Q1. Do tourists travelling to Bhutan need a visa?

1. All travellers, except those from India, will need visas to enter Bhutan.
2. A Bhutan visa may be obtained by citizens of Bangladesh and the Maldives once they arrive at the port of entry and have paid the required SDF.
3. Swiss and Thai nationals with diplomatic or official passports are qualified for a visa upon arrival at the port of entry.
4. Bhutan requires e-permit for visitors from India. Anyone with an Indian passport or voter ID card is subject to this. Passports or birth certificates are acceptable for Indian natives under 18. However, they must be accompanied by legal guardians.

Q2. What paperwork / information is needed to process the Bhutan visa?

1. A copy of your passport is needed. Before the scheduled departure date from the Kingdom, the passport must be valid for at least six months. For Indian National both passport & Voter Card work.
2. Valid travel insurance for the entire duration of the trip.
3. An updated passport-size picture.
The following are the additional information required to initiate the visa
1. City of residency:
2. Country of residence:
3. Nationality at birth:

Q3. What is the Bhutan visa cost, and how long does it take to receive one?

The non-refundable visa charge is USD 40 per person. Even though the procedure to issue the visa is often rapid, processing the visa might take up to five business days. However, please take note that we can only apply for your visa after receiving payment for the Government SDF and Visa processing cost.

Q4. What paperwork is needed to process the e-permit (for Indian visitors)?

Indian citizens can travel using their passports or voter ID cards. Children under 18 can travel using a birth certificate or passport, but they must have a legal guardian. A photo of the size of a passport is also necessary. It is necessary to have travel insurance, which must be valid for the whole journey.

Q5. If I don’t have any insurance, how can I buy any?

Your insurance provider is where you can get travel insurance. Additionally, you may purchase from Bhutanese insurance companies at the port of entry upon arrival. At every port of entry, there are also tourism information officials who may help visitors. Click here to get details on the insurance from Bhutan Insurance Limited.

Q6. What does the SDF cost, and where does the money go?

1. SDF of Nu. 1,200 or equivalent USD is charged to visitors from India per night.
2. All other visitors must pay USD 100 per person SDF every night.
3. The kids aged from 6 to 12 will be subject to a 50% concessionary charge on the SDF, while children under the age of 5 will not be required to pay the SDF.
4. The SDF monies go to the national exchequer. They are distributed to different initiatives that improve the infrastructure, services, and amenities for citizens of Bhutan and foreign visitors and provide free healthcare and education.

Q7. How do I pay with the SDF?

1. The SDF must be paid through a wire transfer or credit card when applying for a visa or e permit.
2. Indians can pay with INR, but the Other National have to pay their SDF in USD.

Q8. Do day visitors have to pay SDF?

Visitors visiting the Indian bordering Bhutanese towns will not be required to pay the SDF until they reach the first authorised location determined by the government. Visitors staying the night in border towns will be charged the SDF.

Q9. If any trip is cancelled or cut short, is there a refund available on SDF?

The Department of Immigration will reimburse the SDF for any cancelled or cut-short travels, and any bank fees will be deducted from the amount reimbursed.

Q10. How can one get to Bhutan most effectively?

1. From Bangladesh (Dhaka), India (Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, Bagdogra), Nepal (Kathmandu), Singapore (Changi), and Thailand, travellers can fly to Bhutan (Bangkok).
2. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines are the only two airlines offering flights to Bhutan.
3. After receiving the necessary licences from the appropriate authorities, private aircraft can fly into Bhutan.
4. Additionally, all guests may arrive on foot from Phuentsholing. Other land entry locations allow Indian visitors to access Bhutan (Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar, and Samtse).

Q11. How long may a traveler with a visa or permission stay in Bhutan?

A maximum of 90 days will be allotted for the visa or permit issuance.

Q12. How can I get a visa or permission extended while I’m in Bhutan?

Before the expiration of the visa or permission, as appropriate, the Department of Immigration can process the extension. The Department of Immigration must be paid the necessary SDF and any costs associated with extending a visa or authorization.

