Deep coverage11 verified routes across visit, study, work, investment, family and more.
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Select the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for Bhutan.
5 routes
Visit
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Bhutan Entry Permit for Indian Nationals
Indian nationals do not require a visa for Bhutan and instead obtain an entry permit, available online through the Department of Immigration portal or on arrival at the regional immigration offices on the Indo-Bhutan border (Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar and Samtse). There is no visa fee, but Indian visitors pay a concessionary Sustainable Development Fee of INR 1,200 per adult per night (with children's concessions) introduced under the 2023 reform. Indian nationals may enter with a valid passport or a Voter Identity Card; the entry permit is the standard travel authorisation for Indian tourists. The permit does not authorise employment, which requires a separate work permit.
Passport or Voter Identity CardValid Indian passport, or a Voter Identity Card (VIC) accepted in lieu of a passport for Indian nationals.
Entry permit application formDuly completed entry permit application, online or at a regional immigration office.
Birth certificate for minorsBirth certificate required for children below the age of 18.
Recommendation letterOptionalRecommendation letter from a local host or counterpart where applicable.
SDF paymentPayment of the concessionary Sustainable Development Fee for the stay.
Tourist Visa
Bhutan Visa for Bangladesh and Maldives Nationals
Nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives are treated as regional visitors and follow the same online application process as other foreign tourists, paying the USD 40 visa application fee and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). As of the 2023 SDF reform, regional nationals from these countries are no longer exempt from the SDF and pay USD 100 per adult per night, with the standard children's concessions. Applications are made through the Department of Immigration portal and reviewed within five working days, permitting stays of up to 90 days. Like the general tourist visa, it does not authorise work or study.
PassportDigital copy of a passport valid at least six months beyond the intended departure from Bhutan.
Passport photographRecent digital passport-style photo uploaded with the online application.
Travel datesConfirmed arrival and departure dates determining the SDF nights.
Payment of feesOnline payment of the USD 40 visa fee plus SDF for the full stay.
Pledge of FriendshipSigning of Bhutan's Pledge of Friendship during the application.
Tourist Visa
Bhutan Tourist Visa (e-Visa with Sustainable Development Fee)
All visitors except nationals of India, Bangladesh and the Maldives require a visa before travelling to Bhutan, applied for online through the Department of Immigration portal. A non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of USD 40 is payable, alongside the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per adult per night (children aged 6 to 12 pay 50 percent, children under 6 are exempt). The SDF is collected by Bhutan's National Exchequer and the visa is only issued once it has been paid; applicants also sign a Pledge of Friendship as part of the process. Applications are reviewed within five working days, and the visa permits a stay of up to 90 days from the date of entry. The visa does not authorise work or study and does not lead to residence.
PassportDigital copy of a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended date of departure from Bhutan.
Passport photographRecent digital passport-style photo uploaded with the online application.
Travel datesConfirmed arrival and departure dates, which determine the number of SDF nights.
Pledge of FriendshipAcknowledgement and signing of Bhutan's Pledge of Friendship during the online application.
Payment of feesOnline card payment of the USD 40 visa application fee plus the SDF for the full stay.
Travel insuranceOptionalTravel and medical insurance covering the stay is recommended for all visitors.
Transit Visa
Bhutan Route Permit (Restricted Areas)
The route permit is an internal travel authorisation, not a primary entry visa: it is issued to existing valid immigration permit holders to allow movement beyond municipal areas into restricted parts of the Kingdom. It is processed only upon arrival in Bhutan, with a turnaround of one working day, and is granted for a duration not exceeding thirty days at a time. Unless otherwise specified, the route permit is restricted to municipal areas. Applicants provide a recommendation letter from the employer, agency or Bhutanese counterpart as applicable, a copy of their valid immigration permit and a travel itinerary. It supplements, and does not replace, a tourist visa or entry permit.
Route permit application formDuly completed Route Permit Application Form submitted on arrival.
Valid immigration permitCopy of a valid immigration permit (tourist visa or entry permit).
Travel itineraryItinerary detailing the restricted areas to be visited.
Recommendation letterOptionalRecommendation letter from the employer, agency or Bhutanese counterpart, as applicable.
Business Visitor Visa
Bhutan Business Visa
The business visa enables a foreign national to conduct business in Bhutan and is issued by the Department of Immigration on the basis of documentary evidence that the applicant has received government approval to establish or carry on business within the Kingdom. It is distinct from the tourist visa and is tied to an approved commercial purpose rather than leisure travel. Bhutan tightly controls foreign business activity, so the visa is granted only where the underlying business approval exists. Published fee, validity and maximum-stay figures are not specified on the official Department of Immigration pages, so applicants should confirm current terms directly with the Department.
Processing time
5 days
Document checklist (5)
Business approval evidenceDocumentary evidence of government approval to establish or conduct business in Bhutan.
PassportCopy of a passport valid at least six months beyond the intended departure from Bhutan.
Visa application formDuly completed visa application form.
Sponsor or counterpart letterOptionalLetter from the Bhutanese host, partner or counterpart organisation.
Additional documentsOptionalAny further documents the Department may request during assessment.
Not yet researched
Medical Treatment Visa
Pilgrimage Visa
1 route
Study & Training
Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
Bhutan Student Visa
The student visa admits a foreign national to Bhutan to study, for an approved period that depends on the length of their course of study. It is issued by the Department of Immigration and is tied to enrolment at a recognised Bhutanese institution. Foreign student admission is limited, and the visa is granted on the basis of an admission or enrolment confirmation. Published fees are not specified on the official Department of Immigration page, and applicants should confirm current terms with the Department and their institution.
