Your complete guide to visas in Bhutan

Bhutan, a charming state in the Eastern Himalayas, located between China and India, is known for its pristine nature and deep cultural diversity. As the Land of the Thunder Dragon, where Gross National Happiness exceeds Gross National Income, Bhutan attracts travelers every year looking for a unique destination. However, most foreign travelers require a visa to visit this amazing country.

In most cases, a visa is required to enter the Kingdom of Bhutan. The country's visa policy is aimed at promoting the concept of 'high-value, low-impact tourism', which, according to the government, will help preserve cultural traditions and natural riches of the country. Bhutan makes every effort to protect its untouched ecosystems and cultural heritage. Our visa agency will help you obtain a Bhutanese visa online for all travelers.

A visa to Bhutan is an important tourist document that allows citizens of other countries to enter and stay in the country for a limited period of time. It is an integral part of your trip and must be arranged in advance, before your arrival in Bhutan. There are various types of visas, including tourist, business, and student visas, depending on the purpose of your visit. Each visa has its own requirements for necessary documents, application procedure, and validity period.

The process of applying for a Bhutanese visa can be complicated, so it is very important that you fully understand the specific requirements and procedures applicable to your visa category. Careful preparation and proper application filing will help avoid potential delays or complications upon entry into Bhutan.

Our site buch-dein-visum.de strives to help you plan your trip to Bhutan and guide you through the entire visa obtaining process. Thanks to our support and resources, you can be confident that you are well prepared for your trip and will be able to fully enjoy Bhutan.

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Do I need a visa to Bhutan?

Before entering Bhutan, every tourist must obtain a visa, except for citizens of Bangladesh, India, and the Maldives. You can apply for a visa through our service—our specialists will help you complete the paperwork quickly and without unnecessary costs. You can fill out the application form for yourself and all members of your group, providing the necessary information for each traveler.

Citizens of India, the Maldives, and Bangladesh must obtain a special permit to enter Bhutan. The best way to do this is to contact us: we will take care of the entire process, double-check all the information, and ensure that the documents are completed correctly and in accordance with the latest changes. Also, take care of your travel insurance in advance — we can help you with that too.

Foreigners with a valid SAARC Visa Exemption Stamp do not need to apply for a visa or entry permit.

Overview of visa types for Bhutan

To visit the Kingdom of Bhutan, travelers must obtain various types of visas and permits depending on the purpose of their trip and their origin. Below is an overview of the different types of visas and corresponding permits issued by the government of Bhutan.

Each visa and permit has special requirements and procedures handled by the Department of Immigration of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture of Bhutan. Please note that the process may vary depending on the type of visa and nationality. Therefore, it is important to obtain detailed information about the specific requirements for your travel purpose and plan accordingly.

Below are the different types of visas and permits available for travel to Bhutan:

Diplomatic visa

Visa for official representatives

Tourist visa

Visa on arrival

Work visa 

Student visa

Business visa

Guest visa

Understanding the Duration of Stay and Visa Validity in Bhutan

An important aspect of planning a trip to Bhutan is understanding the duration of stay and visa validity, as these factors directly affect the length and course of your stay.

The visa validity period in Bhutan is the period during which you are allowed to enter the country. This period is determined specifically for each type of visa and may vary depending on the purpose of your visit and the chosen visa category. Once you enter Bhutan, the duration of stay determines how long you are allowed to stay in the country. This period also depends on the type of visa you have applied for.

It is important to note that visa validity and duration of stay in the country do not always coincide. While the validity period determines the period during which you are allowed to enter Bhutan, the duration of stay determines how long you are allowed to stay in the country. In some cases, you may extend the validity of your visa during your stay in Bhutan.

Proper understanding of the duration of stay and visa validity is necessary to effectively plan your trip and avoid any complications. Therefore, it is recommended to thoroughly inform yourself in advance about the specific rules and requirements of each type of visa.

Electronic visa

How many times can you enter Bhutan

single-entry visa

Duration of stay in Bhutan

Depending on the number of paid days, but no more than 7 days

Is it possible to extend the visa

Yes, you must apply at the immigration office in Thimphu

Purpose of entry

Tourism

Who can obtain

Citizens of all countries except India, Bangladesh, Maldives

Who needs to apply for a visa to Bhutan?

