Visa for Visiting Bhutan

• Visa for Visiting Bhutan

The Royal Bhutanese Embassy in Dhaka does not issue any visas or entry permits for foreigners planning to visit Bhutan. Visas for travel to Bhutan are being issued only by the Department of Immigration, the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Bhutan.  Visitors can process a visa or permit online from the website of the Department of Immigration by visiting https://visit.doi.gov.bt/ . Visitors can also engage tourism service providers (see http://www.bhutan.travel for more details) to process the travel documents and plan a trip.

All visitors will need a visa to visit Bhutan except the visitors from India, who will require a permit. Nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives shall be eligible for a visa on arrival at the port of entry. Nationals of Switzerland and Thailand holding diplomatic and official passports shall be also eligible for a visa on arrival at the port of entry.  However, visitors eligible for visas on arrival are  recommended to process for a prior visa (online) to reduce wait time  at the port of entry and to avoid incoveniences. 

The visa fee is USD 40 per person and it is non-refundable. While the process to issue the visa is usually quick, it may take up to five working days to process. 

The following documents are required to process the visa:

1. A passport copy is required. The passport must be valid for six months from the intended   date of departure from the Kingdom; 
2. Travel insurance valid for the duration of the trip; and
3. A recent passport size photograph.

From our reopening on September 23, visitors to Bhutan will make an active contribution to Bhutan’s economic, social and cultural development. The Sustainable Development Fee enables investment in transformative programmes that preserve our cultural traditions, protect our heritage and environment, upgrade infrastructure, create opportunities for our young people, and build resilience. SDF amount is as follows:

1. Guests from India are levied SDF of Nu. 1,200 or equivalent amount in INR per person per night, which will remain in effect for two years, following which time it may be reviewed and revised in keeping with the principle of the preferential rate after two years. 
2. Visitors from all other countries are levied SDF of USD 200 per person, per night.
3. There will be a concessionary levy of 50% on the SDF for children between the ages of 6-12 years and exemptions of SDF for children aged 5 years and below.
4. The SDF funds go to the national exchequer and are allocated to various projects that enhance facilities, services and infrastructure for nationals and guests who visit Bhutan, as well as funding free healthcare and education.

For more information on the SDF, visiting Bhutan and our plans, please see here-  http://www.bhutan.travel. 

How can the SDF payment be made?

1.  The SDF must be paid during the visa or permit application via wire transfer or using a credit card. 
2.  The SDF must be paid in USD; however, Indians can also pay in INR.
3. A guest who is eligible for a visa on arrival, should also pay the applicable SDF in USD at the port of entry.