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.
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.
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:
Citizens of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival in Bhutan: [2]
Holders of diplomatic or official passports of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry: [3]
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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.
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.
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]
Most visitors arriving to Bhutan were from the following countries of nationality: [9]
Country or territory | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
India | 230,381 | 191,836 | 172,751 | 114,301 | — | — | — | — |
Bangladesh | 13,016 | 10,450 | 10,536 | 7,753 | — | — | — | — |
United States | 11,707 | 10,561 | 9,220 | 7,292 | 7,137 | 7,291 | 6,997 | 6,102 |
China | 7,564 | 6,878 | 6,421 | 9,208 | 9,399 | 8,111 | 4,827 | 3,816 |
South Korea | 998 | 6,048 | 1,035 | — | — | — | — | |
Singapore | 4,744 | 3,886 | 4,129 | 3,015 | 2,587 | 1,720 | 2,051 | |
United Kingdom | 4,241 | 3,585 | 3,246 | 3,124 | 2,958 | 2,680 | 2,309 | 2,491 |
Thailand | 4,086 | 3,886 | 4,047 | 4,177 | 3,778 | 12,105 | 3,527 | 3,617 |
Germany | 3,375 | 3,422 | 2,970 | 2,297 | 2,498 | 2,971 | 2,770 | 2,895 |
Australia | 3,153 | 2,739 | 2,249 | 1,818 | 1,833 | 2,037 | 2,062 | 1,950 |
Japan | 3,010 | 2,674 | 2,744 | 4,833 | 2,437 | 2,707 | 4,035 | 7,029 |
Malaysia | 2,761 | 3,140 | 2,956 | 1,967 | 1,546 | 2,067 | 2,054 | 1,312 |
Vietnam | 2,072 | 1,961 | 1,423 | — | — | — | — | — |
France | 1,953 | 1,773 | 1,545 | 1,501 | 1,563 | 1,636 | 1,572 | 1,863 |
Philippines | 1,912 | 1,089 | 1,101 | — | ||||
Canada | 1,870 | 1,807 | 1,524 | 1,110 | — | — | — | — |
Spain | 1,659 | 1,397 | 1,142 | — | — | — | — | — |
Taiwan | — | 1,496 | 1,491 | 1,812 | — | — | — | — |
Switzerland | — | 1,379 | 1,352 | — | — | — | — | — |
Italy | — | 1,229 | 978 | — | — | — | — | — |
Indonesia | — | 1,033 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Netherlands | — | 757 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Others | 20,007 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
Total | 315,599 | 274,097 | 237,529 | 209,570 | 155,121 | 133,480 | 116,209 | 105,407 |
Tourism in Bhutan began in 1974, when the Government of Bhutan, in an effort to raise revenue and to promote Bhutanese unique culture and traditions to the outside world, opened its isolated country to foreigners. In 1974 a total of 287 tourists visited the Kingdom of Bhutan. The number of tourists visiting Bhutan increased to 2,850 in 1992, and rose dramatically to 7,158 in 1999. By the late 1980s tourism contributed over US$2 million in annual revenue.
Visitors to Kyrgyzstan 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.
Most visitors to Indonesia may obtain a visa on arrival to Indonesia, unless they are a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries. However, some countries must obtain a visa in advance from one of the Indonesian diplomatic missions before being allowed to enter Indonesia.
Visitors to Mongolia must obtain a visa from one of the Mongolian diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries, or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival, or citizens eligible for an e-Visa.
Visitors to Sri Lanka must obtain a visa, either on arrival to Sri Lanka or in advance, unless they are a citizen of one of the visa-exempt countries. Most visitors entering for tourism purposes are required to obtain a visa on arrival, unless they are exempt from obtaining one. However, citizens of some countries must obtain a visa in advance before being allowed to enter Sri Lanka. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Visitors to India must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries. Nationals of certain countries may obtain a visa on arrival or an e-Visa online, while others must obtain a visa from an Indian diplomatic mission.
Under normal circumstances, visitors to Kuwait must obtain a visa unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries eligible for visa on arrival/eVisa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months.
Most visitors to Cambodia must obtain a visa, either on arrival or online, unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries.
The visa policy of Nepal allows citizens of most countries to obtain either an Online tourist visa or an visa on arrival while citizens of India are allowed freedom of movement. However, citizens of certain other countries must obtain a visa from one of the Nepalese diplomatic missions.
Papua New Guinea Visitors must obtain a visa on arrival or e-Visa to enter the country. Visitors can also apply for a visa from the PNG diplomatic missions. All visitors must have a passport valid for 6 months.
Kenya has abolished visa requirements for all foreign visitors from 1 January 2024, and instead implemented an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) system.
Visitors to Qatar must obtain a visa, unless if they are citizens of one of the GCC countries or if they are citizens of one of the countries eligible for a visa waiver on arrival.
Visitors to Uganda must obtain an e-Visa, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
Mozambique allows most countries that are not visa exempt to obtain a visa on arrival. However, nationals of certain countries must obtain a visa online or from one of the Mozambican diplomatic missions around the world before being allowed into the country.
Visitors to Tanzania must obtain either a visa on arrival or an e-Visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who must obtain a visa from one of the Tanzanian diplomatic missions.
Visitors to Saudi Arabia must obtain a visa, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries.
Visitors to Cuba must obtain a visa before travel or a tourist card from one of the Cuban diplomatic missions, travel agencies or authorized airlines unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries. Electronic visa is also available.
Any foreign national who wishes to enter Myanmar must obtain a visa unless they are a citizen of one of the designated visa-exempt countries.
Visitors to the Gambia must obtain a visa from one of the Gambian diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or they do not have a Gambian diplomatic representative/embassy in their country, in this case they can obtain one at the Banjul International Airport.
Visitors to Syria must obtain an e-visa from in advance, unless they are a national of a visa-exempt country or a country whose citizens are eligible to obtain visas on arrival.