Dharma RoadsVisas and permits for Buddhist pilgrimage countries
Entry rules for 18 countries including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Thailand, with official links.
General guidance as of October 2026, not legal advice. Rules depend on your passport — see our separate guide for Bangladeshi passport holders. →
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| Country | Usual entry for tourists | Notes | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| IndiaMahabodhi Temple, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Nalanda and Rajgir, Great Stupa, Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Hemis and Thiksey, Tawang Monastery | e-Visa for most nationalities. Apply online at least 4 days before arrival. | The 30-day e-Tourist visa allows two entries; get a 1-year multiple-entry visa if you will go in and out via Nepal more than once. Protected Area Permits for parts of Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Bangladeshi citizens apply through IVAC centres, not the e-Visa; issuance has been limited since 2024, so check the current status. | indianvisaonline.gov.in ↗ |
| NepalLumbini, Boudhanath and Swayambhu | Visa on arrival at Kathmandu airport and main land borders: US$30 / $50 / $125 for 15 / 30 / 90 days. | Fill in the online arrival form before you land. Indian citizens need no visa. SAARC citizens, including Bangladeshis, get a free visa for up to 30 days on their first visit in a year. | immigration.gov.np ↗ |
| BangladeshSomapura Mahavihara, Shalban Vihara, Mainamati, Ramu Buddhist Temples, Buddha Dhatu Jadi, Mahasthangarh, Bhasu Vihara, Jagaddala Mahavihara, Sitakot Vihara | Visa on arrival for many nationalities at Dhaka and other international airports; others apply through an embassy or the online visa portal. | Bangladeshi citizens need nothing. Foreigners visiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bandarban) should check current entry rules and register at checkpoints. | visa.gov.bd ↗ |
| Sri LankaAnuradhapura, Temple of the Tooth, Dambulla Cave Temple | Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travel. | Some nationalities have been granted free ETAs in recent years; check your fee. Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. | eta.gov.lk ↗ |
| MyanmarShwedagon Pagoda, Bagan | Tourist eVisa. | Ongoing armed conflict. Many governments advise against all or most travel. Large areas are closed to foreigners. | evisa.moip.gov.mm ↗ |
| ThailandWat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew, Ayutthaya, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep | Visa exemption for many nationalities; stay length depends on passport. Others use the e-Visa. | Every arrival must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) online within 3 days before entry. | thaievisa.go.th ↗ |
| CambodiaAngkor | e-Visa online or visa on arrival for most nationalities. | Complete the Cambodia e-Arrival card before landing. Angkor needs a separate temple pass. | evisa.gov.kh ↗ |
| LaosLuang Prabang | e-Visa or visa on arrival at international airports and main borders. Some ASEAN passports are exempt. | The Laos–China railway links Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Kunming; carry your passport for every ticket. | laoevisa.gov.la ↗ |
| IndonesiaBorobudur | e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA), best bought online before departure. | Fill in the All Indonesia arrival declaration online. Borobudur upper-terrace climbs need a separate ticket. | evisa.imigrasi.go.id ↗ |
| BhutanParo Taktsang | Tourist visa applied for online, usually through a licensed tour operator or hotel. | Sustainable Development Fee of US$100 per adult per night (Indian nationals pay ₹1,200). A licensed guide is required outside Thimphu and Paro. | visit.doi.gov.bt ↗ |
| ChinaPotala Palace and Jokhang, Mogao Caves, Leshan Giant Buddha | Visa-free entry for a growing list of nationalities, plus 240-hour visa-free transit. Others need a tourist (L) visa. | Tibet requires a Tibet Travel Permit and a pre-booked guided tour through a licensed agency. Independent travel in Tibet is not allowed for foreigners. | visaforchina.cn ↗ |
| South KoreaBulguksa and Seokguram | Visa-free for many nationalities with a K-ETA, or a visa for others. | Some countries have been temporarily exempted from the K-ETA; check whether yours is. Templestay bookings are made on the official Templestay site. | k-eta.go.kr ↗ |
| JapanTodai-ji, Koyasan | Visa exemption for about 70 countries, usually up to 90 days. | Register on Visit Japan Web for faster immigration and customs. Shukubo temple lodgings at Koyasan book out in autumn. | mofa.go.jp ↗ |
| MongoliaErdene Zuu Monastery | Visa-free for many nationalities, or e-Visa. | Distances are long and roads rough; most visitors hire a driver and guide. | evisa.mn ↗ |
| PakistanTakht-i-Bahi | Online e-Visa for most nationalities. | Check your government's travel advice for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa before visiting Gandharan sites. | visa.nadra.gov.pk ↗ |
| FrancePlum Village | Schengen rules: many nationalities visa-free for 90 days in any 180. | The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) registers fingerprints at the border. ETIAS pre-travel authorisation is planned to start in late 2026. | travel-europe.europa.eu ↗ |
| United KingdomKagyu Samye Ling | Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for visa-exempt nationalities, or a visa. | The UK ETA covers multiple visits over two years. | gov.uk ↗ |
| United StatesHsi Lai Temple | ESTA for Visa Waiver Program countries, otherwise a B-2 visitor visa. | Apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before travel. | esta.cbp.dhs.gov ↗ |
Last updated: 2026-10-17