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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡น Bhutan Visa on Arrival: Eligibility, Requirements, Documents & Application

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๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡น Bhutan Visa on Arrival: Eligibility, Requirements, Documents & Application

Last Updated: 1 September 2026

Bhutan has a different visa system from many Asian countries. Most foreign tourists must obtain an eVisa before travelling, but certain nationalities and passport holders are eligible for Visa on Arrival or Entry Permit on Arrival.

According to Bhutan’s Department of Immigration, Bangladesh and Maldives nationals are eligible for Visa on Arrival, while Thailand and Switzerland diplomatic/official passport holders are also eligible. Indian nationals can obtain an Entry Permit on Arrival.

Quick Facts About Bhutan Visa on Arrival

RequirementDetails
CountryBhutan ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡น
Visa on ArrivalYes, for specific nationalities
Visa-on-arrival nationalitiesBangladesh & Maldives
Special VOA categoryThailand & Switzerland diplomatic/official passports
Indian citizensEntry Permit on Arrival
Other foreign nationalseVisa generally required before entry
Standard visa validityUp to 90 days from entry, subject to applicable visa conditions
Visa processing feeUS$40 for standard tourist visa
Sustainable Development FeeUS$100 per adult per day
Passport validityMinimum 6 months from intended departure
Online applicationAvailable
Final entry decisionBhutan Immigration

Bhutan’s official tourism portal confirms that most visitors need a visa before travel, while India, Bangladesh and Maldives have separate procedures.

Who Can Get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Bhutan’s current immigration information identifies the following categories.

๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ Bangladesh Citizens

Bangladeshi passport holders are eligible to obtain a Visa on Arrival at Bhutan’s port of entry.

They can also apply for the visa online before travelling. Bhutan recommends applying in advance to reduce waiting time at the border or airport.

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ป Maldives Citizens

Maldivian passport holders are also eligible for Visa on Arrival.

They may either:

  • Apply online before travelling, or
  • Apply at the point of entry.

Bhutan recommends obtaining the visa in advance where possible to avoid delays.

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ญ Thailand โ€“ Diplomatic/Official Passports

Thai citizens holding diplomatic or government-official passports are eligible for Visa on Arrival under the applicable bilateral arrangement.

This does not mean that ordinary Thai tourist passport holders automatically receive Visa on Arrival.

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ญ Switzerland โ€“ Diplomatic/Official Passports

Swiss citizens holding diplomatic or official passports are eligible for Visa on Arrival under the applicable bilateral arrangement.

Ordinary Swiss tourist passport holders generally need to obtain an eVisa before travelling.

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ Bhutan Entry Permit on Arrival for Indian Citizens

Indian citizens have a special entry arrangement.

Indian nationals can obtain an Entry Permit at the port of entry.

For adults, Bhutan accepts:

  • Indian passport, or
  • Indian Voter Identity Card

For Indian nationals under 18, a passport or birth certificate can be used, and the minor must be accompanied by a legal guardian.

This is technically an Entry Permit, not a Visa on Arrival.

What About Other Nationalities?

For ordinary tourist passports, all other foreign nationals generally need an eVisa before entering Bhutan, unless they qualify for an exemption under a bilateral agreement or another special arrangement.

Examples include:

  • ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ช UAE
  • ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Saudi Arabia
  • ๐Ÿ‡ถ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Qatar
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ผ Kuwait
  • ๐Ÿ‡ด๐Ÿ‡ฒ Oman
  • ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ญ Bahrain
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง United Kingdom
  • ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ United States
  • ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Canada
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ Australia
  • ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ New Zealand
  • ๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฌ Singapore
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡พ Malaysia
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต Japan
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea
  • ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ต Nepal
  • ๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ฐ Sri Lanka
  • ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ญ Philippines
  • ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ Pakistan

These nationalities should generally arrange the required Bhutan eVisa before travelling rather than assuming they can obtain a tourist Visa on Arrival.

