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Student Visa and Student Permit

BhutanStudy

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What education or training is this pathway designed for?

The Visa/Entry Permit Guideline for International Students, 2026, effective from 01 May 2026, covers two study routes: a student exchange programme, in which a full-time foreign student from a collaborating institute pursues an exchange programme in an institute in Bhutan, and a short or long-term programme, meaning a credit-earning study programme at an institute recognised by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

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What type of institution/course must accept or enrol the applicant?

An institute intending to enrol foreign students or run a student exchange programme must be recognised by the Royal Government of Bhutan and have no adverse record with the Department of Immigration. The student must either be a full-time student at a collaborating institute, for an exchange programme, or undertake a credit-giving study programme at an academic institution recognised by the Royal Government of Bhutan.

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What are the most important financial or study-related conditions: tuition, funds, insurance, full-time study, attendance or equivalent?

The institute must submit Proof of Means of Subsistence for the student as prescribed in Annexure I of the Guideline. The Immigration Act 2007 requires a person entering Bhutan as a student to be able to meet the costs of the course, accommodation and his own maintenance without taking employment, engaging in business or having recourse to public funds. The official source does not state a minimum amount, health insurance or attendance requirement.

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Limits of the record
  • The Means of Subsistence Form in Annexure I asks for the student's and parents' annual income in USD in four bands (less than 10,000; 10,000-50,000; 50,000-100,000; more than 100,000) but the Guideline sets no minimum amount that must be shown.
  • No source consulted states a tuition, bank-balance or maintenance threshold for a student visa or student permit.
  • Visa/Entry Permit Guideline for International Students 2026, cl.7B, line 125
    B. The Institute shall make an application for Visa/Entry Permit for the short/long term study to the Department with the following documents: (a) Application from the Institute; (b) Proof of enrollment; (c) Visa/Entry Permit application form signed by the student as applicable; (d) Proof of Means of Subsistence as prescribed under Annexure I of this Guidelines; (e) Statement of Purpose written and signed by the student as prescribed under Annexure II of this Guidelines; and (f) Copy of passport or voter identity card of the student as may be applicable. The passport shall be valid for at least six months from the intended date of departure from the Kingdom.
  • Visa/Entry Permit Guideline for International Students 2026, cl.10, line 149
    The student Visa/Permit application shall be submitted to the Visa/Immigration Service Division of the Department of Immigration at least fifteen working days before the intended date of arrival of the student.
  • Immigration Act 2007, s.36(c), line 558
    does not intend to engage in business or to take any employment; and
  • Immigration Act 2007, s.36(d), line 561
    is able to meet the costs of his course and accommodation and the maintenance of himself without taking employment or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds.

Can the student work? Under what major restrictions? What is the family position where clearly stated?

The Immigration Act 2007 requires a person entering Bhutan as a student not to intend to engage in business or take any employment, and to be able to meet the costs of the course, accommodation and his own maintenance without taking employment, engaging in business or having recourse to public funds. The official source does not state the family position.

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How long does the status last, how is it renewed, and what officially documented post-study work or residence possibilities exist?

A foreigner cleared as a regular student may stay in Bhutan for five years or the actual duration of stay, whichever is less, and a student permit is not renewed beyond the length of the course of study or five years, whichever is less. A foreigner who has entered as a non-immigrant, a category that includes students, is not entitled to apply for permanent residency or citizenship, and may change the purpose of visit only after properly exiting Bhutan for at least fifteen days.

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These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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