In this guide
Most visitors to Bhutan need a visa approved before travel. If you're coming from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or an EU country, arrange it before you leave. US travellers can find flight routes and timing on our Bhutan tours from the US page. Indian nationals need an entry permit, while Bangladesh and Maldives passport holders can apply for a visa in advance or on arrival.
You can apply through the official immigration portal or ask us to submit the application as part of your trip. The Bhutan Travel FAQ is the reference for current entry rules and exceptions.
Visa fee and SDF
The visa application fee is USD 40 per person. The Sustainable Development Fee is a separate nightly charge, currently USD 100 for most international adults. Children aged 6 to 11 pay USD 50 per night; under-6s are exempt. Check nationality-specific concessions when requesting a quote.
For one adult staying six nights, the standard SDF is USD 600 and the visa fee is USD 40. Guided Bhutan Tours' package price already includes both charges. You don't add USD 640 to the advertised total.
How to apply
Confirm your dates
Start with arrival and departure dates that fit the itinerary. While the visa is being arranged, check flight availability and the booking conditions. Our flights guide explains the connections into Paro.
Prepare your documents
Have a clear scan of your passport's photo page and a recent passport-style photograph ready. Follow the current portal instructions for document formats and passport validity, and check your airline's requirements too.
You'll also need your travel dates and payment for the visa and SDF. If we are applying for you, we'll explain what to send and how to provide it securely. Tell us about children travelling without both parents so we can check whether further documents are needed.
Bhutan has removed its government insurance requirement. We still strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance; check that the policy covers your planned activities.
Allow time for approval
Bhutan Travel says a correctly completed application can take up to five days to process. Apply early enough that there's time to sort out anything missing before you leave, and don't count on a last-minute approval if your flight is non-refundable.
Carry your approval when travelling
Once it's approved, keep the visa authorisation with your passport. Save a copy you can open offline and bring a printout for the airline and arrival checks. If we submit the application, we'll forward the approval when it is issued.
Private tour · 7 days · Thimphu · Punakha · Paro
The Essential Bhutan Journey
We file the visa for you, and the visa fee and SDF are already in every tour price.
Can you get a visa on arrival?
Most travellers must apply in advance. Bangladesh and Maldives passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival, and Indian nationals can apply for an entry permit at the point of entry. Limited exceptions also apply to certain official passports. Check the official rules for your passport before booking.
Notes for different passports
Ordinary passport holders from the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and EU countries follow the standard advance-visa process. The same generally applies to visitors from Singapore, Japan and South Korea. Your connection through another country may have separate transit or entry requirements.
Indian nationals use the permit process and have a separate SDF rate. Bangladesh and Maldives passport holders should check which visa process and SDF concessions apply to them. The government fees in our standard package may not be the right ones.
Children and family applications
Children who require visas need their own applications. The visa fee remains USD 40, even when the child qualifies for reduced or waived SDF. Check passport and consent requirements early if a child is travelling with one parent or another adult.
If your plans change
Apply for any extension before your current visa or permit runs out. Extra nights can mean extra SDF and travel costs. Contact us before changing flights so we can check the paperwork and accommodation together.
The visa application fee is non-refundable. The official FAQ describes SDF refunds for cancelled or shortened stays, with bank charges deducted where applicable. These government rules are separate from the cancellation terms for your booked travel services.
What we arrange
For a package booking, we request the documents, submit the visa application and send you the authorisation once approved. Your quote shows SDF and visa within the total. Immigration makes the approval decision, so we can't promise an approval date.
Request an itemised trip quote if you'd like us to coordinate the itinerary and paperwork. You can start with the seven-day Essential Bhutan Journey, the ten-day Culture & Nature Escape, the small-group Tshechu Festival Group Trip or a custom itinerary.
If your dates depend on an event, check the festival calendar before settling the route.
Entry rules checked against Bhutan Travel on 8 September 2026. Confirm the requirements for your passport and travel dates before departure.
Ready to see it for yourself?
The Essential Bhutan Journey
Private tour · 7 days · Thimphu · Punakha · Paro
We file the visa for you, and the visa fee and SDF are already in every tour price.
Official sources
- Bhutan Travel: visa and permit applications
- Bhutan Travel: nationality exceptions and entry requirements
Check the official rules and schedules for your nationality and travel dates before making fixed bookings.