Processing time
5 days
Document checklist (5)
Admission or enrolment letterConfirmation of admission or enrolment at a recognised Bhutanese institution.
PassportCopy of a passport valid at least six months beyond the intended departure from Bhutan.
Visa application formDuly completed visa application form.
Proof of fundsOptionalEvidence of means to cover study and living costs, where requested.
Additional documentsOptionalAny further documents the Department may request during assessment.
Not yet researched
Language Course Visa
Internship / Trainee Visa
Exchange Program Visa
3 routes
Work & Self-Employment
Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Digital Nomad Visa
Digital Nomad Residence Programme (Gelephu Mindfulness City)
Available
Launched January 2026 within the Gelephu Mindfulness City special region: a 12-month renewable residence permit (max 24 months) requiring a refundable USD 10,000 deposit in gold-backed TER tokens plus a USD 2,800 annual fee.
The work permit is the authorisation that actually allows foreigners aged 18 and above, who already hold an entry permit (Indian nationals) or employment visa (other nationalities), to work in Bhutan. It is issued by the Department of Immigration subject to prior approval from the Department of Labour and clearance from relevant agencies. Applicants must submit completed employer and employee undertakings, a medical fitness certificate including a general health and drug test issued by a Bhutan government-certified medical officer, and (for Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals) notarised academic certificates. A maximum age limit applies to foreign workers. Published fee figures are not specified on the official page; the permit is renewable subject to continued approvals.
Processing time
5 days
Max stay
365 days
Validity
365 days
Document checklist (8)
Work permit application formDuly completed Work Permit application form.
Entry permit or employment visaPassport or Voter ID with employment entry permit (Indian nationals), or passport with employment visa (other nationalities).
Medical fitness certificateMedical fitness certificate, including general health and drug test, from a Bhutan government-certified medical officer.
Academic certificateNotarised or original academic certificate (required for India, Bangladesh and Maldives nationals).
Department of Labour approvalPrior approval from the Department of Labour and clearance from relevant agencies.
Skilled Work Visa
Bhutan Employment Visa
The employment visa allows a foreign national to enter Bhutan for work, for a maximum period of one year, and is heavily controlled. It is issued by the Department of Immigration only after the applicant secures approval from the Department of Labour under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment. Foreign employment in Bhutan is predominantly project, expert or specialist based, and a maximum age limit applies to foreign workers. The employment visa is the entry authorisation that precedes the separate work permit, which the worker must obtain on arrival before commencing work. Published fees are not specified on the official Department of Immigration page.
Processing time
5 days
Max stay
365 days
Validity
365 days
Document checklist (5)
Department of Labour approvalApproval from the Department of Labour, Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment.
PassportCopy of a passport valid at least six months beyond the intended departure from Bhutan.
Visa application formDuly completed visa application form.
Employer documentationOptionalDocumentation from the Bhutanese employer supporting the engagement, where requested.
Additional documentsOptionalAny further documents the Department may request during assessment.
Not yet researched
Freelancer Visa
Self-Employment Visa
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
Seasonal Work Visa
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
No verified routes yet
Invest & Capital
Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Not yet researched
Golden Visa (Residence by Investment)
Residence by Real Estate
Citizenship by Investment
Non-Lucrative / Passive Income Visa
Business Investor Visa
No verified routes yet
Retire & Lifestyle
Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Not yet researched
Retirement Visa
Working Holiday Visa
1 route
Family & Origin
Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Dependent Relative Visa
Bhutan Dependent Permit
The dependent permit is narrowly defined: it is issued to the spouse and children of an official of an international organisation, an overseas employee, hydropower project staff, Dantak and IMTRAT personnel, and professional work-permit holders. It is not a general family-reunification route for foreigners and does not extend to dependents of ordinary tourists or most workers. The permit follows the principal's authorised stay in Bhutan. Published fee, validity and stay figures are not specified on the official Department of Immigration pages, so applicants should confirm with the Department.
Processing time
5 days
Document checklist (5)
Proof of relationshipMarriage or birth certificate establishing the dependent relationship to the principal.
Principal's status documentEvidence of the principal's qualifying status (international organisation official, overseas employee, hydropower/Dantak/IMTRAT, or professional work-permit holder).
PassportCopy of the dependent's passport valid at least six months beyond the intended departure.
Additional documentsOptionalAny further documents the Department may request during assessment.
Not yet researched
Family Reunification Visa
Spouse / Partner Visa
Ancestry / Repatriation
1 route
Special Categories
Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Official / Diplomatic Visa
Bhutan Diplomatic and Official Visa
The diplomatic and official visa is for government delegations, officials and persons on official postings or assignments to Bhutan. Only individuals holding diplomatic passports may apply for a diplomatic visa when visiting Bhutan for official purposes and postings or assignments. It is issued by the Department of Immigration, typically on the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. Fees, validity and maximum-stay figures depend on the assignment and bilateral arrangements and are not published on the official Department of Immigration pages.
Processing time
5 days
Document checklist (5)
Diplomatic or official passportValid diplomatic or official passport (diplomatic visa requires a diplomatic passport).
Note verbale or official requestNote verbale or official request from the sending government or international organisation.
MFA recommendationRecommendation or clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade.
Visa application formDuly completed visa application form.
Additional documentsOptionalAny further documents the Department may request during assessment.
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