Transferring money to Bhutan from anywhere in the world is a straightforward process, but it requires you to follow specific instructions depending on your location and preferred method.
This guide covers three options: Wise (our recommended choice for most travellers), international bank wire transfer (with full correspondent bank details for the US, UK, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Thailand, India, Australia, Canada, and all of Europe), and credit or debit card.
Wise vs Wire Transfer vs Card — Quick Comparison
Option 1 — Pay via Wise (Lowest Fees)
Transfer via Wise.com
Wise (formerly TransferWise) is the easiest and most cost-effective way to send money to Bhutan from most countries. It uses the real mid-market exchange rate with a small transparent fee — typically far less than a traditional bank wire.
- Create a free account at wise.com (takes under 5 minutes).
- Click "Send money" and enter the amount in USD (all Bhutan tour payments are made in USD).
- Add a new recipient. When asked for the transfer type, select SWIFT — not ACH or Fedwire, which are US domestic only.
- Enter the beneficiary bank details below (your tour operator will provide their account number and account name).
- Pay Wise from your bank account or debit card. Confirm the transfer.
- Email your service provider a copy of the Wise transfer confirmation so they can track it.
Tip: When Wise asks for the "transfer type" or "routing method," always choose SWIFT. Do not choose ACH or Fedwire — those only work for US domestic transfers and will not reach Bhutan.
International Bank Wire Transfer
Recipient Bank Details
Bhutan National Bank (BNB)
Regardless of where you are sending money from, the beneficiary bank details remain the same — only the Account Number and Account Holder Name will differ per service provider.
Note: Bhutan National Bank (BNB) does not charge fees for receiving wire transfers. However, your sending bank may apply transfer fees — check with them before initiating the transfer.
Correspondent Banks by Region for Wire Transfer to Bhutan
If you are transferring money to BNB from any country outside Bhutan and India, you will need to route the transaction through one of BNB's correspondent banks. Select your region below.
Wire Transfer from United States to Bhutan
Wire Transfer from United Kingdom to Bhutan
Note: Do not use the Faster Payment System (FPS) for this transaction.
Wire Transfer from Singapore to Bhutan
Wire Transfer from Japan to Bhutan
Wire Transfer from Germany to Bhutan
Note: Do not use SEPA Credit Transfer for this transaction.
Wire Transfer from Thailand to Bhutan
Wire Transfer from India to Bhutan
Wire Transfer from Australia to Bhutan
BNB's official remittance form confirms Australian Dollar (AUD) transfers route through Standard Chartered Singapore. When filling in the transfer form, instruct your Australian bank to route via SWIFT to SCBLSG22XXX, quoting BNB's AUD account number 0105461105 at the correspondent. The final beneficiary bank remains Bhutan National Bank (BNBTBTBT).
Wire Transfer from Canada to Bhutan
BNB does not have a dedicated CAD (Canadian Dollar) correspondent bank. Canadian transfers must be made in USD, routed via Standard Chartered New York — the same correspondent used for US senders. Your Canadian bank will convert CAD to USD before sending. We strongly recommend using Wise instead, as it handles the CAD→USD conversion at a far better rate than most Canadian banks charge for international wires. Canadian travellers have reported difficulty with some Canadian banks (e.g. Bank of Montreal) not recognising BNB directly — Wise bypasses this entirely.
Wire Transfer from Europe to Bhutan (EUR)
Do not use SEPA Credit Transfer — SEPA is a eurozone domestic rail and cannot reach Bhutan. You must initiate a SWIFT international wire transfer in EUR via Standard Chartered Frankfurt (SCBLDEFX). This applies to senders in France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, and all other European countries. The Germany section above covers EUR from anywhere in Europe — not just Germany.
Card Payments
Credit & Debit Card Payments
For added convenience, we also accept payments via credit or debit cards. This option is ideal for those who prefer a quick and hassle-free way to transfer funds. However, please note that a merchant processing fee of 4.99% of the total amount (as of February 2025 — subject to change) will be applied for card transactions.
When using your credit or debit card, ensure that your card is enabled for international transactions and that you have sufficient funds or credit limit to cover the transfer amount and the processing fee. This method is secure, fast, and allows you to complete your payment from the comfort of your home or office.
To process payments using a card, please request your service provider to share the payment link for credit card transactions. Once received, the payment link will display the precise amount due, including all applicable fees. We strongly advise you to carefully review the amount before proceeding to ensure accuracy and avoid any overpayments.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.
