Do Indians Need a Visa for Bhutan? Entry Permit, SDF, Documents and Phuentsholing Entry (2026)

Do Indians Need a Visa for Bhutan? (2026 Quick Answer)

No. As of November 2026, Indian citizens need no visa for Bhutan. The Department of Immigration says all visitors need a visa except visitors from India, who need an entry permit instead. The Department of Tourism and the Embassy of India in Thimphu say the same.

• Entry permit: online in advance or on arrival at the port of entry.
• SDF: Nu 1,200, or the same amount in rupees, per person per night, with lower rates for children.
• Documents: a valid Indian passport, an original Voter ID or, for under-18s, a birth certificate. Nothing else is accepted.
• Fees: no visa fee. The SDF is paid when the permit is processed.

Bhutan changes its tourism rules often, so check the Department of Immigration's online portal and the Department of Tourism before you book.

Entry Permit - How Indians Get It

According to the Department of Immigration and the Department of Tourism, Indians can get the entry permit in three ways:

• Online in advance on the Department of Immigration's online portal, which is recommended because it cuts processing time at the port of entry.
• Through a tour operator or hotel, which can apply on your behalf.
• On arrival, at Paro International Airport or at the Regional Immigration Offices in Phuentsholing, Gelephu, Samdrup Jongkhar and Samtse.

Online application

The portal asks for a digital copy of your passport or Voter ID and a recent digital passport-size photo. The Department of Immigration's April 2025 information sheet listed up to 5 working days after the application is endorsed. That figure is dated, so we recommend applying at least a week before travel.

Permit on arrival

On-arrival applicants need a passport-size photograph, and the Department of Tourism warns of possible long waits. According to a Business Bhutan report of a June 2026 parliamentary answer, more than 2,000 tourists reached Phuentsholing on 24 May 2026, about double the daily average of around 1,000, and permits were delayed. Applying online ahead helps at peak times.

Length of stay and extensions

Official sources give no fixed length of stay. The permit covers the dates you apply and pay SDF for. Extensions need to be applied for before the permit expires. Indian nationals make them in person at the Department of Immigration and pay in INR.

Visarun does not sell or issue Bhutan permits, and entry is decided by Bhutan's immigration officers. For the other countries on your trip, Visarun helps with visas.

Sustainable Development Fee for Indians

As of November 2026, the Department of Tourism sets the SDF for Indians showing a valid passport or Voter ID at Nu 1,200, or the same amount in rupees, per person per night. The Embassy of India in Thimphu quotes INR 1,200 per day of stay.

• Age 12 and over: Nu/INR 1,200 per night
• From 6 until the 12th birthday: Nu/INR 600 per night
• Not yet 6: no SDF

Two adults and an 8-year-old staying four nights pay Nu/INR 12,000 in SDF. The ngultrum is pegged 1:1 to the rupee. For comparison, adults from all other countries pay USD 100 per night.

The SDF is paid when you apply for the permit, online or in person. The Department of Tourism says it is refunded by the Department of Immigration for cancelled or shortened trips and unused nights, minus bank charges.

Official sources do not say how long the 1,200 rate will last. The October 2026 extension reported for the USD 100 rate covers dollar-paying tourists only.

The Department of Tourism also warns that India-issued cards denominated in US dollars will not work in Bhutan because of RBI FEMA rules, and advises carrying cards valid for India, Bhutan and Nepal.

Documents - Passport or Voter ID and Children

The Department of Immigration accepts a passport or a Voter Identity Card from Indian nationals and says no other identity documents are accepted. The Embassy of India lists the same two:

• An Indian passport with at least 6 months' validity. The Department of Immigration's general rule counts it from the date you leave, so we recommend 6 months beyond the day you leave Bhutan.
• An original Voter ID issued by the Election Commission of India, with recent passport-size photographs.

An Indian travel insurer's guide spells out that Aadhaar, PAN and driving licences are not accepted for entry. The licence does work for self-driving inside Bhutan.

Flying? Drukair, Bhutan's national airline, lists a Voter ID as a valid document for Indian nationals but generally recommends a passport. An Indian insurer's guide warns that not all airlines may accept a Voter ID, so check with your airline.

Children under 18

Minors can enter with a passport or an original birth certificate and need to be accompanied by a legal guardian. If a child travels with someone other than a parent, confirm the paperwork with the Department of Immigration first.

Entering by Road at Phuentsholing or by Air at Paro

By air at Paro

Indians flying in get the entry permit at Paro International Airport on a passport or Voter ID. Drukair and Bhutan Airlines fly from Indian cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati and Bodhgaya. Routes change, so check current schedules. Gelephu also has an international airport, but no official source we found confirms permits on arrival there for Indians.

