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Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit BT?

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 person per night. Only India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives are visa-exempt. A United Arab Emirates ordinary passport holder must obtain a tourist e-Visa (e-Permit) before traveling to Bhutan. Bhutan exempts only nationals of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives from visa requirements; all other travelers, including Emiratis, 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, travel 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 (the headline cost of visiting Bhutan), set at this rate from 1 September 2023 through 31 August 2027. The passport must be valid for at least six months, and applicants need proof of onward/departure travel. 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 2026-05-30
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.
UAE (Golden Visa)Living in UAE as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
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 and onward travel
Ensure your UAE passport is valid for at least 6 months and you have proof of onward/departure travel from Bhutan.
· 6-month passport validity· Onward ticket
/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

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
UAE passport valid for at least 6 months
required
Digital scan of passport bio-data page
required
Recent digital passport-style photo
required
Confirmed arrival and departure dates
required
Proof of onward/departure travel
required
Payment method for visa fee and SDF (US$40 + US$100/night)
required
Signed Pledge of Friendship (in online process)
required
Approved e-Visa printout or digital copy for arrival
required
Travel/medical insurance
recommended
Hotel or tour operator booking confirmation
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/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 6-12)US$50 per nightConcessionary rate; under 6 generally exempt
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
Bhutan exempts only India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives; UAE nationals must obtain an e-Visa in advance.
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; insufficient validity blocks the application.
Medium
/05
Missing onward travel proof
Travelers should hold proof of departure from Bhutan when applying and arriving.
Low
/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
2026-05-30
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. Bhutan grants visa-free entry only to nationals of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. UAE passport holders 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

Tools for the UAE passport

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Compare the UAE passport
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UAE passport power
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