Do I need a visa to visit Bhutan?
With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a visa. Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the port of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).
How can I enter Bhutan from India?
Indian citizens can obtain entry into Bhutan by air and land, and may use any of the acceptable documents mentioned below to enter Bhutan: Indian Passport. Voter ID card with photograph. Identification Slip issued by the Indian Consulate Office in Phuentsholing upon presenting proof of Indian citizenship.
Can a permanent resident of India enter Bhutan with voter’s ID?
Indian nationals living permanently in another country will also not be able to use the Voter’s ID for entry into Bhutan, and the standard requirement states that the passport is the only allowable document. Q: Is Bhutan visa required for OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India)?
How to get a Bhutan permit?
To obtain the permit to enter Bhutan you will need to visit the Immigration Office of the Royal Government at Phuentsholing. Located at the Indo-Bhutan border, you must produce the documents required for Bhutan permit at this office. Subsequently, you will be issued an “Entry Permit” which allows you to enter and travel through the country.
How many days can Indians stay in Bhutan?
Processing entry permits for Indian tourists visiting Bhutan With the entry permits, Indian tourists can stay up to 15 days in Bhutan with possibility of extension subject to approval by the Immigration.
What are the charges for Bhutan visa for an Indian?
The revised Visa policy for Indians is INR1,200 (USD17) per day. Children below the age of 5 needn't pay any entry charges, and children from the age of 6 to 12 will be required to pay a fee of INR 600 per day.
How long Indian can stay in Bhutan without visa?
Visa free. Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa and a booking with a licensed tour operator to visit Bhutan for visits up to 14 days, provided they have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
Is Bhutan allowing Indian tourist?
FAQs. Is Bhutan open to tourists? Bhutan will start welcoming tourists from September 2022.
Can Indians go to Bhutan free?
The Permit issued by the Bhutan Immigration Department to allow entry to Indian citizens is absolutely free of cost.
Is Bhutan free for Indian?
Ending decades of free entry to Indian tourists visiting Bhutan, the government in Thimphu has decided to levy a daily ₹1,200 ($17) fee for “regional tourists” from India, the Maldives and Bangladesh, beginning July 2020.
How much will a trip to Bhutan cost?
A: Depending on duration and kind of hotel you stay, Bhutan travel can cost you anywhere between 35,000 to 1,25,000. We recommend you to stay at least 5 nights and visit Thimphu/ Paro and Punakha.
Does Bhutan stamp Indian passport?
I have planned to visit Bhutan in October 2018. I have my passport and Voter ID, Will the Bhutan immigration stamp my passport of entry when I enter Bhutan through Paro Airport. Yes they will. You can use voter ID if you want to save your passport.
Can Indian go to Bhutan without passport?
Indian nationals intending to visit Bhutan are required to carry any of the two valid 'Travel Documents' (a) Valid Indian Passport having validity of minimum 6 months; and/or (b) Voter Identity Card, issued by the Election Commission of India. No Visa is required to visit Bhutan.
Is Bhutan expensive?
Yes, Bhutan is an expensive travel destination and considerably more expensive than some of the other destinations we offer but if you can stretch to it, the extra cost is well worth the reward of relatively exclusive access to one of the world's most beautiful destinations.
How can I go to Bhutan from India?
Ways to Reach Bhutan from India. By Air: Flying to Bhutan from India is quite easy. There are two direct airlines, namely, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines that operate flights from Delhi, Gaya, Bagdogra, Kolkata, Mumbai and Guwahati to Paro, Bhutan's only international airport.
Is Bhutan worth visiting?
Is it worth visiting Bhutan, yes, if your interest level is high and your pockets deep. To cut costs you could try to find a shorter tour, be sure that your tour includes the Tiger's Nest if you are physically able to walk there, either the way we went, or up from the bottom.
How much does a Bhutan visa cost?
The cost of the Bhutan visa itself is US$40 per person. This is a non-refundable fee. However, in addition to the visa fee, you also have to pay for the tour .
How can I get Bhutan visa from India?
No Visa is required to visit Bhutan. 8. Indians coming to Bhutan by road are required to obtain an 'Entry Permit' on the basis of valid Travel Document from the Immigration Office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal.
How much does it cost to go to Bhutan?
So exactly how much does it cost to visit Bhutan? In high-season months (March, April, May, September, October, and November), the cost of visiting Bhutan is $250 US per person per day. If you are travelling solo, you unfortunately have to pay a surplus of $40 US a day, bringing your total to $290 US a day.
Can Indian go to Bhutan without passport?
Indian nationals intending to visit Bhutan are required to carry any of the two valid 'Travel Documents' (a) Valid Indian Passport having validity of minimum 6 months; and/or (b) Voter Identity Card, issued by the Election Commission of India along with recent Passport size Photographs.
✓ Can I visit Phuentsholing without any visa or permit?
You can visit Phuentsholing without any visa or permit. You can even venture in Bhutanese territory up to a limit of 5 kilometres during the day ti...
✓ Is it safe to drive in Bhutan?
