Bhutan · Student
Bhutan Student visa
First stay: 5 yrs
Student visa and student permit
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Student visa is a student route for Bhutan. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source.
- Government fees
- BTN 5,000 ≈ $52
- First stay
- 5 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Government feesBTN 5,000 ≈ $52
- BTN 5,000 (≈ $52)Visa fee for 30 days and below.
ProcessingOfficial timeline
The Department conveys the outcome within seven working days of a complete application.
Where to applyWhere to apply
The institute applies for your visa or entry permit at least fifteen working days before you arrive.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Needs a place at a school or university in Bhutan
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
Who can apply2
- The student undertakes a credit-giving programme at an institution recognised by the Royal Government.
- The student has no adverse immigration record.
What you must show2
- The visa fee is BTN 5,000 (≈ $52) for 30 days and below.
- The student and parents declare annual income on the Means of Subsistence form in USD bands: below 10,000, 10,000-50,000, 50,000-100,000, above 100,000.
Documents1
- Proof of enrolment, means of subsistence, a statement of purpose and a passport valid six months are required.
Steps2
- The institute applies on behalf of the student at least fifteen working days before arrival.
- The outcome is conveyed within seven working days of a complete application.
After you arrive2
- The student permit is renewed on evidence of regular attendance and satisfactory progress.
- The permit does not extend beyond the course length or five years, whichever is less.
What happens at day 183
How Bhutan decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 5 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in any 12-month period that begins or ends in the income yearPresence test for residence under the Income Tax Act of Bhutan 2025; domicile in Bhutan also makes an individual resident.
- Foreign-source income
An individual is resident in Bhutan for an income year if domiciled in Bhutan, unless the individual has a permanent home outside Bhutan for the whole year and none in Bhutan, or if present in Bhutan for 183 days or more in any 12-month period that begins or ends in the income year.
All tax rules for Bhutan Tax records checked
Full official text
Visa and student permit for foreigners enrolled in a recognised Bhutanese institution, processed by the institute under the 2026 student guideline. 1 2 3
What you must show and pay
- A fee of BTN 5,000 (≈ $52) · Visa fee for 30 days and below. 2
Requirements
- The student undertakes a credit-giving programme at an institution recognised by the Royal Government. 1
- The student has no adverse immigration record. 1
- The visa fee is BTN 5,000 (≈ $52) for 30 days and below. 2
- The student and parents declare annual income on the Means of Subsistence form in USD bands: below 10,000, 10,000-50,000, 50,000-100,000, above 100,000. 1
- Proof of enrolment, means of subsistence, a statement of purpose and a passport valid six months are required. 1
- The institute applies on behalf of the student at least fifteen working days before arrival. 1
- The outcome is conveyed within seven working days of a complete application. 1
- The student permit is renewed on evidence of regular attendance and satisfactory progress. 2
- The permit does not extend beyond the course length or five years, whichever is less. 2
Stay
- Student permit up to five years or the course length, whichever is less.
- First stay: up to 60 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Work
Study only; employment not covered by a student permit.
Family
Dependent permits are for professional work permit holders and FDI investors.
Official sources
- Visa/Entry Permit Guidelines for International Students, 2026 (effective 1 May 2026) · Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2026-05-01
- Immigration Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2023 (fee annexures, permits) · Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2023
- Non-Tourist categories (revised list, 1 June 2023) · Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2023-06-01
Student visa and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student visa | – | 5 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Study visa (ED) Thailand | – | 3 mo, renewable | No |
| Student visa Japan | – | 4.3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Student visa · Non-formal Indonesia | – | 4 yr, renewable | No |
| Student visa United Arab Emirates | – | – | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Student visa?
A fee of BTN 5,000 (≈ $52). Visa fee for 30 days and below.
How long can I stay on the Student visa?
Student permit up to five years or the course length, whichever is less.
How long does the Student visa take to process?
The Department conveys the outcome within seven working days of a complete application.
Can I work on the Student visa?
Limited. Study only; employment not covered by a student permit.
Can I bring my family on the Student visa?
Dependent permits are for professional work permit holders and FDI investors.
How are Student visa holders taxed in Bhutan?
No special regime in our records is tied to the Student visa. The standard rules apply: From income year 2026, an individual's taxable income in Bhutan is taxed at nil up to Nu. 300,000 a year, then at 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 25%, and at 30% above Nu.
More in Bhutan
Study visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-10 against 3 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Visa/Entry Permit Guidelines for International Students, 2026 (effective 1 May 2026) · Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
- Immigration Rules and Regulations of the Kingdom of Bhutan 2023 (fee annexures, permits) · Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
- Non-Tourist categories (revised list, 1 June 2023) · Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.