Bhutan Faces Potential U.S. Travel Restrictions Amid Scrutiny of Immigration Practices

The serene Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, renowned for its unique cultural identity, deeply rooted Buddhist traditions, and innovative approach to measuring national well-being through the Gross National Happiness index, finds itself unexpectedly caught in the crosshairs of U.S. immigration policy. A draft list circulating within the Trump administration suggests that Bhutan could be among dozens of countries facing new travel restrictions or heightened scrutiny for its citizens seeking entry into the United States.

This potential shift marks a significant departure for the nation, which has historically maintained a relatively low profile on the international stage. Until recently, Bhutan remained largely isolated, nestled in the mountains between China and India, its borders closed to the outside world. The country only began opening its doors to tourism in the 1970s, and television was not introduced until 1999.

According to the draft memo, which was reviewed by The New York Times and Reuters news agency, Bhutan could be categorized into one of three tiers: a "red" list nation, facing a complete ban on its citizens entering the U.S., similar to countries like Iran and North Korea; an "orange" list nation, where travel is restricted but not entirely prohibited; or a "yellow" list country, which would be given a 60-day window to address concerns about its perceived immigration-related deficiencies.

The rationale behind Bhutan’s potential inclusion on this list remains unclear, though several factors appear to be under consideration. President Trump’s executive order mandated the State Department to identify countries with deficient vetting and screening processes that could warrant a partial or full suspension of entry for their nationals. Trump cited the need to protect American citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten national security, espouse hateful ideologies, or exploit immigration laws for malevolent purposes.

Despite its relatively small population of fewer than 800,000 people and its reputation as a peaceful and environmentally conscious nation, Bhutan faces certain challenges that may have contributed to the U.S. government’s concerns.

One factor is the issue of visa overstays. While the total number of travelers from Bhutan to the U.S. is relatively low, data from the Department of Homeland Security’s 2023 "Entry/Exit Overstay Report" reveals a high overstay rate among Bhutanese nationals who entered the U.S. as students, exchange visitors, or on business or tourist visas. The report indicates that over 26% of Bhutanese students and exchange visitors remained in the U.S. beyond their authorized period in 2023, while the overstay figure for business and tourist travelers was 12.7%. These figures stand in stark contrast to the average overstay rates for similar visitors from the United Kingdom, which were 1% and 0.4%, respectively.

Another contributing factor may be related to past instances of immigration fraud. The Bhutanese, a news website, suggests that the country’s inclusion on the travel ban list could be linked to a series of immigration fraud scandals. One such incident involved Nepalese nationals falsely posing as Bhutanese refugees in an attempt to gain entry into the U.S. Additionally, a 2010 WikiLeaks cable revealed a case in which a group claiming to be cultural performers from Bhutan was discovered to be a front for illegal immigration into the U.S. The group initially told the U.S. Embassy that their purpose of travel was to perform as members of a Buddhist folk music and dance troupe at several U.S. venues, however some members admitted they were intending to travel to the U.S. to work illegally and hoped to bring others with them.

Bhutan’s history of ethnic tensions and refugee flows may also be playing a role. In the 1990s, a conflict between the country’s Buddhist majority and its Hindu minority, primarily of Nepalese origin, led to the displacement of around 100,000 Bhutanese Hindus, who sought refuge in camps in Nepal. After living in these camps for approximately 20 years, many were resettled in Western countries, including the United States, with around 65,000 moving to the U.S., chiefly to the East Coast, western Pennsylvania, and Ohio.

Bhutan also faces a high youth unemployment rate, which reached 19% in 2024, according to the World Bank. This may be a factor driving many Bhutanese to seek work and study opportunities overseas, with Australia emerging as a popular destination.

The potential travel restrictions have sparked concern and confusion among Bhutanese officials and the diaspora. Bhutan’s ministry of foreign affairs and external trade has not yet commented on the situation, but according to Kuensel, a Bhutanese media outlet, the nation’s officials have formally requested a review of the listing, insisting that Bhutanese citizens do not pose a significant security threat to the U.S.

Karma Loday, a blogger and former Bhutanese politician, expressed his dismay in an open letter to President Trump on his Facebook page, stating that he felt it was "unfair" to have his "beloved country enlisted with some of the countries with terrorism history." He also suggested that Bhutan had been placed on the list as a result of having its reputation "smeared using false narratives" by members of Bhutan’s diaspora.

Sudarshan Pyakurel, the executive director of the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio, stated, "We may not have the answer to why Bhutan is on the list. We strongly believe that the White House should engage with Bhutan to establish diplomatic and bilateral relations rather than resorting to a one-sided travel ban."

As Bhutan awaits further clarification from the U.S. government, the prospect of travel restrictions has raised concerns about the potential impact on cultural exchange, economic ties, and the personal lives of Bhutanese citizens. The situation underscores the complex interplay between national security concerns and the challenges of balancing border control with the promotion of international cooperation and understanding.