of your travel arrangements, including seamless visa processing on your behalf.

Travelers from Bangladesh and the Maldives are eligible for visa-on-arrival, while visitors from India can obtain permits upon arrival at the port of entry. However, to minimize wait times and ensure a smoother entry process, we highly recommend applying online in advance.

Documents

A clear, unobstructed copy of the photo page of your passport, displaying all details legibly, is required. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended departure date from the Kingdom.

Additionally, a recent passport-sized photograph taken against a white or off-white background is required.

Cost & Duration

The visa fee is USD 40 per person and is non-refundable. While the visa issuance process is generally swift, it may take up to five working days for processing.

For urgent requests, the Department of Immigration, Bhutan has introduced Fast-Track Visa/Permit Processing Services, effective November 1, 2024. Under this service, the Department of Immigration will process and communicate the outcome of a fast-track application within 24 hours of confirming receipt of all applicable fees. An additional fee of USD 10 applies for this expedited service.

Planning

While visitors to Bhutan have the option to plan their own trip, we highly recommend considering a local tourism provider, such as Wild Nature Quest, to enhance your experience. Our team will handle most of the planning on your behalf, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free journey.

Please note that it is mandatory for all visitors to stay in certified accommodations throughout their trip and to hire a licensed local tour guide for the duration of their stay.

Finding Tour Operator

While Bhutan boasts numerous tour operators, finding the right one to meet your expectations can be challenging. We recommend researching operators based on your specific interests and exploring the services they offer. Additionally, reviewing their past work and customer feedback will help ensure they align with your needs and expectations.

While there may be slight price differences depending on the tour operator, we strongly advise prioritizing the quality and reputation of the operator over small variations in cost. Selecting a reputable operator with proven experience will significantly enhance your travel experience.

Payment Method

All registered tour operators are required to maintain a business bank account under their company name. Payments should be made directly to the service providers’ business accounts in accordance with their respective policies.

Visit Duration

• 14.1. The visa or permit will be issued for a maximum of 90 days.

Extension

• 15.1. The visa or permit extension can be processed by the Department of Immigration before the expiry of the visa or permit, whichever is applicable. The applicable SDF and visa or permit extension fees shall be paid to the Department of Immigration.

Process Timeline

• 16.1. While the process is usually quite quick for visa or permit extensions, it can take up to five working days.

Extension Process

• 17.1. Visitors can extend their stay via the online visa application portal, using the same log-in details that were used to process the original visa. The SDF payment can also be made via the same portal.

Applying for Extension

• 18.1. A guest or a service provider can process an application for a visa or permit extension.

Refund

• 19.1. Yes, the SDF will be refunded by the Department of Immigration for any cancelled or shortened trips and any bank charges will be deducted from the amount that is refunded. A refund request of the SDF shall be submitted online using the immigration system. The refund will be processed only after the exit of the visitors from the Kingdom.

Type

• 27.1. Bhutan offers a wide range of accommodation facilities, from luxurious 5-star hotels to cosy homestays in traditional village settings

Information

• 28.1. Visitors can request a list of certified accommodation from bhutan.travel host service.

About Accomodation Type

• 29.1. Guests must stay in an accommodation certified by TCB or if trekking, camp at the designated areas only.

Payment Methods in Bhutan

• 36.1. International credit cards are widely used in the urban areas in Bhutan. However, this service may not be available in other parts of the country.
• 36.2. Visitors can also use the digital wallet app called goBoB that can be operated with a local sim card and is also widely accepted throughout the country.
• 36.3. Visitors are recommended to inform their card issuer banks about their trip to Bhutan, in order to avoid card usage restrictions by the issuing bank.

Currency Exchange

• 37.1. There is a currency exchange facility at the airport, and currency can also be exchanged at the banks, hotels and at the authorised money changers in the city areas.

SDF Fee

Since our reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic, visitors to Bhutan play an active role in supporting the nation’s economic, social, and cultural development.

