Do We Need Passport for Bhutan from India

Indian citizens do not need a visa to enter Bhutan. You can travel without a passport if you have a valid voter ID card. Bhutan allows Indians to enter with either of these two documents.

If you have a passport with at least six months validity, carry it. If you do not, a voter ID card also works. These are the only two documents accepted for Bhutan entry. Aadhaar or PAN card will not work.

At the border or airport, you must show your ID and collect an entry permit. This permit allows you to visit Thimphu and Paro. Without this permit, you cannot go beyond the entry point.

So if you are wondering, do we need passport for Bhutan from India, here is what matters. You must carry either your Indian passport or your voter ID card. No other ID will be accepted at the Bhutan border or airport.

In this post, we will explain what documents work for travel, how to enter Bhutan by road or by air, where to get the entry permit, and what steps to follow for a smooth journey as an Indian traveller.

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Do Indians Need a Visa to Enter Bhutan?

No visa is required if you are travelling to Bhutan on an Indian passport or a voter ID card. Indian citizens are allowed to enter Bhutan without applying for any visa in advance.

This is possible because of a travel agreement between India and Bhutan. It allows visa-free access across both countries. You do not need to fill any visa form or pay any visa fee. You can plan your visit without going through embassy work.

But you still need to carry a valid ID. Bhutan accepts two documents from Indian travellers: passport with at least six months validity or a voter ID card with photo. One of these is checked when you reach the airport in Paro or the road border at Phuentsholing.

Even without a visa, you cannot enter freely. You must get an entry permit after you arrive. This permit is issued at the Bhutan immigration counter and is compulsory for all Indian travellers.

Visa-free entry does not mean document-free entry. You will still show your ID, fill a form, and collect the permit before your trip inside Bhutan can begin. That is the rule for every Indian visiting Bhutan.

What Travel Documents Are Needed to Enter Bhutan from India?

Bhutan does not ask Indian citizens for a visa, but you still need a proper ID to enter. Without valid documents, the immigration office will not give you the entry permit. This rule applies for both road and air travel.

Carry one of the following:

Indian Passport
Voter ID Card
Birth Certificate (for children)
School ID (optional, for children)
Passport-Size Photographs
Photocopies of ID

Only these are accepted at the Bhutan border or Paro Airport. Aadhaar or PAN card will not work for entry. If your child is travelling without a passport, carry the birth certificate in original. A school ID also helps verify identity.

Keep 2 recent colour photos for each traveller. Also carry photocopies of your ID in case they ask during the permit process. These documents are checked before they allow you to move ahead.

Bhutan immigration follows strict ID rules. If your document is not on this list, they will not issue the entry permit.

How to Enter Bhutan from India by Road

You do not need a visa to enter Bhutan, but you cannot cross the land border without permission. Indian citizens must stop at the immigration gate and collect an entry permit before travelling further. This is a required step at every land crossing, no matter which ID you carry.

Travelling by road is common for visitors from West Bengal and Assam. If you are planning to go by car, taxi or bus, here is exactly what you need to know.

Where to Enter Bhutan by Road from India

Most Indian travellers cross at Jaigaon in West Bengal. This connects directly to Phuentsholing in Bhutan. It is the main land route used for tourism. The Phuentsholing gate opens into Bhutan’s immigration zone.

How to Get the Entry Permit at Phuentsholing

Indians must collect an entry permit at the border. The Immigration Office of Bhutan is right after the gate. Show your passport or voter ID card, give two passport-size photos, and fill a short form. Officers check your details and hand you the permit. There is no fee. This document is needed to travel beyond the border area.

The permit usually lasts seven days. You can visit Thimphu and Paro using it. Police will check it at road checkpoints, so keep it with you always.

Rules You Must Follow After the Permit Is Issued

The immigration office works Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm Bhutan time. Weekends have shorter hours. During busy seasons, reach early to avoid delay.

Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar are other border points for Indians, mostly used by those coming from Assam. The same permit rules apply there too.

Even without a visa, no Indian can travel inside Bhutan without this permit. It is checked before you go beyond the border town. This is compulsory at all land crossings.

How to Travel to Bhutan from India by Air

Bhutan has one international airport in Paro. Indian citizens can fly there without applying for a visa. But entry is not automatic. You must carry the right ID and get the entry permit after landing. This step is checked at Paro Airport before you can begin your trip.

Flights to Bhutan run from major Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai. Airlines such as Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines handle these routes. The travel is smooth, but your documents must be correct before boarding.

