Bhutan Visa for Indians

Indians only have to pay specific fees to enter Bhutan, known as the Sustainable Development Fees (SDF). Bhutan charges this fee to promote sustainable tourism and fund environmental conservation projects.

Moreover, Indians travelling with their vehicles also need to pay taxes in certain cases. There is no fee if you travel within your designated area. But if you drive beyond the Rinchending Check Post in Phuentsholing, you have to pay the Green Tax.

Here is the list of fees and taxes that you might have to pay.

Consulate Bhutan in Kolkata

Consulate of Bhutan in Guwahati

Bhutan Consular Section Details

Consulate of India in Bhutan

Any Indian who wishes to travel to and through Bhutan needs to apply for an entry permit to Bhutan. You will not be allowed to enter the country without a permit. This rule is only put aside if you travel to Phuentsholing and will return to India before 10 pm. However, if you are travelling to Bhutan for a holiday and intend to be there for some time to see and enjoy the place, you must get your permit.
Any non-Bhutanese found in Bhutan without a valid permit will face severe penalties and consequences. Also, you will not be allowed to pass the checkpoints in Phuentsholing if you are travelling by road and in Paro if you are travelling by air unless you have a stamped permit. Furthermore, if you are travelling to the special permit areas, having a valid permit becomes even more important as there are several points at which you could be asked to present your permit, and if you cannot show one, there could be dire consequences.

You are not required to apply for an entry permit to Bhutan ahead of time. You can get it on arrival when travelling by road or by air. All you need to do is present the documents being asked for, and you should get your permit in no time. Further, getting your permit will not take you over an hour, after which you can freely enjoy your stay in Bhutan.

To get your entry permit to Bhutan, you must present a few documents at the checkpoints to get your entry permit to Bhutan. These documents will include:

• Proof that you are an Indian citizen
• Your Indian passport with a validity of at least 6 months which must have at least 3 blank pages and any old passports that you have
• Or
• Any Indian Government issued ID and Address Proof, like a copy of your Voter’s ID card, which the Election Commission of India has issued, in case you do not have a passport
• If you have a child under the age of 18 who does not have a valid passport, you can present their birth certificate and their school ID card
• Travel insurance policy with Covid coverage
• Details about where you will be staying with proof as the government needs to know where they can reach you if the need for it arises
• If you wish to apply for the special area permit, you will need to provide some extra documents, which include;
• The special application form that is filled out
• Your entry permit with the specially included Route Permit
• An extension permit from the Road Safety and Transportation Authority (RSTA) if you are planning to travel through Bhutan in your car

If you are wondering about the Bhutan visa fees for Indians or the Bhutan visa on arrival cost, we have some news you need to know. Firstly, as we have already established, you do not need a visa for Bhutan, so there is no question about the Bhutan visa fees for Indians. However, you need to be aware of the Bhutan entry permit fees. Many people may think Indians are not required to pay fees for their permit to enter Bhutan. This was true until a few years ago when Indians were not required to pay anything for their entry permit.

However, in recent years there has been a change in the rules. Since many tourists are making their way into Bhutan every year, the Bhutanese government has decided to charge a certain amount for entry permits for all countries, including India, to regulate tourism.
So people who travel to Bhutan from India post-2020 need to pay ₹1200 per day for adults and ₹600 per day for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Children under 6 do not need to pay anything to enter the country.

The country's National Assembly has levied this fee as part of the Tourism Levy and Exemption Bill of Bhutan, 2020. The fee is called the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). While Indians may find the entry fee to be quite reasonable, this is not the case for tourists from other foreign countries who need to pay USD 65 or ₹4,631 with a per day cover charge of USD 250 or ₹17,811 (These rates will change as per the Dollar and Rupee conversion rate.) Adding these fees is expected to impact the tourism industry in Bhutan heavily.

When travelling to any place, no matter how close you may feel it is, it is always better to have a little extra protection. This protection is what a travel policy offers you. It offers you peace of mind knowing that should anything go wrong at any point; you will not have to face the problem alone.

For example, you may lose your luggage, or there may be an intermittent delay in your flight; in such cases having travel insurance can prove to be a huge boon. And if you are travelling with family, you do not want to leave anything to chance; you must always get family travel insurance. Additionally, a travel insurance plan is now mandatory to enter Bhutan, and you will not be allowed beyond the checkpoint without presenting your insurance papers.

Let us take an example where you fall ill or have an accident when you are in Bhutan. Now, falling ill or having an accident can be daunting at any place and time, but facing such a situation when you are away from the security of your home and people in a land where you do not speak the language, can be even more daunting. It can leave you feeling lost and alone. However, if you have travel insurance for bhutan means, you do not need to feel alone.. Your insurance will be with you and provide for you at every step. For example, it will take care of your expenses if you need hospitalisation.

