Visa Info to Bhutan

The citizen of India, Bangladesh and Maldives do not require VISA to enter Bhutan. Other nationals need a VISA permit while traveling to Bhutan. Travelers to Bhutan are permitted only as a commercially organized tour group. This can be done directly or through a travel agent abroad.

The VISA processing for Bhutan requires a readable color copy of passport via email that has at least six month of validity from the date of exit from Bhutan. The file (Scan Copy) should be forwarded to via email in JPEG or PDF format. The passport number and picture of the applicant should be visible in the e-document.

The application should be processed at least 1 week prior to the date of entry to Bhutan. The tourism council of Bhutan then issues a VISA clearance letter and fax or emails it to the local travel agent. Please note that the VISA service is not offered in Bhutan, travelers have to buy full service package from the local tour operator.

Travelers traveling by air are required to produce a printed VISA clearance copy at the time of check-in for Druk Air flight. People traveling by land to enter Bhutan via Phuentshoking or Samdrup Jonkhar are required to produce a VISA clearance letter at the immigration center. The actual VISA is stamped in your passport on your arrival in Bhutan.

Note: Visas cannot be obtained at Bhutanese Embassies.

To obtain a Bhutanese visa, you need the following:

• Bhutan visa application form x 3 copies duly filled
• 2 passport-size photographs
• Photocopy of the passport for private visitors, a sponsorship certificate form must be filled in by the sponsor.
• A fee of US $70 a day should be paid directly to the Department of Tourism for private visitors, except for family members.
• Visa processing time: 1 month.
• When entering Bhutan, you receive a visa for only 2 weeks from Paro Airport.
• Visa fee includes US$ 20 and US$ 10, which must be paid to Tourism Development. Visa can be extended with an additional fee of US$ 15. (Except For SNV employees, the visa extension fee of Nu.510 should be paid for each passport)

Bhutan Entry Procedure
Tourists visiting Bhutan must travel through an authorized local tour operator on a pre- planned, pre- paid, guided package tour. Independent travel is not permitted. The government stipulates an ill- inclusive entry fee per day. Concerned tour operator is responsible for all logistic arrangements during your stay in Bhutan.

Arrival/ Departure by Land
The only land entry point for tourists is through the town of Phuentsholing, on the southwestern border with India, If prior arrangements are made, it will be possible to exit through the town of Samdrup Jongkhor in the southeast region, which makes an easy entrance point to northeastern India.

Getting around the country
There are two ways to travel within Bhutan: by car or on foot. If trekking, there is a basic but usually well maintained, network of motor able roads across the country. Your tour operator is responsible for arranging all necessary modes of transportation. Tour vehicles are comfortable buses, vans and cars.