The Gelephu Mindfulness City Authority (GMCA) has launched a sandbox Digital Nomad Visa program in partnership with Nomad Club, welcoming remote workers, entrepreneurs, and professionals to live and work in Gelephu Mindfulness City, Bhutan.
GMC is a Special Administrative Region of the Kingdom of Bhutan, established under Royal Charter No. 1 of 2024, with full executive and legislative powers, an independent judiciary and its own body of laws enacted in English. The program offers a distinct approach compared to traditional digital nomad schemes, combining residency with active participation in Gelephu Mindfulness City’s long-term vision of mindful and sustainable development.
The visa grants 12 months of residency at GMC, renewable for another year, with opportunity to travel throughout Bhutan.* The program fee is $2,800 annually, and there's no minimum income requirement or mandatory stay period. What sets this apart is the requirement to deposit $10,000 in TER tokens through DK Bank, the first GMC-licensed bank, under a gold-backed digital asset system developed as part of GMC's economic framework. This deposit is refundable when participants leave the program.
Gelephu Mindfulness City is Bhutan's plan for a hub that balances traditional values with modern innovation, built around eight priority industries and a common law legal framework under the Application of Laws Act 2024. The project builds infrastructure that integrates wellness, sustainability, and technology while maintaining the kingdom's commitment to Gross National Happiness; Gelephu International Airport received its first international flight in December 2025. The digital nomad program is part of this larger vision, bringing global talent into contact with Bhutan's unique approach to development.
The TER token requirement reflects GMC's approach to digital assets, regulated by the Gelephu Financial Services Office under the Financial Services Act 2025. These tokens represent fractional ownership of physical gold, are issued by the GMC Authority, and are distributed exclusively through DK Bank. The system emphasises stability and tangible assets over speculative growth. Participants should understand the mechanics of converting their deposit to tokens and the process for eventual withdrawal.
For those drawn to Bhutan's philosophy and landscape, this program offers extended access to a country that has traditionally limited tourism through its Sustainable Development Fee structure. That daily fee does not apply to residence within GMC, making longer stays feasible; it remains payable for travel to the rest of Bhutan, as noted below. Participants gain the ability to live and work at the foot of the Himalayas while experiencing Bhutanese culture beyond the typical tourist path.
The program is a "sandbox" initiative: a first-phase scheme testing new models for residency and work alongside the work passes issued under the Employment of Foreign Workforce Act 2025. Gelephu Mindfulness City is under construction in phases, so participants join a city that is being built around them rather than an established destination.
Digital Bhutan by Nomad Club handles the application process, community building, and support for participants.
The $10,000 deposit is significant, and anyone considering the program should view it as capital committed to this specific ecosystem for the duration of their stay.
While it's refundable in principle, understanding the timeline and process for getting that money back matters. The same applies to the TER token system, knowing how liquid these assets are and what converting back to regular currency involves is essential.
This program will appeal to people already interested in Bhutan's development model and willing to be early participants in an experimental project. It offers something different from living in Bali, Portugal, or Dubai, the chance to be part of a small nation's deliberate attempt to chart its own path in attracting global talent while preserving its values.
Applications are open, and the program admitted its first cohort in 2026. For those who align with Bhutan's vision and have the financial flexibility to commit, it is an opportunity to experience the kingdom in a way that was not previously available.
For any clarification, contact Basnet Law Pte. Ltd. at office@basnetgmc.com
* Please note that holding this visa does not automatically grant permission to travel throughout Bhutan. Under Bhutan’s immigration law, you are required to pay a Sustainable Development Fee (SDF) of USD 100 per day to visit places outside Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC).
Picture Courtesy: GMC Bhutan
