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🇧🇹BhutanVN-BT

Vietnam to Bhutan visa requirements

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit Bhutan. There is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival channel. You must apply online for an e-Visa (tourist visa/permit) before travel, pay a US$40 visa fee, and pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per person per night. Bhutan grants visa-free entry only to nationals of India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives. All other travelers, including Vietnamese ordinary passport holders, must obtain a visa in advance. Bhutan operates a single online e-Visa / e-Permit system run by the Department of Immigration (immi.gov.bt). Travelers apply themselves online or through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or hotel. The application requires a valid passport copy, a recent passport photo, confirmed travel dates, and travel insurance covering the stay. Beyond the one-off US$40 visa application fee, every adult tourist must pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of US$100 per person per night for the full duration of the stay; this reduced SDF rate is fixed through 31 August 2027. From 1 January 2026, a 5% GST applies to tourism services (hotels, guides, transport) but the US$40 visa fee and the US$100 SDF are excluded and remain unchanged. The visa is normally processed within five working days and permits a stay of up to 90 days. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the departure date from Bhutan with at least two blank pages.
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
e-Visa (online tourist visa/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
Around 5 working days
standard track
Validity
Valid for the approved travel dates; stay up to 90 days from entry
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Plan your trip and travel dates
Decide your arrival and departure dates and the number of nights in Bhutan, since the Sustainable Development Fee is charged per person per night. Optionally arrange a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or hotel who can apply on your behalf.
· Before applying
/02
Gather required documents
Prepare a clear digital copy of your Vietnamese passport (valid at least 6 months beyond departure, with 2 blank pages), a recent passport-size photo, and a travel insurance policy covering your stay.
· Passport· Photo· Insurance
/03
Create an account on the official portal
Go to the Department of Immigration tourist visa system at immi.gov.bt, sign the visitor friendship pledge, and create your applicant account.
· immi.gov.bt
/04
Complete the application
Enter your travel details, upload your passport copy, photo and insurance, and confirm your nightly itinerary so the SDF can be calculated.
· Online form
/05
Pay the visa fee and SDF
Pay the non-refundable US$40 visa application fee plus the US$100 per night SDF by credit card or secure wire transfer to submit the application.
· Card or wire transfer
/06
Receive approval and travel
Wait for review (about 5 working days). Once approved, download the e-Visa/permit clearance letter and carry a printed copy; the visa is stamped on arrival at Paro.
· ~5 working days· Print clearance
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
Vietnam -> Bhutan · e-Visa (online tourist visa/permit)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredVietnamese passport valid 6+ months beyond departure from Bhutan
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least 2 blank passport pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRecent digital passport-size photo (under 6 months old)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredTravel insurance covering the full stay in Bhutan
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed arrival and departure dates / nightly itinerary
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredUS$40 visa application fee paid (non-refundable)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredSDF of US$100 per person per night paid in advance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredCredit card or wire transfer for online payment
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredApproved e-Visa/permit clearance letter printed for travel
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
OptionalLicensed Bhutanese tour operator or hotel booking (optional but helpful)
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
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 portal) - VisaDepartment of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs - e-Permit/e-Visa for touristsBhutan tourist online visa/permit system
Application link included: Bhutan Travel (official tourism portal) - Visa
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa application feeUS$40One-off, non-refundable, per person; excluded from the 5% GST
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)US$100 per person per nightReduced rate fixed through 31 Aug 2027; children 6-12 pay 50%, under 6 exempt
Tourism services GST5% on hotels/guides/transportApplies from 1 Jan 2026 to tourism services, not to the visa fee or SDF
Total estimateUS$140 (1 night: $40 + $100) — US$540+ (5 nights: $40 + $500, excluding tour costs)incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard online e-Visa
About 5 working days
Apply yourself via the official immi.gov.bt portal; clearance letter issued after review.
Via licensed tour operator/hotel
About 5 working days (operator-managed)
A Bhutanese tour operator or hotel submits the application and SDF payment on your behalf.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Bhutan's visa-free list is limited
Only India, Bangladesh, and the Maldives nationals enter without a visa; all others, including Vietnam, require a visa in advance.
High
/02
Single national tourist visa system
Bhutan uses one online e-Visa/e-Permit channel for all foreign tourists, with no visa-on-arrival for Vietnamese citizens.
High
/03
Sustainable Development Fee policy
Bhutan's high-value, low-volume tourism model requires every adult tourist to pay the US$100/night SDF regardless of nationality.
High
/04
Mandatory supporting documents
Travel insurance and a valid passport with sufficient validity and blank pages are required to be approved.
Medium
/05
Advance payment required
The visa fee and full SDF must be paid before the application is reviewed and approved.
Medium
/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 · major
Vietnam to Bhutan route verified
Confirmed against the official Bhutan tourism portal (bhutan.travel) and Department of Immigration (doi.gov.bt) that Vietnamese ordinary passport holders require an online e-Visa, US$40 visa fee plus US$100/night SDF (fixed to 31 Aug 2027), ~5 working day processing, stay up to 90 days.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Vietnamese citizens get a visa on arrival in Bhutan?—
No. There is no visa on arrival for Vietnamese passport holders. You must apply for and be approved for the e-Visa/permit online before you travel; the visa is then stamped on arrival at Paro airport.
How much does it cost in total?+
Do I have to book a tour to visit Bhutan?+
How long can I stay and how long does processing take?+
Is the US$100 SDF rate going to change?+
What passport validity do I need?+
/11 — Passport tools

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