SDF Waiver & Phuentsholing

Bhutan's 24-Hour SDF Waiver: New Sightseeing Opportunities Near Phuentsholing in 2026 Indian travellers visiting Bhutan's southern border areas have another reason to explore Phuentsholing instead of using the town simply as an overnight transit stop. Under Bhutan's 24-hour Sustainable Development Fee waiver , qualifying visitors can stay within designated border-town areas without paying the normal SDF for the permitted period. Bhutan has now announced a special arrangement allowing regional tourists using the Phuentsholing waiver to travel beyond the previous Rinchending limit to selected attractions during the Harvest Festival. What Is Bhutan's 24-Hour SDF Waiver? Bhutan's official tourism information currently states that tourists visiting Phuentsholing, Samtse, Gelephu and Samdrup Jongkhar for up to 24 hours can qualify for the border-town SDF waiver, provided they remain within the applicable designated area and comply with the conditions. The current arrangement began on 2 June 2026 and is scheduled to remain in effect until August 2027 according to Bhutan's official tourism FAQ. For Indian nationals travelling beyond the waiver conditions, the regular SDF is currently Nu./INR 1,200 per person per night for adults. Which New Places Can Travellers Visit? According to Bhutan Broadcasting Service, the special Phuentsholing arrangement allows visitors to travel to: Milarepa...