Entry Requirements
Visa Policy & Requirements
Everything you need to know about entering the Kingdom of Bhutan — visa types, fees, exemptions, and step-by-step application guidance.
Visa policy
Application Process
Tourists can book a package holiday to Bhutan through both International and Bhutanese local tour operators. The Royal Government of Bhutan sets minimum selling prices for packages to Bhutan and this must be paid in US dollars prior to arrival in Bhutan
Other than Indian, all visitors to Bhutan require a visa; all visas are issued from Thimphu; visas are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator (Glimpses Bhutan), directly or through a foreign travel agent. Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator. Visa clearance from Thimphu must be obtained before coming to Bhutan. Visa clearance takes at least 5 days to process. Air tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry the visa will be stamped in your passport on payment of US$20, two passport photos will also be required. Visas are issued for a 15day period; extensions can be obtained in Thimphu at a cost of Nu.510.
Bhutan Travel Policy & Entry Guide 2026
Interested in visiting Bhutan? Here’s what you need to know before you go. This 2026 guide covers updated visa rules, reduced Sustainable Development Fees, travel insurance requirements, and what to budget for your trip. Discover why Bhutan remains one of the world’s most rewarding and responsible travel destinaion
Planning your trip to Bhutan shouldn’t feel like climbing Mount Everest! With Druk Asia, it’s as easy as packing your bags. Our expert team ensures
Bhutan cherishes its unique cultural heritage and pristine environment by regulating tourism through a policy of High Value, Low Impact.
As of August 2023, the Royal Government of Bhutan has introduced new incentives and policy measures to boost the tourism sector, acknowledging its significant role in generating employment, earning foreign exchange, and spurring economic growth across ancillary industries.
- Visa Requirement: All tourists, except for visitors from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, need a visa to enter Bhutan. Indian visitors require a permit, while nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives are eligible for a visa on arrival.
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) Incentives: A 50% discount on the prevailing SDF of USD 200 is offered to US Dollar paying tourists, reducing the SDF to USD 100 per person per day. This discount also applies to US Dollar-paying children aged between 6 and 11 years. Furthermore, the 24-hour SDF waiver for tourists staying in border towns will continue.
- Application Process: Visitors can apply for a visa clearance or permit online through the Department of Immigration’s website or engage tourism service providers like Druk Asia to handle travel documents and trip planning.
- Effective Period: These incentives are effective from 1 September 2023 until 31 August 2027, with periodic assessments to be conducted by the Royal Government.
What Are The Visa Requirements For Bhutan?
To apply for a Bhutan visa, you will need the following documents:A digital copy of a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your departure date from Bhutan.
A recent digital passport photo.
Arrival and departure dates.
Valid travel insurance for the duration of your travel.
A one-off visa application fee of USD40.
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD100 per night per adult and USD50 for children aged 5 to below 12 years old. For children below 5 years, the SDF is waived.
What are the fees for obtaining a Bhutan visa?
|
Category
|
Visa Fee (one-time)
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SDF (per night)
|
Total Cost Type
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Adult (12+ years)
|
$40
|
$100 / night
|
Visa + daily fee
|
|
Child (6–11 years)
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$40
|
$50 / night (50% discount)
|
Reduced daily fee
|
|
Child (under 6)
|
$40
|
FREE
|
Only visa fee
|
Flight Formalities
There are two main flights for Bhutan (Drukair & Bhutan Air). We have GSA system of Flight Tickets. We can help out to issuing your ticket very easily from any of airlines place either from Nepal, India, Singapore or Bangkok. For issuing tickets we need your clear Passport copy and pre paymen
Cancellations policy
Tour Programmers booked and subsequently cancelled shall be subject to cancellation charges as follows:
-within 21 days ~ 10% of rate
-within 14 days ~ 15% of rate
-within 7 days ~ 30% of rate
-less than 7 days or without notice ~ 50% of rate
-after arrival in Bhutan ~ 100%
Checked Baggage Allowance
The checked baggage allowances on scheduled international flights are as follows:
- Business Class 40 kg (88 pounds)
- Economy Class 30 kg (66 pounds)
Infants paying only 10% of the applicable air fare are not entitled to any free baggage allowance.
The following Articles may be carried free of charge over and above the Free Baggage Allowance:
- A ladies handbag, pocket book or purse, which is appropriate to normal traveling dress and which is not being used as a container to carry articles which would otherwise be regarded as baggage.
- An overcoat wrap or blanket
- An umbrella or walking stick
- A small camera and/or a pair of binoculars
- A reasonable amount of reading matter for the flight
- Infants food for consumption in flighth and infants carrying basket
- An invalids fully collapsible wheelchair and/or crutches or other prosthetic devie for the passengers use provided the passenger is dependant on them
All other articles – such as flight bags, briefcases, typewriters, ladies vanity cases, large size cameras, etc – will be weighed and, if applicable, excess baggage charges will be levied.
Unchecked Baggage/cabin Baggage Special Regulations:
- Regulations issued by the Drukair Corporation stipulate that your cabin baggage must be placed in the over head bin. Therefore the overall dimensions are limited to 45 + 35 + 20 cm (17 + 13 + 8 inches). The weight must not exceed 5 kgs in Economy class and 7 kgs in Business class.
- These regulations shall ensure that the cabin baggage will not impede evacuation of aircraft cabin in case of emergency.
- Please consider this when packing your baggage and kindly ensure that any item exceeding the above limitations is sent as checked baggage.
Ready to Visit Bhutan?
Let us handle the visa process for you. Our team ensures a seamless, stress-free entry into the Kingdom of Happiness.