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🇦🇪United Arab Emirates
🇧🇹BhutanAE-BT

United Arab Emirates to Bhutan visa requirements

UAE ordinary passport holders need an e-Visa to visit Bhutan. Apply online before travel, pay the US$40 visa fee plus the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per adult per night. India uses an entry-permit process, while Bangladesh and the Maldives can obtain visas on arrival; UAE nationals must apply in advance. A United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holder must obtain a tourist e-Visa (e-Permit) before traveling to Bhutan. Bhutan's Department of Immigration says India nationals use an Entry Permit at the port of entry, Bangladesh and Maldives nationals are eligible for visa on arrival, and all other foreign nationals must obtain an e-Visa before entry. UAE nationals therefore must apply online through the official Department of Immigration / Bhutan.travel portal or via a licensed tour operator or hotel. The application requires a digital passport copy, a passport photo, arrival and departure dates, and signing a "Pledge of Friendship." Two charges apply: a non-refundable visa application fee of US$40 per person, and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per adult per night. Children aged 6 to under 12 pay US$50 per night, while children under 6 do not pay SDF. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of departure from Bhutan. Applications are typically processed within five working days, and the e-Visa permits a stay of up to 90 days. The verdict is firmly "evisa" because there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel available to UAE passport holders.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-06-17
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →UAE (Golden Visa)Living in United Arab Emirates as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-17
Visa type
Tourist e-Visa (e-Permit)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
US$40 visa fee + US$100/night SDF
consular fee only
Processing time
Within 5 working days
standard track
Validity
For the approved travel dates; stay up to 90 days
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity
Ensure your UAE passport is valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of departure from Bhutan.
· 6-month validity after departure
/02
Open the official application portal
Go to bhutan.travel/visa or the Department of Immigration portal at immi.gov.bt. Alternatively, a licensed tour operator or your hotel can apply on your behalf.
· bhutan.travel· immi.gov.bt
/03
Create an account and sign the Pledge of Friendship
Register, then accept Bhutan's Pledge of Friendship as part of the online process.
· Account required
/04
Submit application and documents
Upload a digital copy of your passport bio-data page and a recent digital passport photo, and enter your arrival and departure dates.
· Passport scan· Digital photo· Travel dates
/05
Pay the visa fee and SDF
Pay the US$40 non-refundable visa application fee plus the Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per adult per night online; the visa cannot be processed without SDF payment.
· US$40 visa fee· US$100/night SDF
/06
Receive e-Visa and travel
Applications are reviewed within five working days. Carry your approved e-Visa (printed or digital) for presentation on arrival in Bhutan.
· 5 working days· Carry e-Visa copy
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

11 items
Personalized checklist
United Arab Emirates -> Bhutan · Tourist e-Visa (e-Permit)
0 / 11 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUAE passport valid for at least 6 months from intended departure from Bhutan
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredDigital scan of passport bio-data page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRecent digital passport-style photo
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredConfirmed arrival and departure dates
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredPayment method for visa fee and SDF (US$40 + US$100/night)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredSigned Pledge of Friendship (in online process)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredApproved e-Visa printout or digital copy for arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedHotel or tour operator booking confirmation
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Official sourcesBhutan.travel - Official Visa PageBhutan.travel - FAQsDepartment of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs - e-Permit/e-Visa for tourists
Application link included: Bhutan.travel - Official Visa Page
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa application feeUS$40One-time, non-refundable, per person
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)US$100 per nightPer adult per night; rate fixed Sep 2023 to Aug 2027
SDF (children 6 to under 12)US$50 per nightConcessionary rate; children under 6 do not pay SDF
Total estimateUS$340 (3-night visit: $40 + $300 SDF) — US$740 (7-night visit: $40 + $700 SDF)incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard online e-Visa
Within 5 working days
Apply yourself via bhutan.travel / immi.gov.bt and pay the visa fee plus SDF online.
Via licensed tour operator or hotel
Within 5 working days
A registered Bhutanese tour operator or hotel submits the application on your behalf.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-free or visa-on-arrival access for UAE nationals
India uses an entry-permit process, Bangladesh and the Maldives are eligible for visa on arrival, and all other foreign nationals, including Emiratis, must obtain an e-Visa before entry.
High
/02
Sustainable Development Fee
All non-exempt tourists pay US$100 per adult per night, a mandatory part of visa approval.
High
/03
Pre-travel online application
The e-Visa must be approved before arrival; there is no on-arrival option for Emiratis.
High
/04
Passport validity shortfall
Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the intended date of departure from Bhutan; insufficient validity blocks the application.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-06-19
Reviewed by Claude Code
Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.
2026-06-17
Bhutan e-Visa details aligned with official guidance
Clarified India/Bangladesh/Maldives entry processes, changed passport validity to six months from intended departure from Bhutan, removed unsupported onward-ticket requirement, and corrected SDF child bands to ages 6 to under 12 and under 6 exempt.
2026-05-30
United Arab Emirates to Bhutan route verified
Confirmed via Bhutan.travel and Department of Immigration that UAE ordinary passport holders require a tourist e-Visa. Visa fee US$40, SDF US$100/night (rate fixed Sep 2023-Aug 2027), processing within 5 working days, 90-day stay.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can UAE citizens visit Bhutan visa-free?—
No. India nationals use an entry-permit process, while Bangladesh and Maldives nationals can obtain visas on arrival. UAE passport holders fall under the rule for all other foreign nationals and must obtain an e-Visa before traveling.
How much does it cost for an Emirati to visit Bhutan?+
How long does the Bhutan e-Visa take to process?+
How long can I stay in Bhutan on the e-Visa?+
Can I get a visa on arrival in Bhutan?+
Can a tour operator apply for me?+
/11 — Passport tools

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