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) directly funds transformative initiatives that preserve Bhutan’s rich cultural heritage, protect its pristine environment, enhance infrastructure, create opportunities for youth, and strengthen national resilience. Through this contribution, every visitor becomes a part of Bhutan’s commitment to sustainable growth and conservation.

SDF Payment

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) must be paid at the time of processing your visa or permit application via wire transfer. Please note that credit card payments are currently limited.

The SDF is payable in USD; however, Indian nationals also have the option to pay in INR.

For international guests eligible for a visa on arrival, the applicable SDF must be paid in USD at the port of entry. Indian nationals may pay the fee in INR at this point as well.

A Day Visitor

The SDF will be waived for visitors to the Bhutanese towns bordering India, until the first designated point identified by the Government. The SDF will be levied on visitors spending the night within border towns.

Travel to Bhutan

• 20.1. Visitors can travel to Bhutan by taking flights from Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore (Changi), and Thailand (Bangkok).
• 20.2. For now, there are two airlines that fly into Bhutan – namely, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines.
• 20.3. Private jets can fly into Bhutan after getting the relevant approvals from the competent authorities.
• 20.4. All visitors can also enter via land from Phuentsholing. Indian guests can enter Bhutan via other land entry points (Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Samtse).

Traveling via Airport

• 21.1. Visitors can pre-arrange a pick-up service from the airport with their accommodation or tour operators.

Internal Travel in Bhutan

• 22.1. There are domestic flights to Bumthang (Central Bhutan), Gelephu, Sarpang (Southern Bhutan), and Yongphula, Trashigang (Eastern Bhutan).
• 22.2. Visitors can also book helicopter services for special itineraries.
• 22.3. The other option is to hire a local tourism service provider who can arrange all the internal transfers and tour programs.

Transport in Bhutan

• 23.1. The most convenient transport facility is to hire a vehicle and driver from a car rental company or a tourism service provider. It is not possible to hire a vehicle without a driver in Bhutan.
• 23.2. You can also use an online app to book local transport (https://www.drukride.com/).

Trekking

• 24.1. It is mandatory to arrange trekking trips that require overnight stays through a local tour operator. The local tour operator can help you with all the logistical support for the hiking or trekking trip.

Guide

• 25.1. A guide is strongly recommended for all visitors to Bhutan. This is to ensure that all visitors have a good experience while visiting our country, and see the best that Bhutan has to offer. Guides also help look after the safety and security of the visitors, as there are wild animals in the countryside, and the altitude and landscape can sometimes pose unique challenges. While the guides do not have to accompany visitors for all experiences (such as restaurants and shopping), it is recommended that guides accompany visitors for experiences such as visiting temples and local places of interest, and it is mandatory to have a guide for all trekking activities and for any journeys that extend beyond Thimphu and Paro. For any visitors who enter Bhutan via the land borders, guides are mandatory when the visitors leave the border towns.
• 25.2. If visitors follow the itineraries or journeys set by hotels, they will not need a guide as they will already have a guide who will be arranged by the hotel.

Finding Best Guide

• 26.1. All the tour guides listed on www.bhutan.travel are licensed by the Government. Visitors may also ask tour operators or hotels to help arrange a guide for them.

Vaccination

• 30.1. Although we recommend all visitors to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to help stop the spread of the disease, there are now no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for adults or children to enter Bhutan from September 23, 2022.
  
  However, all individuals (12 years and above) entering Bhutan may be subjected to random RT-PCR testing at the formal points of entry or at the worksite to maintain COVID-19 surveillance for new variants. No fee shall be charged for the RT-PCR testing for surveillance.

Incase of Unvaccination

• 32.1. Yes, unvaccinated guests can enter Bhutan and there will be no quarantine period.

Positive for Covid 19

• 33.1. If a guest tests positive for COVID-19 during their stay in Bhutan, they will be required to quarantine in their hotel until they test negative. The cost for the additional quarantine nights and PCR tests will be borne by the guest. The SDF will be waived during the quarantine period.

