Bhutan Visa Guide · Updated for 2027
Bhutan Visa Process 2027
How to apply for a Bhutan tourist visa, what it costs, how long it takes and what happens when your visa is stamped on arrival. Based on official information from Bhutan’s Department of Tourism and Department of Immigration.
By Chencho Gyeltshen, founder · Kingdom of Happiness Tours, Thimphu · Updated October 2026
Bhutan visa at a glance
Do you need a visa for Bhutan?
Yes, unless you are an Indian national. Every other visitor needs a tourist visa, approved online before you travel. Bhutan does not offer visas on arrival for most nationalities, and you should not buy flights until your visa is cleared.
US$40
Visa fee
One-time, per person, paid when you apply.
5 days
Processing time
Up to five working days for a complete application.
US$100
SDF per night
Per adult, set by the Department of Tourism until 31 Aug 2027.
6 months
Passport validity
From the date you plan to leave Bhutan.
Visa required
Most nationalities
Including the USA, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. Apply online before travel; the visa is stamped when you arrive.
Entry permit
Indian nationals
No visa needed. Indian nationals receive an entry permit, applied for online or at the point of entry, using a passport or voter ID card.
Check first
Bangladesh and Maldives
Separate arrangements and fees have applied to these nationalities. Message us with your passport country and we’ll confirm the current rules.
How to apply
How to apply for a Bhutan visa in 6 steps
This is the official process for a Bhutan tourist visa application online. When you travel with us, we handle steps 2 to 4 for you and send you the visa clearance by email.
Step 1
Plan your trip
Decide your dates and route, and arrange your licensed guide and hotels approved by the Department of Tourism. A guide is required for visitors, so most travellers book through a local operator like us.
Step 2
Prepare your documents
A clear scan of your passport (valid six months beyond your departure from Bhutan) and a recent passport-size photo. The Department of Immigration may ask for more documents during assessment.
Step 3
Apply online and pay
Applications are made on the Department of Immigration’s portal, immi.gov.bt. You pay the US$40 visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee for your nights in Bhutan. Tour operators can apply on your behalf.
Step 4
Wait for approval
A correctly completed application takes up to five working days. You receive a visa clearance, which you print and carry with you.
Step 5
Book your flights
Once your visa is cleared, book Drukair or Bhutan Airlines to Paro, or plan your overland route from India.
Step 6
Get your visa stamped
Show your visa clearance and passport on arrival at Paro International Airport or the land border. Immigration stamps the visa into your passport.
Requirements
Bhutan visa requirements checklist
- Passport valid for at least six months from the date you leave Bhutan, with a blank page for the stamp
- A recent passport-size photograph (clear, plain background)
- Your arrival and departure dates in Bhutan
- A licensed guide and Department of Tourism-approved hotels for your stay
- Payment for the US$40 visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee
- Any additional documents the Department of Immigration requests during assessment
Is travel insurance required?
Not any more. In 2024 the Department of Tourism removed the mandatory insurance rule, but it still encourages visitors to buy cover. We strongly recommend a policy that includes medical evacuation.
Bhutan visa cost 2027
How much does a Bhutan visa cost?
The visa itself costs US$40. The larger cost is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), which you pay for each night in Bhutan when you apply. Here are the official rates.
Visa fee
US$40
One time, per person, for every nationality that needs a visa.
SDF · adults
US$100
Per person, per night. Set until 31 August 2027.
SDF · ages 6–11
US$50
Children aged 6 who have not yet turned 12. Under 6: no SDF.
SDF · Indian nationals
Nu. 1,200
Per person, per night (or the equivalent in Indian rupees).
- Monument entrance fees are separate from the SDF. Visitors under 18 get a 50% concession and children 5 and under enter free.
- A 5% Goods and Services Tax has applied to most goods and services in Bhutan since 1 January 2026.
- Travelling after 31 August 2027? The SDF rate for those dates has not been announced yet. We confirm it before you pay.
