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United States to Bhutan visa requirements

US ordinary passport holders need a visa for Bhutan, applied for online before arrival through the official Department of Immigration portal. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option. US citizens cannot enter Bhutan visa-free or on arrival. Every visitor must obtain a Bhutanese tourist visa in advance via the official online portal (immi.gov.bt or bhutan.travel). The process involves a one-time, non-refundable US$40 visa application fee plus a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per adult per night (US$50 for children 6-12; under 6 exempt). The SDF is the defining cost of a Bhutan trip and applies for every night of the stay. Visa clearance must be issued BEFORE you can buy flights to Bhutan, since airlines require the visa clearance letter to ticket the route. Applications are reviewed within about five working days. As of January 1, 2026 a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to tourism services such as hotels and guides, though the SDF itself is exempt from GST. The reduced US$100 SDF rate (down from the previous US$200) is an incentive currently valid through August 31, 2027. Passports must be valid at least six months beyond arrival with a blank page. Travelers going beyond Paro and Thimphu must be accompanied by an accredited guide.
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
Online tourist visa (e-visa) issued in advance by the Department of Immigration
Maximum stay
Granted for the dates requested in the application (length of paid SDF nights); single trip
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
US$40 visa fee (one-time) + US$100/night SDF per adult
consular fee only
Processing time
Reviewed within ~5 working days
standard track
Validity
Valid for the travel dates approved; passport must be valid 6+ months beyond arrival
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Plan your trip dates and nights
Decide arrival/departure dates. The Sustainable Development Fee is charged per night, so the number of nights determines your total cost. Travel beyond Paro/Thimphu requires an accredited guide.
· Per-night SDF· Guide for wider travel
/02
Create an account and sign the Pledge of Friendship
Go to the official portal (bhutan.travel or immi.gov.bt), register, and sign the Pledge of Friendship committing to respect and protect the kingdom.
· Official portal only
/03
Upload documents and enter travel info
Provide a digital copy of your passport bio page, a recent passport-style photo, and your arrival/departure dates.
· Passport copy· Digital photo
/04
Pay the visa fee and SDF
Pay the US$40 non-refundable visa application fee plus the SDF (US$100/adult/night) for all nights of your stay by card.
· Card payment· Non-refundable visa fee
/05
Wait for visa clearance (about 5 working days)
The Department of Immigration reviews correctly filed applications within roughly five working days and issues a visa clearance letter.
· ~5 working days
/06
Book flights and travel
Use the issued visa clearance to book flights into Bhutan (Paro). Carry a printed copy of the clearance; the visa is stamped on arrival.
· Clearance needed to ticket flights
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
United States -> Bhutan · Online tourist visa (e-visa) issued in advance by the Department of Immigration
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
RequiredAt least one blank passport page for the entry stamp
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredDigital copy of passport bio-data page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRecent passport-style digital 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 card for visa fee and SDF
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredSigned Pledge of Friendship (in portal)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredPrinted visa clearance letter for airline check-in
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedAccredited guide booked if traveling beyond Paro/Thimphu
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance for the trip
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 Department of Tourism - Official Visa Page (bhutan.travel)Bhutan Department of Immigration - Online Visa PortalU.S. State Department - Bhutan International Travel Information
Application link included: Bhutan Department of Tourism - Official Visa Page (bhutan.travel)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa application feeUS$40One-time, non-refundable, per applicant
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) - adultUS$100/nightPer adult, per night; reduced rate valid through Aug 31, 2027
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) - child 6-12US$50/night50% concession; children under 6 exempt
GST on tourism services5%From Jan 1, 2026 on hotels/guides etc.; SDF itself is GST-exempt
Total estimateUS$140 (1 night: $40 visa + $100 SDF) — US$540+ (5 nights: $40 visa + $500 SDF)incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard online application
About 5 working days
Apply directly via the official Department of Immigration portal; clearance issued before you book flights.
Through a tour operator/hotel
About 5 working days
An accredited operator or hotel submits the application on your behalf and manages SDF payment and logistics.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-free or visa-on-arrival access
US passport holders are not on any Bhutan visa-exemption list and cannot obtain a visa at the border; advance approval is mandatory.
High
/02
Sustainable Development Fee model
Bhutan funds conservation and high-value tourism via a per-night SDF (US$100/adult), paid with the visa application.
High
/03
Visa clearance required to fly
Airlines will not ticket travel into Bhutan without an issued visa clearance, so the e-visa must come first.
High
/04
Passport validity shortfall
Applications/entry are refused if the passport is not valid at least six months beyond arrival.
Medium
/05
Travel beyond main towns without a guide
Visitors must be accompanied by an accredited guide outside Paro and Thimphu.
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 States of America to Bhutan route verified
Confirmed via bhutan.travel and US State Department: US citizens require an advance online visa (US$40) plus US$100/night SDF. Reduced SDF rate valid through Aug 31, 2027; 5% GST on tourism services from Jan 1, 2026.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in Bhutan?—
No. There is no visa on arrival. US passport holders must apply online and receive visa clearance before traveling; the visa is then stamped on arrival.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)?+
How much does a Bhutan visa cost in total?+
Do I still need to book through a tour operator?+
How long does the visa take to process?+
What are the passport requirements?+
/11 — Passport tools

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