Traveller Guide

Bhutan Visa Policy

(Updated 1st June 2023)
On the 24th of June 2022, the National assembly passed the Tourism Levy Bill of 2022. With this new act, the sustainable development fee (SDF) of 65 USD per night has now been increased to 200 USD per night. Along with the increase in the SDF the minimum daily package rate (MDPR) has been removed as well.

Tourism Policy til 2022
Previously visitors to Bhutan were subject to an MDPR of 250 USD per person per night, out of which 65 USD went to the government as the SDF. With the new bill being passed, tourists visiting Bhutan will have to pay 200 USD per person per night and they will also have to pay separately for accommodation, meals, transport, and guides. This act is the latest tourism bill that has been passed after the Tourism Levy Bill of 2020, as per the Tourism Levy Act of Bhutan 2020. Get in touch with our Bhutan Travel specialist at [email protected] to book a trip with Druk Asia.

Long Stay Incentives (til Dec 2024)
To allow travellers to have a deeper connection with Bhutan and better understand her culture, the government of Bhutan decided to roll out a long stay incentive. Visitors staying more than 4 nights will get tier discount on their SDF waiver.

– 4 + 4: Pay the SDF of USD 200 per night, per person, for four nights, and receive up to four additional nights without the daily levy.
– 7 + 7: Pay the SDF of USD 200 per night, per person, for seven nights, and receive up to seven additional nights without the daily levy.
– 12 + 18: Pay the SDF USD 200 per night per person, for twelve nights, and receive up to eighteen nights without the daily levy.

This long stay incentives will only be valid til 31st Dec 2024

Plant a tree in Bhutan
Visitors will have an opportunity to meaningfully contribute to Bhutan’s progress and offset their carbon footprint. Each visitor to Bhutan will be offered a sapling to plant towards Bhutan’s goal of one million new trees, and maintain the kingdom’s carbon-negative status and exceptional forest cover.

Tree saplings will be provided to guests who wish to plant them during their stay in Bhutan, before being maintained by Bhutan’s De-suung national service project.

*After the SDF incentive ends on 31st Dec 2024, the standard SDF will apply.
**These temporary offers may be retracted or extended at any time.
Check detailed information here

	Nights	SDF	Discount	You Pay
4/4 nights	4	$800.00	$-	$800.00
	5	$1,000.00	$200.00	$800.00
	6	$1,200.00	$400.00	$800.00
	7	$1,400.00	$600.00	$800.00
	8	$1,600.00	$800.00	$800.00
	9	$1,800.00	$800.00	$1,000.00
	10	$2,000.00	$800.00	$1,200.00
4/4 and 7/7	11	$2,200.00	$800.00	$1,400.00
7/7 nights	12	$2,400.00	$1,000.00	$1,400.00
	13	$2,600.00	$1,200.00	$1,400.00
	14	$2,800.00	$1,400.00	$1,400.00
	15	$3,000.00	$1,400.00	$1,600.00
	16	$3,200.00	$1,400.00	$1,800.00
	17	$3,400.00	$1,400.00	$2,000.00
	18	$3,600.00	$1,400.00	$2,200.00
7/7 and 12/18	19	$3,800.00	$1,400.00	$2,400.00
12/18 nights	20	$4,000.00	$1,600.00	$2,400.00
	21	$4,200.00	$1,800.00	$2,400.00
	22	$4,400.00	$2,000.00	$2,400.00
	23	$4,600.00	$2,200.00	$2,400.00
	24	$4,800.00	$2,400.00	$2,400.00
	25	$5,000.00	$2,600.00	$2,400.00
	26	$5,200.00	$2,800.00	$2,400.00
	27	$5,400.00	$3,000.00	$2,400.00
	28	$5,600.00	$3,200.00	$2,400.00
	29	$5,800.00	$3,400.00	$2,400.00
	30	$6,000.00	$3,600.00	$2,400.00

*SDF table for adult

Bhutan Post

Customs & Excise:

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Visitors may import personal effects and articles required for the visit, provided that the items are re-exported on their leaving Bhutan

Import and Re-export of Article(s) of High value

Visitors shall be allowed to import articles of high value provided that on arrival:

• Declare dutiable goods in the Customs Declaration Form
• Hand over the Customs copy of the declaration form to the customs official at the customs counter
• Produce their passenger copy of the Custom Declaration Form at the time of departure
• Produce the article(s) for the customs inspection at the time of arrival and departure
• If any of the items are found to be missing from the declared form, such article shall attract Customs duty and taxes on the prevailing market value of such goods in Bhutan

Prohibited Goods:

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Goods that are banned completely

• Antiques
• Dzee beads
• Endangered species
• Narcotics & psychotropic drugs and substances
• Pornographic materials
• Any other goods prohibited by LAW or international conventions or treaties to which Bhutan is a signatory

Restricted Goods:

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Goods that require a license/permit from relevant authorities

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Immigration:

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Arriving passengers are requested to produce following documents at the Immigration Counter:

• Valid Identification Document (Passport/CID/Voter Card)
• Valid Immigration Card (if issued)
• Any other documents when demanded by Immigration Officials

Please have the following information ready as you proceed to the Immigration Counter:

• Correct address in Bhutan (Hotel name for tourist)
• Purpose of visit
• Exact date of return journey