- Licensed Bhutanese tour operator
- Thimphu, Bhutan
Blog · Updated October 2026
Bhutan visa requirements 2027: documents for every traveller
Exactly what you need to enter Bhutan, by nationality: passports, photos, permits for Indian visitors, children’s documents and land-border entry.
- Passport valid 6 months
- Passport scan and photo
- Birth certificate for Indian children
The basics
What every visitor needs
Bhutan’s visa requirements are short. For most nationalities you need a passport valid for at least six months after you leave Bhutan, a scan of its photo page, a recent passport-size photo, and a confirmed trip, because the visa is only issued once the Sustainable Development Fee is paid.
The Department of Immigration can ask for more documents in individual cases, but that is rare for tourists. Travel on the same passport you applied with, and keep the original visa approval and any permits with you, because they are checked at checkpoints along the road.
- Passport valid 6 months beyond departure
- Colour scan of the passport photo page
- Recent passport-size photo
- SDF paid for all nights
By nationality
Entry rules by nationality
| Who | What you need | Documents | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most nationalities (USA, UK, EU, Australia, Japan, China and others) | E-visa approved before travel | Passport valid 6 months, passport scan, photo | Visa USD 40, SDF USD 100 per adult per night |
| Indian nationals | Entry permit | Valid passport or Voter ID card only. Children under 18 can use a birth certificate | SDF INR 1,200 per night, no visa fee |
| Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals | Visa on arrival | Passport | Separate regional rules; ask us for current rates |
| SAARC visa exemption sticker holders | No e-visa or permit needed | Passport with valid sticker | Usual SDF rules apply to tourists |
Summarised from Department of Immigration general information, checked October 2026.
Special cases
Children, dual nationals and other situations
Travelling with children
Every child needs their own passport and visa. Under-6s pay no SDF, and those between 6 and 12 pay half. For Indian families, children under 18 can enter on a birth certificate instead of a passport or Voter ID. Carry the original.
Dual nationals
Apply on the passport you will use to enter Bhutan, and travel on that same passport. If you are Indian and hold another nationality, the rules follow the passport you present.
Renewed or lost passport
If your passport changes after the visa is approved, the application must be amended before you arrive. Arriving on a different passport causes problems at immigration.
Entering by land
International visitors entering at Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar need the same visa approval. Your guide meets you at the gate. Indian visitors get their permit at the border, so bring the original ID. If you are crossing from India, check that your Indian visa allows the exit and re-entry you need.
Work, study and business
This page covers tourists. Business visitors, volunteers, students and journalists use different visa categories and need a sponsor. Ask us and we will point you to the right office.
Indian visitors
The entry permit for Indian nationals, in detail
Indian nationals do not need a visa for Bhutan. They need an entry permit, issued on arrival at Paro airport or at the land border, or applied for online in advance. Only two documents are accepted for adults: a valid Indian passport or a Voter ID card. Aadhaar cards, driving licences and PAN cards are not accepted. Children under 18 can use a birth certificate.
Indian visitors pay an SDF of INR 1,200 per night, and must also travel with a licensed guide beyond the first checkpoint and stay in certified hotels. If you are driving your own car in through Phuentsholing, the vehicle needs its own permit too. We arrange all of this as part of our Bhutan tours from India.
Why applications get delayed
- Passport scan blurred, cropped or taken at an angle
- Photo not recent or with a busy background
- Name spelt differently on the booking and the passport
- Passport due to expire within 6 months of departure
- Dates changed after submission without amending the application
Checklist
What to carry on the day you arrive
Passport
The one you applied with, valid 6 months beyond departure, with a blank page.
Visa approval letter
Printed and on your phone. Airlines check it before boarding.
Original ID for Indian visitors
Passport or Voter ID card, and birth certificates for children.
Your itinerary
Your operator will have it, but a copy helps at checkpoints.
Insurance details
Not required for the visa, but useful in an emergency.
Operator contact
Our WhatsApp, +975 17533776, in case anything is queried.
Bhutan visa requirements: questions
A passport valid for 6 months beyond departure, a scan of the photo page and a recent passport-size photo. The SDF must be paid before the visa is issued.
Yes. US citizens need an e-visa approved before travel. The fee is USD 40.
Yes, the same e-visa process applies.
A valid passport or Voter ID card. No other identity documents are accepted. Children under 18 can use a birth certificate.
At least 6 months from your intended departure date from Bhutan.
No, not since 23 April 2024.
Not sure your documents are right?
Send us a scan and we will check it before we apply. It costs nothing.