Protocols

• 34.1. There will be no COVID-19 protocols to leave Bhutan, unless they will be required by the country the guest is travelling to.

Guide

• 25.1. A guide is strongly recommended for all visitors to Bhutan. This is to ensure that all visitors have a good experience while visiting our country, and see the best that Bhutan has to offer. Guides also help look after the safety and security of the visitors, as there are wild animals in the countryside, and the altitude and landscape can sometimes pose unique challenges. While the guides do not have to accompany visitors for all experiences (such as restaurants and shopping), it is recommended that guides accompany visitors for experiences such as visiting temples and local places of interest, and it is mandatory to have a guide for all trekking activities and for any journeys that extend beyond Thimphu and Paro. For any visitors who enter Bhutan via the land borders, guides are mandatory when the visitors leave the border towns.
• 25.2. If visitors follow the itineraries or journeys set by hotels, they will not need a guide as they will already have a guide who will be arranged by the hotel.

Finding Best Guide

• 26.1. All the tour guides listed on www.bhutan.travel are licensed by the Government. Visitors may also ask tour operators or hotels to help arrange a guide for them.

Dress Code

• 38.1. There are no restrictions on dress code in general. However, respectable dress code covering your knees and shoulders (smart casual) is recommended while visiting temples and religious places.

Sim Cards

• 39.1. Visitors can get a sim card from visitor information centres on arrival, branch offices of Bhutan Telecom and Tashicell or from authorised agents in towns.

Cash Limit

• 40.1. Visitors can bring cash equivalent up to USD 10,000.

Shopping

• 41.1. The Cottage and Small Industries (CSI) outlet, handicraft shops, the OGOP outlets, and the Centenary Farmers Market are some of the popular shopping areas for visitors.
• 41.2. Guests are required to process export permits online [https://mocp.doc.gov.bt/] for non- antique products such as statues, ritual objects and religious handicrafts from the Department of Culture before exiting the country.

Customs

• 42.1. For a detailed list of prohibited, restricted or declarable items, please visit the website of the Ministry of Finance [https://www.mof.gov.bt].

Insurance

• Bhutan is a year-round destination. Spring is a botanist’s delight with nature in full bloom and wild flowers covering the meadows like a carpet. It’s a remarkable time of the year to explore nature.
  
  Summer is green, fresh and revitalising. The low hanging clouds draped over the head, hazy mist covering the green carpeted valleys, the place stems right out of the mystery. Most of the farming activities also take place in summer.
  
  Autumn is a merry season of feast and festivals. As farmers reap the fruits of their work, the streets are covered with healthy harvests of the year.
  
  Winter is crisp and clear. You can get the glimpse of the high snow glistening in the Himalayan mountains and view the highest unclimbed mountain in the world.

Safety in Bhutan

• 44.1. Yes, Bhutan is a very safe destination for visitors and crime is uncommon. However, petty crime sometimes happens and visitors should take care of themselves and their belongings.
• 44.2. Flooding and landslides can happen. In the monsoon season from June to September, transport and services can be affected. Check with your hotel or tour operator for possible disruptions.
• 44.3. There are a number of stray dogs that roam freely around the city areas. While normally the dogs keep their distance and do not bite humans, sometimes dog attacks happen. It is recommended that visitors to Bhutan do not feed or pat the stray dogs. It is also recommended that guests take care around the stray dogs and keep their distance, especially if they have children.

Grievance Redressal

• 45.1. Visitors can always contact the Tourism Council of Bhutan through info@tourism.gov.bt or call +975 17122257 or 2300 within Bhutan.

Emergency Contact Information

• 46.1. The hotline number for general enquiries about tourism is +975 17122257 or 2300 if within Bhutan.
• A. Medical emergency – 112
• B. Police – 113
• C. Disaster Communication helpline – 999

Information Center

• 47.1. Yes, there are visitor information centres at the arrival area just before immigration check at the airport and in all entry points.