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.
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