Bhutan
United States
United States visa for Bhutanese citizens
Entry requirement
Bhutanese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to the United States.
- Where to apply
- No mission in your country
- Visa guide
- United States visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which United States visa?
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
- Fee
- US$185
- Processing time
- Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed
All visa types for the United States
For the tourist visa, the United States’ official sources give a standard fee of US$185. Processing time, as the United States states it: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors.
Where Bhutanese citizens apply for a visa for the United States
United States has no embassy or consulate in Bhutan on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.
- Embassy of the United States in Dhaka415 km
মাদানী এভিনিউ 12, 1212 Dhaka
- Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu425 km
Maharajganj Road, Kathmandu
- 562 km
The nearest US missions to Thimphu are in Dhaka, Bangladesh (415 km from Thimphu), Kathmandu, Nepal (425 km) and Kolkata, India (562 km). Which post accepts applications from residents of Bhutan is decided by the United States, so confirm it with the mission or the official visa portal before booking an appointment.
US visas issued to citizens of Bhutan
| Visas issued | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor (B) | 574 | 494 |
| Student (F, M) | 137 | 77 |
| Exchange (J) | 32 | 24 |
| Work and treaty (H, L, O, E…) | 27 | 44 |
| Transit and crew (C, D) | 4 | 5 |
| Diplomatic and official (A, G) | 133 | 128 |
| Fiancé(e) (K) | 10 | 14 |
| Total | 917 | 786 |
| B visa refusal rate (adjusted) | 49.5% | 56.0% |
In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) the United States issued 786 nonimmigrant visas to citizens of Bhutan, the 168th highest number of the 206 nationalities listed. Visitor visas (B1/B2) made up 63%, diplomatic and official visas 16% and student visas 10%. That is 14% fewer than in fiscal year 2024 (917).
From October 2025 to February 2026, citizens of Bhutan received 119, 72% fewer than in the same months a year earlier.
For visitor visas (B1/B2) the State Department reports an adjusted refusal rate of 56.0% for citizens of Bhutan in fiscal year 2025 (fiscal year 2024: 49.5%). The adjusted rate counts a refusal that was later overcome, for example with further documents, as an issuance. A rate below 3% is one of the conditions for a country to join the Visa Waiver Program.
These figures count visas issued to citizens of Bhutan anywhere in the world, not only at the US missions in Bhutan.
Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances up to February 2026 and adjusted refusal rates (public domain). US fiscal years run from October to September. How these figures are made
US citizens travelling to Bhutan
United StatesBhutan e-Visa Bhutan visa for citizens of the United States
Travel advice for the United States
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
For a trip from Bhutan to the United States, the published travel advice reads as follows: the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to the United States (updated 30 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the United States (updated 30 October 2026).
Good to know
How long Bhutanese citizens can stay in the United States
How long Bhutanese citizens may stay in the United States is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How Bhutanese citizens apply
The United States has no embassy or career consulate in Bhutan. Bhutanese citizens apply through a mission of the United States accredited to Bhutan from abroad; the official visa portal of the United States names the right place.
The United States’ neighbours for Bhutanese citizens
Canada and Mexico require Bhutanese citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
US citizens travelling to Bhutan
US citizens need an e-Visa for Bhutan, applied for online before travel.
Frequently asked questions
Do Bhutanese citizens need a visa for the United States?
Bhutanese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to the United States.
Is there an embassy of the United States in Bhutan?
No. The United States has no embassy in Bhutan. The nearest US embassy is in Dhaka, Bangladesh, 415 km from Thimphu.
How much does the United States tourist visa cost?
The United States’ official sources give a standard fee of US$185 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed.
Do US citizens need a visa for Bhutan?
US citizens need an e-Visa for Bhutan, applied for online before travel.
Can Bhutanese citizens enter the United States visa-free?
No; Bhutanese citizens need a visa for the United States obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.