Visa policy of Bhutan
Travel to the Kingdom of Bhutan is highly regulated under the policy "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 a sustainable number of tourists enter the country at any one time, preventing it from being overwhelmed by mass tourism and thus altering its character, and that the tourists who do come get the best experience and values out of their visits.
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Visa policy map
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.[2]
Since 1 July 2020, visitors from India are required to pay a concessional Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of BTN 1,200 per night in order to obtain a permit to enter Bhutan.[3] They may use any of the acceptable documents mentioned below to enter Bhutan:
- Indian Passport
- Voter ID card with photograph
Visa on arrival
Citizens of the following countries can obtain a visa upon arrival in Bhutan.[4]
However, this is not supported by Timatic, which states that nationals of Bangladesh, India and the Maldives do not need a visa to enter Bhutan, for a maximum stay of 14 days.[5]
Diplomatic, service and official passports
Holders of diplomatic or official passports of the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival at their port of entry.[6]
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Visa required in advance
All foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India and Maldives) must obtain a visa in advance, and may only enter Bhutan through Phuntsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar if coming by land or Paro if coming by air. If 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. A daily Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is also charged for every day of stay for all foreigners. For all foreign tourists, it amounts to US$200 a day, while India nationals pay 1,200 ngultrum, or the equivalent amount in Indian rupees, per person, per night.
Children aged 6 to 12 at the time of travel receive a 50% concessionary discount on the SDF. Those aged 5 or younger are exempt.[7]
Day visitors to the Bhutanese towns bordering India are also exempt from paying the SDF until they reach a point designated by the Bhutanese government.[2]
Liberalization proposals
In 2009, the government of Bhutan hired the consulting company McKinsey to re-assess its policies on tourism. McKinsey’s plan to de-regulate tourism and allow an unlimited number of foreign tourists to enter the country was preliminarily approved by the Prime Minister and the cabinet, but finally rejected due to widespread opposition in the country. According to Canadian scholar Kent Schroeder, “the reversal of McKinsey’s liberalization proposal represented a significant triumph for many within the private sector and civil society.” [8]
Statistics
Most visitors arriving to Bhutan were from the following countries of nationality:[9]
| Rank | Country or territory | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | 230,381 | 191,836 | 172,751 | 114,301 | — | — | — | — |
| 2 |  Bangladesh | 13,016 | 10,450 | 10,536 | 7,753 | — | — | — | — |
| 3 |  United States | 11,707 | 10,561 | 9,220 | 7,292 | 7,137 | 7,291 | 6,997 | 6,102 |
| 4 |  China | 7,564 | 6,878 | 6,421 | 9,208 | 9,399 | 8,111 | 4,827 | 3,816 |
| 5 |  Singapore | 4,744 | 3,886 | 4,129 | 3,015 | 2,587 | 1,720 | 2,051 | 1,611 |
| 6 |  United Kingdom | 4,241 | 3,585 | 3,246 | 3,124 | 2,958 | 2,680 | 2,309 | 2,491 |
| 7 |  Thailand | 4,086 | 3,886 | 4,047 | 4,177 | 3,778 | 12,105 | 3,527 | 3,617 |
| 8 |  Germany | 3,375 | 3,422 | 2,970 | 2,297 | 2,498 | 2,971 | 2,770 | 2,895 |
| 9 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Australia | 3,153 | 2,739 | 2,249 | 1,818 | 1,833 | 2,037 | 2,062 | 1,950 |
| 10 |  Japan | 3,010 | 2,674 | 2,744 | 4,833 | 2,437 | 2,707 | 4,035 | 7,029 |
| 11 |  Malaysia | 2,761 | 3,140 | 2,956 | 1,967 | 1,546 | 2,067 | 2,054 | 1,312 |
| 12 |  Vietnam | 2,072 | 1,961 | 1,423 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 13 |  France | 1,953 | 1,773 | 1,545 | 1,501 | 1,563 | 1,636 | 1,572 | 1,863 |
| 14 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Canada | 1,870 | 1,807 | 1,524 | 1,110 | — | — | — | — |
| 15 |  Spain | 1,659 | 1,397 | 1,142 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 16 |  Taiwan | — | 1,496 | 1,491 | 1,812 | — | — | — | — |
| 17 | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Switzerland | — | 1,379 | 1,352 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 18 |  Italy | — | 1,229 | 978 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 19 |  Indonesia | — | 1,033 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 20 |  Netherlands | — | 757 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Others | 20,007 | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Total | 315,599 | 274,097 | 237,529 | 209,570 | 155,121 | 133,480 | 116,209 | 105,407 |
References
- "Bhutan revises its tourism policy to redefine High Value Low Volume tourism". Daily Bhutan. Daily Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- "Frequently Asked Questions". Tashel. Dept of Immigration Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- "Bhutan set to raise SDF to 200 USD". Daily Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- "Visa to Bhutan". Druk Asia. Druk Asia / Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- "Visa and passport". Timatic. International Air Transport Association through Emirates.
- "Do I need a visa to enter Bhutan?". Tourism Council of Bhutan. Tourism Council of Bhutan.
- "Passport & Visa to enter Bhutan". Drukair Singapore. Drukair. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
- Kent Schroeder, Politics of Gross National Happiness: Governance and Development in Bhutan, Cham (Switzerland): Palgrave Macmillan, 2018, 60–63.
- "Bhutan Tourism Monitor". Tourism Council of Bhutan. Tourism Council of Bhutan. Retrieved 23 September 2022.