India & Bangladesh
Visiting Bhutan from India or Bangladesh
The essentials — permit or visa, the Sustainable Development Fee, entering by road and flights — in plain language.
This is a friendly summary checked against official sources in October 2026. Rules and fees change — always confirm on the official site bhutan.travel before you travel. We’ll also re-confirm everything when you book.
🇮🇳 Indian travellers — entry permit
- No visa needed — Indian nationals receive an entry permit.
- Carry an original Indian passport (at least 6 months validity) or original Voter ID.
- Under 18: birth certificate (in English) or passport, travelling with a legal guardian.
- Keep 2 passport-size photos handy.
- The permit can be applied for online through bhutan.travel, or obtained at the Phuentsholing Pedestrian Terminal.
🇧🇩 Bangladeshi travellers — visa
- A visa is required. It can be obtained in advance or on arrival — applying in advance is recommended to avoid waiting at the point of entry.
- Visa fee: a one-off US$40; processing can take up to 5 days.
- We arrange the visa application as part of your booked trip.
💚 Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
- Indian nationals: Nu. 1,200 (or INR equivalent) per person per night; children 6–12: Nu. 600; under 6: free.
- Other nationalities: US$100 per adult per night; children 6–12: US$50; under 6: free.
- Bangladesh: the official FAQ states the first 15,000 guests from Bangladesh are eligible for an SDF of US$15 or Nu. 1,200 per person per day — ask us to check this is still available for your dates.
- Border towns: a 24-hour SDF waiver applies in Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar (from 2 June 2026 until August 2027). SDF applies beyond the Rinchending checkpost.
🛣️ By road via Phuentsholing
- Phuentsholing sits opposite Jaigaon (West Bengal). The Pedestrian Terminal is open 24×7; the Department of Immigration issues entry permits there.
- One-time online pre-registration (QR code) is available at bms.doi.gov.bt.
- Other southern entry points: Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar.
- Own Indian vehicle: beyond Rinchending a fee of Nu. 4,500 per vehicle per day applies, and the vehicle must be registered on the checkpost system (CPMS). Carry original driving licence, RC, insurance and emission/road-worthiness certificate.
- From Phuentsholing to Thimphu or Paro is a full day’s drive through the hills — we can arrange the vehicle and guide.
✈️ Flights to Paro
- Bhutan’s international airports are Paro and Gelephu.
- Drukair and Bhutan Airlines connect Bhutan with cities including Delhi, Kolkata, Bagdogra, Guwahati, Bodhgaya, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Bangkok, Dubai and Singapore (routes vary by season).
- We’re based in Paro and will meet you at the airport.
✅ Good to know
- A licensed guide is mandatory, including for road visitors travelling beyond the border towns.
- Stays must be in Department of Tourism–certified accommodation.
- Travel insurance is no longer mandatory but is strongly recommended.
- The Bhutanese ngultrum (Nu.) is pegged 1:1 to the Indian rupee.
- Official tourism helpline: +975 17661974 · hosts@tourism.gov.bt
Official sources: bhutan.travel/faqs · Consulate General of India, Phuentsholing
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