Getting Bhutan Visa for US Citizens

Bhupendra Adhikari
Updated on December 03, 2025
Getting Bhutan Visa for US Citizens
  • US citizens visiting Bhutan are required to pay a US$40 one-time visa fee + daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).
  • As of 2025, the SDF is US$100 per adult per night, US$50 per child (6–12 yrs); children under 6 usually do not have to pay.
  • If you're a foreign tourist, there is no way to obtain the visa yourself it has to be processed by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator (or approved hotel) who submits your application for you.
  • The SDF does not include lodging, food, transportation, and guides all of which are additional expenses that vary depending on the type of trip you choose.
  • After you pay, you'll receive an e-Visa clearance letter (PDF) that you must present in order to board your flight to Bhutan (or when crossing over land).

The experience of traveling to Bhutan can feel different than many other countries, courtesy of a unique fee and permit system. There's no straightforward pay-on-arrival visa or visa on arrival, such as those offered by many destinations all around the world. All require including US citizens require a visa (or clearance) in advance of being allowed into the country. In addition to the visa, you must pay a daily fee called the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF).

Unlike some countries where the visa alone is sufficient, in Bhutan, you need to have your visa approved  and SDF paid all ahead of time. This whole process typically runs through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator (or approved hotel), or through the official immigration website.

You will need to provide us with a valid passport (must be no less than six months past its expiration when you return home), passport-type photo, flight information, and itinerary. Upon approval, you get an e-Visa clearance letter, which is verified by airlines and at the border upon entry.

It is important to have an understanding of what SDF does not include: you are on your own for accommodations, meals, and interior transportation costs, guides, and entry fees at cultural sites. If you're a U.S. citizen planning on visiting Bhutan and, of course, would like to know how exactly the visa and entry fees play out, then this is for you. In the next few paragraphs, I will go through how much you have to pay, what the visa / e-Visa process is like, and what you really get for your money. 

Quick Facts About Bhutan Visa for US Citizens

What you need to know

Details (2026)

Visa Application Fee

US $40 (one-time, per person)

Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) - adult

US $100 per night for adults (age 12+)

SDF- children 6–12 years

US $50 per night (50% discount)

SDF- children under 5 years

Exempt (no nightly fee)

Visa application method

Will have to be facilitated through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator (or hotel/agent portal), not the embassy.

When visa/SDF is paid

You must pay this in advance (visa fee + SDF + your pre-booked tour cost) before you get the visa clearance letter.

What SDF does not cover

Lodging, meals, transportation (within the country), guide and attraction fees, all additional.

What are Bhutan Visa Requirements for Us Citizens?

  • From a Tour Operator: You’ll need to book a prepaid tour through an approved Bhutanese tour operator. They serve as your visa sponsor and process the application.
  • Payments: Visa application must be completed and paid for in full. This consists of the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) at $100/night and an additional visa application fee of $40.
  • Key Documents: You will need to send your operator a scan of your passport and a copy, a digital passport photo, and proof of full travel insurance.
  • Pre-Arrival: You must present the approved Visa Clearance Letter (email document received, you are required to print a copy and submit it at the Port of Entry) before boarding your flight and upon arrival. You do not receive a visa sticker in advance.
  • A visa to Bhutan for US citizens is a little different, though. You are not able to go to the embassy and apply on your own. Instead, the whole process must be sponsored and managed by a Tour operator.

Obtaining Bhutan Visa For US Citizens Step By Step Process

Bhutan Visa With Stamp
Bhutan Visa With Stamp

Visiting Bhutan as a US traveler requires a visa, something not common with many countries you may visit. You can’t apply on your own at an embassy. Instead, you must be sponsored by and go through a licensed tour operator for your entire application process.

Step 1: Select a Tour Operator.

All tourists must plan their trip through a licensed tour operator.

The very first and most important step you take when planning your Bhutan Tour is choosing a Tour Operator that is licensed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB). This operator will sponsor you and organize your entire trip, including itinerary, guides, lodgings, and transport, and apply for the visa for you.

Do verify – You can and should verify your operator from the official website of the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Dealing with an unlicensed agent will result in rejection of the visa application.

Step 2: Confirm Your Itinerary and Pay in Full

After you pick an operator, work together to create the tour itinerary. Once the itinerary and payments are finalized, you will need to pay for the full trip amount before your visa can be lodged.

