The tourist e-visa allows a stay of up to 90 days, but your stay cannot exceed the number of nights for which you have paid the SDF. Extensions can be requested through the immigration portal.

Home/from/South Korea/to/Bhutan

🇰🇷South Korea

🇧🇹BhutanKR-BT

South Korea to Bhutan visa requirements

Q: How much does it cost in total?

A non-refundable USD 40 visa fee plus the Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per adult, per night. For example, a 5-night trip for one adult costs USD 40 + USD 500 = USD 540, on top of flights, hotels, and other expenses.

Q: Do I have to book through a tour operator?

Not strictly. You can apply for the e-visa yourself on the official portal and arrange travel independently, but many visitors still use a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or hotel to handle the application and SDF payment.

Q: Is Bhutan part of the Schengen area or ETIAS?

No. Bhutan is in South Asia and is not part of the Schengen area, so Schengen 90/180 rules and ETIAS do not apply. Its own e-visa and SDF system governs entry.

Q: What documents do I need to apply?

A passport valid at least 6 months, a passport bio-page copy, a recent passport-size photo, valid travel insurance, and your travel dates, plus payment for the visa fee and SDF.

South Korean (ordinary passport) travelers need an online visa (e-visa) to enter Bhutan for tourism. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel. You apply in advance through Bhutan's official Department of Immigration portal, pay a USD 40 visa fee, and pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per adult, per night for the full length of your stay. Bhutan requires a visa from all foreign nationals except citizens of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives, so South Korean ordinary passport holders are not exempt and cannot enter visa-free or get a visa on arrival. Tourists must obtain a tourist e-visa before travel, applied for online through the official Bhutan Department of Immigration portal (visit.doi.gov.bt / immi.gov.bt), either directly or via a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or hotel. Two charges apply: a non-refundable USD 40 visa application fee and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per adult per night (USD 50 for children aged 6-12; under 6 exempt), which funds Bhutan's High Value, Low Volume sustainable tourism model. Applications are typically reviewed within about 5 working days, and visa clearance is required before booking flights into Bhutan. The e-visa is single-entry, valid 90 days from issue, and permits a stay of up to 90 days (tied to the duration of SDF paid). A passport valid for at least 6 months and valid travel insurance are required. Bhutan is not part of the Schengen area, so no Schengen or ETIAS rules apply. Verdict verified against the Bhutan Department of Immigration and the official Bhutan.travel tourism site as of 2026-05-30.

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.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →South Korea (PR)Living in South Korea as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Tourist e-visa (applied online before travel)

Maximum stay

Up to 90 days (must match the number of nights of SDF paid)

per entry

Entries

Single entry

from issue date

Visa fee

USD 40 visa fee + USD 100/adult/night SDF

consular fee only

Processing time

Up to ~5 working days

standard track

Validity

90 days from date of issue

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Plan trip and arrange a tour operator (optional but common)

Decide your travel dates and itinerary. Many visitors book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, hotel, or guide who can submit the e-visa application on their behalf, though independent online application is also possible.

· Before booking flights

/02

Create an account on the official immigration portal

Register at the Bhutan Department of Immigration online visa portal (visit.doi.gov.bt / immi.gov.bt) to start a tourist e-visa application.

· Official portal only

/03

Complete the application and upload documents

Enter guest details and travel dates, then upload a passport bio-page copy, a recent passport-size photo, and proof of valid travel insurance covering the trip.

· Passport copy· Photo· Insurance

/04

Pay the visa fee and Sustainable Development Fee

Pay the USD 40 non-refundable visa fee plus the SDF of USD 100 per adult per night for every night of your stay.

· USD 40 + SDF

/05

Wait for visa clearance (about 5 working days)

The Department of Immigration reviews a correctly filed application within roughly five working days and issues the e-visa clearance.

· ~5 working days

/06

Book flights and travel with your e-visa

Only after receiving visa clearance can you book flights into Bhutan. Carry a printed or digital copy of the e-visa; it is verified and stamped on arrival.

· Book flights after clearance

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items

Personalized checklist

South Korea -> Bhutan · Tourist e-visa (applied online before travel)

0 / 13 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredPassport valid for at least 6 months beyond intended departure date

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredClear copy of passport bio-data page

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

required

RequiredRecent passport-size photograph

Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route

required

RequiredValid travel insurance covering the whole trip