🇧🇹 Bhutan
🇧🇹 Bhutan · Tourist visa + Sustainable Development Fee
Bhutan — a $40 visa plus the $100-a-night Sustainable Development Fee
Bhutan charges a one-time USD 40 tourist visa fee plus a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per person, per night for most international visitors — and that SDF rate is locked until 31 August 2027. Children aged 6–12 pay half the SDF, and under-5s are exempt. You apply online at the official bhutan.travel (or a licensed operator or hotel applies for you); the SDF funds Bhutan's high-value, low-impact tourism model.
| who needs it | Non-regional international visitors. Indian nationals pay a different, lower regional SDF rate — confirm the current Indian rate on the official portal before you travel. |
| government fee | USD 40 — one-time visa fee; PLUS the Sustainable Development Fee of USD 100 per person per night (locked until 31 Aug 2027). Children 6–12 pay half the SDF; under-5s are exempt. Indian nationals pay a different regional SDF rate — confirm on the portalsource: Bhutan Department of Tourism — official · verified 2026-07 |
| processing | a streamlined online application — a licensed operator or hotel can apply on your behalfthe portal does not fix a processing time; apply ahead with your itinerary in hand · source: Bhutan tourism services portal · verified 2026-07 |
| length of stay | The SDF is charged per night for the full length of your stay, tied to your itinerary and booking. |
documents you will need
- An online visa/permit application (self-service, or via a licensed tour operator or hotel)
- A valid passport
- Payment of the one-time USD 40 visa fee
- Payment of the SDF at USD 100 per person per night (with the children's concessions above)
- Typically a confirmed accommodation or tour arrangement
how the process runs
- 01Plan your itinerary and book accommodation (or use a licensed Bhutanese operator)
- 02Apply online at bhutan.travel with your travel dates
- 03Pay the one-time USD 40 visa fee plus the SDF for each night of your stay
- 04Receive your visa/permit and travel
why applications get refused
- An incomplete application
- Unpaid Sustainable Development Fee
- No confirmed accommodation or tour arrangement
questions we actually get
- What is the Sustainable Development Fee?
- A USD 100 per person, per night fee that funds Bhutan's carbon-neutral, high-value tourism — locked until 31 August 2027. Children 6–12 pay half; under-5s are exempt.
- Is $40 the total cost?
- No — USD 40 is a one-time visa fee. The main cost is the SDF at USD 100 per person per night for the length of your stay.
rules change. we verify before we act.
This guide reflects the official sources as of 2026-07 (matrix 2026.Q3). For a decision about your own case, that is not enough — talk to a licensed advisor.
book a consultation