With the exception of visitors from India, Bangladesh and Maldives, all other visitors travelling to Bhutan need a valid visa. 

Indian, Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals can obtain a permit/visa at the port of entry having a valid passport with a minimum of 6 months validity. (Indian nationals can get permit with Voters Identity Card (VIC)) as well.  

All other tourists must obtain a visa online through registered Tour Operators in the Kingdom, prior traveling to Bhutan.    

You are required enclose the copy of passport to the Tour Operator, who in turn will process visa online that will be sent to the clients via electronic mails. Every tourist should have the validity of minimum of 6 months of the passports. The visa will be processed by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) after the full payment (wiring of money) of the trip (including a USD $40 one time visa fee). The wiring of money would be deposited in the TCB bank account. At least 72 hours would take to get all the visa clearance and visa formalities online to be approved.  

At the point of entry, the client is required to produce the visa approval letter, the visa copy will then will be stamped on the passport.  The entry can be either via land or air route respectively.

Online Regional Permit System

For visitors from Bangladesh, India and Maldives, the Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs and the Tourism Council of Bhutan have launched the Online Permit System. The system will be facilitated by the registered Tour Operators in the Kingdom. The routes can be either by air or land route for the regional tourists as well.