Every international visitor to Bhutan needs a visa arranged before travel — and the good news is that we take care of almost all of it for you.
Who needs a visa
All international visitors need a tourist visa, except Indian nationals, who receive an entry permit on arrival with a valid passport or voter ID. Visas are issued electronically before you travel; you simply present the approval when you land in Paro or arrive at a land border.
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
Bhutan's "High Value, Low Volume" tourism policy is funded through the Sustainable Development Fee, charged per person, per night. It pays for free healthcare and education, forest conservation and the upkeep of the country's heritage, and it is a big reason Bhutan never feels crowded.
At the time of writing the SDF for most international adults is USD 100 per night, with a 50% reduction for children aged 6–12 and no fee for children under 6. Indian nationals pay a separate, lower fee in rupees. The rate is set by the government and can change, so we always confirm the current figure in your quotation.
What we need from you
- A scan of your passport, valid for at least six months from your date of entry
- A recent passport-style photograph
- Travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation for your whole stay
- Your confirmed arrival and departure flights or border crossing
How it works
Once your journey is confirmed, we submit your visa application through the Department of Immigration's online system, together with the visa fee and SDF. Approval usually arrives within a few working days, and we send it straight to you to print and carry.
Regulations and fees change from time to time; we always confirm the latest details in your quotation.
Header photo: Göran Höglund, CC BY 2.0
