Indian passport · Bhutan
Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Bhutan?
In brief
No. Indian passport holders can visit Bhutan visa-free.
Bhutan entry fee for Indians: Indian nationals pay a Sustainable Development Fee of Nu. 1,200 (or the same in rupees) per person per night; children aged 6 to 11 pay Nu./INR 600 and under-6s pay nothing. Official fee. Source: Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan, checked .
Conditions: entry permit instead of a visa, issued on arrival or online in advance; Indian passport or voter ID card (birth certificate for under-18s with a guardian); Sustainable Development Fee Nu. 1,200 per night.
Extensions must be applied for before the permit expires; Indian nationals apply in person at the Department of Immigration and pay in rupees. Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan · checked
Indian nationals are eligible for permit on arrival, but it is recommended that a permit is obtained in advance, to reduce the processing time at the port of entry.
Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan
Checked 3 Nov 2026Source: Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of BhutanVisas only at immi.gov.btReport a change
Independent reference, not a government website. We don't issue visas or sell visa services.
ContentsIn brief
At a glance
| Access | Visa-freeentry permit instead of a visa, issued on arrival or online in advance; Indian passport or voter ID card (birth certificate for under-18s with a guardian); Sustainable Development Fee Nu. 1,200 per night |
|---|---|
| Stay | Extensions must be applied for before the permit expires; Indian nationals apply in person at the Department of Immigration and pay in rupees.2 |
| Validity and entries | Not stated by the official source |
| Official fee | Indian nationals pay a Sustainable Development Fee of Nu. 1,200 (or the same in rupees) per person per night; children aged 6 to 11 pay Nu./INR 600 and under-6s pay nothing.2No fees are payable in advance for an Indian permit; the SDF is paid when you apply for the permit, online or in person.3 |
| Official processing | Nothing to apply for |
| Where to apply | Nothing to apply for to visit visa-freeOfficial site: immi.gov.bt |
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
The Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan lists India among the countries whose nationals can visit without a visa. Conditions: entry permit instead of a visa, issued on arrival or online in advance; Indian passport or voter ID card (birth certificate for under-18s with a guardian); Sustainable Development Fee Nu. 1,200 per night.
“Indian nationals are eligible for permit on arrival, but it is recommended that a permit is obtained in advance, to reduce the processing time at the port of entry.”
Conditions and exceptions
Extensions must be applied for before the permit expires; Indian nationals apply in person at the Department of Immigration and pay in rupees.
Yes, provided the extension is applied for before the original visa or permit expires. ... For Indian Nationals, extensions can be made in person at the Department of Immigration and must be paid in INR.
Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan · checkedDriving your own car into Bhutan costs Nu. 4,500 per car per day and a guide is mandatory; a valid Indian driving licence is accepted.
If I want to drive my own car into Bhutan, how much does it cost? There is a charge of Nu. 4,500 per car, per day. A guide is also mandatory and will be at an additional charge. ... A valid Indian driver's license is accepted for self-driving within Bhutan.
Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan · checked
How to apply from India
To visit visa-free there is nothing to apply for: check the documents and entry checks below. For a longer stay or another purpose:
Apply for the permit online on the immigration portal or through a tourism service provider; it can also be issued on arrival, but applying in advance avoids waiting at the port of entry.
Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan · checked
Fee
No visa is needed, but visitors pay an entry fee:
Indian nationals pay a Sustainable Development Fee of Nu. 1,200 (or the same in rupees) per person per night; children aged 6 to 11 pay Nu./INR 600 and under-6s pay nothing.
Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan · checkedNo fees are payable in advance for an Indian permit; the SDF is paid when you apply for the permit, online or in person.
Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan · checked
These are government fees as the official sources state them. Agencies add their own service fees; those are not visa fees, and we don't list them.
Processing time
Nothing to apply for to visit visa-free. For visas, the official sources we read state no processing time.
Documents and entry checks
If you live in the UAE
We have not checked a separate rule for UAE residents for Bhutan.
What changed
- From 2 June 2026 until August 2027, tourists visiting the border towns of Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrupjongkhar for 24 hours pay no SDF if they stay within the designated zones. Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan · checked
- Checked against the official sources on this page: the rule above still holds.
FAQ
Is Bhutan visa-free for Indians now?
Yes. Conditions: entry permit instead of a visa, issued on arrival or online in advance; Indian passport or voter ID card (birth certificate for under-18s with a guardian); Sustainable Development Fee Nu. 1,200 per night. Checked on 3 Nov 2026 against the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan.
How much does a Bhutan visa cost in India?
No visa is needed, but visitors pay an entry fee. Indian nationals pay a Sustainable Development Fee of Nu. 1,200 (or the same in rupees) per person per night; children aged 6 to 11 pay Nu./INR 600 and under-6s pay nothing. No fees are payable in advance for an Indian permit; the SDF is paid when you apply for the permit, online or in person.
Can I get a Bhutan visa in 7 days?
There is nothing to apply for to visit visa-free. The official sources we read state no processing time.
Other trips on an Indian passport
Sources
Official sources only. Each was checked on the date shown.
- Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan: entry rule, documents and how to apply
- Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan: fees, entry conditions and changes
- Department of Tourism, Royal Government of Bhutan: fees