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🇿🇦South Africa
🇧🇹BhutanZA-BT

South Africa to Bhutan visa requirements

South African passport holders need a visa for Bhutan. It is applied for online in advance (an e-visa) through the official Department of Immigration portal, and every tourist must also pay the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per night. A South Africa (ZA) ordinary passport holder cannot enter Bhutan visa-free or get a visa on arrival. Only India, Bangladesh and the Maldives have special arrangements (visa-free/visa-on-arrival). All other nationals, including South Africans, must obtain a visa in advance. Bhutan operates a single online e-visa system run by the Department of Immigration (visit.doi.gov.bt). You can apply yourself or have a licensed tour operator/hotel apply on your behalf. The application requires a passport copy, a recent passport photo and confirmed travel dates. Two charges apply: a one-off non-refundable visa application fee of USD 40 and the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person per night, which is the headline cost of visiting Bhutan. The reduced SDF rate of USD 100/night is in effect through 31 August 2027. The visa is typically processed within about 5 working days, and the resulting tourist visa is generally valid for stays of up to 90 days. Children under 6 are exempt from the SDF and those aged 6–11 pay a 50% concessionary rate. Bhutan is in South Asia and is not part of the Schengen area, so no Schengen 90/180 rule or ETIAS applies.
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 (applied online in advance via Department of Immigration)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days (per visa issued)
per entry
Entries
Single entry (extendable in-country)
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 40 visa fee + USD 100/night SDF
consular fee only
Processing time
Around 5 working days
standard track
Validity
Visa valid for the approved travel dates; passport must have 6+ months validity
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Plan your trip and dates
Decide your exact arrival and departure dates, since the Sustainable Development Fee is charged per night and your visa is issued for specific travel dates. Optionally arrange a licensed Bhutanese tour operator who can apply on your behalf.
· Before applying
/02
Register on the official e-visa portal
Create an account at the Department of Immigration portal (visit.doi.gov.bt) using your email address. Avoid third-party sites for the actual application; only the government portal issues the visa.
· visit.doi.gov.bt
/03
Complete the online application
Fill in your personal and passport details and upload a colour passport copy and a recent passport-style photo (taken within the last 6 months).
· Passport copy· Photo
/04
Pay the visa fee and SDF
Pay the one-off USD 40 visa application fee plus the Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person per night by Visa/Mastercard or wire transfer in the final step.
· USD 40 + USD 100/night
/05
Wait for approval
Applications are reviewed within about 5 working days. Apply at least 2–3 weeks before departure to allow margin. You receive your visa clearance letter by email.
· ~5 working days
/06
Travel and present your visa
Print the visa clearance letter and carry it with your passport. Immigration stamps the actual visa into your passport on arrival at Paro International Airport or a land border.
· Print clearance letter
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> Bhutan · e-Visa (applied online in advance via Department of Immigration)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival date
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 passport-style photo (taken within last 6 months)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredCompleted online e-visa application on visit.doi.gov.bt
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredUSD 40 visa application fee paid (non-refundable)
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
required
RequiredSustainable Development Fee (USD 100/night) paid for full stay
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed onward/return travel from Bhutan
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredPrinted visa clearance letter for travel and arrival
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
RecommendedHotel or accommodation bookings
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 Visa Information (Department of Tourism)Department of Immigration, Royal Government of Bhutan — Online Visa PortalMinistry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Bhutan — Visa to Enter Bhutan
Application link included: Bhutan.travel — Official Visa Information (Department of Tourism)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Visa application feeUSD 40One-off, non-refundable, per person
Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) — adultUSD 100 / nightPer adult per night; reduced rate valid through 31 Aug 2027
SDF — child (6–11 years)USD 50 / night50% concessionary rate
SDF — child (under 6)USD 0Exempt from SDF
Total estimateUSD 140 (visa fee + 1 night SDF) — USD 740 (visa fee + 7 nights SDF)incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard online processing
~5 working days
Apply directly on the official Department of Immigration portal; clearance letter emailed once approved.
Via licensed tour operator
~5 working days (plus operator lead time)
A Bhutanese tour operator or hotel submits the application and handles SDF payment as part of a package.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
South Africa has no visa-free or visa-on-arrival access
Only India, Bangladesh and the Maldives have special entry arrangements; all other nationalities, including South Africa, must obtain a visa in advance.
High
/02
Mandatory Sustainable Development Fee
Every tourist must pay the SDF (USD 100/night) regardless of nationality, which is the defining cost of a Bhutan visit.
High
/03
Application is fully online (e-visa)
Bhutan issues visas through its government e-visa portal rather than at the border, so it must be arranged before travel.
High
/04
Processing time requires advance planning
Allowing roughly 5 working days (ideally 2–3 weeks) means last-minute travel is not possible.
Medium
/05
Onward travel and document requirements
Travelers must show confirmed onward travel and meet passport validity/photo requirements at application and arrival.
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
South Africa to Bhutan route verified
Confirmed against official Bhutan Department of Tourism and Department of Immigration sources: South African ordinary passport holders require an advance e-visa (USD 40 fee) plus SDF of USD 100/night (reduced rate effective through 31 Aug 2027). Not visa-free; no visa on arrival.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can South Africans get a visa on arrival in Bhutan?—
No. Visa on arrival is only available to nationals of Bangladesh and the Maldives. South Africans must apply online for an e-visa before travelling.
What is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)?+
How much does it cost in total?+
How long does the visa take to process?+
Do I have to book through a tour operator?+
Is Bhutan part of the Schengen area?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Africa passport

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