Before issuing of visa for Bhutan for travelers traveling to Bhutan, it is important to know Bhutan travel tips before you fly into Bhutan.

Travel to Bhutan for all tourists (Except Indian, Bangladeshi, and Maldivian) required a visa in advance. Visa for Bhutan is regulated by the Royal Government of Bhutan under the policy of “High Value, Low Impact”. High-value tourism and low impact on the environment will not affect the philosophy of the Gross National of the country. Bhutanese visa policy will ensure that only a limited number of tourists enter the country at any one time, preventing it from being overwhelmed by mass tourism.

Steps to obtain a visa for Bhutan:

Contact a Licensed Tour Operator:

Bhutan does not allow visas on arrival. All visitors must book their trip through a local licensed tour agency. Choose your tour operator listed in the Department of Tourism that specializes in Bhutan travel and can assist you with the visa application process.

Plan Your Trip:

Work with your tour agency to plan your itinerary depending on the duration of your stay in Bhutan. Places to see in Bhutan, and activities you would like to engage in. Your tour agency will help you to customize your trip based on your preferences and interests.

Submit Required Documents:

Your local tour agency or tour operator will guide you on the necessary documents required for the visa application process. You will need to provide

• a clear scanned copy of your passport information page with a validity of six months before you travel to Bhutan.
• Passport-sized scan copy
• A completed visa application form. it should be duly signed by an individual.
• Valid Travel insurance copies through email.

Visa Fees:

Bhutan has a daily minimum tariff for tourists, which excludes a visa fee of US$40 per person. The tariff covers your accommodations, meals, transportation, guides, and a sustainable development fee of US$200 per person per night. The cost varies depending on number of travelers in your group and what kind of services you want. Your local Tour Agency or tour operator will provide you with the details.

Visa Application Processing:

Once your tour operator receives the necessary documents and fees, they will apply for your visa through the Department of Immigration of Bhutan. The visa application process is handled by your local tour agency or tour operator. They will keep on updating on the progress. A minimum of 7-10 working days is required to get a Visa from the Department of Immigration in Thimphu.

Visa Approval and Confirmation:

Upon approval of your visa from the Department of Immigration, your local tour agency or tour operator will send you a copy of the e-visa clearance letter through email. This Visa letter is required to show or carry a print copy while you enter Bhutan and will be checked at the point of entry, either by air or land.

It’s important to note to travelers that the visa process for Bhutan is mandatory to book your Bhutan trip with a licensed local tour operator. They will handle the visa application process on your behalf, making the entire process simple and hassle-free.  The visa application and processing will be processed within 7-10 days working days of receiving the visa clearance letter after getting payment through telegraphic transfer and with full documentation.

Sample format for Visa for Bhutan

Entry Visa for Tourist traveling to Bhutan can be categorized into two

1. Regional Tourists from India are exempted from Visas for Bhutan.

Regional Tourists from India are exempted from SDF(US$200 per person per night). The winter session of winter parliament 2020 decided to levy a Sustainable Tourist fund(SDF) minimum of US$16 per person per night. Regional tourists are accompanied by a guide and transport from a tour operator of Bhutan or from any Bhutan Tour Agency.

They can decide the choice of services they want from their tour operator. Indian, Bangladeshis, and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity. Indian nationals can also use their voter’s Identity Card. E-permit or visa for Bhutan can be processed online by a registered Bhutan Tour Agency.

Online e-permit for Regional Tourist

In order to streamline and facilitate the smooth functioning of the flow of tourists from Bangladesh, India, and Maldives, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, the Department of Immigration and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System(Tashel online).

The system provides hassle-free online processing of e-permits including outline permits beyond the Thimphu district for regional tourists through registered tour operators of Bhutan, TCB-certified hotels, and TCB-certified guides.

This is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing. Visitors who use this facility can get all route permits and visas for Bhutan(E-Permit) ahead of their arrival. The visa fee for Bhutan for regional tourists is free of charge. The only charge the Government will be levying to the region is US$16 per person per day from July 2020. It is implemented by the Parliament of Bhutan. After the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Bhutan, the rule is not functional.

Regional Tourist e-permit format instead of Visa for Bhutan

2. Rest others

Rest other tourists(Except Indians) must obtain a visa clearance prior to travel to Bhutan through any registered Bhutan Tour Agency.  Visas are processed through a Tashel online system by your licensed tour operators of Bhutan or directly through a foreign travel agent of any country. Finally registered Bhutan Tour Agency from Bhutan got the final say on E-visa for Bhutan.

You are required to send a filled-up visa form with a color scan copy of a passport scan copy(validity of 6 months more) and the required details asked by your tour operators from Bhutan. Bhutan Tour Agency will apply for your E-visa to Bhutan.

The Bhutan visa will be processed by the Department of Tourism once the full payment of your tour package quoted by your tour operator including all services provided to your end (including a USD $40 visa fee) has been wire transferred and received in the TCB bank account.  Once received, the visa clearance will be processed within 72 working hours after checking all documents. Sometimes  it may take 1-week working hours.

Please make sure you show your e-visa for Bhutan and Bhutan flight tickets at your point of entry, you will be required to show E-Visa with a route permit letter, and the visa will then be stamped into your passport.

Bhutan visa cost for US citizens

Bhutan Visa cost for US citizens is fixed at US$ per person per tour. The client can pay directly to your local tour agency in Bhutan which is looking after your logistics and other related services. Except Indian passport and voter card holders are not supposed to pay the visa fee

Visa Policy for Bhutan

Visa Policy for Bhutan is regulated by the Royal Government of Bhutan. Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness implies protecting the environment and maintaining culture and traditions, where the government sets the policy of High-value low-impact tourism policy in Bhutan.