The fees that make up the total are comprised of two primary components:

  • Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): A levy of $100 per person, per night. This levy supports education, health , and infrastructure national programs.
  • Bhutan Visa Fee: An additional one-time processing fee of $40 USD.
  • The remaining cost of your tour includes your guide and private transportation, all meals (3 meals daily), basic 3-star hotels, and site entrance fees.

Step 3: Submit Documents to Your Operator

Once you have done this and paid, please send the documents listed below to your travel agent in order for them to apply for your visa:

  • A color scan of the biographical page in your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after you return to your country of origin.
  • A recent digital passport-style photograph.

Evidence of full travel/medical insurance to cover your entire stay in Bhutan.

Step 4: Operator submits your application; wait for visa‑clearance (e‑Visa) letter

Your visa (e-Visa / e-Permit) is applied for by the tour operator through the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) official online system.

When this has been approved (it's usually a matter of a few working days), the operator issues you with a visa‑clearance letter (an electronic letter or PDF).

Step 5: Only book flights / international travel after getting clearance letter

Do not confirm flights or arrive in Bhutan until you have your clearance letter, as you will be required to present it to airlines and immigration personnel in order to board.

This will prevent you from being refused boarding or rejected entry because your visa status was not yet approved.

Step 6: Get Your Visa Clearance Letter

The TCB would normally process visa applications in 5 to 7 working days. If so, they’ll issue a Visa Clearance Letter.

  • This letter will reach your tour operator, who will email it to you.
  • You need to print a minimum of two copies of this letter. It’s a compulsory printout you will have to show to your airline for check-in of your flight to Bhutan and immigration at the time of arrival in Bhutan.

Step 7: Get your Visa stamped upon arrival in Paro

  • You do not to get any kind of visa sticker or stamp in your passport before you travel. 
  • Upon your arrival at the Paro International Airport, you will go through immigration.
  • Carry the original passport and its Printout of the Visa Clearance Letter.
  • The immigration officer will then stamp the official Bhutan visa in your passport to grant entry.

Also Read: Bhutan Tour from USA

Is it Hard to Obtain a Bhutan Visa in 2026 For US Citizens?

It is not challenging for U.S. citizens to obtain a Visa for Bhutan. It is a unique, structured, and mandatory process, unlike what one may encounter with visas from many other countries. Following the relevant procedures provides U.S. citizens with almost guaranteed acceptance of a Bhutanese Visa. The difficulties of obtaining the Bhutanese Visa do not stem from any higher denial rate or from stringent government regulations on eligibility for a Bhutanese Visa, but rather from the type of requirements associated with this process.

The primary barrier for U.S. citizens wishing to obtain a Visa to Bhutan is that they cannot apply for one independently. Instead, you must engage a licensed Bhutanese Tour Operator (BTO) who will manage the entire pre-paid trip (including accommodations, transportation, meals, and so on) for you. The licensed BTO will also act as your sponsor for your Visa application, and you must pay all costs associated with your travel (including a US$100 Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) and a US$40 Visa Fee) prior to receiving your Bhutanese Visa clearance. For many U.S. citizens, this large financial commitment may seem unusual and intimidating.

As long as you get your mind around this model, the procedure is straightforward and fast. There are:

  • No embassy interviews.
  • No complicated personal documentation beyond your passport scan and photo.
  • A fast 5-7 business day standard processing period.
  • A near 100% acceptance rate for well-filed applications from licensed operators.

And, so far, no sign that the position will change by 2026. High Value, Low Volume philosophy is a fundamental National Principle. Hence, the difficulty remains unchanged: It's not about qualifying for the visa, but to understand, accept, and duly comply with the obligatory all-inclusive tour process.

Two simple steps determine your success: 1) you choose an approved Bhutanese tour operator, and 2) you make the mandatory minimum advance payment for any itinerary the traveler chooses to pursue. Do that, and your visa will be a granted.

Bhutan Visa Cost and Fees (in US Dollars)

As an American visiting Bhutan, there are two visa-related fees payable in U.S. Dollars that you must pay (to the government of Bhutan), which includes:

  • A single $40 processing fee for a tourist visa (non-refundable)
  • A Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of $100 per person/per night you are in Bhutan. SDF is a mandated daily fee that every traveling tourist, including children, pays to the Government of Bhutan, which funds health, education, and conservation efforts.