After you apply
Processing time, visa status and the visa stamp
Bhutan visa processing time
Up to five working days once your application is complete. Apply early so there is time to fix any problem with your photo or passport scan.
Checking your visa status
If you applied yourself, follow your application on immi.gov.bt. If we applied for you, we track it and email your visa clearance as soon as it is issued.
The Bhutan visa stamp
Your visa is stamped into your passport by immigration when you arrive. Carry a printed copy of your visa clearance; airlines check it before you board.
Arriving by road
From India, the main entry points for visitors are Phuentsholing and Samdrup Jongkhar. Your visa is stamped at the immigration office there, and your guide meets you.
Want to stay longer once you are in Bhutan? Extensions are handled by the Department of Immigration, and the SDF is charged for the extra nights. Ask your guide or contact us as early as possible.
For Indian travellers
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
No. Indian nationals travel on an entry permit instead of a visa. Apply online in advance or at the point of entry, such as Paro International Airport or Phuentsholing.
- Documents: a valid Indian passport or voter ID card. Children under 18 can use a passport or birth certificate.
- SDF: Nu. 1,200 per person per night (or the equivalent in rupees).
- Guide: a licensed guide is required for visitors, including at dzongs and monuments.
- Routes: we arrange any further permits your itinerary needs beyond your entry point.
Popular trips for Indian travellers: 7 Days from Bagdogra · 13 Days from India
Avoid delays
Six tips for a smooth Bhutan visa application
Match your passport exactly
Enter your name, number and dates exactly as they appear on your passport.
Use a clear photo
A recent, well-lit photo on a plain background avoids most requests for resubmission.
Don't book flights too early
Buy non-refundable flights only after your visa clearance arrives.
Travel on the same passport
The visa is linked to the passport you applied with. Renewing? Tell us before you apply.
Allow extra time in peak season
October and festival dates are busy; apply as soon as your trip is confirmed.
Carry a printout
Keep a paper copy of your visa clearance with your passport for check-in and arrival.
FAQ
Bhutan visa questions, answered
Rules can change. We check them with every booking, so ask us if anything here is unclear for your passport.
How do I apply for a Bhutan visa?
Apply online on the Department of Immigration portal (immi.gov.bt) with a passport scan and photo, and pay the US$40 visa fee and the Sustainable Development Fee. A tour operator can apply for you. Approval takes up to five working days.
How much does a Bhutan visa cost in 2027?
The visa fee is US$40 per person, one time. You also pay the Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per adult per night (US$50 for ages 6–11, nothing under 6), set until 31 August 2027. Indian nationals pay Nu. 1,200 per night and need no visa.
How long does a Bhutan visa take?
Up to five working days for a correctly completed application. Apply early, especially for October and festival dates.
Can I get a Bhutan visa on arrival?
Not for most nationalities. Your visa must be approved online before you travel, and it is then stamped into your passport when you arrive. Indian nationals can obtain an entry permit at the point of entry.
How can I check my Bhutan visa status?
Through the immigration portal if you applied yourself. If we applied for you, we monitor the application and email your visa clearance as soon as it is issued.
Do I need a tour operator to get a Bhutan visa?
No. Since September 2022 you may apply and book independently. You still need a licensed guide and approved hotels, so most visitors find it easier to let an operator arrange the visa with the rest of the trip.
Is travel insurance required for a Bhutan visa?
No. The Department of Tourism removed the mandatory insurance rule in 2024, but it encourages visitors to be insured. We recommend cover that includes medical evacuation.
Does the SDF include entrance fees?
No. Monuments and dzongs charge their own entrance fees. Visitors under 18 receive a 50% concession, and children aged 5 and under enter free.
We handle it for you
Let our Thimphu team arrange your Bhutan visa
When you book with us, we submit your visa application, pay the SDF on your behalf, arrange your guide, hotels and permits, and email your visa clearance. You just bring your passport.
- Licensed by Bhutan's Department of Tourism
- Itemised quote: visa, SDF, taxes and trip
- Planners in Thimphu who reply directly
Plan my trip and visa
Free itinerary and itemised quote