Embassy
Embassy of Bhutan, New Delhi
New Delhi
Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri
India visa requirements for Bhutanese citizens
Bhutanese citizens do not need a visa for India. Show your passport at the border.
Passport
BTN
Bhutan
Going to
IND
India
No visa needed
People from Nepal and Bhutan may enter without visas, depending on their route.
- Visa
- Not required
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for Bhutanese citizens in India
Bhutanese citizens can visit India without a visa
- Protected permits: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim; parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu-Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand.
- Restricted permits: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and parts of Sikkim.
- These permits aren't needed when flying to/from Thimphu via Bagdogra.
- Land travel needs a pass from FRRO or a police superintendent.
- You need a special permit to enter the Lakshadweep Islands.
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in India.
Ways into India
Visas and visa-free routes for holidays and short visits.
Visa not required For your passportNepal and Bhutan visa-freePeople from Nepal and Bhutan may enter without visas, depending on their route.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check the ID rules for your travel route.
- Show the required ID or passport on arrival.
Documents required
- Required ID for your route
- Passport for travel through other countries
- The third-country exemption excludes entry from China, Macau, Hong Kong and Pakistan.
- Check with an Indian embassy before travel through another country.
Visa requiredEmbassy tourist visaA tourist visa you get through the Indian embassy or consulate handling your application.
- Fee
- Price depends on your application
How to apply
- Fill in the regular visa form online.
- Print and sign the form.
- Submit your passport, documents and fee as instructed.
- Collect your passport and visa.
Documents required
- Passport
- Printed and signed application
- Documents your embassy requests
- Follow the stay and validity limits printed on your visa.
Sources (34)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Bureau of Immigration: authorised Indian visa and entry portal
- Official e-Visa portal, eligibility, documents, questions and border lists
- Official regular visa application process
- Official regular visa fee guidance
- Official e-Tourist Visa fee schedule
- Official non-tourist e-Visa fee schedule
- Official visa-on-arrival application
- Ministry of Home Affairs: Foreigners-I Division and immigration legislation
- Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025
- Ministry of Home Affairs annual report: e-Visas and visa on arrival
- Ministry of External Affairs: visa services and registration guidance; search-accessible text, direct page returned an access error
- Embassy of India, Washington: applying for Indian visas
- Embassy of India, Washington: e-Visa guidance
- Consulate General of India, Edinburgh: UK visa application arrangements
- Edinburgh consulate: transit visa
- Edinburgh consulate: Ayush treatment visas
- Edinburgh consulate: India–UK Young Professionals Scheme
- Embassy of India, Prague: transit rules 2026
- High Commission of India, Malé: visa-free tourism conditions; search-accessible text
- San Francisco consulate: visa categories
- San Francisco consulate: tourist visa
- San Francisco consulate: transit visa
- San Francisco consulate: business visa
- San Francisco consulate: study, research and internship visas
- San Francisco consulate: employment visa
- San Francisco consulate: entry visa
- San Francisco consulate: medical and attendant visas
- San Francisco consulate: Overseas Citizenship of India
- San Francisco consulate: conference visa
- San Francisco consulate: journalist visas
- San Francisco consulate: film visas
- Ministry of Tourism: visa-on-arrival scheme
- Akashvani: government announcement of November 2026 exemption amendments
- Akashvani: government announcement of 2026 registration rule changes
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Trips to India
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Goa Houses, Kitchens and CoastPanajiBenaulimFrom, per person~US$617
Kangra Tea and Monastery DaysDharamshalaPalampurFrom, per person~US$660
Andaman Days by the SeaSri Vijaya PuramSwaraj DweepFrom, per person~US$873
Meghalaya Forest Paths and WaterfallsShillongSohraUmiam LakeFrom, per person~US$724
Kerala Tea Hills and BackwatersFort KochiMunnarKumarakomFrom, per person~US$830
Ladakh With Time to RestLehNubra ValleyFrom, per person~US$979
Kashmir Lake and Valley DaysSrinagarPahalgamGulmargFrom, per person~US$1,120
Rajasthan Courtyards and Lake EveningsJaipurJodhpurUdaipurFrom, per person~US$1,040
Coming from Bhutan
- Plugs C D MAdapter for some
- MoneyINR ₹Same as home
- Time−30m
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguageEnglish
- Emergency112 police
Planning your India trip
- Kashmir ValleyThe valley is one of India's natural highlights, with Himalayan scenery around Dal Lake in Srinagar.
- RajasthanThe landscape becomes desert in the west, offering a very different setting from India's coasts and mountains.
- Goa's coastGoa is known for its rugged coast and has beach-hut accommodation in cheaper areas.
- KangchenjungaThis mountain is among the natural wonders highlighted in the source.
Scams to watch for in India
- Short change and disputes over cash paidSomeone gives you too little change or claims you handed over less money than you did. This can also happen at official counters. It occurs across India and is highlighted as a particular problem in Delhi.
- Broken meters and inflated fixed faresA driver refuses the meter, says it is broken or quotes an inflated fixed price. Some Bengaluru auto drivers demand excessive night surcharges. Chennai auto drivers often quote prices well above the meter fare. This also happens elsewhere in India.
- Rigged taxi metersThe taxi has a meter, but it has been altered to produce an inflated fare.
About India
India is a South Asian federal republic and one of the two most populous countries on Earth.
- Capital
- New Delhi
- Money
- Indian rupee (₹)
- Languages
- English, Hindi, Tamil
- Time zone
- UTC+05:30
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +91
Other Asia passports
Going to India
Easier trips nearby
Places close to India with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Is entry to India restricted for Bhutanese citizens?
Bhutanese citizens have freedom of movement in India. Some areas require special permits. A Protected Area Permit is required for Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and some parts of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. A Restricted Area Permit is required for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim.
Do bhutanese citizens need a visa for India?
Bhutanese citizens can visit, live and work in India without a visa.
Do indian citizens need a visa for Bhutan?
Indian citizens can visit, live and work in Bhutan without a visa.
Do other Asia passports get easier entry to India?
Maldives, Nepal, Japan, South Korea and United Arab Emirates can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near India are easier for bhutanese citizens?
Bangladesh, Iran, Maldives, Nepal Sri Lanka, and 3 more let bhutanese citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to India?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in India?
Indian rupee (₹). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in India?
English, Hindi and Tamil.
How strong is the Bhutan passport?
It ranks #84 and reaches 47 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck