Bhutan student visa

The 2026 guideline covers two groups. Exchange students must be full-time students at a collaborating institute abroad that has a memorandum of understanding approved by the competent Bhutanese agency. Students on a short or long-term programme must follow a credit-earning course at an institution recognised by the Royal Government of Bhutan. In both cases the student must have no record of immigration offences, and the Bhutanese institute itself must be recognised and free of adverse records.

Student permits are issued to foreigners enrolled at academic institutions, schools and colleges, including monastic shedra and drupdey. Depending on the institution, the vetting agency is the Royal University of Bhutan, the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences, the Ministry of Education and Skills Development, the Dratshang Lhentshog for monks and nuns, or institutes such as RIM and JSW Law School.

For short or long-term study the institute sends its own application, proof of enrolment, the visa application form signed by the student, the means of subsistence form, a statement of purpose written and signed by the student, and a passport copy valid at least six months beyond departure. For exchange students the institute adds a recommendation from the head of the relevant agency, the memorandum of understanding, a letter from the home institution or student card, and the study programme instead of the statement of purpose.

The means of subsistence form records the source and annual income band of the student and both parents, with photo ID and proof of income. The statement of purpose must cover the student's background, the chosen course, why Bhutan and why this institution, and career benefits, with minimum word counts of 200 to 300 words per part. A statement written by an agent or family member, or plagiarised, leads to rejection.

The institute must lodge the application with the visa or immigration service division of the Department of Immigration at least 15 working days before the intended arrival. The head of the division decides, and the outcome is communicated within seven working days of a complete application. The Department may reject a student application without giving reasons.

Within seven days of arrival the institute must complete the student card formalities for any stay of more than 30 days, and it remains accountable for the student throughout the stay.

Renewal of the student permit requires evidence of regular attendance and satisfactory progress, and the permit cannot be renewed beyond the length of the course or five years, whichever is less. Visa extensions are filed online under the stamp-less regime.

A student who came on an exchange programme and wants to start a short or long-term course must first leave Bhutan for at least 15 days. Under the general rules, a change of purpose of visit also requires 15 days outside the country.

After six months of study, a foreign student may invite parents, parents-in-law and adult children once a year for the actual visit or 30 days, whichever is less, with notarised proof of the relationship in English. Parents or a legal guardian of a student under 18 on a course of at least six months may accompany or visit the child once a year on the same terms.