Last checked: October 2026
Almost every visitor to Bhutan needs a visa arranged before travel, and most also pay a daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). This guide explains who needs what, how much it costs, how to apply and which details differ between sources. Bhutan changes fees and procedures from time to time, so treat this page as a starting point and confirm the current rules on the official tourism site, bhutan.travel, or with a licensed Bhutanese tour operator before you pay anything.
Who Needs a Visa
The official tourism site says all visitors require a visa before travelling to Bhutan. The exception is visitors from India, who need a permit rather than a visa. Visitors from Bangladesh and the Maldives need a visa, and the process is the same as for Indian nationals, according to bhutan.travel. The UK government adds that you need a visa both to enter and to leave Bhutan, and that you should make sure the border officer stamps it.
Visa Fee and Sustainable Development Fee
- Visa application fee: US$40, one-off and non-refundable (bhutan.travel and the UK government).
- SDF for most adults: US$100. Bhutan.travel words this as per day, per adult, while the UK government and tour operators describe it as per night. Plan for a charge for each night you stay.
- Children: Bhutan.travel says children pay a concessionary rate without stating the amount. The tour operator Little Bhutan says children under 6 are free and ages 6 to 11 pay US$50 per night, with the full rate from age 12. Confirm this with your operator.
- Indian visitors: They apply for a permit, and Wikipedia and Little Bhutan give an SDF of INR 1,200 per night for adults.
- Bangladeshi visitors: Little Bhutan lists US$15 per night and a waived visa fee.
Little Bhutan says the US$100 rate is confirmed through 31 August 2027 and that the government has not said what happens after that date. It also says the fee was halved from US$200 in September 2023. We could not confirm the end date on a government page, so check it if your trip is close to or after that date. The same operator says day visits to the border towns of Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar carry no SDF if you stay in the town’s designated zone and leave within 24 hours.
How to Apply
Bhutan.travel says you can apply online at immi.gov.bt or have a tour operator or hotel apply for you. You can apply for yourself and anyone travelling with you. The online steps are to sign the Pledge of Friendship, create an account, add your travel information and pay the visa fee and SDF. You need:
- A digital copy of a valid passport
- A recent digital passport photo
- Your arrival and departure dates
- Payment details
You can save an application and return to it later. Applications are reviewed within five working days of submission, according to bhutan.travel. The UK government says the visa is pre-approved and issued on arrival. Business travellers must use their sponsoring organisation in Bhutan.
Passport, Insurance and Guides
Both the UK and Irish governments say your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from Bhutan. Ireland says full travel insurance is mandatory for the whole visit. Ireland also says a guide is mandatory for any journey or trek beyond Thimphu and Paro, and for anyone who enters by land and plans to travel beyond the border towns. No separate permit is needed if you travel with a guide certified by the Department of Tourism. The UK says tour guides are required at places of interest and that some areas need permits. Ireland says visitors must use the Department’s approved list of tourism services and accommodation. Because of these rules, most visitors book a package or an itinerary through a licensed operator.
Money and Customs
- You can bring up to 30,000 ngultrum into Bhutan, and foreign currency worth US$10,000 or more must be declared and cleared with the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, according to the UK government.
- Ireland says phones, cameras and computers must be examined and registered by customs on arrival and checked again on departure.
- Ireland says Bhutan has no ATMs and does not accept credit cards. This may be out of date, so ask your operator how to pay for extras and bring enough cash for the trip.
- The UK says carrying large quantities of medicines may need checking with the Bhutanese Embassy in Brussels. Ireland says to carry only personal medicines, with a prescription where possible.
Entry Points
The UK lists Paro International Airport and the Phuentsholing land crossing as entry points. Druk Asia says Bhutan has four official road entry points from India: Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar. It adds that guides must be registered at Phuentsholing at least 48 hours before arrival. See our guide to flights to Bhutan for the airports, and getting around Bhutan for travel inside the country.
Where Sources Differ
- The SDF is stated as per day on bhutan.travel and per night by the UK government and operators.
- The child SDF amounts come from an operator, not a government page.
- The end date of the US$100 rate comes from an operator page.
- The Irish note about ATMs and cards may be outdated.
Official Safety Advice
The US State Department lists Bhutan at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions (updated 4 September 2026), and Ireland gives its lowest rating, Normal Precautions. Medical care is limited outside Thimphu, so buy insurance that covers evacuation. Read the full safety summary on our Bhutan travel guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Bhutan visa on arrival?
Bhutan.travel says all visitors require a visa before travelling, so apply in advance. The UK says the visa is pre-approved and issued on arrival, which means you collect it after approval and do not apply for it at the border.
How long does approval take?
Bhutan.travel says applications are reviewed within five working days of submission. Apply well before your travel date, especially for festival periods.
Is the SDF charged per day or per night?
Sources word it both ways. The practical approach is to expect a charge for each night of your stay and ask your operator to show the total.
Do I need a guide?
Ireland says a guide is mandatory beyond Thimphu and Paro. The UK says guides are required at places of interest. Book through a licensed operator to meet these rules.
Do Indian citizens need a visa?
No. Bhutan.travel says Indian visitors need a permit, which can be applied for online before travel or on arrival at the point of entry.