Citizens of all countries, except for citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, must apply for a visa to Bhutan.

Indian citizens can obtain an entry permit to Bhutan, while citizens of the Maldives and Bangladesh can get a visa on arrival in Bhutan directly at the port of entry. For this, their passports must be valid for at least six months. For Indian citizens, a Voter Identity Card (VIC) is also accepted as a legal travel document. Additionally, these visitors must pay a "sustainable development fee" of about 17 US dollars per day for their stay in Bhutan.

Citizens of other countries need to obtain a visa before entering Bhutan. A passport page scan with personal data is required. In 2024, it is no longer mandatory to process visas through a registered tour operator. You can use the services of certified visa agency - our team of professionals will help you obtain a visa to Bhutan quickly.

Upon arrival in Bhutan, present the visa permission letter at the entry point, where immigration service officials will check it and stamp your visa.

There are several official land entry points in Bhutan (Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar) and one official air entry point (Paro).

Visa processing times in Bhutan: duration and process

When applying for a visa to Bhutan, whether it is an electronic or a regular visa, it is important to keep track of the processing times. Usually, the processing time for an application ranges from 15 to 25 working days, starting from the day when all the necessary documents have been properly processed and sent to us.

For a regular visa, documents must be sent by mail, and for an electronic visa, they can be sent by email. We, the team at Buch-dein-Visum.de, take on the entire document submission process. We carefully check your documents and send them to the appropriate consulate or agency.

Once the visa, regular or electronic, has been issued, we will send it back to you. For a regular visa, we will mail you your passport with the registered visa. In the case of an electronic visa, we will send you the completed electronic visa by email. If you wish, we can also send you the electronic visa by mail.

To ensure that you receive your visa on time, we recommend that you apply as early as possible. If you require faster processing of your application, we also offer Express and Premium options. Please note that these options involve additional costs.

Whether you are applying for a regular or an electronic visa, we are ready to assist you at every step of the process. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.

Visa processing expenses in Bhutan: Calculate the total cost with our visa calculator

The cost of a visa to Bhutan consists of a service fee and a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) and depends on the duration of stay. We recommend that you use our visa calculator on the Buch-dein-Visum.de website to determine the exact cost based on your individual requirements and planned duration of stay.

The service fee and SDF are paid by the company buch-dein-visum.de, which submits the application on behalf of the applicant, for processing the visa application and your stay in the country. The SDF fee is 100 US dollars per day.

If the processing time for the application is 10 working days, an additional visa fee of 65 euros is charged.

Thus, the final cost of the visa depends on the number of days you plan to spend in Bhutan. Suppose you plan a ten-day trip to Bhutan. Then the SDF fee will total 1,000 US dollars. Together with the visa fee, the total cost of the visa for a ten-day trip to Bhutan will be 1,000 US dollars plus 65 euros.

The cost of the visa may vary depending on the duration of stay and the time of processing. Therefore, we recommend you find out the exact cost before applying for a visa. Our visa calculator offers you a quick and convenient way to find out the total cost of the visa.

Required documents and procedures for obtaining a visa to Bhutan

Here is an overview of the general documents and information that you will need to obtain a visa to Bhutan. Specific requirements may vary depending on the type of visa (e.g., official visa, tourist visa), but there are some general requirements applicable to all visas. Please note that rules and requirements can change at any time, so it is strongly recommended to check the latest information on our website.

Visa application form
Foreign passport
Photograph
International medical insurance
Payment confirmation

Additional documents depending on the type of visa: Depending on the type of visa requested, additional documents may be required. For example, a supporting letter from the head of an associated organization or institution may be required.

5 steps to a visa in Bhutan

1.

Select the type of visa

2.

Fill in the application form

3.

Send the documents to us

4.

Processing your documents

5.

Delivery of your visa

Frequently Asked Questions

Can foreigners visit Bhutan?