To determine the total amount of Government Fees for your trip, you simply add the two visa fees together. For example, for a classic seven-night/eight-day Bhutan tour, the total Government Fees per person would be $40 Visa Fee plus $700 SDF (7 nights at $100 per night), for a total of $740, as opposed to a shorter (four-day/three-night) trip that would have $40 plus $300, for total Government Fees of $340. Children will receive an SDF discount: travelers aged 6-11 will only pay $50 per night as an SDF; children under 6 years of age are exempt from the SDF.

Those government fees are in addition to the cost of your actual tour package, which includes your guide, accommodations, meals, transport, and entry fees. If you’re booking through a Bhutanese tour operator, they will give you an all-inclusive price that covers the cost of the tour package and these compulsory government fees that they then pay on your behalf as part of your visa application.

For your 2026 planning, you should also know that the $100 per night SDF is guaranteed through August 31, 2027. In addition, from January 1, 2026, a GST of 5% will be levied on all tourism services, but the $40 Visa Fee and $100 SDF are excluded from this new tax, so these government fee amounts do not change.

Understanding the Sustainable Development Fee for US Travellers

Think of Bhutan’s sustainability Development Fee (SDF) less as a tourist tax and more as an investment you are making into the country. It’s sort of like an entrance and conservation fee for the whole country. For each night you stay in Bhutan, a fixed sum goes to pay for the kingdom’s free health care and education, its protection of the environment, and building roads and schools.

The core Rule for US Travelers: You pay $100 USD per person, per night you will be staying in Bhutan. This is a mandatory, non-negotiable charge issued by the government.

Two major components contribute to the cost of your overall trip:

  • The SDF = ($100 x Number of Nights)
  • Tour Package Price (This price includes your guide, Hotels, Meals, and transportation, as well as our company service charge)

These are added and presented as total amount by your tour operator. Here is what the SDF portion looks like, for various trip lengths:

SDF Cost Calculation for Bhutan Packages

Trip Duration

Nights in Bhutan

SDF per Person (US Dollars)

How the Total Adds Up

3 Nights / 4 Days

3 nights

$300

$100 (Night 1) + $100 (Night 2) + $100 (Night 3) = $300

8 Nights / 9 Days

8 nights

$800

$100 x 8 nights = $800

Package Example: 3 Nights / 4 Days

  • Total SDF amount: Each individual's SDF amount per person will be $300, calculated as follows: $100 SDF x 3 nights = $300 SDF ($300 SDF = 3 nights × $100 SDF). 
  • When you pay $1,800 total for your tour package, assume the SDF is a large part ($300) of your total payment and the rest of the $1,500 is for the rest of the services utilized while travelling, such as accommodation, food etc.

Example Package: 8 Nights/9 Days

  • Total SDF Amount: 8 nights x $100 = $800 per person
  • What This Means: On a longer trip, the SDF is a much larger portion of the overall cost of the package. In the same example of a premium tour for $4,000; $800 of this is for the SDF. This illustrates how longer trips are more expensive because they require more contributions to the National Fund.

Discounts Available (For Children)

  • Children 6-12 years old: 50% Discount Available (SDF $50/night)
  • Children under 6 years old: $0 for SDF per night.

When you see the cost associated with a tour package, remember it is made up of the nightly contribution of $100. If you make an investment in Bhutan for the duration of your trip of 5 nights, you will have automatically contributed $500 toward the High Value Tourist Policy of Bhutan.

Your Total Trip Cost After SDF

The SDF is mandatory, and it will be included in your tour operator's final invoice along with the cost of your tour services. In the final invoice, it will be listed as a separate line item, but it will be paid at the same time.

For instance, should you choose to pay for an 8-day tour package that costs $180 per night, it will cover a guide, 3-star hotels, meals, transport, and entry fees:

  • Tour Package Cost = $180/ night x 8 nights = $1440
  • SDF (Structural Deferred) Fee = $100/night x 8 nights = $800
  • Bhutan Visa Fee (One-time) = $40
  • Total Approximate Mean Cost = $2,280

Many may question the valid use of the term SDF because it is not payment for your hotel, guide, or food, as those are all included in your total tour package cost. Additionally, the SDF is available immediately to the Bhutanese Government and is added directly to the National Development Fund.

What documents are needed for an American traveller to get a Bhutan Visa?

In order for US citizens to obtain a Bhutan visa, the following are required: 

  • A valid passport with 6 months remaining after leaving Bhutan. The applicant will need to send a scanned copy of the photo page (to include their full name).
  • A recent passport type photograph taken within the last month must be uploaded digitally.
  • Letter/2 Proof of Emergency Medical Repatriation/Travel Insurance, or a document(s) from insurers verifying that you are insured for full medical/elective repatriation coverage (must be for the entire trip departing the United States).
  • A copy of the travel itinerary.

