Bhutan is one of the countries where it is almost impossible to obtain the citizenship. Getting a residence permit here is also difficult. If you don’t have family ties with citizens, then only the option with a work visa is available. At the same time, the employer will need to prove that a person with such qualifications could not be found among Bhutanese citizens, and the maximum number of foreign employees is limited.

Categories of citizens who can obtain a residence permission in Bhutan:

1. Women who are married to Bhutanese men who have a special residence permit.

2. Children of Bhutanese women who are married to foreigners who have a special residence permit.

The first two categories of immigrants with special residence permits are allowed to move freely and reside in Bhutan.

3. Those who are married to a Bhutanese citizen or children of this origin who have an immigration card.

Those with an immigration card receive a residence permit on a periodic basis by government decision, and they must register their place of residence and obtain route permits to travel outside of designated locations. Documents for obtaining an immigration card.

4. Green card or refugee card holders

Green card or refugee card holders are allowed to stay until a time set by the government, but they can also move freely within Bhutan.

5. Holders of Trader card 

Merchant cardholders are allowed to stay and do business in certain commercial centers, and they must obtain travel permits outside of their designated place of residence.

Employment visas cannot be issued to immigrants until the consular officer receives a decision from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Culture.

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How do I get Bhutanese citizenship?

1. Citizenship by birth

The second section of the law grants Bhutanese citizenship to those whose parents are Bhutanese citizens. (The law only requires the father to be Bhutanese.) Also, citizenship is guaranteed to children of two Bhutanese citizens by birthright.

2. Citizenship by registration

Registered citizenship is granted to persons who prove that they were permanently residing in Bhutan until 31 December 1958 year and that their name was registered in the annual census register.

3. Naturalization

Naturalization requires applicants to submit questionnaires (forms KA-1 and KA-2 requesting general biographical and biometric information) and sets out the conditions for the right to naturalization.

• Candidates who have one of their parents as a Bhutanese citizen must be at least 15 years old and have lived in Bhutan for at least 15 years, as indicated in the census register.
• Candidates who are not Bhutanese citizens must be at least 21 years of age and have lived in Bhutan for at least 20 years, as indicated in the census register.
• Civil servants must show a 15-year residence period.

• All applicants must demonstrate:
  • prudence;
  • ability to speak, read and write correctly dzongha;
  • good knowledge of Bhutan's culture, customs, traditions and history;
  • good moral qualities without a criminal record in Bhutan or elsewhere;
  • they must not have any evidence to speak out or act in any way against the King, Country or people of Bhutan;
  • willingness to take a solemn oath of allegiance to the King, Country and people of Bhutan.
  
  
  After the applicant submits the questionnaire, the Ministry of the Interior conducts written and oral tests to assess applicants' level of knowledge of the dzongha language and knowledge of Bhutan's culture, customs, traditions and history. 
  
  
  The decision of the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the right to naturalization is described as “final and binding”. The government also reserves the right to reject any application for naturalization without giving reasons.
  
  
  If the applicant receives a positive assessment, they take the oath of Allegiance as the last step in completing the naturalization process.
  
  
  Deprivation of citizenship
  • If Bhutanese citizens acquire foreign citizenship, they cease to be Bhutanese citizens. The spouses and children of such persons, if they are Bhutanese citizens, have the right to remain citizens, provided that they are permanently residing in Bhutan and are registered annually in the citizenship register maintained by the Ministry of the Interior.
  • The government may revoke the citizenship of naturalized Bhutanese citizens if it finds that naturalization was obtained through fraud, false representation or concealment of any significant fact. 
  • The government may revoke the nationality of naturalized Bhutanese citizens if it finds that the person, by Act or language, has shown any disloyalty to the King, Country or people of Bhutan.
  • Children of two parents who are Bhutanese citizens may lose their citizenship if their names are also not registered in the citizenship register maintained by the Ministry of the Interior, if they left Bhutan voluntarily and without the government's knowledge.
  
  
  Important! Citizens who have been stripped of their Bhutanese citizenship by the government must dispose of all real estate in Bhutan within one year, and if they do not, the property will be confiscated by the Ministry of the Interior for fair and reasonable compensation.