By road at Phuentsholing

There are four official road entry points from India, each with a Regional Immigration Office: Phuentsholing (opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal) and Samtse in the west, Gelephu in the centre and Samdrup Jongkhar in the east.

A guide is mandatory for land arrivals heading beyond the border towns. Under an 11 September 2026 Department of Tourism notification, pre-arranged guides at Phuentsholing need to be registered 48 hours before travel instead of 24, and the walk-in registration link opens at 6 pm for the next day instead of 6 am.

24-hour visits without SDF

From 2 June 2026, tourists spending up to 24 hours in Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrup Jongkhar pay no SDF. The waiver is currently announced until August 2027, so check it before travel.

It applies only inside designated zones. SDF is charged beyond Rinchending Checkpost in Phuentsholing or Gurung Basti in Samtse, and the zone limits are Aipoli Bridge in Gelephu and Pinchinna checkpost in Samdrup Jongkhar. Up to the first checkpoint, a guide is not mandatory but is recommended.

Travelling Beyond Thimphu and Paro - Route Permits

Advice that Indian tourists need a route permit beyond Thimphu and Paro is out of date. On 6 March 2023, Bhutan adopted a negative-list approach and lifted the route-permit requirement for tourists. With a guide certified by the Department of Tourism, a tourist can go anywhere except prohibited or restricted areas, without a route permit or stops at internal checkpoints such as Rinchending.

• Route permits still apply to business or official visits, according to the Department of Tourism, and to Immigration Permit holders, for whom the Department of Immigration lists one working day of processing.
• Restricted trekking routes are open only with a trekking guide certified by the Department of Tourism.
• National parks need a separate permit, which can be applied for online and should be issued quickly.

The guide rule

For Punakha, Bumthang or any other dzongkhag, the guide matters more than any permit. A Department of Tourism notification of 8 April 2026, under the Tourism Rules and Regulations 2024, says all tourists need a licensed guide at all times, including at monuments and when travelling from Paro International Airport to other dzongkhags. The only exception is tours up to the first designated checkpoint. The sources we checked do not say where that is for Paro or Thimphu, so ask your tour operator.

Recent Changes (2025-2026)

• October 2025: a Department of Tourism payment note warned that India-issued USD cards will not work in Bhutan.
• 8 April 2026: a Department of Tourism notification restated that a licensed guide is required at all times, except up to the first designated checkpoint.
• April 2026: trade news reported a proposed digital arrival card and electronic travel authorisation. Neither had been announced for Indian travellers as of November 2026.
• May 2026: news reports said a National Assembly committee recommended a 72-hour waiver, but the tourism ministry said it was not necessary. The waiver stays at 24 hours.
• 2 June 2026: the 24-hour border-town SDF waiver was renewed, currently announced until August 2027.
• September 2026: Daily Bhutan reported that waiver users may visit Milarepa Lhakhang and the Pachu Community Ecotourism Site near Phuentsholing, only on an approved package with a licensed guide. The report ties it to the Harvest Festival, so it may be seasonal. Ask at the Phuentsholing Tourism Information Office.
• 11 September 2026: guide registration at Phuentsholing moved to 48 hours before travel.
• 22 October 2026: a Department of Tourism reminder said only approved and certified accommodation, including village homestays, may cater to tourists.
• 31 October 2026: reports said the USD 100 SDF for dollar-paying tourists was extended to 31 December 2029, and that the Indian rate was not part of that change.

FAQ

Can I enter Bhutan with an Aadhaar card?

No. Indians need a passport or a Voter ID, and the Department of Immigration says no other identity documents are accepted.

Do children pay the SDF in Bhutan?

Children under 6 pay nothing. From 6 until the 12th birthday, the rate is Nu/INR 600 per night. From 12, the full Nu/INR 1,200 applies, as of November 2026.

Is travel insurance mandatory for Bhutan?

No. Bhutan withdrew the requirement on 23 April 2024, but the Department of Tourism still recommends having cover.

How much Indian cash can I carry to Bhutan?

The Embassy of India says notes up to Rs 500 are allowed up to a total of Rs 25,000. Above Rs 25,000, notes need to be Rs 100 or lower.

Can I drive my own car into Bhutan?

Yes, with a valid Indian driving licence, but as of November 2026 the Department of Tourism lists a charge of Nu 4,500 per car per day and asks for vehicle papers such as insurance. A guide is required at all times.

Do I get my SDF back if I leave early?

The Department of Tourism says the SDF for unused nights is refunded by the Department of Immigration, minus bank charges.

How long can I stay on the Indian entry permit?

No official limit is published. The permit covers the dates you apply and pay SDF for, and extensions are made in person at the Department of Immigration before it expires.

Can Visarun get my Bhutan permit for me?

No. Visarun does not sell or issue Bhutan permits. You apply on the Department of Immigration's online portal or through a tour operator or hotel.