Visa Types For US Passport Holders 

Tourist Visa (The Only Kind You Apply For)

This is the general visitor visa for leisure travel. You can’t, strictly speaking, apply for this.

  • Process: You must be sponsored by a licensed Bhutanese tour operator. You pay in full for your all-inclusive tour and the $40 visa fee. Your operator then enters the application on your behalf, online, to the government.
  • Result: You get a Visa Clearance Letter via email prior to departure. Your real visa is stamped into your passport when you fly into Paro.
  • Key Detail: Your visa can only be used on the specific dates of your tour. Extensions are available but must be booked and paid for by your tour operator.

Other Visa and Permit Types

Bhutan has a range of visa/permit options instead of just tourist visas – handy if you’re not going to be on short-term tourism. Here is a brief overview of the biggest ones:

  • Official / Diplomatic Visa: For government officials, diplomatic personnel, and international organization representatives, as well as official guests during work/task.
  • Business Visa > For any foreign national visiting Bhutan for business, meetings, conferences, or setting up a business (with the approval of the government).
  • Employment (Work) Visa / Work Permit : For foreigners being employed in Bhutan, on sponsorship. This permits a stay and employment for a certain period.
  • Student Visa/ Permit: For those who want to study in Bhutan (Schools, colleges, and institutes recognized by the concerned authorities).
  • Dependent Visa / Permit: It is applicable for the spouses and/or children of foreign employees and citizens residing, dwelling in Bhutan on a valid permit.
  • Personal Guest Visa: For those who are visiting Bhutan at the invitation of a Bhutanese or a foreigner with a valid permit, and the purpose of the visit/travel is personal, typically for short stays.

If You Hold a US Passport

  • If you’re travelling as an American passport holder, wanting a holiday, then the usual option is the tourist e‑Visa / e‑Permit, organised through a Bhutanese tour operator (or their local representative) prior to arrival.
  • If the reason is not tourism (e.g., business, work, student, or family visit with an invitation, etc.), a different type of visa/permit would be appropriate.
  • For whatever visa/permit you are applying you must meet standard requirements in Bhutan (minimum passport validity, documentary evidence, sponsor/invitation if applicable, other than tourist) in the respective category.

Is there a Bhutan e visa for us citizens?

The US visitors do not have a standard e-Visa for Bhutan. This is an important clarification. You can't simply visit an official government website and enter a few details to pay a fee and instantly receive an electronic visa, the way you order visas online for some other countries.

Instead, Bhutan employs an E-Visa System that can only be accessed by licensed Bhutanese tour operators. Here's how it works from your side:

  • You Book a Tour: You know, just your typical all-inclusive tour of the land with a government-licensed Bhutanese tour operator the one where you had to prepay.
  • Your Operator Registers Online: Your tour operator becomes your sponsor. They take care of submitting your visa application electronically on your behalf through the Tourism Council Bhutan online system. Do not use this system yourself.
  • 3 You Get an E-Document: After processing (5 – 7 business days is typical), the government will send you a Visa Clearance letter. This is a PDF file emailed to you by your tour operator. This is your travel permit.
  • Visa on Arrival: You will print this letter out and show it at immigration in Paro. They then stamp the visa itself into your passport.

It’s all done electronically and completely paperless for the government and tour operator, but for you as a traveler, it feels more like “pre-approved visa authorization” rather than just an e-Visa. The central distinction is the obligatory intermediary of the licensed Tour Operator.

Any website offering straight “Bhutan e-Visa for US citizens” besides than this licensed tour operator system should not be considered. The only official way there now is via a tour operator with a licence, which does the electronic submission on your behalf.

Can Us Passport Holders Get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Here’s what you need to know as a U.S. traveler about obtaining a visa on arrival for Bhutan and why in most cases, the answer is no.

  • Most nationalities, including the United States, do not receive a visa-on-arrival in Bhutan. You need to apply for a visa before you travel.
  • To obtain a visa-on-arrival, international tourists need to have an e‑Visa clearance letter (or e‑Permit) organised by their licensed Bhutanese tour operator before they travel.
  • If you’re flying to Bhutan (or checking in on a land border), you will need to provide the clearance letter before boarding. That’s a must, or you’ll be refused entry/boarding.
  • Very few specific nationalities receive visa‑on‑arrival or visa-exemption privileges for Bhutan, e.g., Bangladeshi and Maldivian citizens are either visa-exempt or eligible for a visa on arrival.
  • There are also holders of diplomatic or official passports of a few countries (Thailand, Switzerland, among others) who may obtain a visa-on-arrival, but again these are exceptions and apply to ordinary passport holders for other purposes.

