Published: March 4, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State Bhutan Travel Advisory and Bhutan Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
The United States has no official diplomatic relations with Bhutan, and therefore no diplomatic or consular presence in Thimphu. The U.S. Embassy in India is responsible for issues involving U.S. visitors to Bhutan.
U.S. Embassy New Delhi
Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, India
Tel: +(91) (11) 2419-8000. Hours: Monday-Friday, 0900-1700.
OSAC Country Chapters
There is no OSAC Country Chapter in Bhutan. OSAC members interested in Bhutan should join the New Delhi, India Country Chapter.
Contact OSAC’s Asia team with any questions.
Bhutan Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in Bhutan.
Crime
There is minimal risk from crime in Thimphu. There is relatively little crime in Bhutan.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bhutan.
The crime emergency line in Bhutan is 113.
Take reasonable precautions when visiting major towns, in particular when going out at night. Bhutan has reported a national increase in crime, although this may in part be due to a change in policy in 2016 that made crime registration mandatory. Included in these reports are burglaries, thefts, robberies, stolen vehicles, and assaults. The most recent report, from 2022, indicates a ~14% increase in total criminal incidents compared to 2020. The top five most prominent crimes in 2022 were battery, offence of substance abuse, physical abuse, larceny, and burglary.
Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and purse snatching is occasionally reported though violent crime is uncommon. Burglaries, theft, robbery, stolen vehicles, and assault related to skin color, ethnic origin, and religion have increased in recent years. Police report an increase in the number of drug/alcohol abuse and marijuana-related arrests and an increase in the number of reported rape cases.
The rates of larceny, burglary, and auto-stripping have all declined over time; larceny remains the most often reported of all property offenses; larceny, burglary, and drug possession are the only crimes reaching more than 100 reported offenses in any given year over the last five.
Tobacco sale is unlawful. Foreigners caught selling tobacco to Bhutanese can be charged with smuggling. Authorities will seize the tobacco and treat it as contraband.
Officials attribute crime rates to youth unemployment in population centers. The government aims to decrease the high unemployment rate to address economic stagnation in Bhutan’s population centers and the presence of urban crime.
Most crime in Bhutan is in Thimphu. The crime rate is highest in Thimphu, Haa, and Punakha. Occasional instances of kidnapping and robbery occur along the border with India.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bhutan.
Kidnapping of foreigners is rare, but travelers should remain vigilant and maintain situational awareness at all times. Kidnappings of children and women in the local community have occurred; many likely go unreported.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bhutan. There is no U.S. Department of State Country Report on Terrorism for Bhutan.
There is minimal risk from terrorism in Bhutan.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bhutan. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
There is minimal risk from political violence in Bhutan.
During the 1990s, Bhutan expelled over 100,000 Lhotshampa from the country due to demographic and cultural grievances. While ethnic-Lhotshampas remain in Bhutan, the total number is unknown. The majority of the expelled Lhotshampas have resettled in third countries, but several refugee camps remain active in Nepal. There have been no reports of political violence associated with Lhotshampas in recent years.
There have been border disputes in Doklam, including in 2017 when China attempted to extend road construction onto the Doklam Plateau southward into Bhutan. Indian troops moved into Bhutan to prevent the construction, and a standoff between India and China ensued. The standoff resolved peacefully, and Bhutan is currently in ongoing talks with China to resolve outstanding boundary issues, but Chinese roadbuilding and settlement in Bhutanese territory has continued unabated since that time.
Elections/Political Stability
Bhutan conducts elections at the national and local levels. While Bhutan faces some obstacles in implementing a fully participatory democracy, there is little to no election-based violence.
Elections were held on January 9, 2024; the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won 30 of 47 seats in the country’s National Assembly (lower house of parliament).
Protests & Demonstrations
The constitution guarantees freedom of assembly, but public gatherings require the government’s permission, which it sometimes denies.
Bhutan expelled thousands of predominantly Hindu ethnic Nepalese in the early 1990s to maintain the country's dominant Buddhist culture. Expelled refugees have protested on the border of Bhutan against the monarchy and for their return home, but such protests have not occurred in recent years, were not violent, and did not affect foreign nationals.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Anti-U.S. or anti-Western sentiment is not an issue in Bhutan.
Law Enforcement
The Royal Bhutan Police is responsible for internal security. The Royal Bhutan Army is responsible for defending against external threats and has responsibility for some internal security functions, including counterinsurgency operations, protection of forests, and security for prominent persons. The Royal Bhutan Police reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs, while the King is the supreme commander in chief of the Royal Bhutan Army.
Police Response
The ability of local police to assist victims of crime is limited due to lack of response vehicles, radios, and other essential equipment. Report all incidents of crime to the local police authorities. Remain calm and polite when interacting with the police to avoid misunderstandings.
Residents in Gelephu can report crimes in real time after the Gelephu Police Division launched several online platforms (available on Telegram, WhatsApp, and WeChat); they can be accessed using the following phone number: 17724058.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in Bhutan, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Bhutan.
Most political prisoners are Nepali-speaking persons associated with protests from the early 1990s. Government officials claimed that those remaining in prison were convicted of having committed violent crimes during demonstrations. The government generally respects judicial independence and impartiality.
The law provides criminal penalties for corruption by officials and the government has generally implemented the law effectively. There were isolated reports of government corruption.
Cybersecurity
Credit card fraud and the use of card skimming devices do occur.
Bhutan is member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) but not the WTO, or any organization protecting intellectual property rights. As a result, the frequency of pirated items has not declined; stores may sell pirated copies of movies, television shows, music, counterfeit clothing, jewelry, and other luxury goods.
4G/WiMAX networks now cover well over half of the country. Fixed broadband penetration remains low due to the preeminence of mobile platforms.
Common cyber threats facing government organizations, business and individuals are phishing, hacking, viruses, spam and pornography. Reports of these incidents, in print and social media, are infrequent and mostly anecdotal.
The International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations specialized agency, developed a National Cybersecurity Strategy with Bhutan in 2018.
Import/Export Restrictions
Bhutanese customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Bhutan of items such as firearms, ammunition, explosives, and military supplies; narcotics and drugs (except medically prescribed drugs); tobacco products; wildlife products, especially those of endangered species; and antiques.
For specific information regarding customs requirements, it is advisable to contact the Bhutan Mission to the United Nations.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