Bhutan is against mass tourism and presently Bhutan is the only country with negative carbon. The constitution of Bhutan implies 70% forest coverage always. Bhutan is not restricting Tourism but follows high-value tourists and ultimately does not affect the environment.

Route and Special Permits

All places in Bhutan outside of the Paro and Thimphu districts are under restricted areas. One needs to produce a route permit separately for the places on your travel itinerary. The route permit is checked and endorsed by the immigration officers at checkpoints. If you are with the guide coming to Bhutan through a registered tour operator you don’t have to do anything at any checkpoints. All the formalities are taken care of by the guide.

You require a Route permit when you are traveling from Thimphu to Punakha at the Hongtsho immigration checkpoint (30 minutes drive from Thimphu) you require to show the route permit. While coming from Phuentsholing by road you are required to show a route permit at Rinchending (5 km drive from Phuentsholing).

While moving from Punakha/ Wangdue Phodrang you have to show up at “Chazam” (near Trashigang). Finally moving from Trashigang to Samdrup Jongkhar you have to show at Wamrong and final exit Samdrup Jongkhar. All checkpoint’s working hours are from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The Tourism Council of Bhutan listed tourist places including Lhakhangs for sightseeing. You can visit any Lhakhang that is private with the approval of the caretaker. “Dzongs” or fortresses are open to all during the time of the Festival or Tsechu. Your registered tour operator will deal with all the necessary documentation. You should let them know in advance if you want to halt in Lhakhang or do any kind of mediation.

If you are a Buddhist by faith or undergoing practicing Buddhism. You can apply for a special permit to visit certain dzongs and religious monasteries. More advance of getting a special permit will be based on your recognized Buddhist organization in your home country.

Passports validity for Bhutan Visa

To get Visa for Bhutan you need to have your passport for more than six months of validity. Validity is very important and scan copy in jpeg color format. Many countries in Asia will not issue visas to persons whose passports are about to expire.

Safety of Passport in Bhutan

It is advisable for every visitor to keep their passport safe, while you are in Bhutan. No country only India and Bangladesh has the facility for issuing a replacement passport in Bhutan. If you lose your passport in Bhutan you need to travel to the nearest country to get a new passport. Only India and Bangladesh have embassies in Thimphu.  It is better to get photocopies of your identity along with you.

Checklist for Bhutan Visa Requirements?

• The first is to contact a registered Bhutan Tour Agency listed on the Tourism Website.
• Government tariff i.e. minimum daily tariff set by the Tourism Council depending upon the season.
• Your passport must be valid for a minimum of the day your visa date for entry.
• You must submit the necessary documents required.
• The visa form for tourists will be emailed to you and needs to be filled up by the individual.

Note: For a student, you should have a student ID with proof. You are not eligible if you are 25 years of age. You are eligible for a 25% discount on Bhutan Flight tickets and tariffs. Children below the age of eight are entitled to get a discount

Bhutan Travel cost and Visa fee

A Bhutan visa is US$40 per person. This is non-refundable and it directly goes to government revenue for processing Bhutan Visa. However, in addition to the visa fee, you also have to pay for the tour. The Bhutan Tourism Council has a fixed Minimum Daily tariff. The Bhutan Travel cost and Visa fee is not applicable for Regional tourists.

US$ 250 a day per person during peak season (March to May; September to November)
US$ 200 a day per person rest of the months mentioned above.

Bhutan Travel Cost Includes:

• Accommodations in Bhutan 3-4 star hotels rated by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
• All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
• Standard transportation for the tour. Pick up and drop off from Paro Airport.
• An English-speaking tour guide for the whole duration of the Bhutan tour.
• Entry fees for all places of visit
• Camping equipment for trekking in Bhutan
• The Sustainable Development is 200 per person per night.
• The Bhutan Visa fee is US$ 40 per person.

Bhutan Travel Cost Excludes

• Flights Tickets for domestic and international
• Alcohol and beverages beyond entitlement
• Luxury and 5 stars hotels in Bhutan
• Health Insurance and Helicopter Evacuation.
• Foreign language guide.

FAQ’s Bhutan Visa

What is the time it takes to get a Bhutan Visa?

The time to get a Bhutan visa is 7 days working hours after your documentation. During high season it takes more than 7 days to work hours. For an easy process, it is better if you provide your Bhutan Tour Agency a minimum of one month in advance.

Can I Extend a Bhutan Visa?

Yes, you can. You can contact your Bhutan Tour agency. Your agency will carry on further with the Tourism Council of Bhutan.

What Is the Validity of a Bhutan Visa?

A Bhutan visa is issued for six months starting from the date of entry. It is a single-entry visa.

Can I apply For a Bhutan Tourist Visa Independently?

No, you cannot apply for a Bhutan Tourist visa without the Bhutan Tour Agency. Bhutan Embassies abroad do not offer Bhutan Tourist visa services. Government Guests who are invited for consultancy services and work under the Government can apply through the Government agency. The process is different. A lot of Volunteers work for Bhutan.

If my Bhutan Visa is rejected, Will I get a Tour refund?

Yes, you will get a tour refund. Bhutan Tourist Visa will be rejected if the documentation is correct with genuine documents. A processing fee will be levied by Bhutan Tour Agency to minimum charges depending upon the Tour agency.

Can I Travel To Bhutan right Now?

Yes, but you need to go 21 Days quarantine in Hotels in Bhutan. It is all due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You have to analyze the pros and cons before you travel to Bhutan. Bhutan Entry requirements for COVID-19 are difficult. It is better to travel if Bhutan lifts up quarantine requirements.