Arya News - A draft list circulating on social media and international news outlets suggests that Bhutan could face an entry ban or visa restrictions to the United States.
THIMPHU – A draft list circulating on social media and international news outlets suggests that Bhutan could face an entry ban or visa restrictions to the United States (US).
Top government officials told Kuensel that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade has formally requested a review of the decision, asserting that Bhutanese citizens do not pose a significant security threat to the US.
Sources said that American officials have acknowledged these concerns but maintain that the decision is based solely on statistical trends and enforcement priorities.
The list, which surfaced online on March 15, categorises 41 countries into three risk levels—Red, Orange, and Yellow.
According to The New York Times, Bhutan appears on a draft ‘Red List’ of 11 countries facing a complete travel ban to the US. The list also includes Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Meanwhile, a Reuters report places Bhutan on a draft “Yellow List” of 25 countries recommended for partial visa suspensions if they fail to address the US concerns. Bhutan shares this designation with Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Belarus, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, East Timor, Turkmenistan, and Vanuatu.
While the list has not been officially approved by the Trump Administration, it has sparked heated debate over its potential impact on US-Bhutan relations, travel restrictions, and Bhutanese nationals living in the US.
A key concern for US authorities appears to be a sharp increase in Bhutanese nationals overstaying their visas.
Sources told Kuensel that there has been a rise in Bhutanese tourists and students remaining in the country beyond their visa limits. However, exact figures remain unavailable.
The New York Times in its recent article mentioned that US President, Donald J. Trump following his joining the office on January 20, issued an executive order requiring the State Department to identify countries “for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries”.
Within 60-days, which is due next week, the department has to prepare a full report and present it to the White House for endorsement.
As per the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the US witnessed a 37 percent rise in Bhutanese visa violations in the past year, prompting stricter measures. The US government has also cited “national security concerns” and “irregular migration patterns” as the primary reasons for adding Bhutan to the travel ban list.
According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) annual report for 2024, between 2021 and 2024, 51 Bhutanese were arrested and detained for immigration violations.
In addition, many Bhutanese who were previously in Australia and Europe have allegedly travelled to the US after completing their stays in those countries.
There are also concerns about Bhutanese nationals illegally crossing into the US via Canada and Mexico. Over 300 Bhutanese were caught attempting illegal entry in 2023, with five individuals recently detained.
Statistics from the DHS indicate that between 2013 and 2022, approximately 200 Bhutanese were recorded as illegally residing in the U.S.
If implemented, the travel restrictions would pose significant challenges for Bhutanese citizens planning to visit the US for business, education, or tourism. Increased scrutiny, longer visa processing times, and higher rejection rates are expected.
While there are no formal orders on deporting Bhutanese immigrants, there are chances of deporting them back in the country. Additionally, Bhutanese nationals currently in the US on temporary visas might face additional checks, making visa renewals more difficult.
Diplomatic relations between Bhutan and the US have traditionally been stable, but this potential travel ban could strain ties.