It is quite safe to drive through Bhutan, especially if you are adept on mountain roads. You should keep it in mind to obtain Travel Permits while...
✓ Why do I need to produce my hotel accommodation details to obtain Entry Permit?
You have to provide your hotel accommodation details to obtain the Entry Permit since the Royal Government of Bhutan requires to keep track of your...
Do I need a visa for Bhutan from India?
The Indian nationals intending to visit Bhutan need to carry any of the two valid Travel Documents and valid Indian Passport having validity of a m...
How long can an Indian citizen stay in Bhutan?
Indian travelers can stay in Bhutan for upto 7 days after getting the entry permit. You need to carry the Passport which is having the validity of...
Is Bhutan visa on arrival?
All the international visitors need VISA to enter into Bhutan except the Indian, Bangladesh and Maldives citizens. All the visitors need a valid pa...
Is Bhutan expensive?
The government has placed a minimum fee of around USD 200 per day per person in low season and USD 250 per day per person during high season for vi...
Can I use Indian rupees in Bhutan?
Bhutan’s unit of legacy is called Ngultrum (BTN). It has the same value as Indian rupee which is also legal in Bhutan. The INR 100, INR50 rupee den...
Is Indian vehicles allowed in Bhutan?
Yes, Indians who want to travel by their vehicles can by getting the relevant documents like the registration papers. You need to have all the vehi...
What age do you need to be to travel to Bhutan?
If you are traveling with kids below the age of eighteen who do not possess a valid passport, then their birth certificate and school ID card is required for entry in Bhutan.
What documents are needed to visit Bhutan?
Indian travelers who wish to visit Bhutan, need to carry either of the two documents mentioned below. Indian Passport which is valid for minimum of six months. A Voter Identity Card as issued by the Election Commission of India. Apart from the two above mentioned documents, an entry permit is required to enter Bhutan.
How long is an Indian passport valid?
Indian Passport which is valid for minimum of six months.
Can Indians travel by their own vehicle?
Yes, Indians who want to travel by their vehicles can by getting the relevant documents like the registration papers. You need to have all the vehicle papers intact and the licenses are endorsed by the Road safety and transport at the border.
How to travel to Bhutan?
All foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India, and Maldives) must obtain a visa before visiting Bhutan 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. Foreign tourists must use a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners to pre-arrange their visa and book their holiday. A daily fee is also charged for every day of stay. For most foreign tourists, it amounts to $250 a day during tourist high season, and $200 a day for low season.
How much does Bhutan charge for a day of travel?
A daily fee is also charged for every day of stay. For most foreign tourists, it amounts to $250 a day during tourist high season, and $200 a day for low season.
Why is Bhutan regulated?
Travel to the Kingdom of Bhutan is highly regulated under the policy "High Value, Low Impact Tourism " in order to minimize the impact on the country's unique society and environment. Bhutanese policy ensures that only a limited 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 most out of their visits.
What company did Bhutan hire to re-assess its tourism policy?
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.”
Where can Indians travel to Bhutan?
Indians coming to Bhutan by road are required to obtain an 'Entry Permit' on the basis of valid Travel Document from the Immigration Office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal.
When to avoid visiting Bhutan?
One should avoid traveling during the rainy season (July-September) Places to visit: Thimphu, Paro, Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Bumthang. Special permits are however required to visit towns other from Thimphu and Paro. Please visit the following sites for more information about Bhutan: www.tourism.gov.bt. www.abto.org.bt.
How long do you have to quarantine in Bhutan?
All individuals wishing to travel to Bhutan have to present a negative COVID RT-PCR test certificate not earlier than 72 hours prior to leaving the country of origin, They also have to undergo mandatory institutional quarantine as per the COVID-19 protocols of the Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan.
When is the best time to visit Thimphu?
During winter (November to March) the minimum temperature drops to minus 10 in the Thimphu valley. Summers (April-June) are very pleasant. One should avoid traveling during the rainy season (July-September)
Is Bhutan open to tourists?
Kind attention: All prospective travellers to Bhutan from India. The Kingdom of Bhutan has still not opened its borders for tourism due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and circumstances related to the COVID pandemic. All individuals wishing to travel to Bhutan have to present a negative COVID RT-PCR test certificate not earlier than 72 hours prior ...
How to travel from India to Bhutan?
For travel from India to Bhutan, the easiest option is to take a flight to Paro International Airport. Flights to Bhutan run from five cities across India, including Delhi, Bagdogra, Kolkata, Gaya, and Guwahati, and run daily from most airports. The cost of India to Bhutan flights is from around US$ 165 from Delhi, US$ 224 from Kolkata, and around US$ 125 from Bagdogra.
What if foreign tourists get to Bhutan from India or Bangladesh?
International tourists from other locations around the world will need to have visas for both Bhutan and either India or Bangladesh, depending on which country you are traveling through.
How long does it take to get a visa for Bhutan?