Now, taking off the previous point, let us talk about Covid-19. Say you are in Bhutan and you have contracted the dreaded virus. What happens next? You may feel stuck in a situation where you cannot find a way out. But if you have a travel policy from Tata AIG, you do not need to worry even if you get Covid while on your trip. You can get the care you need and even opt for quarantine if that is being advised to you, and we will take care of the financial aspect of your care.

We have spoken about a few instances where your travel policy may be handy. But, there are several scenarios where you can find yourself rescued by your travel insurance. From lost baggage to evacuation, your travel insurance will provide you with aid in all situations where you need help. So, if you are thinking about where you should buy your travel policy, do not look beyond Tata AIG!

Bhutan is among the last countries to reopen their borders post-Covid. The country has been very strict in dealing with the virus to safeguard the interests of its citizens. They remain closed even right now and will open on the 23rd of September 2022, albeit with restrictions. A few restrictions you need to follow while travelling to Bhutan post the 23rd of September, 2022, include:

• People who are fully vaccinated need to carry and show their vaccination certificates.
• People who are not fully vaccinated need to quarantine for 21 days.
• All travellers entering Bhutan need to present a negative PCR test.
• You can be asked to be tested for Covid at any given time, and you need to comply with the authorities when they ask you to take one.
• Know what the Covid-related laws in the country are and follow them at all times.
• If your PCR comes positive, inform the authorities and quarantine at once.
• Keep your vaccination certificate with you at all times, especially while travelling by road.
• You will be asked to pay for any Covid tests you will need to take while in Bhutan.
• A Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) will be levied on all travellers entering Bhutan, and the fee will differ according to a person’s nationality. Indians will now have to pay an SDF of ₹1200 per day for adults and ₹600 per day for children between the ages of 6 and 12.

These are the Covid rules that you need to follow as of now. However, these rules keep changing as per the needs of the country. If you plan to travel to Bhutan, ensure you read up on the latest guidelines.

Bhutan rarely stops passengers from India from crossing the border into their country. Getting the permit is fairly easy and does not require too much time. However, there are certain rare instances when your application may be rejected. These instances include;

• If you are known for committing immigration crimes
• If you do not have all the documents needed to get the travel permit
• If you do not cooperate with the authorities
• If you are not willing to take a Covid PCR test
• If there are indications that you have malicious intent toward the country

When travelling to a new place, it is always good to learn as much as possible about it to absorb the essence of the place. When travelling to a place like Bhutan, you should make the extra effort to read up a little on it, given the rich history and culture of the land. Knowing bits of information about a place or landmark you visit helps you enjoy the place a lot more.

Here are some things that all travellers of Bhutan should know;

• The first television sets came to Bhutan in the 1990s
• The Indian Rupee is accepted at most places in Bhutan
• Smoking in public is banned in Bhutan, and Bhutan also does not allow the sale of cigarettes and tobacco in the country
• Basic healthcare and education are free for all citizens of Bhutan
• It is the only carbon-negative country in the world
• Plastic is banned in Bhutan
• The king abdicated his throne to create a democracy in 2005
• Takin is a goat-antelope that is the national animal of Bhutan
• Bhutanese love spicy food and use chillies liberally in all the food they make
• Your SIM card might not work when you are in Bhutan, so get a local one for your stay there

You will never run out of things to do and places to see when you are in Bhutan. However, travelling to Bhutan for a short holiday, you may not have time to see everything the country offers. In that case, make sure you at least see and do the things mentioned here.

1. Visit the Trongsa Dzong to get a feel of the royal history of Bhutan.
2. Climb to the Tiger Nest Monastery
3. Tour the royal city of Thimpu
4. Try archery at many of the local spots that offer you a quick tutorial
5. Try the cham dance with the Bhutanese monks
6. Get a close look at the Everest
7. Go trekking on any of the many peaks you can scale there
8. Visit the Temple of Divine Madman
9. Try the local cuisine for a spicy punch
10. Go to the Thimpu Valley to try your hand at fishing

Information last updated Sep 22. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.

Now, you must have gotten a clear picture of Bhutan entry permit and visa rules for Indians. You can apply for a Bhutan permit and enjoy your international trip to this beautiful country. However, as safe as Bhutan is, it is best to buy travel insurance online before your trip.

Although travel insurance for a Bhutan trip is optional, it can be a saviour during unpleasant events on your trip. When you buy a TATA AIG travel insurance policy online, you get not only a hassle-free insurance experience but also several other benefits. There is no requirement for health checkups, and you get insured instantly after buying the policy.

By investing in TATA AIG international travel insurance cost, you get the promise of ultimate coverage. Our policy features include accident and sickness cover, missed flights cover, fraudulent loss cover, personal liability cover, trip cancellation cover and more for a very affordable price.

Also Read:

Top Things To Do and Places To Visit in Bhutan

Travel Insurance For Bhutan