United Kingdom to Bhutan visa requirements

British citizen passport holders need a visa to enter Bhutan, but it is obtained entirely online before travel as an eVisa. You apply through Bhutan's official Department of Immigration portal (or via a licensed tour operator/hotel), pay a one-off US$40 visa application fee, and pay the mandatory Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per adult per night for your entire stay. There is no visa on arrival. As of 31 May 2026, a United Kingdom (British citizen) ordinary passport holder cannot enter Bhutan visa-free. Only nationals of India, Bangladesh and the Maldives are exempt from the visa requirement. All other visitors, including UK citizens, must obtain a pre-approved visa online before arrival; this is effectively an eVisa system run by the Royal Government of Bhutan's Department of Immigration. The application is submitted at the official portal (immi.gov.bt / visit.doi.gov.bt), or a Bhutanese tour operator or hotel can submit it on your behalf. Two charges apply: a non-refundable, one-time visa application fee of US$40, and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per adult per night, which funds Bhutan's "High Value, Low Volume" tourism model (free education and healthcare, conservation, cultural preservation). Children aged 6-11/12 receive a 50% SDF discount and children aged 5 and under are exempt. The US$100/night SDF rate is confirmed in place through 31 August 2027. From 1 January 2026 a 5% GST applies to tourism services, but the US$40 visa fee and US$100 SDF are explicitly excluded from this tax. Applications are typically reviewed within five working days, so applying at least a week or two ahead is sensible. Passports must be valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure date from Bhutan. Travellers must also sign a digital "Pledge of Friendship" during the application. Because there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel for UK citizens, the correct classification for a short tourist visit is eVisa (pre-arranged online visa).