Entry Formalities for Bhutan
- Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit at the city of entry on producing a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity (Indian nationals may also use their Voters Identity Card (VIC)).
- An Online Regional Permit System for tourists from Bangladesh, India and Maldives has been launched by the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan. The system facilitates the online processing of permits for regional tourists through registered Bhutanese tour operators and TCB certified hotels. The facility is offered as an optional channel to process permits for visitors from the region and is applicable for entry from Paro and Phuentsholing.
- Indian nationals are also allowed to travel on their own in Bhutan, with or without the services of a tour operator.
- Indians nationals don't require a visa to enter Bhutan, and are given a seven-day entry-cum-stay permit at the immigration offices upon presentation of a passport or government-issued ID such as a voter's registration card. This permit can be obtained from the Immigration office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, or Paro Airport. The permit issued is free of cost allows one to travel only within Phuentsholing, Thimphu and Paro, and can be extended at the Immigration Office in Thimphu for successive periods of three weeks each. One can also request a route permit here to travel beyond the three above-mentioned towns.
- If you are driving yourself, you will need a route permit from the Royal Safety Transport Authority (RSTA) at the bus station at Phuentsholing. Require submitting the following documents - Registration certificate – two photocopies, Insurance Paper - two photocopies, Pollution Under Control Certificate, Your Driving license if you do not wish to hire a local driver, your immigration paper. A fee of Rs 100.00 to 200.00 depending on the model and make of the vehicle.
- Indians Nationals without stay permits can wander freely in Phuentsholing and go five kilometers into Bhutan during the day, but must return to India before 10pm. You are allowed to ply your vehicle in Phuentsoling without permit during the daytime.
- All of Bhutan outside of the Paro and Thimphu valleys is classified as a restricted area. Tour operators obtain a 'road permit' for the places on your itinerary, and this permit is checked and endorsed by the police at immigration checkpoints strategically located at important road junctions.
- The tour operator must return the permit to the government at the completion of the tour, and it is scrutinized for major deviations from the authorized program. In general you won't be aware that any of this is going on in the background.
- There are immigration checkpoints in Hongtsho (east of Thimphu), Chhukha (between Thimphu and Phuentsholing), Rinchending (above Phuentsholing), Wangdue Phodrang, Chazam (near Trashigang), Wamrong (between Trashigang and Samdrup Jongkhar) and in Samdrup Jongkhar. All are open from 5am to 9pm daily.
Indian, Bangladeshis & Maldivian Travelers in Bhutan