Updated 25th August 2023

The Royal Government of Bhutan is pleased to announce additional incentives and policy measures to boost the tourism sector. This is in view of the important role of the tourism sector in generating employment; earning foreign exchange; realizing the potential for spillover benefits for ancillary industries; and in boosting overall economic growth.

The incentives and measures shall consist of the following:

1. A fifty percent discount shall be granted on the prevailing SDF of USD 200 for US Dollar paying tourists visiting Bhutan. The effective SDF with the discount shall be USD 100 per person per day for US Dollar paying tourists.

2. In addition, fifty percent discount on the SDF shall be granted on the rates applied to children aged between 6 to 12 years for US Dollar paying children visiting as tourists.

3. The 24 hours SDF waiver for tourists staying in the border towns shall continue.

The above incentives will come into effect from 1 September 2023 and shall remain effective for four years till 31 August 2027.

The Royal Government shall conduct periodic assessments of the domestic and international tourism scenarios and may discontinue the above incentives to uphold and promote High Value Low Volume Tourism Policy of Bhutan after 31 August 2027.

Bhutan Tourist Visa Requirements

1. All visitors will need a visa to enter Bhutan, except for visitors from India, who will require a permit.
2. Nationals of Bangladesh, the Maldives and India shall be eligible for a visa on arrival at the port of entry.
3. Visitors can process a visa or permit online from the website of the Department of Immigration. Visitors can also engage tourism service providers (such as Druk Asia) to process travel documents and plan a trip.
4. A passport copy is required. The passport must be valid for six months from the intended date of departure from the Kingdom.
5. Travel Insurance is valid for the duration of the trip.
6. A recent passport-size photograph.

Children below the age of 5 years are exempted from the SDF. However, the visa application fee of USD 40 is still applicable. For Children between 5 years and below 12 years old, they are required to pay USD 100 per person per night as the SDF. *SDF does not include accommodation, meals, transport and guides.

*Note: All passengers are advised to check their passport validity which should not be less than 6 months from the date of travel.
Drukair will not be liable and will refuse check-in of those passengers whose passport does not meet the validity requirements.