Bhutan Visa for Indians: Visa Free
Complete visa requirements for Indian passport holders
Indian citizens do not need a visa for Bhutan, but tourists need an entry permit. Stay within the approved permit dates and budget for the applicable nightly Sustainable Development Fee.
Guide updated: 27 September 2026
Key Information
Key Requirements
- Indian passport or Election Commission Voter ID; a passport must remain valid for at least 6 months after intended departure from Bhutan
- Tourist entry permit, obtained online before travel or requested at the port of entry; admission remains subject to immigration approval
- Under-18 Indian travellers may use a passport or birth certificate and must be accompanied by a legal guardian
- Recent passport-size photograph and any additional documents Immigration requests
Step-by-Step Application Process
- 1
Apply for the Indian tourist entry permit at https://www.immi.gov.bt/ or through your hotel or tour operator; a port-of-entry application is also possible
- 2
Provide your travel-document copy, recent photograph, travel dates and the information requested by Immigration
- 3
Check and pay the applicable Sustainable Development Fee for your visit; Indians are not generally exempt from SDF
- 4
Carry the approved permit and original identity document, and follow the dates and conditions granted
Documents Required
- Passport or original Voter ID and a copy for the permit application
- For Indian children under 18, passport or birth certificate and travel with a legal guardian
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Entry permit and any additional documents requested during assessment
Pro Tips
- Planning advice: arrange the permit before departure rather than relying on a short border queue
- Planning advice: budget separately for SDF, accommodation, transport, guides and attraction charges
- Planning advice: ask your provider about the current land-entry guide arrangements before travelling beyond a border town
Important Notes
- • Standard SDF for Indian visitors is INR/Nu 1,200 per person per night; ages 6 to under 12 pay INR/Nu 600, and children under 6 are exempt
- • A limited border-town SDF waiver has its own time and geographic conditions; it is not a general waiver for travel through Bhutan
- • Route guidance differs: Bhutan Tourism says tourists accompanied by a certified guide no longer need a route permit, while the Indian Embassy still describes extra permits beyond Thimphu and Paro. Confirm your itinerary and current guide requirements with Immigration and Tourism
- • Travel insurance is recommended; Bhutan withdrew the general mandatory tourist-insurance requirement on 23 April 2024
- • Tourism's guidance mentions both online and in-person extension procedures. Confirm your permit-extension process before its expiry
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Official Sources
Best Time to Apply
Arrange the entry permit before travel where possible; port-of-entry applications can involve a wait
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