Visa Requirements
The Department of Immigration, under the Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs in Bhutan, is the only authority that issues visas for travel to Bhutan. With the exception of Indian visitors who will need a permit, all other visitors must obtain a visa to enter Bhutan. 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.
Although visitors from Bangladesh and Maldives can process visas on arrival, it is recommended that these be applied online to reduce wait time and for faster clearance at the port of entry. The visa fee is USD 40 per person and it is non-refundable. While the process to issue the visa is usually quick, the visa can take up to five working days to process.
The Following documents are required to process the visa:
- A passport copy is which is valid up to six months from the date of your travel.
- Travel insurance which is valid for the duration of the trip.
- A recent passport-size photograph.
If eligible for a visa on arrival, guests must pay the applicable SDF in USD at the port of entry.Bhutan is served by two national airlines, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, which offer direct flights to and from Paro International Airport to various destinations, including Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Bagdogra, Gauhati, Kolkata, and New Delhi), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore, and Thailand (Bangkok). Apart from air travel, there are also four official entry points by road from India to Bhutan, which are located in Samtse and Phuentsholing in western Bhutan, Gelephu in central Bhutan, and SamdrupJongkhar in eastern Bhutan.