Since U.S. citizens are always in possession of an ordinary passport (except when on official or diplomatic duty), these exceptions are not valid.

So, no U.S. passport holders cannot get a visa on arrival in Bhutan. The only option for the majority of visitors is to include an e‑Visa or e‑Permit issued prior to partnering Bhutan tour operator’s itinerary. Without it, airlines and immigration can and will refuse boarding or entry.

Can United States citizens Apply for a Bhutan Visa online?

Yes, you can apply online yourself but in this case it's not your typical eVisa.

Think of it more as a speeded-up version of an online tourist visa rather than the government's clunking process to implement Bhutan's system of all-inclusive travel rules. You fill out the form, but your application has to be linked to a booked and paid itinerary. Here's what you need to know:

  • Yes, There Is an Online Portal: You will submit your application on the official website of the Bhutan Immigration Department.
  • No eVisa That Stands Alone: There's no straightforward visa that you simply apply for by completing an e-form. The online application is a step in the process, not an end around the rules.
  • The Big Rule: Your trip must be prepaid. This is a requirement that applies to all visitors.

How it Actually Works?

The application is available on the Internet. You will also need details from your passport, a digital photo, travel insurance information, and your trip dates.

Here's the important part: To apply, you have to pay two fees online:

  • Sustainable Development Fee (SDF): $100 per person/night of your stay.
  • Visa Processing Charge: A $40 fee paid once in a lifetime.

You only get your application reviewed with a payment. You'll pay the nightly SDF after the system confirms your travel plans are set.

Generally, you have two options for this:

Book Through a Travel Agency (Simplest Option)

This is the most common way. Book your complete all-inclusive holiday with a licensed Bhutanese tour operator.

They'll walk you through the online application or submit your entire request on your behalf. Let them sweat the little stuff.

Do It Yourself (DIY Route) as an Independent Tourist

You can register and apply online on the portal.

Heads up: You still need to book a licensed guide and accommodations on your own before applying. True independent travel isn't allowed. You'll also pay the SDF as well as the visa fee yourself during the online application.

What to Get Ready Before go for Online Application?

A scan of the passport information page (6+ months remaining on validity after the completion of your trip).

  • A digital passport-style photo.
  • Your travel insurance details.
  • A credit/debit card to pay the fees online.

After You Apply:

Processing is generally 5 business days. As soon as approved, you will receive a Visa Clearance Letter by email.

Print that letter as you'll have to present it at the check-in at your airline and again on arrival in Paro. That's when they'll paste the real visa into your passport.

What is a Visa clearance letter and Why does it matter?

The Visa Clearance Letter is an official document (in PDF format) issued by the Bhutanese Department of Immigration stating that your tourist visa has already been approved prior to your travel.

It’s important because it is your literal ticket to climb on the plane and get into Bhutan. Airlines will not check you in for your flight to Paro if they cannot see the printed copy. At the airport, you show this letter together with your passport to the immigration officer, and they will then put a visa sticker into your passport.

So, in brief, it is not the visa, but this pre-requisite authorisation that permits entry to Bhutan to receive it. You will need to print it out and take it with your passport for the duration of your trip.

Additional Visas for Bhutan Visit from Neighboring Countries For American Travellers

Because there are no direct flights from the US, travelers flying out of here would need to transit another country (which could include a visa for that stopover). The five countries India, Nepal, Thailand, Bangladesh, Singapore are transited by a vast number of people as there is no direct flight to Paro. Familiarizing yourself with the visa requirements for those other transit points is an essential part of planning your trip.

Here is a breakdown of visa requirements for US passport holders traveling to some key transit destinations. 

India

Scenario A: Airport Transit (No Visa Needed)

You are only allowed to transit without a visa if you're flying into one of five airports: Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Kolkata (CCU), Bagdogra (IXB), or Guwahati (GAU) and then catching an immediate connecting flight to Bhutan.

You are required to have a confirmed onward ticket to Bhutan, and you cannot go out of the transit area of the airport.

