Information for Indian Tourists

Guidelines for Indians visiting Bhutan

        Indian nationals visiting Bhutan do not require visa. However, they will be issued an entry permit. ‘Entry Permit’ will be issued by the Department of Immigration in the Pedestrian Terminal at Phuentsholing on the basis of a valid Travel Document. Tourists/visitors from India are required to carry the following Travel Documents:

  • Original Indian Passport (with minimum six months validity) or Original Voter ID card;
  • For children below 18 years, birth certificate (in English language) or passport, and must be accompanied by a legal guardian; 
  • 02 passport size photographs are required.
  • Tourists should have travel insurance for the duration of the trip. There is also an option to purchase domestic travel insurance from Bhutanese insurance providers at the Pedestrian Terminal at Phuentsholing. Details are available on Bhutan Insurance Limited website: https://www.bhutaninsurance.com.bt/index.php?Page_id=112.

        For more information, visitors can visit the website of Department of Immigration: https://www.doi.gov.bt/?lang=en and Department of Tourism website: https://www.tourism.gov.bt/.

2.         Indian tourists:

        Indian tourists can enter Bhutan either by planning their own trip or they can avail the services of local tour operators to process the travel documents & plan a trip [list of tour operators, please visit www.bhutan.travel and Department of Tourism website: https://www.tourism.gov.bt/.

        Indian tourists who are planning their own trip is advised to make following arrangements:

  • Obtain entry permit online [to apply please visit ‘visa section on website www.bhutan.travel]
  • Accommodation: It is mandatory to stay in Department of Tourism certified accommodation for the whole duration of trip.
  • A tour guide
  • Travel insurance
  • Transportation around the country

3.         Sustainable Development Fee:

        India tourists are required to pay Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of INR 1,200/- per person per night. Children aged 5 years and below are exempted of SDF and children between the age of 6-12 years are given 50 % concession on SDF.

4.         Indian-registered vehicles:

        Indian-registered vehicles will be allowed within the designated zone without any charges. However, if any vehicle goes beyond Rinchending Check Post in Phuentsholing, they will be required to pay Nu 4,500 per day as Green Tax. They further need to register on Check Post Management System (CPMS) [https://1010.bt/epass/apply/] to cross the RBP check points.

Documents required:

  • Original driving license
  • Original Registration Certificate (Vehicle Registration shall not be more than 10 years from date of registration).
  • Vehicle insurance
  • Vehicle emission and road worthiness certificate
  • Owner of the vehicle must be the same person. If driver and owner are different, an authority letter from owner to driver is required.

5.       Requirement of vaccination: 

        There are no Covid-19 vaccination requirements for adults or children to enter Bhutan from September 23, 2022. However, it is advised to carry the Vaccination Certificate. Individuals above 12 years may be randomly subjected to RT-PCR testing at points of entry. No fee shall be charged for the RT-PCR testing for surveillance.

6.         Pedestrian Terminal at Jaigaon-Phuentsholing border:

        The Pedestrian Terminal at Jaigaon-Phuentsholing border remains open from 6 am to 11 pm daily. Entry Permit is not required for daily visitors who will be visiting Phuentsholing only. An online pre-registration system has been developed to pass through the pedestrian terminal at website https://bms.doi.gov.bt. On successful registration, a QR code will be generated. The registered person is required to present the QR code at the immigration counter along with the required identity document. Pre-registration is one time and there is no need to register again. Daily visitors can visit until Rinchending Check Post. SDF will be applicable beyond this point and they will also have to obtain a permit from the Regional Immigration Office. Casual visitors who make night halt in Phuentsholing will have to pay SDF. For daily visitors, a User Fee of Nu.10 per person (Bhutanese as well as foreigners) is charged for entering and exiting through the Pedestrian Terminal each time.

7.         Other entry/exit points:

        Other entry/exit points on the southern Indo-Bhutan border are in Samtse, Samdrup Jongkhar, Sarpang/Gelephu.

*****

Consulate General of India Phuentsholing, Bhutan