Bhutan Visa for 16yr Old

[Tejaswini]

Have a query regarding Bhutan Tourist Visa.
What documents will be required for a 16yrs old to visit Bhutan. He has Passport and Birth certificate from US, however has PIO, Aadhar and school Id.

Parents have all required documents - Passport, Voters Id etc..

Please advice.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

My suggestion would be to get in touch with their consulate. In all likelihood, he will be treated as an American citizen and would not only need visa for Bhutan, but would also have to go through a travel agent.

 

[Rohit Kothari]

Have a query regarding Bhutan Tourist Visa.
What documents will be required for a 16yrs old to visit Bhutan. He has Passport and Birth certificate from US, however has PIO, Aadhar and school Id.

Parents have all required documents - Passport, Voters Id etc..

Please advice.

He would be considered an American citizen, thereby needing a visa. Also, as Yogesh mentioned he will be required to hire a travel agent as all foreigners visiting Bhutan have to do.
I am not sure how it would work out with a mixed group as you would go in as Indian citizen.
Do consult with the consulate.
Also confirm if an American citizen is allowed land border crossing between India and Bhutan.
Apparently kids under 15 and seniors above 65 can use Adhar as document for showing they are Indians. But since your kid is 16 he will be considered an American.

Arm yourself with all the information to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

 

[Big Daddy]

I thought there was a thread where it was mentioned that Bhutan only accepts passports for entry into their country. Why would anyone think that US passport holders will get any other treatment that any other US passport holder would?

PIO and Aadhar card have no meaning in Bhutan.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

I thought there was a thread where it was mentioned that Bhutan only accepts passports for entry into their country. Why would anyone think that US passport holders will get any other treatment that any other US passport holder would?

PIO and Aadhar card have no meaning in Bhutan.

Indians do not need passport to enter Bhutan, since visa isnt needed. Voter id card is enough to enter Bhutan for Indians.

Indians also do not have to go through a travel agents and thus do not have to pay a minimum of US$ 2xx per day that other nationals need to do.

So not being considered Indian has a huge economic impact on travel budget.

 

[Tejaswini]

Thanks, will check with consulate for process.
As mentioned by Yogesh, want to avoid travel agent process, hence the query.
How do people without passport travel to Bhutan, there must be some process for that. I heard another option of getting document in Indian consulate near border if passport is not available. Anyone who has done that, please share the details.

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Indian nationals intending to visit Bhutan are required to carry any of the two valid “Travel Document” (a) Valid Indian Passport having validity of minimum 6 months; and/or (b) Voter Identity Card, issued by the Election Commission of India alongwith recent Passport size Photographs. For minor children (below 18 years of age), if not having Passport, the Birth Certificate in original is required. No Visa is required to visit Bhutan.

Indians coming to Bhutan by road are required to obtain an ‘Entry Permit’ on the basis of valid Travel Document from the Immigration office of Royal Government of Bhutan at Phuentsholing, located on the Indo-Bhutan border opposite Jaigaon, West Bengal on any working day (Monday to Friday) from 9am to 5pm (BST).

Similarly, Indians coming by air must possess any one of the above mentioned documents and get the Entry Permit at the Paro International Airport. No fee is required for obtaining Entry Permit. The Entry Permit allows an Indian tourist to visit Thimphu and Paro only. However, any tourist going beyond Thimphu and Paro need to acquire a “Special Area Permit” from the RGoB Immigration office at Thimphu on any working days (Monday to Friday).

As per Regional Immigration office, Phuentsholing, prior Hotel booking is required to obtain Entry Permit. The Phuentsholing border gate normally remains open from 6am to 9pm (BST). Entry Permit is not required for Indian nationals to enter Phuentsholing city.

Source: Consular Services   : Information for Indian Tourists

 

[Rohit Kothari]

Thanks, will check with consulate for process.
As mentioned by Yogesh, want to avoid travel agent process, hence the query.
How do people without passport travel to Bhutan, there must be some process for that. I heard another option of getting document in Indian consulate near border if passport is not available. Anyone who has done that, please share the details.

"All foreigners (except for citizens of Bangladesh, India, and Maldives) must obtain a visa before visiting Bhutan. If approved, they are given a visa clearance letter, and must present it at the port of entry. The visa is then stamped into their passport. Foreign tourists must use a licensed Bhutanese tour operator or one of their international partners to pre-arrange their visa and book their holiday. A daily fee is also charged for every day of stay. For most foreign tourists, it amounts to $250 a day during tourist high season, and $200 a day for low season."

As one of your group members holds an American Passport you will have to follow this.

 

[Big Daddy]

It is very clear that she wants to somehow avoid declaring that her son is US citizen to avoid having to pay $200 per day. She is hoping that she is able to sneak in her son as an Indian based only on aadhar card and proof on parents' Indian citizenship.

Never try Joomlas when visiting a foreign country. Just leave the son at home and visit Bhutan. He is old enough to live alone.