Scenario B: Entering India (Visa Required)

You will need an Indian Tourist Visa if you intend to visit India prior to flying to Bhutan or travelling overland to enter Bhutan. Submit in advance of travel through the official Indian government website.

An India Transit Visa is required for travel from an Indian airport to Bhutan by road, as you cannot enter Bhutan without crossing the Indian border. Once arrived, valid for 72 hours. Cost is approximately $47.70.

Nepal

Scenario A: Airport Transit (No Visa Needed)

Without needing a visa, if you have proof of an onward ticket and stay inside the airport transit area.

Scenario B: Entering Nepal (Visa on Arrival)

US citizens can apply for a Tourist Visa on Arrival at Kathmandu airport. Your passport (must be valid for at least 6 months), one passport photo(or pay $2 for a scan ), fill in the form, and $30 cash for the visa(15 days). Please also note that foreign tourists travelling overland from Nepal to Bhutan are not permitted to make stops in India under the provisions of the Indian Tourist Visa.

Thailand

Scenario A: Airport Transit (No Visa Needed)

No visa necessary if passing through a Thai International airport (e.g., Bangkok BKK/Suvarnabhumi) with a confirmed connecting flight within 24 hours, AND don't leave the airport.

Scenario B: Entering Thailand (Visa Exemption)

A visa on arrival is issued free of charge for a stay of up to 30 days. You will need to have 6 months' validity remaining on your passport and show proof of onward travel.

Bangladesh and Singapore

  • Bangladesh: US citizens can apply for a 30-day visa on arrival at the Dhaka airport, according to standard protocols.
  • Singapore: Americans are allowed to visit for tourist purposes for up to 90 days without a visa. You must have at least 6 months' validity on your passport, and you might need to prove that you hold onward travel documents.

Parting Words

Bhutan visa for U.S. citizens is easy once you know the system, which is a little different after all. The main thing to know is that you must book and pay for your all-inclusive package through a registered operator first, and they will process the visa for you. Your main steps are uploading a scan of your passport and photo, paying the $40 visa fee as well as the $100/night Sustainable Development Fee, then carrying a print-out of your Visa Clearance Letter when you're ready to travel.

Because you’ll transit in another country, such as India or Nepal, do check that country’s specific requirements for a transit or tourist visa while there. With those pieces, you are all set for an amazing adventure.

If you have any more questions about the Bhutan visa attainment or assistance on booking a multi-country package multi country tour, such as a Nepal-Bhutan tour, or an itinerary that includes Nepal treks and tours or Tibet, feel free to write us or leave your queries below. Our specialist travel consultant will be in touch within the next 24 hrs to help begin your journey.

Frequently Asked Questions On Bhutan Visa For USA Citizens to US

Can I get a Bhutan visa online by myself?

Not directly. There is an official online visa application system, but tourists must book through a Bhutanese tour operator or their foreign travel agent. You book and pay for your tour through them, and they handle the e-visa application for you.

Do I have to use a tour operator, and why?

Yes, it is mandatory. Bhutan has in place a tourism policy that requires all those visiting to pre-book, pre-pay an all-inclusive package with their government-licensed operator (except for citizens from India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives). This approach ensures a tourism that's high-value and low-impact. Your visa sponsor is the operator.

What is the duration it takes to approve for Bhutan visa?

When your application form, along with the required papers and full payment, is submitted to the Department of Immigration by your tour operator, it normally takes 5-7 working days for visa processing.

When do I have to pay for the tour and visa?

You must pay in full for your entire tour, plus the SDF and $40 visa fee, before your tour operator can apply for you with the government.

What documents are required for the visa?

You will be asked to bring with you:

  • Coloured copy of the page of your passport showing personal particulars (passport must be valid at least 6 months after the intended date of departure).
  • A recent digital passport-sized photograph.
  • Proof of comprehensive travel insurance.

Is travel insurance necessary for Bhutan?

Yes, you need travel insurance that is valid for the entire period of your stay in order to apply for the visa.

How do I receive the actual visa stamp?

The actual visa is issued by immigration officials at your point of entry to Bhutan, which is typically Paro International Airport. You cannot obtain it in advance at an embassy.

Can I explore Bhutan on my own, or do I need a guide?

Independent travel is not permitted. You must have a licensed guide and pre pre-arranged schedule for your entire visit.

What if I want to extend my visit to Bhutan?

Tour extensions are possible. You will need to ask for this on your side, and they (your tour operator) should make the extension of the visa and collect extra SDF for over day.