In June 2022, the National Assembly of Bhutan passed the new tourism levy bill, introducing changes to the Bhutan tourist fees and visa policy.  Tourists can now visit Bhutan without paying the minimum daily package rate (MDPR). Instead, they are required to pay sustainable development fees (SDF) of USD 200 per person, per night, regardless of the length of stay. Additionally, there is a one-time non-refundable visa fee of USD 40. Besides SDF and visa fees, tourists need to pay additional or separate charges for accommodations, transportation, and other logistical aspects of Bhutan trips. This revised policy allows tourists the option to travel without going through a travel agency. However, prior confirmation of hotel and guide services is still required to process Bhutan visas independently through the immigration website. You can check out the Bhutan Immigration weblink for more details.>>>>>>>

Documents Required for Visa Processing

To process your Bhutan visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

1. A digital copy of a valid passport.
2. A recent digital passport photo.
3. Arrival and departure dates.
4. Valid travel insurance for the duration of your trip.
5. SDF payment details.

Typically, you can expect to receive an email copy of your Bhutan visa approximately 10 days before your intended travel date.

Incentive for Extended Stays

To encourage visitors to have a more immersive experience in Bhutan and gain a deeper understanding of its culture, the Bhutanese government has introduced a long-stay incentive. Travelers staying for more than 4 nights can benefit from a tiered discount on their SDF waiver:

4 + 4: Pay the SDF of USD 200 per person, per night, for the first four nights and receive up to four additional nights without the daily levy.

7 + 7: Pay the SDF of USD 200 per person, per night, for the first seven nights and receive up to seven additional nights without the daily levy.

12 + 18: Pay the SDF of USD 200 per person, per night, for the first twelve nights and receive up to eighteen additional nights without the daily levy.

The above calculation looks a bit complicated, and you may refer below for an easy understanding of how immigration offers a discount based on nights.

Please note that these long-stay incentives will be valid until December 31, 2024.