Bhutan visa guide
Everyone except Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals needs visa clearance before flying: USD 40 once, usually approved within five working days. We apply for you.
On this page
Everyone except Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals needs visa clearance before flying: USD 40 once, usually approved within five working days. When you book with us we apply for you: you send a passport scan and a photo.
Who needs a visa?
- Most nationalities: visa clearance approved before you travel. There is no visa on arrival.
- Indian nationals: no visa, an entry permit on arrival, with a valid passport or Voter ID card.
- Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals: no advance visa needed; you can apply online or on arrival.
What do you need to apply?
- A passport valid for at least six months from the day you leave Bhutan
- A recent passport photo
- Your arrival and departure dates
- Payment of the visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee
Travel insurance is no longer part of the application: the Department of Tourism dropped the requirement on 23 April 2024. We still ask every guest to carry a policy; see travel insurance.
You can apply yourself on the Department of Immigration (opens in a new tab) portal, or a tour operator or hotel can apply for you.
What does it cost?
USD 40 per person, once, and not refundable. The SDF is separate, USD 100 per adult per night; see our SDF guide.
What happens when you land?
The approval is a visa clearance letter. Print it, show it at check-in and at Paro immigration, and the visa is stamped in your passport on arrival.
Do you need a guide?
Yes. A Department of Tourism-certified guide must accompany you, and you stay in certified accommodation. You no longer have to book through a tour operator. Every Bhutan Tour Itinerary trip includes both.
What does customs check?
Declare cash over USD 10,000 and any tobacco (duty applies). Antiques and religious artefacts cannot be exported without a permit, and drones need prior permission from the civil aviation authority. Full limits in entry requirements.
What we do for you
We handle the visa, the SDF, flights, hotels, your guide and vehicle. Send us your dates and we send a free day-by-day plan and price within 24 hours.
