Visa policy of Bhutan

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The visa policy of the Kingdom of Bhutan is strictly regulated under the policy of "High Value, Low Volume" tourism, [1] in order to minimize the effect on the country's unique society and environment. Bhutanese policy ensures that only an acceptable number of tourists enter the country at a time, preventing the country from being overwhelmed by mass tourism and consequently changing its character, and that tourists who do arrive get the best experience and value from their visit.

Contents

Visa for Bhutan issued in 2002 Visa Bhutan 2002.jpg
Visa for Bhutan issued in 2002

Visitors to Bhutan must obtain an e-Visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival. All visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months.

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Bhutan
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Bhutan
Freedom of movement
Visa on arrival
eVisa Visa policy of Bhutan.svg
Visa policy of Bhutan
  Bhutan
  Freedom of movement
  Visa on arrival
  eVisa

Visa exemption

Freedom of movement

Citizens of India do not need a visa to enter Bhutan, because the 1949 treaty between Bhutan and India allows for free movement of people between the two nations on a reciprocal basis.

From 23 September 2022, this freedom of movement is now restricted to travel within the border towns of Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar. Travel beyond these border towns will require a permit, which can be obtained on arrival. Citizens of India may use any of the acceptable documents mentioned below to enter Bhutan:

Visa on arrival

Citizens of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival in Bhutan: [2]

Diplomatic and official passports

Holders of diplomatic or official passports of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry: [3]

90 days
30 days

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

Citizens of other countries may independently obtain an e-Visa whose duration of stay is 90 days. Visa fee is 40 USD per person (nonrefundable). Visa application may be processed within 5 business days. [4]

e-Visa applicant is also subject to pay Sustainable Development Fee of 100 USD per day.

Visa clearance letter

All foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India and Maldives) may obtain a visa in advance through a licensed tour operator and receive a visa approval before travel.
All visas are approved from Thimphu and are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, either directly or through a foreign travel agent.
Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator.
If visa is approved, they are given a visa clearance letter, and must present it at the port of entry. The visa is then stamped into their passport. [5] [6]
All foreign citizens may only enter Bhutan through Phuntsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar if coming by land or Paro if coming by air.

Sustainable Development Fee

In August 2023, the Bhutanese government announced that tourists over the age of 5 years must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person per day. Children below the age of 5 years are exempt from paying the SDF. In addition, visitors to Bhutanese towns bordering India are exempt from paying the SDF for up to 24 hours. [7]

Unused SDF can be refunded.

This policy come is effective from 1 September 2023 till 31 August 2027 for 4 years. [8]

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving to Bhutan were from the following countries of nationality: [9]

Country or territory20192018201720162015201420132012
Flag of India.svg  India 230,381191,836172,751114,301
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh 13,01610,45010,5367,753
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 11,70710,5619,2207,2927,1377,2916,9976,102
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 7,5646,8786,4219,2089,3998,1114,8273,816
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 9986,0481,035
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore 4,7443,8864,1293,0152,5871,7202,051
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 4,2413,5853,2463,1242,9582,6802,3092,491
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 4,0863,8864,0474,1773,77812,1053,5273,617
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 3,3753,4222,9702,2972,4982,9712,7702,895
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 3,1532,7392,2491,8181,8332,0372,0621,950
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 3,0102,6742,7444,8332,4372,7074,0357,029
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia 2,7613,1402,9561,9671,5462,0672,0541,312
Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 2,0721,9611,423
Flag of France.svg  France 1,9531,7731,5451,5011,5631,6361,5721,863
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 1,9121,0891,101
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1,8701,8071,5241,110
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1,6591,3971,142
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan 1,4961,4911,812
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 1,3791,352
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1,229978
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 1,033
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 757
Others20,007
Total315,599274,097237,529209,570155,121133,480116,209105,407

See also

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References

  1. "Bhutan revises its tourism policy to redefine High Value Low Volume tourism". Daily Bhutan. Daily Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  2. "Visa to Bhutan". Druk Asia. Druk Asia / Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  3. "Do I need a visa to enter Bhutan?". Tourism Council of Bhutan. Tourism Council of Bhutan.
  4. "Bhutan eVisa".
  5. "General information" (PDF).
  6. "Bhutan Visa Application Procedures".
  7. "Frequently Asked Questions". Tashel.
  8. "Passport & Visa to enter Bhutan" . Retrieved 2024-06-27.
  9. "Bhutan Tourism Monitor". Tourism Council of Bhutan. Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.