ID Check at Indian Airport Before the Flight

At the Indian airport, show either your passport or your voter ID card. Both are accepted for Bhutan travel. Your name on the ticket must match the ID exactly. No mismatch is allowed at the check-in counter.

Keep 2 passport-size colour photos and a photocopy of your ID in your hand baggage. You will need them after you land in Paro for the permit application.

How to Get the Entry Permit at Paro Airport

After your flight lands, go to the immigration counter at Paro Airport. Show the same ID you used to board. The officer will check it and issue a printed entry permit. You may be asked to fill a short form. There is no fee.

Without this paper, you cannot leave the airport. The entry permit is a must, even though there is no visa stamp. This document confirms your legal stay in Bhutan.

Rules for Staying in Bhutan After You Get the Permit

The permit is valid for around 7 days. You can visit Thimphu and Paro during this time. These two places are the only zones covered by the permit.

Carry this permit with your ID everywhere. Hotels will ask for it at check-in. You will also show it at road checkpoints between towns.

Even if you arrive by flight, the rules stay the same. Bhutan does not allow travel inside without this permit, no matter how you enter.

What Indian Citizens Must Know About the Bhutan Entry Permit

Every Indian entering Bhutan must collect an entry permit. This is not a visa, but it works as the main approval to stay and travel inside Bhutan. You cannot skip this step, even if you carry a valid passport or voter ID. The permit is checked at several points and is needed from the moment you cross the airport or land border.

This paper includes your name, ID number, entry date, and the places you are allowed to visit. Once issued, it stays with you during your full trip.

Given after ID check at immigration
Valid for travel in Thimphu and Paro
Usually issued for 7 days
Needed at road checkpoints and hotels
Must be kept with passport or voter ID
No fee charged for this document

You will get this permit at Paro Airport or at the Phuentsholing land border. It confirms you entered Bhutan legally. Police may ask for it on highways. Hotels also check it during check-in. If you lose it, you may face travel delays inside Bhutan. So keep it safe, just like your ID. No permit means no movement beyond the border.

How to Get a Route Permit to Travel Beyond Thimphu and Paro

The entry permit allows Indian tourists to visit only Thimphu and Paro. If you want to go beyond these two places, you must get a route permit. This extra permit is issued only inside Bhutan and is needed for travel to areas like Punakha, Bumthang, Haa valley, and Phobjikha.

Why You Need a Route Permit for Other Places

The Bhutan government controls travel beyond the main tourist zones. Even Indian citizens must follow this. A route permit is compulsory if your plan includes places outside the initial permit area. Without it, you will be stopped at checkpoints. This rule applies for both solo and group travellers.

Where to Apply and What Documents to Carry

You can apply for the route permit only at the Immigration Office in Thimphu. Carry a copy of your entry permit and your passport or voter ID. Fill a form with your travel dates and the names of the places you plan to visit. If you are in a group, one person can apply for everyone.

The office works from Monday to Friday. Weekends are closed. The process is usually completed on the same day. Try to plan at least one weekday in Thimphu if you need this permit.

What to Do If You Are Driving Your Own Car or Bike

If you bring your own vehicle from India, you must get a separate vehicle permit. This is given by the RSTA office, usually at Phuentsholing. You will need your driving licence, RC of the vehicle, your ID, and a copy of the entry permit. The vehicle permit must match the places listed in your route permit.

If you use a Bhutanese taxi or private driver, you do not need the vehicle permit. Most Indian tourists choose local transport after reaching Bhutan.

Expanding your trip beyond Thimphu and Paro is easy, but only if your papers are in place. The route permit and vehicle permit must stay with you during your journey. Both are checked at road checkpoints across Bhutan.

How the Sustainable Development Fee Applies to Indian Tourists

Every Indian visitor must pay a fixed tourism fee while travelling inside Bhutan. This is called the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF). It is charged per person, per night. The fee supports Bhutan’s goal of controlled tourism and helps preserve its natural and cultural sites.

Here is what Indian travellers should note:

₹1,200 per person, per night
₹600 per night for children aged 6 to 12
Free for children aged 5 and below
Paid during the entry permit process
Accepted at Paro and Phuentsholing counters
Not charged for visits under 24 hours in border towns

If you go through a travel agent, the SDF is usually added to the total package cost. If you apply on your own, the immigration staff will guide you at the permit counter. Some travellers pay by card. Others are asked to deposit at a local bank and show the receipt.