The Bhutan visa application process usually takes around 3-5 working days, and a Letter of Invitation (LOI) will be issued to the tour operator, the Tourism Council of Bhutan, the immigration desks at both Paro International Airport and the Phuentsholing border crossing, and to both national airlines. The LOI will be forwarded to you by the tour operator, and will be needed to book your flight to Bhutan, which can only be done with one of two Bhutanese airlines, as no other airline is permitted to fly into Bhutan.
How to get to Bhutan from Bangladesh?
The easiest way to get to Bhutan from Bangladesh is by flight, and there are flights from Bangladesh’s Dhaka International Airport daily to the kingdom in the Himalayas. Flights take around an hour to reach Paro International Airport, and cost from around 11,000 rupees, or about US$ 156 per person for an economy one-way ticket.
Which country has visa free travel?
Only one other country in the world has the option for visa-free travel into Bhutan , which is the Maldives. A small island nation set far out in the Laccadive Sea, part of the Indian Ocean, the Maldives lies around 1,000 kilometers to the southwest of the Indian sub-continent.
Can I travel to Bhutan without an Indian passport?
However, holders of an OCI card, without an Indian passport, are not eligible for visa-free entry into Bhutan, and will be required to apply for Bhutan visa by booking a tour with a registered Bhutan tour operator, the same as any other non-Indian passport holder.
Is Bhutan a direct route from Bangladesh?
If you are planning an overland trip, then you will need to plan carefully, as there is no direct route to Bhutan from Bangladesh. The simplest and easiest route is to take the train from Dhaka to Kolkata, and then book a ticket up to Hasimara, in West Bengal. From there, you will need to use the local bus to get to Phuentsholing, and once across the border, you will need a private car or taxi to take you to Thimphu.
How to get a visa stamp for Bhutan?
At your point of entry, show your visa clearance letter to get a visa stamp on your passport. The visa will be arranged for the exact number of days you have planned to stay in Bhutan. In case you want to extend, you can ask your tour operator to do so.
How long does it take to get a Bhutan visa?
Your Bhutan visa would be enclosed as an electronic document and will be received 3-10 days prior to your departure. A print out of that needs to be taken out and shown at DrukAir flight check-in counter and at the immigration checkpoint in Paro International Airport.
Is a tourist permit valid in Thimpu?
This permit is valid only for Paro and Thimpu. For travelling beyond these two cities, the tourists will require a 'special area permit' that will be issued by RGoB Immigration office in Thimpu between Monday and Friday.
How long is the Visa for Sri Lanka valid?
This archipelago found in the Indian Ocean south-west of Sri Lanka attracts a large number of travellers because of their white sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean waters.#N#Visa: Visa on arrival#N#Conditions: Valid for 30 days. Can be extended to 90 days
Is Bhutan a tourist country?
Bhutan is a beautiful country with a diverse landscape and wildlife. It promotes tourism and welcomes foreigners but also imposes a fee of USD 250 per day which covers the environmental impact tourism has on the country. But for Indians, no such tax is imposed nor do they require any visa.
How long does it take to get a visa for Bhutan?
Visa clearance takes at least 7 days to process and airplane tickets to Bhutan cannot be purchased without visa clearance. At your point of entry into Bhutan, immigration authorities will stamp a visa into your passport upon payment of $40 U.S. or Nu.2500. You will also need to provide two passport photos.
How long does a passport need to be valid in Bhutan?
Travelers should contact the Tourism Council for the latest daily tariff. Your passport must be valid for at least six months following the date of your arrival to Bhutan. You need a Bhutanese visa to enter and exit Bhutan.
What is the emergency number for police in Bhutan?
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line for Bhutan police in Bhutan is 113. The emergency number for ambulance service is 112.
What are the penalties for illegal drugs in Bhutan?
Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Bhutan are severe, including long jail sentences and heavy fines, or death.
Where can I get medical care in Bhutan?
U.S. citizens in need of urgent medical care should try to get to the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in the capital city , Thimphu.
Where is the Bhutan consulate in New York?
For the most current information on entry and exit requirements, please contact the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations (Consulate General), 343 East 43rd Street, New York, NY 10017, telephone (212) 682-2268, fax (212) 661-0551.
Where are visas approved?
All visas are approved in the capital, Thimphu, and are only issued to tourists who have booked travel with a local licensed tour operator, either directly or through a foreign travel agent. Applications for tourist visas are submitted by the local tour operator.
Overview
Visa exemption
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.
Indian citizens can obtain entry into Bhutan by air and land, and may use any of the acceptable documents mentioned below to enter Bhutan:
• Indian Passport
Restricted areas permit
Upon entering Bhutan, all foreigners are issued a 7 or 14 days "Entry Permit" by default, valid for Thimphu and Paro only. The rest of Bhutan is considered a restricted area, and foreigners need a "Restricted-Area Permit" to enter. Immigration checkpoints are located at important road junctions throughout the country, where police check the permits of all foreigners they find. In addition, foreigners wishing to visit Buddhist temples must obtain a "Temple Permit" from the Ministry of …
Visa required in advance
All foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India, and Maldives) must obtain a visa before visiting Bhutan 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. Foreign tourists must use a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners to pre-arrang…
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 signific…
See also
• Visa requirements for Bhutanese citizens