Bhutan visit visa for Pakistan passport holders

Bhutan, the Himalayan kingdom of monasteries, prayer flags and pine forests, welcomes Pakistani visitors, but you need to plan ahead. The Department of Immigration says nationals of every country except India must get an e-visa before entering Bhutan, unless a bilateral agreement exempts them. Among ordinary passport holders, only Bangladeshi and Maldivian nationals get visas on arrival. Pakistani tourists therefore apply online and wait for approval before flying. The one exception is a Pakistani holding a valid SAARC Visa Exemption Sticker, who does not need an e-visa.

The application is fully online, through the Department of Immigration's portal linked from bhutan.travel. You will need a digital copy of your passport, a recent digital photo, your arrival and departure dates and a payment card. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you plan to leave Bhutan. You sign Bhutan's Pledge of Friendship, create an account, add your travel details and pay. If you are travelling with a certified tour operator or staying at a certified hotel, they can submit the application for you, and you can include everyone in your group.

Bhutan's costs work differently from most countries. On top of a non-refundable US$40 visa application fee, every visitor pays the Sustainable Development Fee, or SDF, for each night in the country. For adults the SDF is US$100 per night. Children aged 6 who have not yet turned 12 pay US$50 per night, and children under 6 pay nothing. The Department of Tourism says the SDF helps protect Bhutan's forests and carbon-neutral environment, which is why it is built into the visa. Banks sometimes block payments to Bhutan, so tell your bank before you pay.

Bhutan Travel says applications are reviewed within five working days, and the Department of Immigration needs at least three working days, so give yourself a comfortable margin. Your visa covers the dates you paid SDF for. If you want to stay longer, apply for an extension before the visa expires through the same portal, paying the extension fee and the extra nights of SDF. Travel insurance has not been compulsory since April 2024, but it is strongly recommended, especially if you plan to hike at altitude.

Once you arrive, a certified guide must accompany you at all times, and treks must be arranged through an accredited operator or guide. Bhutan's international airport is at Paro. Check your flight connections and any transit visa rules for your route before you book. Tourists who stay within the border towns of Samtse, Phuentsholing, Gelephu or Samdrupjongkhar for up to 24 hours are exempt from SDF until August 2027. Bhutan does not publish an approval or refusal rate for Pakistani applicants.