19th Ave New York, NY 95822, USA

Bhutan Visa for Indians

Bhutan Visa for Indians

When it comes to arranging travel certification, it is important that you prepare well in advance, especially if you are heading off on holiday with a group or your family.

Indians travelling to Bhutan on holiday are in for a real treat – this country is magnificent and full of natural wonders waiting for you to behold.

While tourists from some countries need to obtain a travel authorisation through a time-consuming paper method before arriving in the country, Indians can, instead, obtain a permit at the port of entry as long as they have a valid passport that has at least 6 months of validity remaining or a VIC (Voters Identity Card).

Luckily, Byevisa are experts in the field of travel authorisation applications, so we’re bringing you all the information that you require, so you can enjoy a trouble-free trip.

Do Indians Need Visa for Bhutan?

When it comes to getting a Bhutan tourist visa for Indians, you will be pleased to know that no Indian is required to obtain one. Instead, you receive a permit at the port of entry, as long as you’re carrying either a passport with at least 6 months’ validity or a VIC (Voters Identity Card).

  • If you’re arriving at Bhutan by road, you obtain your entry permit at the Immigration Office of the Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing. You’ll find this at the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal.
  • If you’re arriving at Bhutan by air, you get your Entry Permit at Paro International Airport.

Please note that this permit only allows you to visit Thimphu and Paro.

If you intend to travel beyond Thimphu, you need to acquire a “special area permit” at the RGoB Immigration Office at Thimphu during the working week (from Monday to Friday). This allows you to visit other destinations including Punakha, Wangdiphodrang, Bumthang.

Visa Fee for Bhutan for Indians

From July 2020, the Bhutan government charges Indian tourists to the country a daily fee of Rs 1,200 per person. For children between the ages of 6 and 12, the daily fee is Rs 600. The Bhutan government calls this fee the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), and it’s to regulate the impact of tourism in the country.

Fortunately, the fee for Indian citizens remains substantially lower than that for other nationalities. Tourists from other countries have to pay 65.00 USD (Rs 4,631) plus a compulsory cover charge of 250.00 USD (Rs 17,811) for each day they’re visiting.

Indian Consulate in Bhutan

If you need any assistance when you arrive, your first port of call should be the India Embassy Bhutan in Jugshina, Thimphu. The embassy staff can work with you to resolve any problems you may encounter, so that you can enjoy a safe visit that runs smoothly and provides you with many memories to share when you get home.

The information that you require to get in touch with the embassy is:

Embassy of India
PO Box:193,
Jungshina
Thimphu

The embassy is open between Mondays and Fridays from 9am until 5.30pm however, it will be closed on all national holidays.

Bhutan Visa for Indians FAQs

When you are arranging your holiday plans, you may be worried about whether you have organised everything properly or even have questions about your holiday that you need answers to. In order to help you, we have shared some of the most common questions and their answers below.

Can I Cruise to Bhutan from India?

Unfortunately, there are no cruises available that will take you to Bhutan from India, but you will find numerous flights between the two destinations. You can take a flight from the following Indian airports to Bhutan:

  • Kolkata
  • Gaya
  • Mumbai
  • Delhi
  • Bagdogra
  • Duwahati

Are There Many Indians in Bhutan?

You may be surprised to learn that Indians make up around 6% of the population in Bhutan. According to recent figures, there are about 45,000 Indian citizens living here and they make up an impressive 18% of the local working population. Of course, many more also come here on vacation too.

How Soon Should I Apply for My Documents?

As with any form of planning, it is wise to get things arranged as soon as you know you are heading off. In the case of Indian citizens visiting Bhutan, you won’t have to provide any special documentation or send away your passport in advance to obtain your entry permit. Instead, you get it at the port of entry when you arrive.

However, as we’ve mentioned, your passport needs to have at least 6 months’ validity remaining, or you need a VIC (Voters Identity Card). So it’s best to make sure these documents are in order ahead of your trip to ensure that you’re permitted entry.

What Happens if Something Goes Wrong When I am on Holiday?

There are many ways of getting help if something goes wrong when you are away. You should firstly contact the travel agent that has organised your trip. This is usually done by speaking to your holiday rep when you need help.

If you have arranged your trip independently, if your problem is more serious or you can’t get the support you need from your rep, then you can call or visit the Indian Embassy in Bhutan for help as an Indian national. You can find more information further up this page about how to visit the embassy.

More Information About the Bhutan Visa for Indians

We hope that by taking the time to read through our extensive guidance, you can enjoy planning your holiday without any pressure.

We have aimed to give you all of the help that you need to make your travel authorisation application easily and conveniently, but if you require any further guidance or advice you can check out our Bhutan visa page and our visit Bhutan section.

Related Answers

Rate this
5/5 - 1 votes