How Indian passport holders get a visa for Bhutan: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: No visa — Entry Permit + SDF ₹1,200/night
- Government fee: Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indians: ₹1,200 per adult per night, ₹600/night for children aged 6–12, free for children 5 and under (locked through August 2027). No separate visa fee.
- Processing time: Apply online at immi.gov.bt 5+ working days before travel to skip the airport queue, or get the Entry Permit on arrival at Paro or Phuentsholing.
- Maximum stay: Permit duration is at the discretion of the immigration officer; SDF is payable for every night of stay
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 88/100
Documents you'll need
- Indian passport with 6+ months validity OR Voter ID Card (VIC) issued by Election Commission of India
- Birth certificate for children under 18
- Recent passport-size photo
- Confirmed hotel booking in Bhutan
- Confirmed onward / return travel
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Proof of SDF payment (paid online during permit application or at immigration counter)
How & where to apply
Indians do not need a visa. Apply online for the Entry Permit at immi.gov.bt before travel, or obtain it on arrival at Paro Airport / Phuentsholing land border. For travel beyond Thimphu and Paro a separate Route Permit must be obtained from the Thimphu Immigration Office. Bhutan Department of Immigration — Online Permit System (official)
Transit & connections
No transit-only zone at Paro — Indians clearing immigration will be issued the Entry Permit and owe SDF for nights stayed.
How Bhutan compares in the subcontinent
With an ease score of 88/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. Bhutan requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇹 Bhutan | No visa — Entry Permit + SDF ₹1,200/night | Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indians: ₹1,200 per adult per night, ₹600/night for children aged 6–12, free for children 5 and under (locked through August 2027). No separate visa fee. | Apply online at immi.gov.bt 5+ working days before travel to skip the airport queue, or get the Entry Permit on arrival at Paro or Phuentsholing. |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | eVisa (ETA) — apply online before travel | Currently free for Indian nationals (the standard US$20 ETA fee is waived under Sri Lanka's active free-ETA scheme — reconfirm it is still in force). | Usually 24–48 hours by email |
| 🇳🇵 Nepal | Visa-free — unlimited stay (Indo-Nepal Treaty) | No visa fee — entry is free under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship | No advance application — walk through the immigration counter on arrival |
| 🇲🇻 Maldives | Free Visa on Arrival — 30 days | No visa fee. Green Tax: USD 12 per night at resorts/hotels/safari vessels, USD 6/night at guesthouses (children under 2 exempt). Hotels also bill TGST at 17%. | Granted on arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE) for all nationalities |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Sticker visa — apply at Bangladesh High Commission (free) | Government visa fee is waived for Indian nationals. BDVAC service charge of around ₹825 (₹699.50 + taxes) is payable separately. | Typically 5–14 working days; longer at peak times or during diplomatic slowdowns. Submission is in person at a Bangladesh Visa Application Centre (BDVAC). |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
24-hour SDF waiver applies to the border towns of Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar — stay 24 hours or less and you owe no SDF. SDF rates are revised periodically; reconfirm on immi.gov.bt before paying. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.doi.gov.bt/?page_id=609&lang=en
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
No visa — Entry Permit + SDF ₹1,200/night. 24-hour SDF waiver applies to the border towns of Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar — stay 24 hours or less and you owe no SDF. SDF rates are revised periodically; reconfirm on immi.gov.bt before paying.
What documents do Indians need for a Bhutan visa?
Indian passport with 6+ months validity OR Voter ID Card (VIC) issued by Election Commission of India; Birth certificate for children under 18; Recent passport-size photo; Confirmed hotel booking in Bhutan; Confirmed onward / return travel; Travel insurance (recommended); Proof of SDF payment (paid online during permit application or at immigration counter)
How long does a Bhutan visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Apply online at immi.gov.bt 5+ working days before travel to skip the airport queue, or get the Entry Permit on arrival at Paro or Phuentsholing.. Government fee: Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) for Indians: ₹1,200 per adult per night, ₹600/night for children aged 6–12, free for children 5 and under (locked through August 2027). No separate visa fee.. Maximum stay: Permit duration is at the discretion of the immigration officer; SDF is payable for every night of stay.
How do Indians apply for a Bhutan visa?
Indians do not need a visa. Apply online for the Entry Permit at immi.gov.bt before travel, or obtain it on arrival at Paro Airport / Phuentsholing land border. For travel beyond Thimphu and Paro a separate Route Permit must be obtained from the Thimphu Immigration Office. Official source: https://www.doi.gov.bt/?page_id=609&lang=en
Is a Bhutan visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 88/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Bhutan visa online or on arrival?
Bhutan requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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