- Visa
The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Canberra does not issue visas to travel to Bhutan. Bhutanese visas and entry permits are issued by the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs in Bhutan once a duly filled visa application form is submitted to the Department for verification and issuance of visa. Click here for Visa application form.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs verifies and recommends visa application for only members and dependents of the international organizations, individuals on official assignment on behalf of the sending state and individuals of interests to the Kingdom of Bhutan.
Diplomatic visa
Only individuals holding diplomatic passports may apply for a diplomatic visa while visiting Bhutan for official purposes. Click
here for requirements to apply for a Diplomatic Visa.
Official visa:
Holders of official passports visiting Bhutan for official purposes may apply for an official visa. Click
here for requirements to apply for an official visa.
Tourist visa
Tourists can apply for a visa online via the official tourism website of Bhutan.Click
here for requirements to apply for a tourist visa.
Gratis Visa
It may be issued to holders of diplomatic passports, official passports, UN passports, government delegations as recommended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and citizens from countries under reciprocal agreements.
Visa on Arrival
Nationals of Bangladesh and Maldives do not require a visa to enter Bhutan and will be issued a visa on arrival at the point of entry. Nationals of Thailand and Switzerland holding Official and Diplomatic passports shall be issued a Visa on Arrival at the point of entry by immigration authorities. However, nationals of Thailand and Swiss holding ordinary passports are required to process Bhutanese visas in advance. Click
here for requirements to apply for Visa on Arrival.
Employment visa
An employment visa allows a foreign national to work in Bhutan. Individuals with an employment visa shall be allowed to stay and work in the Kingdom for a maximum period of one year. Click
here for requirements to apply for an employment visa.
Student visa
Individuals coming to study in Bhutan may apply for a student visa. A person seeking permission to enter the Kingdom as a student shall be admitted for an approved period depending on the length of his course of study. Click
here for requirements to apply for a student visa.
Business visa
A business visa will enable one to do business in Bhutan and may be issued with documentary evidence of having received approval from the government for establishment of business within the kingdom. Click
here for requirements to apply for a business visa.
Dependent visa
A dependent visa may be issued to the dependents of an individual coming to Bhutan while holding a work permit. Click
here for requirements to apply for a dependent visa.
Personal guest visa
Personal guest visas may be issued to individuals coming to Bhutan on the invitation of a Bhutanese citizen and foreign professional (holding Work Permit) or Diplomat residing in the country. A personal guest shall be permitted to stay in the Kingdom for actual duration of stay or thirty days whichever is less. Personal guest visas shall be limited to a maximum of two guests in a year.
→Click
here for requirements to apply for a personal guest visa.
→Click
here to apply for a Personal Guest Application form for Bhutanese.
→Click
here to apply for a Personal Guest Application form for Foreigners.
- Permits
Entry Permit
→Only individuals of Indian nationals shall be issued an entry permit for coming to Bhutan.
→Click
here for Application form for Entry Permit
Work Permit
→An employer wishing to employ foreign workers in the Kingdom shall seek approval for recruitment from the Department of Labour.
→Issuance of work permit may be subject to clearance from relevant agencies.
→Work permits shall be issued to foreigners (18 years and above) with entry permits and visa, whose purpose of visit to the country is reflected as work or employment.
→Click
here for requirements to apply for a work permit.
→Click
here for Application form for Work Permit
Student Permit
→A Student Permit shall be issued to a foreigner enrolled as student in an academic institution, school and college including shedra and drupdey for regular academic course.
→Student permits shall not be renewed beyond the length of one’s course of study.
→Click
here for requirements to apply for a student permit.
→Click
here for Application form for Student Permit
Route Permit
→A route permit shall be issued to foreigners travelling to different parts of the Kingdom for purposes such as work or visit.
→A route permit shall be processed only upon arrival in the country and issued to a valid immigration permit holder to facilitate travel to restricted areas for duration not exceeding thirty days at a time.
→Click
here for requirements to apply for a route permit.
→Click
here for Application form for Route Permit
Dependent Permit
→A Dependent permit shall be issued to the spouse and children of an official of an international organization, overseas employee, hydropower projects, Dantak, IMTRAT and Professional Work Permit holders.
→Click
here for requirements to apply for a dependent permit.
→Click
here for Application form for Dependent Permit
Trader Permit
→Trader permits shall be issued to Indian nationals particularly in the southern border towns.
→Trader permits shall be renewed and transferred based on the recommendation of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
For further information on Visa and Permit to enter Bhutan, visit the website of the Department of Immigration, Ministry of home and Cultural Affairs.