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🇧🇹BhutanIT-BT

Italy to Bhutan visa requirements

Italian passport holders need an eVisa to visit Bhutan, applied online before travel through the official immigration portal, plus payment of the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per night. Italy is not a visa-exempt country for Bhutan (only India, Bangladesh and the Maldives are exempt, and they still need a separate permit). Italian ordinary passport holders must obtain an electronic visa (e-permit/eVisa) before arrival. There is no visa-on-arrival for European travelers. The process is entirely online via Bhutan's official immigration portal: you create an account, sign the "Pledge of Friendship," upload your passport and photo, pay a one-off non-refundable US$40 visa application fee, and pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per person per night (the discounted rate in effect through 31 August 2027; concessions apply to children, with under-5s exempt). Applications are typically processed within 5 working days, and visa clearance is needed before you can finalize flight bookings to Paro. A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival is required. Bhutan is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply here.
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.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (e-permit applied online before travel)
Maximum stay
Typically up to 90 days (set by paid SDF nights)
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
US$40 visa fee + US$100/night SDF
consular fee only
Processing time
Up to 5 working days
standard track
Validity
For the dates applied for; passport valid 6+ months
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Plan your itinerary and dates
Decide your exact arrival and departure dates for Bhutan. The number of nights determines your total Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), so confirm your travel plan before applying.
· Before booking flights
/02
Create an account on the official immigration portal
Register at Bhutan's Department of Immigration / Immigration Services Portal (immi.gov.bt). You can also have a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or hotel apply on your behalf.
· immi.gov.bt
/03
Sign the Pledge of Friendship and complete the form
Accept the visitor pledge, enter your travel information, and upload a digital copy of your passport bio page and a recent passport-style photo.
· Passport copy· Digital photo
/04
Pay the visa fee and SDF
Pay the non-refundable US$40 visa application fee plus the SDF of US$100 per person per night via credit card or secure wire transfer.
· Credit card or wire transfer
/05
Wait for processing and approval
Applications are reviewed within about 5 working days. You receive your visa clearance/e-permit by email once approved.
· ~5 working days
/06
Book flights and travel
Use your visa clearance to confirm flights to Paro (or arrange land entry via Phuentsholing/Gelephu/Samdrup Jongkhar). Carry a printed copy of your approval; the actual visa is stamped on arrival.
· Print approval· Stamped on arrival
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Italy -> Bhutan · eVisa (e-permit applied online before travel)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival date
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredDigital scan/copy of passport bio-data page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRecent digital passport-size photograph
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
RequiredAccount on official immigration portal (immi.gov.bt)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredPayment of US$40 non-refundable visa fee
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredPayment of US$100/night Sustainable Development Fee
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredCredit card or wire-transfer payment method
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedPrinted copy of visa clearance approval
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
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.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesBhutan Travel (Official Tourism Site) - VisaDepartment of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs - e-Permit/e-Visa for TouristsBhutan Immigration Services Portal
Application link included: Bhutan Travel (Official Tourism Site) - Visa
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa application feeUS$40One-off, non-refundable, per person
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)US$100 per nightPer adult; 50% off ages 6-12; free under 5; unused nights refundable
GST on tourism services5%From Jan 2026 on tourism services; excludes the visa fee and SDF
Total estimateUS$140 — US$540incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard online processing
Up to 5 working days
Official processing time after a correctly filed application is submitted on the immigration portal.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Italy is not on Bhutan's visa-exempt list
Only India, Bangladesh and the Maldives are exempt (and still need a permit); all other nationalities, including Italians, require a visa.
High
/02
No visa-on-arrival for European travelers
Bhutan requires the eVisa/e-permit to be obtained online before travel; clearance is needed before flights can be confirmed.
High
/03
Sustainable Development Fee policy
Bhutan applies an SDF of US$100 per night to most foreign tourists as part of its high-value, low-impact tourism model.
High
/04
Passport validity below 6 months
Entry can be refused if the passport is not valid for at least 6 months beyond the arrival date.
Medium
/05
Incomplete or incorrect application
Missing documents or payment errors delay the 5-day processing and can require resubmission.
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
Italy to Bhutan route verified
Confirmed via official Bhutan tourism and immigration sources that Italian passport holders need an online eVisa, US$40 visa fee plus US$100/night SDF (rate valid through 31 Aug 2027).
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do Italian citizens need a visa for Bhutan?—
Yes. Italy is not on Bhutan's visa-exempt list, so Italian ordinary passport holders must obtain an eVisa (e-permit) online before traveling.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Bhutan?+
What is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)?+
How much does the Bhutan visa cost in total?+
How long does processing take?+
Is Bhutan part of the Schengen area or ETIAS?+
/11 — Passport tools

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