Do Indians Need a Passport for Bhutan? – Travel Guide 2025
Every year, thousands of Indians dream of visiting Bhutan — the land of monasteries, misty valleys, and unmatched peace.
Every year, thousands of Indians dream of visiting Bhutan — the land of monasteries, misty valleys, and unmatched peace. But before planning the trip, one question always arises: Do Indians need a passport for Bhutan?
The answer is not always, but it depends on how you enter and how far you plan to travel within Bhutan. Let’s make this simple — here’s everything you need to know before you pack your bags!
1. The Unique India–Bhutan Relationship
India and Bhutan share a warm and long-standing friendship under the 1949 Treaty of Friendship, allowing citizens of both countries to travel freely without a visa.
According to the Bhutan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indians don’t need a visa to visit Bhutan.
However, visa-free doesn’t mean document-free. You’ll still need valid identity documents and entry permits depending on your travel route and purpose. Bhutan also revised its travel policy in recent years to regulate movement beyond certain towns. You can read more about this in Wikipedia’s guide on Bhutan’s visa policy.
So, while you don’t need a visa, you still must carry the right identification and get the required entry permits.
2. Documents Required for Indian Travelers
Indian citizens can enter Bhutan using any one of these valid documents:
A valid Indian passport with at least six months’ validity
OR a Voter ID card (EPIC) issued by the Election Commission of India
For minors (under 18), an original birth certificate is acceptable
As per the Embassy of India in Thimphu, these documents are required whether you’re entering by air or road.
If you have both a passport and a Voter ID, it’s smart to carry both — some officials prefer the passport, especially at airports.
3. Entry Permit Process
Entering Bhutan by Road
Most travelers cross into Bhutan through the Jaigaon–Phuentsholing border (West Bengal to Bhutan).
You must apply for an Entry Permit at the Bhutan Immigration Office in Phuentsholing. This permit allows travel to Thimphu and Paro.
To go further (like Punakha or Bumthang), you’ll need a Special Area Permit from the Thimphu Immigration Office. The process is simple and usually takes a few hours on working days. You can find more about this at the Department of Immigration, Bhutan.
Entering Bhutan by Air
If you fly directly to Paro International Airport, you’ll get your Entry Permit upon arrival. Just show your passport or Voter ID, along with two passport-size photos.
4. Validity, Zones, and Fees
The entry permit is typically valid for 7 days and covers Thimphu and Paro.
You can extend it or get a Route Permit for other areas like Punakha or Bumthang.
Indian citizens are exempt from visa fees, but you may be charged a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF), which is lower for Indians than for other foreigners.
Learn more about Bhutan’s tourism policy at the official Bhutan Tourism website.
5. India’s 2025 Rule Update
In 2025, India introduced a new rule allowing citizens of Nepal and Bhutan to enter India without a passport or visa through designated border and airport checkpoints.
As reported by Travel and Tour World, this change aims to boost tourism and connectivity in the region.
However, this applies to entering India, not Bhutan. To enter Bhutan, Indians still need their valid ID (Passport or Voter ID) and the standard entry permit.
6. Travel Tips for a Hassle-Free Journey
Carry both passport and Voter ID, if possible.
Keep digital and physical copies of your documents.
Have passport-size photos ready for permits.
Get your route permit in advance if you’re going beyond Thimphu or Paro.
Note that the Thimphu Immigration Office works only on weekdays.
When bringing Indian rupees, don’t carry ₹2,000 notes — only denominations up to ₹500 are accepted, with a limit of ₹25,000.
(Refer to the Indian Embassy in Thimphu for details.)
7. Sample 5-Day Itinerary for Indians
Day 1: Cross from Jaigaon to Phuentsholing → get Entry Permit → travel to Thimphu
Day 2: Explore Thimphu (Tashichho Dzong, Buddha Dordenma, Memorial Chorten)
Day 3: Drive to Paro → visit Paro Dzong
Day 4: Trek to Tiger’s Nest (Taktsang Monastery)
Day 5: Return to Phuentsholing and cross back to India
This simple route is perfect for first-time visitors!
8. Related Travel Health Guides
If you’re planning to travel during the monsoon season or winter, it’s worth checking out these helpful MyMaano blogs:
These guides can help you stay safe and healthy while traveling in humid or cold regions like Bhutan.
1 Comment
This guide is *so* thorough, it practically writes the permit application for you! Who knew carrying ID and a few photos could be such a production. Though, I do find the ₹2,000 rupee ban hilariously specific – India, really lecturing Bhutan on cash management? 😂 Good on them for the hassle-free tips, though. Now, if only Indias neighborly visa rules worked both ways…quay random