On the 24th of June 2022, the National assembly passed the Tourism Levy Bill of 2022. With this new act, the sustainable development fee (SDF) of 65 USD per night has now been increased to 200 USD per night. Along with the increase in the SDF the minimum daily package rate (MDPR) has been removed as well.

Previously visitors to Bhutan were subject to an MDPR of 250 USD per person per night, out of which 65 USD went to the government as the SDF. With the new bill being passed, tourists visiting Bhutan will have to pay 200 USD per person per night and they will also have to pay separately for accommodation, meals, transport, and guides. This act is the latest tourism bill that has been passed after the Tourism Levy Bill of 2020, as per the Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2020. Get in touch with our travel specialist at hello@drukasia.com to book a trip with Druk Asia.

**Important Update: June 01,2023 Exclusive Incentives on SDF

Depending on their planned itinerary, visitors can choose any of the following options with effect from June 01, 2023:

– 4 + 4: Pay the SDF of USD 200 per night, per person, for four nights, and receive up to four additional nights without the daily levy.
– 7 + 7: Pay the SDF of USD 200 per night, per person, for seven nights, and receive up to seven additional nights without the daily levy.
– 12 + 18: Pay the SDF USD 200 per night per person, for twelve nights, and receive up to eighteen nights without the daily levy.

Visitors are also being given another opportunity to meaningfully contribute to Bhutan’s progress. Each visitor to Bhutan will be offered the chance to plant a tree towards Bhutan’s goal of one million new trees, helping to maintain the kingdom’s carbon-negative status and exceptional forest cover. Tree saplings will be provided to guests who wish to plant them during their stay in Bhutan, before being maintained by Bhutan’s De-suung national service project.

*After the SDF incentive ends, the standard SDF will apply once again.
**These temporary offers may be retracted or extended at any time.

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.