Why Bhutan May Make Trump’s Travel Ban List 

As the Trump administration considers imposing travel restrictions on dozens of countries, potentially implementing a full ban on up to 11 nations, one name on the potential list has raised eyebrows: Bhutan.

This small Himalayan kingdom, home to fewer than 800,000 people, actively prioritizes Gross National Happiness (GNH) and a maintains peaceful foreign policy.

Bhutan has maintained a low-profile global presence, and rarely faced security threats. So dedicated is it to preserve its unique Buddhist culture that Bhutan only welcomed foreign tourists in the 1970s and introduced television broadcasts as late as 1998.

Yet, Bhutan’s inclusion in the proposed U.S. travel ban, according to reports in the New York Times and Reuters, has  left many wondering why this famously peaceful nation has been singled out.

EduYoung Happyness, an educational consultancy, addressed concerns on social media, clarifying that Bhutan’s inclusion is still under review and not finalized. The company further emphasized that the proposed restriction applies only to the U.S. and does not impact travel or immigration to countries like Australia or New Zealand. “We urge everyone to stay calm and wait for official updates from the concerned authorities before making any assumptions or decisions,” the post said.

Where is Bhutan?

Bhutan is a small, landlocked country in South Asia, nestled between India and China with a GDP per capita of $3711. It transitioned to a constitutional monarchy in 2007 and follows a unique development philosophy centered around Gross National Happiness. Unlike its powerful neighbors, Bhutan has prioritized sustainability, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation over rapid industrialization.

However, Bhutan faces economic challenges, with a growing number of young citizens seeking opportunities abroad.

Why Could the U.S. Impose a Travel Ban on Bhutan?

Despite its reputation for happiness and sustainability, Bhutan’s increasing migration rates have drawn U.S. scrutiny. Although the number of visitors from Bhutan is relatively small, the Department of Homeland Security’s fiscal 2023 report shows that the overstay rate for Bhutanese students and exchange visitors stood at 26.6%. This suggests that over a quarter of Bhutanese students and exchange visitors remained in the U.S. beyond their authorized period.

Meanwhile, 12.7% of Bhutanese nationals who entered the U.S. on business or tourist visas overstayed, highlighting a broader issue of visa compliance.

According to The Bhutanese, a news portal from Bhutan, the country's inclusion in the travel ban is linked to an immigration fraud in Nepal in 2023, where Nepalese nationals falsely posed as Bhutanese refugees to gain entry into the U.S. The scandal, it said, has cast suspicion on Bhutanese migration patterns.

Bhutan’s Economic and Social Context

Bhutan’s economy is largely dependent on hydropower and tourism, both of which have faced setbacks in recent years. Having first introduced a $65 per night sustainable development fee for visitors in 1991, Bhutanese officials increased it in 2022 to $200. This has now been reduced to $100. In 2024, Bhutan brought in 145,065 tourists, less than half of its 2019 high of 315,000. 

Curated by Jade Wilson

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Several key factors are contributing to rising emigration:

• Youth Unemployment: Standing at 19% in 2024, Bhutan’s high youth unemployment rate is pushing many to seek work and study opportunities abroad.
• Tourism Decline: The sector has struggled to recover post-pandemic, reducing a crucial source of revenue.
• Economic Dependence on India: Bhutan’s trade and financial ties with India are strong, but limited economic diversification has made job creation difficult.
• Soaring Migration to Australia: In 2023 alone, 1.5% of Bhutan’s population moved to Australia for work or education. Australia is now the top study destination for Bhutanese youth, according to a survey by the Observer Research Foundation. Australian news, culture, entertainment, and apps are becoming popular.
• Growing Interest in the U.S.: Bhutanese students and professionals have also shown increasing interest in migrating to the U.S., the survey by Observer Research Foundation said.

What is Gross National Happiness?

Since its transition to a constitutional monarchy, Bhutan has measured national progress using Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of traditional economic indicators like GDP.

At its core, the GNH Index is a multi-dimensional poverty index that assesses well-being across nine key domains:

1. Living Standards – Financial security and access to basic needs.
2. Health – Physical and mental well-being.
3. Education – Literacy rates and quality of learning.
4. Environment – Conservation and sustainability efforts.
5. Community Vitality – Social support and relationships.
6. Time Use – Work-life balance and leisure time.
7. Psychological Well-being – Emotional health and life satisfaction.
8. Good Governance – Trust in leadership and public services.
9. Cultural Diversity and Resilience – Preservation of Bhutanese traditions.

Each domain includes 33 specific indicators, which are used to calculate an overall GNH Index score. Bhutan’s GNH Index has increased from 0.743 in 2010 to 0.781 in 2022, reflecting improvements in national well-being.

Vajrayana Buddhism, Bhutan’s state religion, deeply influences many principles of GNH, emphasizing mindfulness, compassion, and balance. However, experts continue to debate the exact criteria and measurements of GNH, particularly regarding how to define happiness, which indicators to include, and how to measure success.