Keep the payment slip or digital proof with your permit. While not checked often, it confirms you paid the correct amount for your stay. This fee applies from the first night if you stay inside Bhutan. Short trips limited to the border zone, under 24 hours, are not charged.

Before your trip, add the SDF to your travel cost. It is part of Bhutan’s official policy and is not waived unless you meet the border exemption rule.

Important Travel Tips Before You Visit Bhutan from India

A few small things can make your Bhutan trip easier. These are not part of the main permit rules but help avoid last-minute issues at the border and while returning.

Cash, SIM, and Travel Documents to Carry

Bhutan accepts Indian Rupees, but only ₹500 and lower notes. You can carry up to ₹25,000 in cash per person. ₹2000 notes are not allowed. Credit card use is limited, so carry enough cash in ₹100, ₹200, or ₹500 notes.

Keep extra passport-size photos and a few photocopies of your ID. You will need these for permit forms, especially if applying for a route permit later.

Tourist SIM cards are available from Bhutan Telecom and TashiCell. You may need to show a photo ID and give a passport photo to activate the SIM. It helps for maps and calls during your trip.

Why Permit Rules Must Be Followed Strictly

Your permit clearly lists where you are allowed to travel. Do not visit other places unless you have a valid route permit. If you plan to change your trip, go to the Immigration Office in Thimphu to update it.

Police checkpoints are active on Bhutan roads. They may ask to see your permit at any time. Keep your entry and route permits with you while travelling.

What to Do at Bhutan Exit Points

You must return your entry permit when leaving Bhutan. At Phuentsholing, go to the immigration office before crossing back into India. At Paro Airport, hand over the permit at the exit counter.

This step records your official exit. Do not skip it. Keep a photocopy of your permit until you leave the border. It may help if there is any delay or question during check-out.

Following these tips will keep your Bhutan visit smooth from start to finish. Small things like spare documents and the right currency make a big difference once you are at the gate.

FAQ’s

Is passport compulsory to enter Bhutan from India?

No, Indian citizens are not required to carry a passport to enter Bhutan. You can also enter using a valid voter ID card issued by the Election Commission of India. Either passport or voter ID is accepted for entry, as long as you get the Bhutan entry permit after showing your ID.

Can Indians travel to Bhutan without a passport?

Yes, Indians can travel to Bhutan without carrying a passport. If you have a voter ID card with a photo, that works as a valid ID. After reaching the Bhutan border or Paro Airport, show your voter ID and collect the entry permit. This permit is compulsory for visiting places like Thimphu and Paro.

Is voter ID enough to visit Bhutan from India?

Yes, voter ID is accepted for Bhutan entry if it is original and issued by the Election Commission. Indian citizens using voter ID must still apply for the Bhutan travel permit at the immigration counter before starting their trip.

Do children need a passport to go to Bhutan?

Children below 18 years can enter Bhutan without a passport or voter ID. They must carry the original birth certificate and, if possible, a school ID. These documents are checked before the Bhutan permit is issued for minors.

Can I use an Aadhaar card to enter Bhutan?

No, an Aadhaar card is not valid for international entry to Bhutan. Bhutan immigration only accepts Indian passport or voter ID card. Any ID outside these two will be rejected at Paro Airport or the Jaigaon-Phuentsholing border.

What ID proof is accepted at the Bhutan border for Indians?

Bhutan accepts two ID proofs from Indian citizens: a valid Indian passport or a voter ID card with photo. No other document is allowed for entry. These are verified at the immigration office before the Bhutan entry permit is given.

Is a visa required for Bhutan if I have a passport?

No visa is required for Indian citizens, even if you carry a passport. Bhutan allows visa-free entry under a special agreement with India. But you must still get the entry permit after showing your ID at the border or airport.

Do I need a passport for Bhutan if I travel by road?

You can enter Bhutan by road without a passport. A voter ID is also accepted at the Jaigaon–Phuentsholing land border. Immigration officers issue the entry permit based on your ID, and it is checked while entering Thimphu or Paro.

Is passport needed to board a flight from India to Bhutan?

You can board a flight to Bhutan with either your passport or your voter ID. Indian airports allow both, as long as the name on your ticket matches the ID. The same ID must be used again at Paro Airport to get the entry permit.

Can I go to Bhutan without passport if I have voter ID?

Yes, Indian travellers can go to Bhutan using only a voter ID card. This document is valid for immigration clearance and entry permit processing. If your ID is clear and matches your details, there is no need to carry a passport for travel by air or land.

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