All visitors require a visa before traveling to Bhutan – except for those from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, who can also get permits and visas on arrival at the port of entry.
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is USD 100 per person, per night for all visitors except those from India. There is a 50% discount on SDF for children aged 6-12. The SDF is waived for children who have not yet turned 6. This rate will remain until 2027.
A non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of US$40 is also payable.
For visitors from India, a concessional SDF of 1200 Rupees/Ngultrums per person, per night, with the same youth discounts as above, is payable.
You can apply online for a visa or permit by completing an application form, or if you’re traveling with a tour operator or staying at a hotel, they can apply on your behalf. To apply for a visa/permit online, visit https://visit.doi.gov.bt/. This site and service are managed by the Department of Immigration.
The following documents are required:
A digital copy of a valid passport
A recent digital passport photo
Arrival and departure dates
Payment details of SDF and visa fees.
There are a few simple steps to follow when you apply for your visa:
Sign the Pledge of Friendship, thus committing to protecting, preserving, and positively contributing to the kingdom.
The following is the Pledge:
Pledge of FRIENDSHIP
To the people of Bhutan, I pledge to be not only a guest, but a friend to the kingdom:
To understand and respect its sacred places.
To connect to its living culture.
To preserve its peace and that of my hosts.
To leave its wild spaces, plants, and animals undisturbed.
To remove no artefacts that belong to future generations.
And to take actions that preserve its natural beauty for them.
I am pleased to contribute the SDF towards Bhutan’s preservation and development, and am privileged to act as one of its custodians on my journey and beyond.
Create an account
Add your travel information
Pay for your visa/permit application and the SDF for your planned stay
You can save your application at any time and return to complete it at a later date.
