Entry and stay for foreign spouses and children of Bhutanese citizens, and dependants of foreign professionals
Bhutan classes two family groups as 'non-tourists'. The first is foreigners married to Bhutanese citizens, and their legitimate children. The second is direct dependants (spouse and children under 18) of foreign workers in the professional category. Both apply to the Department of Immigration for a visa or entry permit. The tourist Sustainable Development Fee does not apply.
Life in Bhutan
Money
3
Currency
Bhutanese Ngultrum
BTN
Bhutanese Ngultrum
Cost of living
24
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
5–30%
Income tax (national)
GST 5%
Income Tax Act of Bhutan 2025, from income year 2026: nil up to Nu. 300,000, then 5%/10%/15%/20%/25%, with 30% above Nu. 3,500,000.
Living
1
Happiness
#2 of 3 countries
World Happiness Report 2018
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign spouses and children of Bhutanese citizens, and the spouse and children under 18 of a foreign professional holding a valid Bhutan work permit.
Eligibility
Spouse or child of a Bhutanese citizen
- The Bhutanese spouse or parent applies.
- A marriage certificate from any country is accepted, except when the spouse wants immigrant status.
- In that case the marriage certificate must be issued by the Royal Court of Justice, Bhutan.
Dependant of a foreign professionalDependants of foreign workers
The foreign worker must hold a valid professional-category work permit, and dependants must be spouses or children below 18.
Official wording
The foreign worker must hold a valid work permit in the professional category. Spouses and children below 18 qualify.
Passport validity
Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your planned date of departure from Bhutan.
- Indian nationals may use a passport or voter card
Official wording
The passport must be valid for at least six months from the planned date of departure from Bhutan. Indian nationals may use a passport or voter card.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Document checklistApplication letter from the Bhutanese spouse/parent or from the foreign worker
- FeesVisa / entry permit fee
- Steps to applyPrepare the documents for your category
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 5 documents
- 1 fee
- 3 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Bhutan
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Bhutan
- Visit & tourismTourist visa with Sustainable Development Fee
- Work permitsWork permit for foreign workers
Family in other countries
- BotswanaResidence permit for spouses of citizens and dependants
- CanadaSponsorship of a spouse, common-law partner or conjugal partner
- SwitzerlandFamily reunification for non-EU/EFTA family members
- Côte d’IvoireResident card for a dependent spouse or child
- CameroonFamily accompaniment and family reunification
- CubaFamily visa (A-2) for relatives of Cuban citizens, and permanent residence application
