Bhutan Visa for Indians: Visa Free Entry & Travel Requirements

Last Updated : 26 Apr 2024

Last Updated : 26 Apr 2024 at

30-Second Summary

Indian citizens travelling to Bhutan must obtain an entry permit to enter the country.

The Bhutan e-permit is an online process.
It does not require you to submit your passport or visit an embassy for an interview.

Important Information

Bhutan

— Visa type

Bhutan entry permit (e-permit).

— Processing time

The Bhutan e-permit takes up to 7 days to process. On Atlys, you are guaranteed to receive your visa in 4 days.

— Fee

The Bhutan e-permit fee is ₹18,000 for a single entry.

— Visa validity

The Bhutan entry permit is valid for 90 days from the date of approval.

— Length of stay

The e-permit allows you to stay in Bhutan for 15 days.

Do Indians need a Bhutan visa?

No, Indians travelling to the Kingdom of Bhutan are not required to get a Bhutan visa to enter the country for tourism purposes. However, they must apply for a Bhutan entry permit, which allows them to travel to certain parts of Bhutan.

Indian nationals can easily apply for an e-permit through online Atlys or the government website.

Can Indians get an e-permit on arrival?

Yes, Indians can get the e-permit on arrival. However, approval is not guaranteed, and you will lose travelling funds and be deported if your application is rejected.

Apply for your e-permit in advance on Atlys to avoid the queue when arriving in Bhutan.

Bhutan visa requirements for Indians

Although a Bhutan visa for Indians is not necessary when visiting the country, you will need a few travel documents to get a Bhutan entry permit. Here are the required documents for the e-permit:

Passport copy or a copy of the voter ID. Those under 18 can use a birth certificate or passport and must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
A passport-size photograph that has been recently taken.

On Atlys, you can submit your documents directly or upload a newly taken photo using your laptop or phone camera.

Bhutan visa fees

The Bhutan e-permit fee is ₹18,000* for a single entry.

*The Bhutan e-permit fees will be charged based on the exchange rate on the day of your application.

When applying through Atlys, you will receive a ₹8000 refund if your visa is rejected.

Applying for a Bhutan visa for Indians

Atlys ensure you know the various application options when applying for a Bhutan e-permit. You can easily apply through Atlys for a seamless application or handle the process yourself through government channels.

Applying through Atlys

On Atlys, you can complete the online application process in under 5 minutes; here's how:

1
Go to Atlys: Start your application by visiting Atlys.
2
Submit your document: Upload the required documents directly or use your laptop or phone camera to take a new photo.
3
Provide your details: Enter your personal and travel details.
4
Finalize and pay: Review your application and proceed to checkout to pay the visa fees.

Why choose Atlys

Visa processing times can easily take 7 days. However, on Atlys, you are guaranteed to receive your visa in 4 days with 100% approval.
Atlys works with government partners to ensure you receive your visa on time.
On Atlys you can apply for your entire family's visas in one go.

Applying through government channels

Indian citizens travelling to Bhutan need an entry permit to enter the country. There are three ways to get an e-permit. These are:

Permit on Arrival: If you travel by air, you can get an entry permit on arrival at the Paro airport. If you are travelling to Bhutan by road, you must obtain an entry permit at the checkpoint in Phuentsholing* to enter the country. You must show the travel documents (listed above) and pay the SDF fee to get a permit.[Phuntsholing, also spelt as Phuentsholing, is a border town in southern Bhutan, and an Entry Permit is not required for Indians who will be visiting Phuentsholing only.]
Online Permit: Although Indians can get an entry permit on arrival, the Immigration authorities of Bhutan highly recommend obtaining an online entry permit before entering the country. For this, the Government of Bhutan has launched an online website. You just need to create an account, fill out the requested application, and pay the SDF fee, after which you will get the Entry Permit in a PDF via email.
Local Tour Operators: The third way is to request your tour operator to apply for an e-permit on your behalf. Most tour operators in Bhutan arrange for an e-permit as part of their tour package. Please note that if you are going for a group tour, you must book a tour package with certified tour operators in Bhutan.

