Bhutan Launches Digital Nomad Residence Programme Through Gelephu Mindfulness City

Thimphu, Timphu Jan 22, 2026 (EMWNews.com) – The Royal Government of Bhutan has announced the launch of a Digital Nomad Residence Programme, marking the country’s entry into the global digital nomad landscape and introducing a structured legal residence pathway for remote professionals and location-independent entrepreneurs.

The programme is implemented through Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), a special administrative region focused on sustainable and innovation-led development, in partnership with NomadClub, and under the oversight of the Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority.

The Digital Nomad Residence Programme provides eligible foreign professionals with a 12-month renewable residence permit, extendable up to 24 months, allowing participants to reside and travel throughout the Kingdom of Bhutan while conducting location-independent economic activity.

Key features of the programme include nationwide freedom of residence, a structured onboarding framework, and a selective admission model based on professional profile rather than a fixed minimum income threshold.

Participation in the programme requires an annual fee of USD 2,800 and the maintenance of a minimum balance equivalent to USD 10,000 within the GMC financial system. The programme operates within a defined regulatory and financial framework that includes local banking participation.

From a policy and development perspective, the initiative forms part of Bhutan’s broader strategy to attract international human capital aligned with innovation, technology, finance, and sustainable development, while maintaining regulatory clarity and sovereign oversight.

Gelephu Mindfulness City is envisioned as a future-oriented economic and innovation hub and serves as a central platform for responsible long-term growth, international collaboration, and cross-border exchange of knowledge and capital.

Official programme information is available at:

Digitalgmc

About Gelephu Mindfulness City

Gelephu Mindfulness City is a national development initiative established to integrate sustainability, innovation, finance, and mindful living into a future-ready urban and economic framework. The project is positioned as a long-term platform for responsible development within the Kingdom of Bhutan.

About NomadClub

NomadClub is an international mobility and residency solutions provider, partnering with government-authorized programmes to facilitate lawful residence for global professionals and entrepreneurs.