Foreign travel advice

Bhutan

Entry requirements

This information is for people travelling on a full 鈥楤ritish citizen鈥� passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government鈥檚 understanding of Bhutan鈥檚 current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Bhutan set and enforce entry rules. If you鈥檙e not sure how these requirements apply to you, see the or contact the .

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an 鈥榚xpiry date鈥� at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Bhutan.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to聽.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter and leave Bhutan. 聽聽聽聽

Applying for a visa

You must apply for your visa in advance. The authorities will pre-approve the visa and issue it when you arrive in Bhutan.聽

You can arrange a visa through a Bhutanese tour operator, through a Bhutanese hotel or directly through the聽. You will need to pay a non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of 40 US dollars.

If you鈥檙e travelling for business or other non-tourism reasons, you must arrange your visa through your sponsoring organisation in Bhutan.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure the border control officer聽stamps your visa in your passport.

Permits

You must have permits to travel to some states in Bhutan. Your tour guide will help to get these.

If you want to extend your stay in Bhutan, go to the Department of Immigration in Thimphu to make a request.

Entry and exit points

You can enter or exit Bhutan by air through the international airport in Paro, or by the land entry point in Phuentsholing.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see聽.

Sustainable development fee

All adult visitors must pay a鈥�(SDF)鈥痮f 100 US dollars per night. There is a lower daily charge for children. Read more .

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Bhutan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. 聽聽

It is illegal to take antiques out of Bhutan. Customs officials may inspect items that appear to be antiques.

Taking tobacco into Bhutan

You can bring a small supply of tobacco for personal use. You will need to pay taxes and duties and be able to show proof of tax and duty payments if the 聽authorities ask you to at any point during your visit.

Taking money into or out of Bhutan聽聽聽聽

You can take up to 30,000 Bhutan ngultrum into or out of Bhutan.聽

If you plan to take foreign currency worth 10,000 US dollars or more into or out of Bhutan, you must declare it and get clearance from the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan.

Indian rupees are widely accepted in Bhutan.