SDF CALCULATOR
* The 24 hours SDF waiver for tourists staying in the border towns shall continue.
* The above incentives will come into effect from 1 September 2023 and shall remain effective for four years till 31 August 2027.
* The Royal Government shall conduct periodic assessments of the domestic and international tourism scenarios and may discontinue the above incentives to uphold and promote High Value Low Volume Tourism Policy of Bhutan after 31 August 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bhutan expands its tourist incentives for visitors, with the daily Sustainable Development Fee reduced by 50% for another four years, until 2027
The effective SDF with the 50% discount is USD 100 per person per night for US Dollar paying tourists. This is a time-limited incentive until 2027.
No, the incentives introduced in June 2023 (4+4, the 7+7 and the 12+18 have been revoked and are
no longer applicable). However, the 24 hour SDF waiver for border towns in Bhutan remains valid.
No, it cannot be combined. Visitors wishing to explore border towns before or after the SDF discount
must apply for another visa.
The 50% discount shall be on the USD 100 rate. Therefore, the effective SDF with the 50% discount
for children will be USD 50 per person per night for US Dollar paying tourists. Children who have not yet
turned six years old are eligible to visit Bhutan without paying any SDF.
For all visitors, the SDF is USD 200 per person per night. Indian guests (with an Indian passport or
voter ID) pay 1200 Ngultrum or the equivalent in Indian Rupees per person per night. Indian children
aged 6 to 12 receive a 50% discount, and those under six are exempt.
You can stay for a maximum of 90 nights from the entry date.
Yes, if you’ve paid for guests arriving on or after September 1, 2023 with the previous incentives. You
can choose to keep it as is or apply for a visa with the 50% discount. Any excess amount can be refunded.
The excess amount will be refunded to the original payment account.
It starts on September 1, 2023. Until then, the existing system remains in place.
It’s valid until September 2027. Further details post-2027 will be announced one year before the
validity ends.
It’s calculated on a per night basis.