U.S. Shocks by Adding Bhutan to Draft Red List
Bhutan’s unexpected placement on the U.S. “Red List” for a proposed 2025 travel ban has left many puzzled, given its tranquil reputation. As of March 26, 2025, the list remains unconfirmed, but sources like The New York Times and Reuters highlight a 37% surge in Bhutanese visa overstays—112 of 295 visitors in 2022 and 72 of 371 in 2023—as a key driver. Though small in absolute terms, this overstay rate, exceeding 10%, has flagged Bhutan for “irregular migration patterns.” A 2023 immigration scam in Nepal, where Nepalese posed as Bhutanese refugees to enter the U.S., may have further fueled doubts about Bhutan’s passport controls, despite no direct fault on Bhutan’s part.
The U.S. has vaguely cited “national security concerns,” but no evidence ties Bhutan—a serene, Buddhist-majority nation of under 800,000—to any threats, unlike typical Red List countries like Iran. Bhutan’s location between India and China adds intrigue, though it’s unclear if geopolitics play a role. Reports suggest the list is under review, with Reuters hinting that Bhutan might shift to the “Yellow List” for lighter restrictions. Bhutan’s government insists its citizens pose no risk and has sought reconsideration, leaving the final decision—pending approval from Secretary of State Marco Rubio—up in the air.
