Bhutan
Beyond
Boundaries

A global, volunteer led network that supports, connects, and empowers Bhutanese living abroad. We make the journey overseas meaningful, and facilitate connection with Bhutan, and friends of Bhutan.

Building Bridges for a Brighter Tomorrow

We commit to facilitate meaningful connections with fellow Bhutanese, and friends of Bhutan to make your journey smooth with clarity. We work towards keeping you informed about recent developments including things back in Bhutan. