Visa/Entry Permit

Visitors from India, Bangladesh, and Maldives can enter Bhutan without needing a visa; they can obtain a permit upon arrival at the port of entry by presenting a valid passport with at least 6 months validity (Indian nationals can also use their Voters Identity Card). However, tourists from all other countries must obtain a visa clearance before traveling to Bhutan.

To acquire a visa clearance, tourists need to follow a process facilitated by their licensed Bhutanese tour operator or a foreign travel agent. They must submit the photo-page of their passport to their tour operator, who will then apply for the visa. The Tourism Council of Bhutan processes the visa after the full payment of the holiday, including a USD $40 visa fee, has been wired and received in the TCB bank account. The visa clearance is typically processed within 72 working hours.

Upon arrival, tourists must present their visa clearance letter at the point of entry, where the visa will be stamped into their passport.

For visitors from Bangladesh, India, and Maldives, an Online Permit System has been launched to streamline the process. This system, operated by the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, and the Tourism Council of Bhutan, allows regional tourists to obtain permits through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB-certified hotels. This optional system enables visitors to obtain permit clearances and route permits ahead of their arrival in Bhutan, similar to international tourists. The Online Permit System is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuntsholing.