Frequently Asked Questions About Visa Requirements for Bhutan
Our Team will process your visa on behalf of you, you all just need is to submit the Document as requested.
A non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of US $ 40 is also payable.
A correctly input visa application can take up to five days to process.
The visa allows you to remain in Bhutan for a maximum of 90 days from the date of entry.
Yes, provided the extension is applied for before the original visa or permit expires. Visitors can extend their stay via the online visa application portal with the help of tour agent. The fees for processing your extension application, and daily SDF for the duration of your extended stay.
No. The requirement for mandatory travel insurance was lifted on April 23, 2024. However, it is strongly recommended that all guests to Bhutan have travel insurance before visiting the Kingdom as a precaution in case of unforeseen situations.
The country has one international airport located in Paro. Flights operated by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines arrive and depart from destinations including Bangkok, Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Bodhgaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Guwahati and Singapore. Private jets or charters can fly into Bhutan after obtaining the relevant approvals. There are also domestic airports in Yonphula in eastern Bhutan, Bumthang in central Bhutan, and Gelephu in south-central Bhutan.
Although we recommend all visitors stay up to date with vaccinations against covid-19 to help stop the spread of the disease, there are now no covid-19 vaccination requirements for adults or children to enter Bhutan from September 23rd, 2022. There is no quarantine requirement either.
No random covid-19 testing will be undertaken at any port of entry into Bhutan; however, this may be done if a guest is showing symptoms or asks for a test.
If a guest tests positive for covid-19 during their stay in Bhutan, they will be admitted entry into the country without any quarantine period, however, will be required to always wear a face mask and maintain other precautionary measures until they test negative again.
There will be no covid-19 protocols to leave Bhutan unless the country the guest is travelling to requires them.
Guests no longer require a Route permit to travel around the country, so long as they are accompanied by a guide certified by the Department of Tourism.
Bhutan is a very safe place to visit, even if you’re travelling alone. There is very little crimes experienced by locals or visitors, although we advise you to take care of yourself and your belongings. In some areas you may encounter stray dogs – please be cautious around them as they are not domesticated. They normally keep their distance, but please stay away from them as much as possible, especially if travelling with children. Please don’t feed or pat these or any other wild animals.
Bhutan’s physical environment presents occasional safety hazards, including flooding and landslides. From June to September the monsoons can affect transport and services. Check with your hotel or tour operator for possible disruptions.
Yes, the SDF will be refunded by the Department of Immigration for any cancelled or shortened trips; any bank charges will be deducted from the total refunded. Requests for SDF refunds should be submitted online using the visa portal. The refund will be processed after visitors leave Bhutan.
Yes, the SDF will be refunded for any nights that are not spent in the kingdom.
You can change your local currency for ngultrum upon arrival at Paro International Airport or at banks, larger hotels and authorized currency exchange businesses in Thimphu.
You may bring cash equivalent to US$10,000 into the country.
ATM and banks accept Visa and Mastercard. International credit cards are widely used in urban areas of Bhutan. However this service may not be available in other parts of the country. Visitors can download the digital wallet app goBoB launched by the Bank of Bhutan, which can be used with a local SIM card and is widely accepted throughout the country. Another option is the MyPay digtal wallet app launched by Bhutan National Bank. Both apps can be connected to international credit cards and used widely.
Cash in US dollars and Indian rupees is also widely accepted. We advise bringing some cash in either of these currencies, or in Bhutanese ngultrum.
SIM cards can be purchased from the Paro International Airport’s visitor information centre on arrival, or from branch offices of Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell, or from authorised agents in towns.
There are no rules about what visitors should wear. However if you are planning to visit places of religious significance, respectful smart-casual clothing that covers your body from shoulders to knees is appropriate and appreciated.
Yes, a guide is required to enter monuments and Dzongs in Bhutan. While some of the monuments and Dzongs have no entry fee, others have a fee on arrival, which can be paid in cash or via the GoBob app.
There are plenty of places to shop for special objects, from high-end pieces to small mementos. Many visitors enjoy shopping at the Cottage and Small Industries (CSI) Market and the Centenary Farmers’ Market. The Textile Museum shop has a wonderful selection of artisan-made textiles and homewares, as do the nearby Tarayana and Craft galleries. Our OGOP shops are also excellent places to find food, drink and handcrafted products sourced directly from the country’s artisans and farmers.
A permit, which must be applied for in advance, is required to fly a drone either recreationally or commercially in Bhutan. Please email media@tcb.gov.bt to find out more about the regulations.
Yes. A guide is required at all times for all guests who drive their own cars to Bhutan. It is highly recommended to pre-book guides before arriving at the borders. If you need help with arranging a guide, please contact our host services team here.
While most monuments in Bhutan are free, some are chargeable. For the full list of monument fees, please click here for more information. Children below 18 years will have a 50% concession and children aged five years and below will be exempted. Most monuments are open from 9am - 5pm each day. In June 2023 it was announced that foreign visitors can now visit monuments whenever they are open to the general public, without any restrictions.