Samtse

Passport validity requirements

Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you plan to leave Bhutan.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to .

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter and leave Bhutan.     

Applying for a visa

You must apply for your visa in advance. The authorities will pre-approve the visa and issue it when you arrive in Bhutan. 

You can arrange a visa through a Bhutanese tour operator, through a Bhutanese hotel or directly through the Department of Immigration’s website. You will need to pay a non-refundable, one-off visa application fee of 40 US dollars.

If you’re travelling for business or other non-tourism reasons, you must arrange your visa through your sponsoring organisation in Bhutan.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

Make sure the border control officer stamps your visa in your passport.

Permits

You must have permits to travel to some states in Bhutan. Your tour guide will help to get these.

If you want to extend your stay in Bhutan, go to the Department of Immigration in Thimphu to make a request.

Entry and exit points

You can enter or exit Bhutan by air through the international airport in Paro, or by the land entry point in Phuentsholing.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Bhutan guide.

Sustainable development fee

All adult visitors must pay a daily sustainable development fee (SDF) of 100 US dollars per night. There is a lower daily charge for children. Read more information about the SDF.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Bhutan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.   

It is illegal to take antiques out of Bhutan. Customs officials may inspect items that appear to be antiques.

Taking tobacco into Bhutan

You can bring a small supply of tobacco for personal use. You will need to pay taxes and duties and be able to show proof of tax and duty payments if the  authorities ask you to at any point during your visit.

Taking money into or out of Bhutan    

You can take up to 30,000 Bhutan ngultrum into or out of Bhutan. 

If you plan to take foreign currency worth 10,000 US dollars or more into or out of Bhutan, you must declare it and get clearance from the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan.

Indian rupees are widely accepted in Bhutan.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Bhutan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.   

It is illegal to take antiques out of Bhutan. Customs officials may inspect items that appear to be antiques.

Taking tobacco into Bhutan

You can bring a small supply of tobacco for personal use. You will need to pay taxes and duties and be able to show proof of tax and duty payments if the  authorities ask you to at any point during your visit.

Taking money into or out of Bhutan    

You can take up to 30,000 Bhutan ngultrum into or out of Bhutan. 

If you plan to take foreign currency worth 10,000 US dollars or more into or out of Bhutan, you must declare it and get clearance from the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan.

Indian rupees are widely accepted in Bhutan.

Emergency services in Bhutan

Ambulance: 112

Fire: 110

Police: 113

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• dealing with a death abroad
• being arrested or imprisoned
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Bhutanese people take their customs and traditions very seriously. Respect them at all times to avoid giving offence. Particularly avoid criticising HM The King of Bhutan. If in doubt, ask your tour guide.      

Dress code

Dress respectfully when visiting temples and Dzongs (fortified buildings, like castles), so that you do not cause offence. Your tour guide will be able to advise.

Alcohol laws          

Alcohol is legal in Bhutan, but there are restrictions on how much alcohol tourists can buy at one time. Check with the vendor what the limit is.

Smoking and e-cigarette bans

It was illegal to sell or buy tobacco products in Bhutan until 2020. It is currently legal, but smoking is still frowned on. Be mindful of where you smoke – for example smoking near religious locations may cause offence. 

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are strict penalties for possession, use and trafficking of illegal drugs. If convicted, you could get a prison sentence and heavy fine. Sentences range from a minimum of 3 years to a life sentence depending upon the type and quantity of drugs.

LGBT+ travellers  

Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in Bhutan in 2020, and there are no censorship laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBT+ topics. Same-sex marriages are not recognised. There is no legal recognition of transgender individuals.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.  

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs 

Environmental conservation is critically important to Bhutan. You could be imprisoned for harming protected species. It is illegal to litter anywhere in Bhutan.