Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee: What Indians pay, who pays USD 100, and till when |
Bhutan follows a regulated tourism system, and entry rules differ slightly for travellers from neighbouring countries. According to information published on Bhutan’s official tourism portal, here is what visitors from India, Bangladesh and the Maldives need to know before planning their trip. For more details and clarity, visit their offical page.
Entry requirements for Indian nationals
Visitors from India require a permit to enter Bhutan, which can be availed in various ways, which offer you the flexibility on how you plan your trip.
You can apply for the permit before travelling or choose to apply on arrival at their point of entry. Those travelling through a tour operator or staying at a hotel can also have the permit applied for on their behalf. No permit fees are payable in advance.If you choose to apply on arrival, you should be prepared for possible waiting time, as queues can be long depending on the number of applicants. In this case, you will need to carry a passport-size photograph along with your travel documents.Read more: With a 40% surge in Indian treavellers visting Georgia, all about the e-Visa process, eligibility, documents, fees and validity for short-term travellers
Application options at a glance
- Permit or visa can be applied for before travel
- Hotels or tour operators can apply on behalf of travellers
- Applications can also be made at the point of entry
- Passport-size photograph required for on-arrival applications
- SDF payable at the time of application, online or in person
What is the Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)?
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is a daily levy paid by visitors to support Bhutan’s long-term development. Since the Kingdom opened to tourism in 1974, visitors have played an important role in the country’s growth. The SDF is collected by the national exchequer and channelled into projects that create sustainable opportunities for the Bhutanese people. These include funding for free healthcare, education and skills training, upskilling within the tourism and hospitality sector, infrastructure development, environmental preservation and conservation, cultural protection programmes, and initiatives that support local businesses and economies.
Who needs to pay the SDF?
The Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) is charged to all visitors at the time of applying for a permit or visa. The Sustainable Development Fee is charged to support the development priorities of Bhutan, such as infrastructure development, environmental conservation, cultural preservation, and public services.
For Indian nationals, the SDF is charged at INR 1,200 per person per night. The fee applies for each night spent in Bhutan and must be paid when the entry permit is processed. Children aged 12 and above, will need to pay in full. For visitors, except those from India, the SDF is USD 200. However, effective September 1, 2023, a 50% discount on the SDF has been in place for US Dollar paying tourists. This means, the SDF comes down to USD 100 per person, per night. It’s important to note that this incentive will remain in place till August 31, 2027. Do note that the day visitors to the Bhutanese towns that border India, will also remain exempt from paying SDF, until they reach a point designated by the Bhutanese Government.Read more: How ‘ghat aarti’ fits into Goa’s religious tourism push and where it’s planned
Who is eligible for an SDF waiver or concession?
Bhutan’s official tourism policy clearly outlines limited exemptions and concessions under the SDF framework:Children aged 5 years and below are fully exempt from paying the Sustainable Development FeeThere are no general waivers for adult visitors from India, Bangladesh, or the Maldives. All eligible adult travellers are required to pay the SDF as prescribed at the time of application.If you cancel your trip, your SDF amount will be refunded. One must submit requests for SDF refunds to the Department of Immigration.
How Indian visitors apply and pay the SDF
- Before travel, through official channels
- On arrival at the point of entry, though waiting times may be long during peak periods
- Via a tour operator or hotel, which can apply on the traveller’s behalf
- No permit fees are payable in advance, but the SDF must be paid when the permit is issued. Travellers applying on arrival are required to carry a passport-size photograph.
Why the SDF matters
Bhutan’s SDF is a cornerstone of its “high-value, low-impact” tourism model. This move is in line with limiting mass tourism, and also in ensuring that the tourists contribute to the development of the country to preserve the Himalayan environment, as well as maintain the cultural integrity of the country.All those planning a trip to this beautiful destination, it’s important to note how the SDF works, and how you should budget your trip.