Additional documents required:

When applying through the government website, you must submit the following additional documents:

Valid travel insurance (covering the entire duration of the trip). You can buy travel insurance yourself or buy domestic travel insurance when applying for the Entry Permit.
Proof of Certified Accommodation by the Department of Tourism, Bhutan, for the whole duration of the trip.
Sustainable Development Fee of INR 1200 on a per-day basis.

Tips to apply

Ensure you have a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity or a valid voter ID Card.
It is best to obtain the entry permit online, as depending on the number of applicants, there may be a long wait at the entry points.
Apply for your e-permit in advance to allow sufficient processing time.
Ensure that your travel insurance covers the entire duration of your stay in Bhutan.

Receiving your approved Bhutan e-permit

Once you submit the application, the e-permit will begin the processing stage. It is crucial to apply for the permit in advance to allow enough processing time.

Through Atlys:

Once your e-permit is approved, you will receive a notification from Atlys. You can then print your e-permit before travelling to Bhutan.

Through the government website:

After your visa is approved, you will receive an email stating it has been approved. You can then print your permit before travelling.

Here is a sample of an approved Bhutan e-permit:

Bhutan visa information

What is the Bhutan entry permit processing time?

The Bhutan e-permit takes 7 days to process. On Atlys, you are guaranteed to receive your permit in 4 days, with 100% approval.

What is the Bhutan visa stay and validity period?

The Bhutan e-permit is valid for 90 days and allows you to enter the country once for a stay of 15 days.

Our commitment to visa accuracy:

We understand how crucial, accurate and timely information is regarding the Bhutan Entry Permit from India. That's why we rely on official government sources to provide you with the most current and reliable guidelines.

Government processes and relevant fees may change over time. We recommend always double-checking the official website for the most current information before proceeding with your application.

We’re here to answer all your questions

Do Indians need visa for Bhutan from India?

No. Getting a Bhutan tourist visa for Indians is not necessary. However, you must have an entry permit to enter the country.

For a streamlined application process, get your e-permit on Atlys.

Does Bhutan charge a visa cost per day?

No. Bhutan does not charge visa costs on a per-day basis. However, please note that the Kingdom of Bhutan does charge a Sustainable Development Fee on a per-day basis. For the citizens of India, it is INR 1200 per day.

What is SDF?

The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily levy paid by visitors to support Bhutan's development. It is allocated to various projects that create long-term, sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people through free healthcare, upskilling the tourism and hospitality industry, improved infrastructure, environmental preservation and conservation, amongst others.

How much does the SDF cost?

The SDF is USD 100 per night for adults from all countries except for India. The SDF for Indian nationals (showing a valid Indian passport or Voter ID card) is INR 1,200 per person per night.

Who are exempted from paying the SDF?

Children who have not turned 6 years old at the time of their stay in Bhutan are exempted from paying the SDF fee. Children between 6 and below 12 years of age need to pay 50% of the adult SDF fee.

Is travel insurance mandatory to travel to Bhutan?

Yes. As per the visa policy of Bhutan, all travellers must have full, valid travel insurance for the duration of their visit. Visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives have the option to purchase domestic travel insurance at their port of entry.

Can I go hiking or trekking independently, without a tour operator?

No. All treks must be undertaken with an accredited tour operator or guide. Your tour operator will assist you with all the necessary logistics and safety precautions.

Which international airport provides the Bhutan entry permit?

Currently, the country has only one international airport located in Paro, which provides services for Indian citizens to get an entry permit.

Are tere any nationalities restricted from travelling to Bhutan?

No. None of the nationalities have been restricted from travelling to the Kingdom of Bhutan.

What are the Bhutan visa rules?

Indian citizens travelling to Bhutan are not required to get a visa for Bhutan from India for the purpose of tourism. However, they must apply for an entry permit to enter the country.
The Bhutan entry permit is free for Indians. However, Indians are required to pay the SDF fee of INR 1200 per day.
The Entry Permit is valid for 7 days from the date of entry.
The validity of the Entry Permit can be extended by contacting the Immigration office in Thimphu.
Overstaying on the Entry Permit without prior permission is highly discouraged as it can lead to per-day fines.
Immigration Officers will determine admission into the country at the port of entry.