Foreign citizens must obtain permission for an electronic visa before entering Bhutan. A visa or entry permit must be issued by a partner in Bhutan.

Can I get a visa on arrival in Bhutan?

Indian citizens can obtain an entry permit from the Immigration Department at the entry terminal based on a valid travel document. Citizens of the Maldives and Bangladesh can obtain a visa on arrival.

How to get a visa to Bhutan?

The easiest and most reliable way is to apply on our website. We will help you obtain a visa to Bhutan quickly and at a low cost.

Who can get an electronic visa to Bhutan?

Citizens of all countries, except India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives.

Have questions? We will help!

How to order a visa through Buch-dein-Visum.de?

If you need to get a visa to Bhutan and don't know where to start the process, then familiarize yourself with the visa ordering procedure on our website. It's fast, convenient, and very simple!

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Cost
Documents
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Have questions?
  • Step 1. Choose the type of visa you need

    Each visa has its own conditions and application procedure, so before applying, we recommend that you study in advance which visa will suit you for your trip and what documents need to be prepared for the application. On our website, you will find all the comprehensive information on all types of visas, which we will be happy to help you apply for.

  • Step 2. Prepare the documents in advance

    Need information on what documents are needed to apply for your visa?

    We provide a brief list of the main documents on the visa description pages for each country, just select the country and type of visa you are interested in from the menu.

    Also, after you apply, we provide detailed instructions with a list of all the documents, as well as details for each type of document, such as photographs, additional or accompanying documents.

    If you still have questions, use our feedback form, we will respond to you as soon as possible and in a convenient form of communication for you - by email or phone.

  • Step 3. Apply on our website.

    Simply go to the visa ordering page, select the country you are planning to travel to, and the necessary type of visa.

    In the next step, specify your nationality.

    Choose the visa processing time - we provide information in advance about the possible processing times and costs

    Specify the name and surname of all travelers for whom the visa application will be made

    Insurance. We also offer a service for arranging insurance for your trip

     Provide your contact details and the address where the visa will be delivered, as well as the transport company that will deliver to the address.

  • Step 4. Prepare the documents

    An email will be sent to the email address you specified in the application with a list of the necessary documents. This package will need to be prepared either in paper form if the visa is processed through the consulate or in scanned form if the visa is processed online.

    All instructions for providing documents for your visa will be given in the email.

  • Step 5. Pack your bags and plan your unforgettable journey, while we take care of submitting and receiving your visa.

    We prepare the entire package of documents and submit it to the consulate for you.

    You also do not need to worry about queues and your time - we will pick up the processed visa ourselves and send it to you according to the delivery method you have chosen.

The cost of processing a visa through Buch-dein-Visum.de depends on many conditions, as the cost of the visa itself, consular fees, visa processing times, and other additional factors such as return delivery and insurance, if necessary.

Go to our visa calculator, select the country and type of visa and check the rates for processing the visa you are interested in, as well as the conditions and processing times.

  • Passport

    Please note the validity of your passport - it must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival in Bhutan

  • Photographs

    Passport sample photograph

  • Completed form

    As an accredited visa agency, we will take care of preparing the form for visa application. Only the data requested by the embassy of the country for issuing the visa is required from you

  • Tickets and accommodation

    To apply for a visa, information about your accommodation and round-trip tickets will be required. We recommend booking tickets and a hotel/place of stay in advance before applying for a visa

  • Accompanying documentation

    If you plan to visit the country for purposes not related to tourism, documents confirming the necessity of your trip and the corresponding visa will be required. For example, for business trips, an invitation letter from a local company on company letterhead specifying the purpose of your trip and the planned period of stay may be required

You can track the current status of your order at any time.

To log in, you need to enter your surname and order number, which will be indicated in the confirmation email.

You can also contact us through the callback form. Our specialists will answer any questions about the current status of your order.

The issued visa, as well as all original documents, will be sent to you through the delivery service you choose when placing the order.

The full list of transport companies and their rates will be indicated when applying on our website.

Didn't find an answer to your question? Use our feedback form, we will respond to you as soon as possible and in a convenient form of communication - by email or phone.

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