Visa policy of Bhutan explained

The visa policy of the Kingdom of Bhutan is strictly regulated under the policy of "High Value, Low Volume" tourism,^[1] in order to minimize the effect on the country's unique society and environment. Bhutanese policy ensures that only an acceptable number of tourists enter the country at a time, preventing the country from being overwhelmed by mass tourism and consequently changing its character, and that tourists who do arrive get the best experience and value from their visit.

Visitors to Bhutan must obtain an e-Visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt countries or citizens who may obtain a visa on arrival.
All visitors must have a passport valid for at least 6 months.

Visa exemption

Freedom of movement

Citizens of India do not need a visa to enter Bhutan, because the 1949 treaty between Bhutan and India allows for free movement of people between the two nations on a reciprocal basis.
From 23 September 2022, this freedom of movement is now restricted to travel within the border towns of Phuentsholing, Gelephu, and Samdrup Jongkhar. Travel beyond these border towns will require a permit, which can be obtained on arrival.
Citizens of India may use any of the acceptable documents mentioned below to enter Bhutan:

Indian Passport
Voter ID card with photo

Visa on arrival

Citizens of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival in Bhutan:^[2]

Diplomatic and official passports

Holders of diplomatic or official passports of the following countries may obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry:^[3]

90 days

30 days

Electronic visa (e-Visa)

Citizens of other countries may independently obtain an e-Visa whose duration of stay is 90 days. Visa fee is 40 USD per person (nonrefundable). Visa application may be processed within 5 business days.^[4]

e-Visa applicant is also subject to pay Sustainable Development Fee.

Visa clearance letter

All foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India and Maldives) may obtain a visa in advance through a licensed tour operator and receive a visa approval before travel.
All visas are approved from Thimphu and are only issued to tourists booked with a local licensed tour operator, either directly or through a foreign travel agent.
Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the tour operator.
If visa is approved, they are given a visa clearance letter, and must present it at the port of entry. The visa is then stamped into their passport.^[5] ^[6]
All foreign citizens may only enter Bhutan through Phuntsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar if coming by land or Paro if coming by air.

Sustainable Development Fee

In August 2023, the Bhutanese government announced that tourists over the age of 5 years must pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person per day. Children below the age of 5 years are exempt from paying the SDF. In addition, visitors to Bhutanese towns bordering India are exempt from paying the SDF for up to 24 hours.^[7]

Unused SDF can be refunded.

This policy come is effective from 1 September 2023 till 31 August 2027 for 4 years.^[8]

Visitor statistics

Most visitors arriving to Bhutan were from the following countries of nationality:^[9]

Country or territory	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012
	230,381	191,836	172,751	114,301
	13,016	10,450	10,536	7,753
	11,707	10,561	9,220	7,292	7,137	7,291	6,997	6,102
	7,564	6,878	6,421	9,208	9,399	8,111	4,827	3,816
	998	6,048	1,035
	4,744	3,886	4,129	3,015	2,587	1,720	2,051
	4,241	3,585	3,246	3,124	2,958	2,680	2,309	2,491
	4,086	3,886	4,047	4,177	3,778	12,105	3,527	3,617
	3,375	3,422	2,970	2,297	2,498	2,971	2,770	2,895
	3,153	2,739	2,249	1,818	1,833	2,037	2,062	1,950
	3,010	2,674	2,744	4,833	2,437	2,707	4,035	7,029
	2,761	3,140	2,956	1,967	1,546	2,067	2,054	1,312
	2,072	1,961	1,423
	1,953	1,773	1,545	1,501	1,563	1,636	1,572	1,863
	1,912	1,089	1,101
	1,870	1,807	1,524	1,110
	1,659	1,397	1,142
		1,496	1,491	1,812
		1,379	1,352
		1,229	978
		1,033
		757
Others	20,007
Total	315,599	274,097	237,529	209,570	155,121	133,480	116,209	105,407

Notes and References

Web site: Bhutan revises its tourism policy to redefine High Value Low Volume tourism . Daily Bhutan . Daily Bhutan . 23 September 2022.
Web site: Visa to Bhutan . Druk Asia . Druk Asia / Tourism Council of Bhutan . 23 September 2022.
Web site: Do I need a visa to enter Bhutan? . Tourism Council of Bhutan . Tourism Council of Bhutan.
Web site: Bhutan eVisa.
Web site: General information.
Web site: Bhutan Visa Application Procedures.
Web site: Frequently Asked Questions . Tashel.
Web site: Passport & Visa to enter Bhutan . 2024-06-27.
Web site: Bhutan Tourism Monitor . Tourism Council of Bhutan . Tourism Council of Bhutan . 23 September 2022.