South Africa
Bhutan
Bhutan visa for South African citizens
Entry requirement
Bhutan requires a visa from South African citizens, available online as an e-Visa.
- Where to apply
- No mission in your country
- Visa guide
- Bhutan visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which Bhutan visa?
Tourist e-visa with Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Up to 90 days from the date of entry
- Fee
- US$40
- Processing time
- Reviewed within five working days of a complete application
For the tourist visa, Bhutan’s official sources give a standard fee of US$40, and applications are made on immi.gov.bt. Processing time, as Bhutan states it: Reviewed within five working days of a complete application. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days from the date of entry.
Where to apply in South Africa
Bhutan has no embassy or consulate in South Africa on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.
Bhutanese citizens travelling to South Africa
BhutanSouth Africa Visa required South Africa visa for citizens of Bhutan
Travel advice for Bhutan
- US State Department Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- 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.
Before travelling from South Africa to Bhutan, it helps to know the official travel advice: the US State Department rates Bhutan at Level 1, exercise normal precautions (updated 3 September 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Bhutan (updated 10 December 2025) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Bhutan (updated 13 October 2026).
Good to know
How long South African citizens can stay in Bhutan
How long South African citizens may stay in Bhutan is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How South African citizens apply
The e-Visa for Bhutan is applied for online on its official government portal; South African citizens carry the approval when they travel.
Bhutan’s neighbours for South African citizens
China requires South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.
Bhutanese citizens travelling to South Africa
Bhutanese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to South Africa.
Frequently asked questions
Do South African citizens need a visa for Bhutan?
Bhutan requires a visa from South African citizens, available online as an e-Visa.
Is there an embassy of Bhutan in South Africa?
No. Bhutan has no embassy in South Africa.
How much does the Bhutan tourist visa cost?
Bhutan’s official sources give a standard fee of US$40 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Reviewed within five working days of a complete application.
Do Bhutanese citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Bhutanese citizens must obtain a visa before travelling to South Africa.
Can South African citizens enter Bhutan visa-free?
No; South African citizens need an e-Visa for Bhutan.
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.