Bhutan work permit extension and visa renewal

I always try to avoid getting involved with any bureaucratic transaction in any countries especially in Asia. However when the time has come and thing is unavoidable, my work permit and visa is soon to expire.
As you may tried to find any information about the renewal. You might have read Bhutan Observer story about expat teachers had their hard time getting their documents done. I faced the same problems. I try not to blame any of my colleagues or principal (so who to blame then?) and try to finish this myself. I am going to describe this stupid, ineffective procedure for anyone who is going to do the same.

This procedure is apply to those who already has the work permit (with or without visa) and is going to expire. Keep in mind that the requirements may change time to time, even officer to officer. You may find out that my procedure is not correct anymore or faced that another documents or forms are requested. Just accept it or leave!

First, when your work permit is going to expire, let say 2 months to 15 days before expiry. You have to lodge the work permit extension through LabourNET system via internet. I repeated “15 days before expiry”, you must done this or you will face a hefty fine (3000 nu.) and extremely stupid procedure that you can imagine.
So what is LabourNET system? It is an online application center for work permit application. You have to talk with your employer and find the one who has done the work permit for you at the first time. This guy should have a username and password. What if this guy is exist no more?? quit, transfer, leave for medical?? doom to hell, my guy went to Australia for education for a year. Fortunately he left the username and password with my principle so thing is not look so bad. If you are not lucky like me, then ask your boss and keep reminding him until you found the solution or face your poor fate.

After your employer lodge the application through the LabourNET system, MoLHR will call them and ask so many questions until they satisfied. If you are the lucky one, your application will get approved. Print that approval screen out and bring to the immigration office. You may note that work permit extension fee is double each year, so you have to pay 200nu. for the first year and 400nu. the 800nu. respectively. No extension can be done for more than 3 years except Indian teachers with the contract, all have to leave the country for at least 6 months (so the longest work here is 3 years, will you stand?).

If you living in Thimphu or nearby, it is easy for you to go to the immigration office. yeah! that match box size office with a counters that keep sending you back and forth and busy for a half day. If you are working in such a far away place like me (Trashigang) you may or may not want to visit Thimphu for a while. The extension can be done by anyone provide all the documents they need and fee. However in my case I feel that there should be some hidden forms that may need my signature so I am off for Thimphu. And yes, if you ask someone to do it for you, and your documents are not in place then pain in the ass (or if your signature is quite easy, just ask your guy to sign it).

Exactly as I worried, when I hand over the documents to the lady at work permit counter, then she just hand me another 2 forms to complete and ask for the photo copy of my old work permit. Damn hell to them, I have to rush back to my department and wait for another half day, until the director came back and sign that form. I attached that 2 forms, one for your employer and one for you to sign and affix the legal stamp at the end of the page. If you ask someone to do this for you, be sure to complete these 2 forms and attach the photo copy of your old work permit.

When everything done, I went to the office again and the lady look satisfied. The new work permit is issued (no photo required) and the fee of 400nu. paid. Then I just went to visa counter for visa extension. Here, everything quite easy and without any form. Fee for extension up to 1 year is 1020nu. (510nu. for shorter period). Do not forget to ask for reentry permit if you want to go outside the country (I got triple entries for 1 year extension).

This bureaucratic transaction is done finally in a day, but it will even faster if you have every documents in hand. But keep in mind that new requirement can pop out anytime. Have a good luck and happy stay in this country.

TIPS: bring some doma (yea! that red stinky nut and leave) and hand over to the officer will increase the effectiveness. This is considered generous not a bribe.

Forms that need (or may not) for work permit extension:
annex1
annex2

Also you might want to read all the regulations