Visa Information

All visitors to Bhutan must have a visa approved prior to arriving in the kingdom. Those who have not had a visa approved will not be permitted to board their Druk Air flight to Bhutan. A two-week visa costs US$20 and is stamped in your passport at Paro Airport during the immigration process. Visas are approved and issued prior to entry, with the prepayment of your travel itinerary. Therefore visitors to Bhutan need to finalize their travel plans well in advance. We recommend 90 days.

Bhutan Tourism Corporation Limited (BTCL), PO Box 159, Thimphu, Bhutan, the oldest and most experienced of the Kingdom’s agencies can apply for an extension of all tourist visas should a visitor wish to remain in the kingdom for longer than two weeks. All visa applications must reach the Thimphu, Bhutan office of BTCL at least 60 days prior to the intended arrival date, earlier if traveling to the Kingdom in the peak months of September, October, November, March, April or early May. Full passport details must be faxed to BTCL (011 975 2 323392, 322479) in order for the visa to be processed with the immigration authorities. BTCL will advise all visitors of their status before their intended departure date. Visitors are reminded to bring 2 original passport-size photographs with them to Bhutan as they will be required by the immigration authority at Paro Airport. The actual visas are issued (stamped) in your passports at the entry points, either Paro Airport or Phuentsholing (land entry or exit).

The Bhutanese authorities strictly monitor the export of any religious antiquities or antiques of any kind from the Kingdom (100 years or older). Visitors are advised to be cautious in purchasing old and used items. Custom authorities will not allow items to be taken out of the country if they have not been officially certified as non-antique. Personal videos, cameras, personal computers, portable telephones or any other electronic device should be registered with the customs authorities on arrival at Paro and will be checked by the same on departure. Upon arrival you will be issued a “customs form” this form must be filled out, with declarations, and returned to authorities before leaving the kingdom. Import of plants, soils, etc., are subject to quarantine regulations. These items must be declared on arrival.