🇧🇹Bhutan Visa for Somali Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Investor / Promoter Visa

For foreign investors and promoters engaged in approved investment projects in Bhutan.

Requires prior approval from the Director, Department of Industry, Ministry of Industry Commerce and Employment (MoICE). Valid passport with minimum 6 months validity and a detailed day-wise program required. Does not confer permanent residency or path to citizenship. Minimum investment amount not published.

Employment Visa

For foreign nationals authorized to work in Bhutan under an approved employment arrangement.

Maximum period of one year (renewable). Requires employer approval from the Department of Labour. Associated Work Permit must also be obtained through the Department of Immigration. Specific fees not published on official sources.

Student Visa

For foreign nationals enrolled in an approved academic institution or course of study in Bhutan.

Duration corresponds to the length of the approved course. Requires institutional approval from the relevant Bhutanese educational authority. Specific fees not published on official sources.

Dependent Visa

For immediate family members of foreign nationals holding a valid work permit or employment visa in Bhutan.

Tied to the validity of the principal visa holder's work permit. Specific fees and detailed eligibility criteria not published on official sources reviewed.

Personal Guest Visa

For foreign nationals visiting Bhutan as personal guests at the invitation of a Bhutanese citizen or resident.

Maximum stay of 30 days or the actual duration of stay, whichever is less. Each Bhutanese host is limited to inviting a maximum of two personal guests per year. A formal invitation letter from the Bhutanese host is required.

Diplomatic Visa

For foreign nationals holding diplomatic passports visiting Bhutan for official diplomatic purposes or postings/assignments.

Gratis (no fee) for eligible diplomatic passport holders. UN passport holders also receive gratis visas. Holders of diplomatic/official passports from Thailand and Switzerland receive Visa on Arrival under bilateral agreements. Other diplomatic passport holders must apply through the Department of Immigration.

Official Visa

For foreign government representatives, official delegations, and official passport holders visiting Bhutan on official government business.

Gratis (no fee) for eligible official passport holders. Requires documentation of official purpose and government delegation status.

Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) Digital Nomad Residence

Residence programme for remote workers, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and professionals employed by entities outside Bhutan, based in the Gelephu Mindfulness City special administrative zone.

Launched February 2026 by the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority (GMCA). Annual fee of USD 2,800 (non-refundable). Mandatory refundable deposit of USD 10,000 in TER tokens (Solana blockchain gold-backed digital token by DK Bank), fully refundable on exit. Valid 12 months, renewable for up to 24 months total. Residents may travel throughout Bhutan but must pay USD 100/day SDF outside GMC. Application portal operated by private partner NomadClub (digitalgmc.com), not a .gov.bt domain.

Work Permit

Labour authorization for foreign nationals aged 18 or over employed in Bhutan; issued by the Department of Immigration after Department of Labour approval. Separate from and in addition to the Employment Visa/Entry Permit.

Requires prior approval from the Department of Labour (MoICE), a completed Work Permit application form, Employer and Employee Undertakings, and a Medical Fitness Certificate (general health and drug test) from a Bhutan government-certified medical officer. Applicant must be at least 18 years old. As of 7 May 2026, a Bhutanese bank account is mandatory for any foreign worker staying more than 30 days. Day workers and process workers in border towns are processed under this category.

Student Permit

For foreign nationals (including monks and nuns) enrolled in a regular academic, monastic, or exchange study program at a government-approved institution in Bhutan.

Governed by the Visa/Entry Permit Guideline for International Students, 2026 (effective 01 May 2026). Not renewed beyond the length of the course of study. Vetting agency depends on the institution: RUB, KGUMSB, Ministry of Education and Skills Development (schools), Dratshang Lhentshog (monastic institutions), or RIM/JSW Law School/Druk Gyalpoi Institute. Distinct from and issued alongside the Student Visa/Entry Permit.

Route Permit

Mandatory internal-movement permit allowing valid immigration permit/visa holders (including all non-tourist categories) to travel to restricted or protected areas within Bhutan.

Issued only upon arrival in Bhutan, valid for a period not exceeding thirty days at a time. Mandatory for all non-tourist categories for movement within the country. This is not an international transit visa - it governs travel through restricted internal areas of Bhutan.

Spouse of a Bhutanese National (Visa/Entry Permit)

For foreign nationals married to a Bhutanese citizen, and their legitimate children, to reside in Bhutan on the basis of the family relationship.

Classified as non-tourist category 1. Requires an application from the Bhutanese spouse/parent, marriage certificate, children's birth certificates, and the Bhutanese spouse's/parent's CID. If the spouse is entering to seek immigrant status, the marriage certificate must be issued by the Royal Court of Justice, Bhutan. Application is submitted directly to the Department of Immigration.

Journalist / Media Visa

For journalists and media personnel visiting Bhutan for professional media work, including coverage of state or national events.

Classified as non-tourist category 22. Requires approval from MoFAET, plus accreditation from BICMA when covering state or national events such as elections or summit meetings. Passport must be valid for at least six months.

Sports Professional Visa (incl. International Professional Football Player)

For sports professionals - athletes, players on contract with licensed clubs, and trainers - taking part in sporting events or engaged by clubs in Bhutan.

Classified as non-tourist category 24. Requires approval from the General Secretary, Bhutan Olympic Committee (BOC) and political clearance from MoFAET. International professional football players engaged by Bhutanese clubs are processed under the Visa/Entry Permit Guidelines for International Professional Football Player, 2019 of the Department of Immigration.