Q13. How much time does it take to renew a permit or a visa?

The procedure often goes quite quickly for visa or permission extensions, although it may take up to five business days.

Q14. How does one pay SDF in Bhutan for a visa or permission extension?

We can extend your Bhutan visa if you make your travel arrangements with us. Nevertheless, the required SDF must be paid.

Q15. If any trip is cancelled or cut short, is there a refund available on SDF?

The Department of Immigration will reimburse the SDF for any cancelled or cut-short travels, and any bank fees will be deducted from the amount reimbursed. The immigration system must be used to file an online SDF refund request. Refunds won’t be handled until after guests have left the Kingdom. If you have booked the tours with us, we will be doing the needful.

Q16. Can tourists go hiking by themselves?

Trekking excursions requiring overnight stays must be scheduled through a local travel operator. You will get all the logistical support from us for your hiking or trekking excursion.

Q17. Do guests require a guide?

All tourists to Bhutan are highly encouraged to hire a guide. This is done to ensure that every tourist in our nation enjoys themselves and takes in everything Bhutan offers. There are some animals in the area and the altitude and terrain might occasionally present particular difficulties, guides also assist in ensuring the tourists’ safety and security. A guide is required for all trekking activities, any journeys beyond Thimphu and Paro, and visits to cultural sites. While guides are not required to accompany visitors for all experiences (such as dining out and shopping).It is recommended that they do so for activities like visiting temples and other local points of interest.

Q18. How can travellers locate the ideal guide for their journey?

On our website, at https://www.mybhutanguides.com, we have a list of every qualified guide. You may review their profiles and select the one that most closely matches your needs.

Q19. What kinds of lodging are offered in Bhutan?

Bhutan provides various lodging options, from opulent 5-star hotels to comfortable homestays in old-world villages.

Q20. Where can I get details about accommodation?

Visitors can visit www.bhutaninbound.com to seek a list of approved lodging.

Q21. Can the guests camp outdoors or stay in private homes?

Visitors must lodge in a TCB-approved establishment or, if hiking, the only camp in the approved locations.

Q22. Is a vaccine necessary to travel to Bhutan?

As on September 23, 2022, there will be no COVID-19 vaccination requirements for adults or children to enter Bhutan, even though we still advise all visitors to get the vaccine to help limit the disease’s spread. To continue COVID-19 monitoring for novel variations, all visitors to Bhutan (12 years of age and older) may be submitted to arbitrary RT-PCR testing at the official points of entry or the workplace. The RT-PCR testing used for surveillance shall not be subject to payment.

Q23. Can visitors who are not immunized enter Bhutan? If so, what would be the process?

Unvaccinated visitors may enter Bhutan without a quarantine period.

Q24. What happens if someone contracts COVID-19 while visiting Bhutan?

During their visit to Bhutan, visitors who test positive for COVID-19 must remain in quarantine at their hotel until they test negative. The visitor will be responsible for paying for the extra nights of quarantine and PCR testing.

Q25. Do COVID-19 procedures apply while departing Bhutan?

When leaving Bhutan, there won’t be any COVID-19 procedures unless the destination country mandates them.

Q26. How can the tour payments be made?

There are two ways you can make payment 1. By using credit card
You can make payment through credit card by using Bhutan Payment Gateway. We can create the invoice for you by entering into the system and creating a link, you just need to visit the link and make payment. However, the bank transfer fee made via credit card is expensive (They charge 4.75%). The other option is international wire transfer.
2. International Wire Transfer
Beneficiary Bank name: Bhutan National Bank Bank Swift code: BNBTBTBT Address: GPO Building, Chang Lam, Postal Code: 11001, Thimphu,Bhutan Beneficiary Name: @ Bhutan Best Inbound Tour Account Number: 0100072790001 Address: RTC Road,White Duplex, Ngadiphu, PO BOX 2050,Postal Code 11001,Thimphu

Q27. Are there any visitor information centers at the airports and land entry points?

Yes, there are visitor information centers at the arrival area just before immigration check at the airport and in all entry points.

So for your Bhutan Visa you can Contact Us.