Bhutan · Skilled Worker Visa

Employment Visa — Skilled and Technical Workers (1-year cap)

By António Mira, Founder · Member, Arab-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIAP) & Portuguese-Saudi Business Council (PSBC)
✓ Verified against the official government source · Last verified 2026-06-09 · Our methodology
5.5/10 diff
Challenging

Immigration Act 2007 Section 26 + 40. Lower-tier employment route — 'a skilled or technical worker who will benefit the …

Min income
Processing
60+ days
Path to PR
No
Job offer
Required
Direct answer

Immigration Act 2007 Section 26 + 40. Lower-tier employment route — 'a skilled or technical worker who will benefit the Kingdom'. Maximum stay ONE year per Section 26(i) + Section 40 verbatim. Same documentary stack as professional category (Non-Tourist Category 3): DoL approval, Work Permit, Employer + Employee Undertakings, Medical Fitness Certificate. Same age cap 65. Critical operational differential vs Section 25: shorter ceiling means renewal cycle every 12 months — each renewal requires fresh DoL approval. Section 39(b) verbatim: must 'not be of an age which puts him outside the…

At a Glance

Visa Duration
12 months
Processing Time
60+ days
Min Income
Path to PR
No
Difficulty
5/10 — Challenging

Eligibility Requirements

RequirementDetails
Age Range18+
Job Offer RequiredYes
Sponsorship RequiredYes
Health Insurance RequiredNo
Passport RestrictionsExcludes: CN

Family & Rights

RightDetails
Path to Permanent ResidencyNo

Related Pathways

Cost of Living

Thimphu
Single (monthly)€820
Family (monthly)€1,900
Rent 1BR (center)€300
Groceries€180
Transport pass€30

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Employment Visa — Skilled and Technical Workers (1-year cap)?

Immigration Act 2007 Section 26 + 40. Lower-tier employment route — 'a skilled or technical worker who will benefit the Kingdom'. Maximum stay ONE year per Section 26(i) + Section 40 verbatim. Same documentary stack as professional category (Non-Tourist Category 3): DoL approval, Work Permit, Employer + Employee Undertakings, Medical Fitness Certificate. Same age cap 65. Critical operational differential vs Section 25: shorter ceiling means renewal cycle every 12 months — each renewal requires fresh DoL approval. Section 39(b) verbatim: must 'not be of an age which puts him outside the…

Can the Employment Visa — Skilled and Technical Workers (1-year cap) lead to permanent residency?

No — this is a temporary pathway and does not itself lead to permanent residence. Holders often switch to a different route to pursue settlement.

Are there alternative pathways to Bhutan?

Yes. Bhutan offers 3 other immigration pathways. Compare all options on our Bhutan country page.

What is the cost of living in Bhutan?

Monthly costs for a single person in city center: Thimphu: €820/mo. These include rent, groceries, transport, and utilities.

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Official source

Requirements on this page are based on this official/primary source:

Data last verified: 2026-06-09 · See our methodology

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