Kingdom of Bhutan visas
Bhutan publishes visitor-facing visa guidance through the official Bhutan Travel site and immigration filing through the Department of Immigration services portal. The current Visa Atlas packet covers tourist/eVisa, business visit, work permit, student visa, dependant permit and general residence-permit handling, with careful notes where the live portal controls the final checklist and fees. Applicants should confirm the active portal workflow before paying or travelling because Bhutan uses controlled entry and sponsor-linked permission for many non-tourist stays.
6 routes · 1 without a sponsor · 0 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
Bhutan Immigration Services ↗ · Department of Immigration, Royal Government of Bhutan
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Department of Immigration (DOI) — Official immigration authority for Bhutan entry, visa, permit, residence and foreigner services.
- Department of Tourism (DoT) — Official tourism authority publishing visitor visa and tourism-entry guidance for Bhutan.
Visa routes (6)
Tourist Visa / eVisa
Bhutan tourist visa route for visitors arranging leisure travel and the required tourism payments before arrival.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 26 July 2026
Business Visa
Short business-visit route for Bhutan trips connected to meetings, trade or official business activity.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 29 June 2026
Work Permit
Employer- or sponsor-supported Bhutan work permission for foreign nationals taking up local work.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 29 June 2026
Student Visa
Bhutan student visa route for foreign students admitted to an approved institution or study programme.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 29 June 2026
Dependent Permit
Family or dependant permission for eligible dependants connected to an approved Bhutan-based sponsor.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Residence Permit
General Bhutan residence permission for foreign nationals whose stay is approved beyond a short visit.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 18 August 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Kingdom of Bhutan have?+
We cover 6 Kingdom of Bhutan visa routes in these categories: visitor and short business, sponsored work, study, family, and general residence. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Kingdom of Bhutan visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
1 of the 6 Kingdom of Bhutan routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 5 are employer-sponsored.
Which Kingdom of Bhutan visas lead to permanent residence?+
The Kingdom of Bhutan routes we cover are temporary rather than direct settlement routes.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Bhutan