Visa & Entry
Your keys to the Kingdom.
Getting your visa is straightforward. We’ve outlined everything you need below so you can focus on preparing for the summit itself.
Who needs a visa?
All international visitors require a visa to enter Bhutan, with the following exceptions:
- Citizens of India require a permit (not a visa). Indian nationals must hold a valid Indian passport or Indian voter ID card. Apply online in advance, or at the point of entry. Children under 18 may use a passport or birth certificate and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
- Citizens of Bangladesh and the Maldives require a visa, which can be applied for and approved either in advance of travel or upon arrival in Bhutan.
- Nationals from Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic or government official passports are eligible for a visa at their port of entry.
No nationalities are restricted from being granted a visa to enter Bhutan.
What does it cost?
- Visa application fee: USD $40 (non-refundable, one-time)
- Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): USD $100 per person, per night (all nationalities except India)
- Indian nationals: Nu. 1,200 (or equivalent in Indian Rupees) per person, per night
- Children aged 6–11: USD $50 per night (or Nu. 600 for Indian nationals)
- Children under 6: no SDF payable
The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and funds healthcare, education, infrastructure, environmental preservation, and cultural conservation across Bhutan.
How to apply?
Apply online at the official Bhutan Immigration portal: immi.gov.bt. You can also apply through an accredited tour operator or hotel, who may apply on your behalf. You are no longer required to book through a tour operator, all aspects of your journey can be booked independently.
You will need:
- A digital copy of a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your arrival date)
- A recent digital passport photograph
- Your intended arrival and departure dates
- Payment details, notify your bank in advance of an international transfer to Bhutan to prevent the payment being blocked
Applications can be saved and returned to at any time. Processing takes up to 5 working days once correctly submitted. Your visa will be stamped on arrival at Paro International Airport. Your visa permits a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry and can be extended before it expires via the same portal.
The Pledge of Friendship
As part of the visa process, every visitor signs Bhutan’s Pledge of Friendship, a commitment to respect and preserve the kingdom’s sacred places, living culture, and natural environment. It is a small gesture that means a great deal.
Do I need a guide?
Yes. A certified guide is mandatory at all times during your visit to Bhutan. Your tour operator will arrange this, or you can book a Department of Tourism-certified guide independently via services.bhutan.travel. Route permits between regions are no longer required, as long as you are accompanied by a certified guide.
Need help?
If you have questions about the visa process, reach out to the AVS team and we will guide you. The Bhutan Department of Tourism’s host team can also assist: info@avs.bt
