Bhutan business visa

The Immigration Rules list business persons among the non-immigrant categories, and the Department of Immigration's list of non-tourist categories treats official guests of corporations and business entities as a separate category. Such guests may stay for the actual length of the visit or 30 days, whichever is shorter. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds that a business visa allowing a foreigner to do business in Bhutan may be issued with evidence that the government approved the establishment of the business.

Promoters, investors, board directors and technical or managerial staff of FDI companies, including potential investors, form their own category vetted by the Department of Industry; see the investor visa page. Participants in conferences, trainings and trade events hosted by the government or by civil society or international organisations also fall under separate categories with their own approving agency.

Visas other than tourist visas cost Nu. 5,000 unless Annexure III of the Immigration Rules sets another amount. The annex scales the fee by duration: Nu. 5,000 for 30 days or less, Nu. 12,000 for 31 to 90 days, Nu. 17,000 for 91 days to one year, Nu. 22,000 for one to two years and Nu. 27,000 for two to three years. Visa fees are neither transferable nor refundable.

Re-entry endorsements cost Nu. 2,500 for a single re-entry, Nu. 5,000 for double, Nu. 7,500 for triple and Nu. 12,000 for multiple re-entry.

For official guests of corporations and business entities, the vetting agency is the MoICE and the approval must come from its Secretary. The inviting Bhutanese company prepares the request with a detailed day-wise programme, then the visa application goes to the Department of Immigration, which needs at least five working days to issue the clearance after receiving all documents. The recommending agency is accountable for ensuring the visitor really qualifies, and misuse is penalised at double the tourist SDF.

Apart from personal guests, all visa applications are submitted electronically. The visa clearance alone does not guarantee entry; the immigration officer decides admission at the port of entry.

Unlike tourists with a certified guide, business and official visa holders still need a route permit to travel to places not specified in their immigration permit. The permit is processed after arrival at the nearest immigration office, valid for travel to restricted areas for up to 30 days at a time, and usually issued within one working day. It requires a recommendation letter from the Bhutanese counterpart, the route permit application form, a copy of the immigration permit and the itinerary.

Moving without a route permit costs Nu. 4,300 per person, and misuse of the purpose of visit is fined the same amount. A non-tourist who overstays pays a lump sum of Nu. 6,450 plus Nu. 215 per day.