Bhutan is also a very secretive yet a very wonderful and enchanting nation that attracts a large number of international tourists. Yet, like Tibet, it also has put in place some strict guidelines regarding the western tourism in its territory in order to protect its culture, terrain, heritage and authenticity.
The Kingdom of Bhutan has always emphasized and prioritized the concept of LOW IMPACT HIGH COST model for the international visitors. According to the concept, all the visitors must pledge their commitment to protect country’s environment and the heritage.
Likewise, in Bhutan also, you are not allowed to get around alone as an independent tourist. It means, you need to coordinate any type of Bhutan tour, treks and trips through a government-approved travel agency like us.
Similarly, foreign visitors need to process the tourist visa for Bhutan before getting into the country. This regulation however is not regulated for the people from Maldives, Bangladesh, and India.
Also be mindful that this tourist visa will not be available at any embassy or consulates but only through the registered tour agencies. You also cannot direct on go with the Visa procedure like in the international airports of Nepal.
Instead, the application process has to be carried out in advance and it will be ready upon your arrival which will be then directly stamped on your passport. The fee for the tourist visa of Bhutan is right now US Dollars 40 for each traveler.
You should also know about the daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) throughout your stay in Bhutan. Currently, the SDF fee amounts to US Dollars 100 for each tourist. It used to amount to US Dollars 200 till 2023 which was lowered to enhance declined tourism in the nation after the pandemic.
If you have children accompanying you in the trip, they will be charged half the amount (US Dollars 50) if they age between 6 to 12 years old. The charge will not be regulated for children who are under 6 years old.
Bhutan Tourist Visa Application Process
First, you need to select your preferred trip, travel program of Bhutan then confirm your booking. Then, you will need to send us a scanned or a digital colored clear scanned copy of your passport along with the two most recent passport photos.
We will then pass these documents to our trusted travel partner in Bhutan, who will then forward the visa acquiring formality in the Tourism Department of Bhutan.
After the officials of the tourism department carefully go through our outlined travel program, they will approve it and then provide the Visa as you land in the Paro Airport.
Please remember, this Visa will allow you to explore Bhutan for 15 days after which you will either have to leave or extend the time of the Visa by another 15 days with the added fee.
Online Process for the Bhutan Tourist Visa
To improve the travel experience for visitors, the Government of Bhutan has begun a user-friendly online system for processing tourist visa. For this process:
- Open the official website of the Immigration Department of Bhutan
- Create your account with your email
- Continue with the registration process
- Complete the online form with specified details
- Upload your photo and passport
- Sign the Pledge Of Friendship
- Make the fee payment for Visa and SDF
The process will be underway within five office days.