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Do you want to travel to Bhutan? Are you asking yourself ‘Can Indian travel to Bhutan for free without visa?’ You have come to the right place. This blog covers everything you need to know about travelling to Bhutan as an Indian citizen. You can learn about the visa-free status, the charges for visiting the country, and the different types of visas available for visiting. Moreover, you can learn about entry requirements to Bhutan.
This Blog Includes:
- Can Indians Travel to Bhutan for Free Without a Visa? An Overview
- Why is Bhutan Visa Free for Indians?
- Can Indians Go to Bhutan Without a Passport?
- Is a Tour Guide Mandatory in Bhutan?
- Do Indians Need to Pay a Sustainable Development Fee in Bhutan?
- What Documents are Required to Enter Bhutan from India by Road?
- How Long Can Indians Stay in Bhutan?
- Can I Extend My Bhutan Entry Permit?
- What Type of Visa is Needed for Bhutan?
- Why Should You Tavel to Bhutan?
- Which Month is Best to Visit Bhutan?
- Tips to Travel to Bhutan as an Indian Tourist
- How Much Does It Cost for an Indian to Travel to Bhutan?
- FAQs
Can Indians Travel to Bhutan for Free Without a Visa? An Overview
Yes. Indian nationals can travel to Bhutan without a visa. As per the agreement between the two countries, Indians are permitted visa-free entry. However, this is only permitted for 7 days of stay, and comes at a cost. You can, however, seek to extend your entry permit. The entry permit can be obtained after you have reached the airport. You can get it at the Pedestrian Terminal in Phuentsholing.
Entry Permit Requirements for Bhutan
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free without a visa? Yes. Indians can travel to Bhutan for free. However, they need to get an entry permit. To get an entry permit you need to meet the requirements. These requirements are as follows-
Entry Requirements for Adults
- Have a passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the duration of your stay, or
- Original voter ID card
Entry Requirements for Children
- Your original birth certificate in English, or
- A passport
- Must be accompanied by parents/legal guardian
Additional Requirements
- Two passport-size photographs
- Travel insurance for the duration of your stay (you can purchase this from at the Pedestrian Terminal from a Bhutanese provider)
Why is Bhutan Visa Free for Indians?
As per the 1949 agreement between Indian and Bhutan, the free movement of citizens is allowed. The two countries can permit visa-free travel as long as it is reciprocal. However, Indians require an entry permit to enter the country. However, travelling to certain areas requires additional permits.
To learn more about Bhutan entry permit, watch this video:
Can Indians Go to Bhutan Without a Passport?
No. Indian nationals cannot visit Bhutan without a passport. A passport is a mandatory travel document you need to travel abroad. Unless a passport is exempt from the requirements. For example, in the case of Indian and Nepal. Nepal is visa and passport-free for Indians. India and Bhutan do not have such an agreement.
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free without a visa?Yes. Indians can travel To travel to Bhutan you need a passport. The passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the duration of your stay. If you do not have a passport, you need to have your voter Identification card in India.
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Is a Tour Guide Mandatory in Bhutan?
No. A tour guide is not mandatory in Bhutan. It is optional. You can choose to travel to Bhutan with the help of a local tour operator. Otherwise, you can travel to Bhutan with the help of a travel agency in Bhutan. Another option is to plan your trip.
Registered Tour Operators in Delhi
These are some of the registered tour operators in Delhi.
| Company Name | Address |
| M/s. Ezee Travel Solutions | 5, Bhagat Singh Marg, Gole Market, New Delhi-110001 |
| M/s Skis Holiday Pvt.ltd. | 37, North Evenue West Club road, Punjabi bagh, New Delhi-110026 |
| M/s. J.K. Tour & Travels | CB- 71, ShardaPuri, Ramesh Nagar, West Delhi, Delhi-110015 |
| M/s. Arora Tourist Company | U-22, EGS, R.K. Ashram Metro Station Marg, New Delhi-110001 |
You can visit the Department of Tourism website to check the list of tour operators in Bhutan. It is important to know that you can only stay in a Department of Tourism-certified accommodation in Bhutan.
Do Indians Need to Pay a Sustainable Development Fee in Bhutan?
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free without a visa? Yes. However, Indian nationals have to pay a Sustainable Development fee in Bhutan. The SDF payment for Indian nationals is provided below:
| Particulars | Sustainable Development Fees (Per Night) |
| Sustainable development fee for Indians visiting Bhutan | INR 1200 |
| Sustainable development fee for US citizens visiting Bhutan | USD 200 |
The amount is charged to ensure that tourism benefits the local communities and that the country is sustainable. The SDF fees vary depending on the country you are travelling from
What Documents are Required to Enter Bhutan from India by Road?
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free? Yes. Indians can travel to Bhutan for free. The Indian vehicles are permitted to enter through the designated zones in Bhutan. For example, the Rinchending check post in Phuentsholing permits entry of vehicles without an extra fee. However, you will have to pay an additional fee of BHU4500 per day to travel beyond this region. The following documents are required-
- Your diver’s license
- Car registration certificate (your vehicle must not be older than 10 years)
- Pollution certificate for car
- Car insurance papers
- Car fitness check
If it is your car, then you must be the main driver. If you are not using a self-owned vehicle the authorisation letter from the original owner is required. You must also register your car at the car on Bhutan Check Post Management System (CPMS) for ease of travel.
How Long Can Indians Stay in Bhutan?
