Immigration
Tourism priced by a daily Sustainable Development Fee
Most visitors need a visa arranged in advance and pay a Sustainable Development Fee per night — a deliberate high-value, low-volume policy. Employment requires a work permit tied to an approved project.
Key rules
- Deadline — Visa applied for before travel
- Deadline — Work permit renewal before expiry of the existing permit
Governing law
- Immigration Act of the Kingdom of Bhutan, 2007
- Tourism Levy Act, 2022
- Citizenship Act, 1985
In practice
The 2022 Act restructured the levy, and rates have since been revised, so current figures should be checked with the Department of Tourism rather than assumed. Indian, Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals have distinct arrangements. Naturalisation is available but demanding, requiring long residence and language competence, and dual nationality is not permitted.