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Bhutan Visa Policy

(Updated 25th August 2023)
The Royal Government of Bhutan is pleased to announce additional incentives and policy measures to boost the tourism sector. This is in view of the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment; earning foreign exchange; realizing the potential for spillover benefits for ancillary industries; and in boosting overall economic growth.

The incentives and measures shall consist of the following:

1. A fifty percent discount shall be granted on the prevailing SDF of USD 200 for US Dollar paying tourists visiting Bhutan. The effective SDF with the discount shall be USD 100 per person per day for US Dollar paying tourists.

2. In addition, fifty percent discount on the SDF shall be granted on the rates applied to children aged between 6 to 12 years for US Dollar paying children visiting as tourists.

3. The 24 hours SDF waiver for tourists staying in the border towns shall continue.

The above incentives will come into effect from 1 September 2023 and shall remain effective for four years till 31 August 2027.

The Royal Government shall conduct periodic assessments of the domestic and international tourism scenarios and may discontinue the above incentives to uphold and promote High Value Low Volume Tourism Policy of Bhutan after 31 August 2027.

Bhutan Visa Requirements

  1. All Visitors will need a visa to enter Bhutan, except for visitors from India, who will require a permit.

  2. Nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives shall be eligible for a visa on arrival at the port of entry.

  3. Visitors can process a visa or permit online from the website of the Department of Immigration. Visitors can also engage tourism service providers (such as Druk Asia) to process travel documents and plan a trip.

  4. A passport copy is required. The passport must be valid for six months from the intended date of departure from the Kingdom.

  5. Travel Insurance is valid for the duration of the trip.

  6. A recent passport-size photograph.

Children below the age of 5 years are exempted from the SDF. However, the visa application fee of USD 40 is still applicable. For Children between 5 years and below 12 years old, they are required to pay USD 50 per person per night as the SDF. *SDF does not include accommodation, meals, transport and guides.



Age SDF Permit (Indian Passports only)
0- 5 years old Gratis 1200 INR / night
5 – 12 years old $50 USD/night
Adult above 12 years old $100 USD / night

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FAQ

How and where do I apply for Visa?

Your Visa to Bhutan can be processed online from the website of the Department of Immigration. Or it can be processed by an authorized and registered travel agent such as us.

My Bhutan travel visa is issued on my old passport which was close to expiring. Will there be any problems when I reach the immigration in Bhutan?

If your Bhutan travel visa is issued on your old passport, you will have to bring along your old passport with you to Bhutan. The Department of Immigration will need to verify your details on your old passport too. A fine of up to 10,000 Nu will be imposed if traveller fail to present both the traveller's old and new passport. Alternatively, please inform your Bhutan travel agent to update your visa if there's still a week to go before your trip.

How much is the visa fee and how long does it take to issue?

The visa fee is USD 40 per person and it is non-refundable. While the process to issue the visa is usually quick, the visa can take up to five working days to process.

I can't find embassy of Bhutan in my country. How do I apply for the Visa?

Your Visa will be applied by your tour operator. You would not need to make an appointment with Bhutan embassy. Embassy of Bhutan does not provide tourist Visa services.

I travel frequently and I can't send my passport for Visa application. How can I get the Visa?

We don't need your physical passport to apply for tourist Visa. We simply need a color scanned copy of your passport to make the Visa application

When is the best time to travel to 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 Visit Bhutan

Is the 50% SDF discount a reduction in the SDF rate?

Bhutan's SDF remains at USD 200 per person per night. The effective SDF with the 50% discount is USD 100 per person per night for US Dollar paying tourists. This is a time-limited incentive until 2027.

Will previous duration incentives (4+4, 7+7, 12+18 nights packages) still be available?

No, the incentives introduced in June 2023 (4+4, the 7+7 and the 12+18 have been revoked and are no longer applicable). However, the 24 hour SDF waiver for border towns in Bhutan remains valid.

Can the 50% discount be combined with the SDF waiver for border towns?

No, it cannot be combined. Visitors wishing to explore border towns before or after the SDF discount must apply for another visa.

Explain the 50 % SDF discount for children aged between 6 to 12 years for US Dollar paying children visiting as tourists?

The 50% discount shall be on the USD 100 rate. Therefore, the effective SDF with the 50% discount for children will be USD 50 per person per night for US Dollar paying tourists. Children who have not yet turned six years old are eligible to visit Bhutan without paying any SDF.

When does the 50% SDF discount take effect?

It starts on September 1, 2023. Until then, the existing system remains in place.

How long is the 50% SDF discount valid?

It's valid until September 2027. Further details post-2027 will be announced one year before the validity ends.

Is the 50% SDF incentive calculated on a per day or per night basis?

It’s calculated on a per night basis.

Reference Further Readings

Embassies, Consulates and Missions

Bhutan embassies and consulates do not process tourists visa for visitors. Tourists visas are processed by travel agents on behalf of them in Thimphu, Bhutan.

Bangkok
Royal Bhutanese Embassy,
375/1 Soi Ratchadanivej, Pracha – Uthit Road,
Samsen nod, Huay Kwang,
Bangkok 10320.
Phone : 66-2-2744740 / 41 / 42
Fax : 66-2-2744743
Brussels
Royal Bhutanese Embassy,
Avenue Jules César 70
1150 Bruxelles
Belgium
Phone : 00 32 2 761 95 70
Fax : 00 32 2 761 95 77
Dhaka
Royal Bhutanese Embassy,
House No. 12, Road No. 107,
Gulshan-2,
Dhaka 1212.
Phone : 880-2-8826863 / 8827160
Fax : 880-2-8823939
Geneva
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the UN,
17-19 Chemin du Champ d’Anier, 1209
Geneva
Phone : 41-22-7990890
Fax : 41-22-7990899
Geneva
Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Kuwait
P.O.Box 1510, Safat 13016
South Surra, Al Salaam, Block 3, Street 308, House 3
Telephone : (+965) 25213601/25213602
Fax : (+965) 25213603
Email : admin@rbekuwait.bt
New Delhi
Royal Bhutanese Embassy,
Chandragupta Marg,
Chanakyapuri,
New Delhi 110021.
Phone : 91-11-26889230 / 9809 / 9807
Fax : 91-11-26876710 / 24674664 / 24102231
New York
Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the UN,
763 United Nations (1st Avenue),
New York, N.Y. 10017.
Phone : 212-6822268 / 6822312 / 6822371 / 6822752
Fax : 212-6610551
Kolkata
Royal Bhutan Consulate,
Bhutan House,No 6/1,
Mall Road, Dum Dum,
Kolkata,
West Bengal – 700 080,
India.
Phone : +91 33 2559 3676
Fax : +91 33 2560 0755
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