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free without a visa? Indians can stay in Bhutan with an entry permit. The validity of the Bhutan entry permit is as follows:
| Permit | Validity |
| Entry Permit | 7 days from the date of entry |
Can I Extend My Bhutan Entry Permit?
Yes. You can extend your Bhutan Entry Permit for 7 additional days. To extend your entry permit you must continue to meet the requirements for the permit. You must also visit the Thimphu immigration office for a permit extension.
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What Type of Visa is Needed for Bhutan?
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free? Yes. Indians can travel without a visa. However, if you are travelling to Bhutan for reasons other than tourism you need a visa. The following are the different types of visas issued by the country.
| Visa Type | Purpose |
| Diplomatic visa | Those holding a diplomatic passport wanting to visit Bhutan |
| Official visa | Issued to government delegations as per the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade. |
| Employment visa | For those who want to work in Bhutan. It permits you to work for a year. |
| A Student visa | International students wanting to study in Bhutan. The visa is valid for the course duration |
| Dependent visa | Granted to dependents of work permit holders |
| Business visa | Those who got approval from Bhutan to establish business within the kingdom |
| Personal guest visa | If you are invited by a Bhutanese citizen or a foreign professional with a work permit, or a diplomat to visit the country. |
Why Should You Tavel to Bhutan?
. Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free without a visa? Yes. There are several reasons why you should consider travelling to Bhutan. Some of these reasons are provided below
| Reasons to Travel to Bhutan | Explanation |
| Visa Free | Visa-free travel for 7 days of stay |
| Active travel | Bhutan is an excellent destination for rafting, mountain biking, hiking, rafting, and wildlife viewing. The country is known for Tiger’s Nest Monastery, Trans-Bhutan Trail, and more. |
| Buddhist Temples | There are a lot of monasteries in Bhutan, and Dzongs, monastic fortresses. Moreover, you can find the largest Buddha status in the world. |
| Unique culture | Bhutanese culture is unique and has been preserved over centuries. You can explore the Bhutanese culture while in Bhutan |
| Happiness index | Unlike other countries, Bhutan measures the Gross National Happiness Index (GNH) rather than the Gross Domestic Product. |
Which Month is Best to Visit Bhutan?
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free? Yes. Indians can travel without a visa. The best months to visit Bhutan are as follows-
| Season | Month |
| Spring | March to May |
| Autumn | September to November |
Between December to February high altitude areas are closed. Therefore, those who want to travel to high altitudes should not plan their trip during this time. Those who want to visit during festivals must note that the lunar calendar is followed. Hence, the timings can vary. However, the most popular festivals are held during autumn and spring.
Tips to Travel to Bhutan as an Indian Tourist
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free? Yes. Indian nationals can travel to Bhutan free of visa requirements. However, these are some of the things you must keep in mind while travelling.
- You must carry a passport that is valid for more than 6 months. In case, you lose a passport you must report the same to the nearest police station. You must also carry a printed copy of your passport.
- You must have an entry permit and must check the immigration rules before you travel. Those who break the customs rules are detained.
- You should not take any prohibited items to the airport like antiques, firearms, drugs, etc.
- You must carry the telephone numbers and addresses of the hotel, and the nearest Bhutanese embassy or consulate
- Take permission before taking pictures of cultural or religious sites, government buildings, or military installations.
- You should not carry large amounts of cash with you. You must also exchange currency from the local bank.
- For security reasons, you must lock your hotel rooms all the time and only meet visitors in the hotel lobby.
How Much Does It Cost for an Indian to Travel to Bhutan?
Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free? The average tour trip to Butan for Indian nationals is provided below:
| Particulars | Average Cost Per Person |
| Cost of Trip to Bhutan | INR 41,642 to INR 140,146 |
You must note that the exact cost of travel depends on the number of people travelling and the duration of travel. Whether you are travelling with the help of a travel agent or planning your trip by yourself also impacts the cost.
FAQs
No. Bhutan is visa-free for Indians. This means you do not have to get a visa. However, you must pay the Sustainable Development Fee of INR 1,200 per night of stay.
As an ordinary passport holder, you cannot travel to Bhutan free of cost. You need to pay a sustainable development fee of INR 1200 per night per person to the government. However, if you are a personal guest of a Bhutanese national, guest of the government of Bhutan, or a volunteer in Bhutan you may get entry easily. However, Sustainable development fees have to be paid.
No. You cannot enter Bhutan with just an Aadhar card. You need a passport too. While Aadhar acts as your identification card, it is not proof of authorisation from the Indian government to travel. Hence, you need a passport along with your Aadhar card. You can also show your voter ID card instead of an Aadhar card as proof of identification.
Although Indian currencies are accepted in Bhutan certain denominations are unacceptable. For example, INR 1000, INR 500, and INR 2000.
It is expensive to travel to Bhutan because you have to pay the government fees for staying. You need to pay at least INR 1,200 per night in the country. This is because Bhutan wants to create sustainable tourism.
The cost of an entry permit in Bhutan is INR 1,200 per night. However, children are not charged fees or receive discounts.
Yes. You need an Indian passport to travel anywhere outside Indian territory except Nepal. Therefore, to travel to Bhutan from Indian by air you need a passport. It acts as your travel identification proof.
We hope you now have the answer to your question- Can Indians travel to Bhutan for free without a visa? Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or visit our visa page for more such articles. You can also connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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