Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade refreshed its Bhutan travel advice on 20 January, maintaining the ‘Exercise normal safety precautions’ level but flagging strict entry rules that continue to catch out business and leisure travellers. Australians must pay Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee (SDF)—currently USD 100 per person per day—before arrival, obtain an approved itinerary through a licensed Bhutanese operator and hold travel insurance covering medical evacuation.
Travellers who prefer a streamlined process can turn to VisaHQ, which coordinates Bhutan visa applications, Sustainable Development Fee payments and mandatory insurance on behalf of Australian passport-holders. The service’s online portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) allows corporate mobility teams and individual tourists to upload documents, track approval status in real time and receive printable visa clearances before departure, reducing the risk of airport delays.
![Smartraveller Updates Bhutan Advice: Sustainable-Development Fee Reminder for Australian Visitors]()
DFAT notes that credit-card processing glitches have caused airport delays; travellers should carry proof of SDF payment and a printed visa clearance. Business visitors need an additional letter of invitation from a Bhutan-registered entity and may face quarantine if arriving from yellow-fever risk countries without a valid vaccination certificate.
Mobility programmes should update their pre-trip checklists: the SDF is payable even on weekends and public holidays, and rates rise for premium trekking permits. Companies sending short-term assignees should budget the fee as a taxable benefit and ensure staff obtain an exit clearance before leaving Bhutan to avoid fines. (smartraveller.gov.au)
Travellers who prefer a streamlined process can turn to VisaHQ, which coordinates Bhutan visa applications, Sustainable Development Fee payments and mandatory insurance on behalf of Australian passport-holders. The service’s online portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) allows corporate mobility teams and individual tourists to upload documents, track approval status in real time and receive printable visa clearances before departure, reducing the risk of airport delays.
DFAT notes that credit-card processing glitches have caused airport delays; travellers should carry proof of SDF payment and a printed visa clearance. Business visitors need an additional letter of invitation from a Bhutan-registered entity and may face quarantine if arriving from yellow-fever risk countries without a valid vaccination certificate.
Mobility programmes should update their pre-trip checklists: the SDF is payable even on weekends and public holidays, and rates rise for premium trekking permits. Companies sending short-term assignees should budget the fee as a taxable benefit and ensure staff obtain an exit clearance before leaving Bhutan to avoid fines. (smartraveller.gov.au)
