This is the most comprehensive guideline for online Bhutan visa application if you are visiting Bhutan as a tourist.
If you are visiting Bhutan for official, diplomatic and business matters, contact the nearest Bhutanese Embassy or Mission or your partner organizations in Bhutan for your travel.
Before you start the online visa application process for Bhutan, there are two ways you can get the visa of Bhutan:
Either you apply for visa yourself online or contact an authorized travel agent, hotel or a tour guide in Bhutan to do it for you.
MyTripBhutan can process your visa and save you time and the hassle of visa application. More information here.
If you chose the first option and decided to do it on your own, this guideline is for you.
1. Where do I make the online visa application?
You will make your visa application online at the website of the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Kingdom of Bhutan HERE. Only the Department of Immigration of Bhutan is authorized to accept visa application online.
Warning: Do Not Use Any Other Websites to Apply For Bhutanese Visa Online.
2. Documents you need to keep ready
Before you start the online visa application, keep these documents in JPEG or PNG format ready in your computer or phone. You will need to upload them when you apply for the visa.
- Passport copy
- Passport sized photo
- Travel insurance
- Credit/Debit Card
If you have family members or friends travelling together, they will also need to upload these documents.
All documents have to be in JPEG or PNG format, and they have to be less than 3 megabytes in size.
Make sure your passport has a validity of at least six months at the time of your travel to Bhutan.
If you have them in other formats, you can use this website to change the format. Or else, google to find a website that does it for free. You can also find a website to reduce the file size for free.
3. Create a Free Online Account
First, visit the website of the Department of Immigration of Bhutan HERE and create an account after you provide all the details as required.
Important: You will need to provide the correct email address. The Department of Immigration will use the email address you provide to verify your account and also send you the visa clearance.
If you are travelling with your family or friends, you don’t have to create account for each of you. One account will do.
4. Confirm your Account
Check your email and click the verification link.
If you don’t get it, check your SPAM folder. If you still don’t get the verification link, use another email address.
5. Click New Visa Application
Once you are verified, you will be taken back to the Welcome Screen. Click “New Visa Application” to start the application process.
6. Application Information
In the next page, you will be asked to choose the Passport Issuing Country. If you don’t see your country listed, choose “Others”.
You will also be asked to provide the Date of Entry (which is the date you expect to arrive in Bhutan) and Date of Exit (which is the date you expect to leave Bhutan).
Click Save and Next.
7. Individual Information
In the next page, you will be asked to provide your individual information. Provide all the details asked, making sure what you enter are accurate and correct without errors. If you are not sure, refer your passport.
You will also be asked a few questions. Choose the most accurate options. Depending on the answers you click, you will be asked to provide more details under “Remarks”.
Click Next.
8. Upload Documents
In this page, you will be asked to upload your passport size photo, passport copy and travel insurance.
You can upload only JPEG or PNG files, and the files should not exceed 3MB.
Make sure all the documents are clear (and not distorted or damaged in any form).
If you have other family members or friends travelling with you, click “Add More Individual” and follow the steps.
Otherwise, once you successfully upload the documents, click Next.
9. Payment
The next section is for the payment.
You should see your Payment Summary under “Invoice”. Your total cost will be the sum of Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$ 200 per day into number of days plus the visa fee of US$ 40.
You can either make Online Payment with your Credit/Debit Cards or make Wire Transfer through your local bank.
If you choose to make Online Payment, you can choose between the Bank of Bhutan and the Bhutan National Bank. Both the Banks are Bhutanese banks, and they are authorized to process tourist fees.
When you pay using Online Payment, an additional processing charge of 3 percent will be charged to your card.
If you use Wire Transfer, you can choose among three banks, all of which are Bhutanese.
NOTE: Your visa application will not be processed unless you make the necessary payment.
10. Submit Application
Once you make the payment, submit your visa application form.
11. How Long Will It Take to Get Bhutan Visa?
If everything went off well, you should get your visa clearance within three working days.
12. Visa Clearance Sample
This the sample of Bhutan Visa Clearance (2023)
13. Visa Application Form (if you are using a third party to process your visa)
If you are using the service of a registered travel agent, hotel or tour guide in Bhutan to process your visa, then you need to send a completed visa application form. Download the Bhutan Visa Application form, print it, fill it out, scan it and email it to your travel agent, hotel or tour guide.
Note: Don’t forget to send your Passport Size photo (as a separate file) and passport copy.
14. Who to Contact if You Don’t Get Your Visa?
If you face any issues with your visa application (and there are complaints of many people facing issues with visa application) , you can contact:
For Bangladeshi/Indian/Maldivian
permit@moha.gov.bt
srabgay@moha.gov.bt
For other nationalities
visa@moha.gov.bt
rnorbu@moha.gov.bt
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