Quick answer
Indian citizens do not need a visa for Bhutan, but they need an entry permit, issued online or on arrival at Paro airport or Phuentsholing. Use a passport or original Voter ID; Aadhaar is not accepted. You also pay a Sustainable Development Fee of ₹1,200 per adult per night, half that for children aged 6 to 12.
At a glance
- Visa type
- Entry permit (no visa) + Sustainable Development Fee
- Stay allowed
- Entry permit for Thimphu and Paro for your planned dates (commonly about 7 days, extendable in Thimphu); route permits for other districts
- Fee
- No visa fee; SDF ₹1,200 (Nu 1,200) per adult per night, ₹600 for children aged 6–12, free for 5 and under
- Processing
- Same day on arrival at Paro or Phuentsholing; online e-permit takes a few working days
- Validity
- For the dates and districts on your permit
- Apply at
- Official portal
Documents checklist
- Indian passport valid at least six months, or original Voter ID card (no photocopies or digital copies)
- Children under 18 without a passport: original birth certificate in English, or school ID
- Completed entry permit form and a passport-size photograph
- Confirmed booking at a Department of Tourism-certified hotel for at least the first night
- Day-by-day itinerary listing every district you plan to visit
- SDF payment, online with the e-permit or at the entry point
- Undertaking letter if travelling solo (asked at some entry points)
Common mistakes that get Indians refused
- Aadhaar, PAN cards and driving licences are not accepted as entry documents.
- Phuentsholing immigration works office hours, closes on weekends and public holidays, and can take hours on busy days; cross on a weekday morning.
- Route permits for Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthang and Haa are issued in Thimphu on weekdays; list every district or you will need to go back to amend it.
- Permits are checked at road checkpoints across the country, so carry the originals at all times.
Do Indians need a visa for Bhutan?
No visa, but you do need an entry permit, and you pay a nightly Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). Bhutan treats Indian visitors as regional tourists, which means a far lower SDF than the US dollar rate other nationalities pay.
Which ID documents work
Adults can use either a passport valid for at least six months or an original Voter ID card from the Election Commission of India. Photocopies, digital voter IDs, Aadhaar, PAN cards and driving licences are not accepted. Children under 18 without a passport can travel on an original birth certificate in English or a school ID card, with a parent holding valid ID.
How to get the permit, step by step
- Book at least your first night at a hotel certified by Bhutan's Department of Tourism.
- Apply online on the Bhutan immigration portal (allow about a week), or get the permit on arrival at Paro airport or the Phuentsholing land border.
- Pay the SDF: online with the e-permit, or at the entry point.
- The entry permit covers Thimphu and Paro. For Punakha, Phobjikha, Bumthang or Haa, get a route permit at the immigration office in Thimphu on a weekday, listing every district on your plan.
What the SDF costs
| Traveller | SDF per night |
|---|---|
| Adult | ₹1,200 (Nu 1,200) |
| Child aged 6–12 | ₹600 |
| Child aged 5 and under | Free |
A couple on a five-night trip pays ₹12,000 in SDF; add ₹3,000 for an eight-year-old. Day visitors who stay within border towns such as Phuentsholing, without crossing the first checkpoint or staying overnight, do not pay SDF.
What immigration checks
Officers match your ID against the form, check your first-night hotel booking and itinerary, and take biometrics. Phuentsholing keeps office hours, closes on weekends and public holidays, and can take several hours on busy days, so plan the crossing for a weekday morning. Paro airport arrivals are usually quicker.
Tips for families and seniors
- Carry originals at all times; permits are checked at road checkpoints.
- Many dzongs, temples and museums expect visitors to enter with a licensed guide, and most operators include one beyond Thimphu and Paro. Confirm the current rule for Indian travellers with your hotel or operator.
- Older parents should take Chele La pass (nearly 4,000 m) and the Tiger's Nest hike slowly; ponies cover part of the Taktsang climb.
- Book hotels from the certified list only; unregistered homestays may not be accepted for the permit.
For costs and timing, see the Bhutan trip cost guide, the best time to visit Bhutan and things to do in Bhutan. Our visa assistance team can arrange permits and SDF payment together with your hotel bookings.
Frequently asked questions
Can Indians visit Bhutan without a passport?
How much is Bhutan's Sustainable Development Fee for Indians?
Where do Indians get the Bhutan entry permit?
Do I need a separate permit for Punakha?
Is there an SDF for a day trip to Phuentsholing?
How we checked this page
Last reviewed
Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