Bhutan Visa on Arrival Requirements

Eligible Visa-on-Arrival travellers should be prepared with:

  • Valid passport
  • Passport copy
  • Recent passport-size photograph
  • Completed visa application information
  • Travel dates
  • Accommodation information
  • Payment method
  • Sustainable Development Fee payment
  • Supporting documents, where applicable

Bhutan’s official immigration portal specifies a digital copy of the passport and a recent digital passport-size photograph as key tourist visa documents.

Bhutan Passport Requirements

The passport must have at least six months’ validity from the intended date of departure from Bhutan.

Travellers should ensure that their passport:

  • Is valid for the entire trip
  • Has sufficient validity
  • Is not damaged
  • Has available pages for immigration processing where required

Bhutan Visa Photo Requirements

Applicants should prepare a recent passport-style photograph.

For online applications, Bhutan’s immigration system requires a recent digital passport-size photograph.

Bhutan Visa Application Before Travel

Even when Visa on Arrival is available, travellers from Bangladesh and Maldives can complete the process before travelling.

The official Bhutan Tourism website recommends applying beforehand because applying at the point of entry may involve a longer waiting period.

Bhutan Online Visa Application

The Bhutan immigration system allows eligible visitors to apply online.

The general process is:

Step 1 โ€“ Create an Account

Create an account through the Bhutan Immigration online system.

Step 2 โ€“ Enter Travel Information

Provide:

  • Personal details
  • Passport details
  • Travel dates
  • Arrival information
  • Departure information

Step 3 โ€“ Upload Documents

Upload:

  • Passport copy
  • Passport photograph
  • Other required documents

Step 4 โ€“ Pay Applicable Fees

Pay the applicable visa fee and Sustainable Development Fee where required.

Step 5 โ€“ Submit Application

Submit the application for processing.

Bhutan states that a correctly completed visa application can take up to five working days to process.

Bhutan Visa Fee

The standard Bhutan tourist visa application has a one-time US$40 visa processing fee.

This is separate from the Sustainable Development Fee.

Bhutan Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)

The Sustainable Development Fee is separate from the visa fee.

The current standard tourist SDF is:

US$100 per adult per day

Concessionary rates apply to children under the applicable Bhutan rules.

The SDF supports Bhutan’s tourism and sustainable development objectives.

How Long Can You Stay in Bhutan?

Bhutan’s official tourism FAQ states that the visa allows a visitor to remain in Bhutan for a maximum of 90 days from the date of entry, subject to the applicable visa conditions.

Bhutan Visa on Arrival Process

For an eligible Bangladesh or Maldives passport holder:

1. Check Eligibility

Confirm that your passport qualifies for Bhutan VOA.

2. Prepare Your Passport

Make sure your passport meets the six-month validity requirement.

3. Prepare Photograph

Carry a recent passport-size photograph.

4. Complete the Application

You may apply online before travelling or use the applicable arrival procedure.

5. Pay Required Fees

Pay the visa fee and applicable SDF.

6. Arrive in Bhutan

Proceed to the designated immigration/entry point.

7. Immigration Verification

Present your passport and required documents.

8. Visa Issuance

If approved, the Bhutan Visa on Arrival is issued.

Can I Get Bhutan Visa on Arrival Without Applying Online?

For Bangladesh and Maldives nationals, yes, Bhutan’s official information confirms that the visa can be processed upon arrival.

However, Bhutan recommends applying before travelling because there may be a long wait at the point of entry.

For most other nationalities, prior eVisa approval is required.

Bhutan Visa on Arrival for UAE Residents

UAE residency does not automatically provide Bhutan Visa on Arrival eligibility.


The important factor is generally the traveller’s passport nationality.



For example:



Indian passport + UAE residence:
Entry Permit arrangement applies.



Bangladeshi passport + UAE residence:
Eligible for Bhutan Visa on Arrival.



Maldivian passport + UAE residence:
Eligible for Bhutan Visa on Arrival.



Pakistani passport + UAE residence:
Generally requires prior eVisa rather than standard tourist VOA.



Filipino passport + UAE residence:
Generally requires prior eVisa.



Therefore, a UAE residence visa should not be treated as a substitute for nationality-based Bhutan visa eligibility.

Bhutan Visa on Arrival vs eVisa

FeatureVisa on ArrivaleVisa
Available toBangladesh, Maldives; special diplomatic/official categoriesMost other foreign tourists
Application before travelOptional for eligible VOA nationalsRequired
Online applicationAvailableAvailable
Passport requiredYesYes
PhotographRequiredRequired
ProcessingAt port of entryBefore travel
Processing timeMay involve waitingUp to 5 working days
Visa feeApplicableUS$40 standard processing fee
SDFApplicable where requiredApplicable
Final admissionImmigration officerImmigration officer

Bhutan Visa on Arrival vs India Entry Permit

FeatureBangladesh / MaldivesIndia
DocumentVisaEntry Permit
Arrival optionYesYes
Online applicationYesYes
PassportRequiredPassport or Voter ID
Tourist SDFApplicableApplicable
Visa feeApplicableDifferent permit process
Special nationality arrangementYesYes

Indian nationals are not considered ordinary Bhutan tourist visa applicants; they use the country’s Entry Permit system.

Bhutan Visa Exemption

Certain travellers may be exempt from the normal eVisa/permit requirement under applicable bilateral arrangements.

Bhutan’s Department of Immigration also states that foreigners holding a valid SAARC Visa Exemption Sticker do not require prior eVisa/entry permit clearance.

Does Bhutan Visa Guarantee Entry?

No.

Having a visa or eVisa does not automatically guarantee admission.

Bhutan’s immigration rules state that an eVisa alone does not guarantee the right to enter or stay; admission is determined by an immigration officer at the port of entry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bhutan Visa on Arrival available?

Yes, but only for specific nationalities and categories.

Which countries can get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

For ordinary tourist passports, Bangladesh and Maldives are currently eligible for Visa on Arrival.

Thai and Swiss nationals holding diplomatic or official passports are also eligible under applicable bilateral arrangements.

Can Indian citizens get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Indian citizens can obtain an Entry Permit on Arrival. This is different from a tourist Visa on Arrival.

Can UAE residents get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

UAE residency alone does not create VOA eligibility. The traveller’s passport nationality determines the applicable procedure.

Can Bangladeshi citizens get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Yes. Bangladeshi citizens are eligible for Bhutan Visa on Arrival.

Can Maldivian citizens get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Yes. Maldivian citizens are eligible for Visa on Arrival.

Can Pakistani citizens get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Ordinary Pakistani passport holders generally need to obtain a Bhutan eVisa before travelling.

Can Nepalese citizens get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Ordinary Nepalese passport holders generally need to obtain an eVisa before entering Bhutan.

Can Thai citizens get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Only Thai citizens holding diplomatic or government-official passports qualify for the special Visa-on-Arrival arrangement.

Can Swiss citizens get Bhutan Visa on Arrival?

Only Swiss citizens holding diplomatic or official passports qualify for the special VOA arrangement.

How much is the Bhutan visa fee?

The standard tourist visa processing fee is US$40, separate from the Sustainable Development Fee.

What is Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee?

The standard tourist SDF is currently US$100 per adult per day, with concessionary rates for children.

How long does Bhutan visa processing take?

A correctly completed application can take up to five working days to process.

How long can I stay in Bhutan?

The tourist visa allows a maximum stay of 90 days from the date of entry, subject to the applicable conditions.

Official Bhutan Visa Information

For the most accurate and current information, travellers should use the official Bhutan Government and Tourism websites.



Bhutan Department of Immigration:
Official Bhutan Department of Immigration



Bhutan Immigration Online Services:
Bhutan Immigration Services Portal



Official Bhutan Tourism Visa Information:
Bhutan Travel โ€“ Visa Information



Official Bhutan Tourism FAQs:
Bhutan Travel โ€“ FAQs

 

Travellers should verify the requirements immediately before travel because visa eligibility, fees and entry procedures can change.

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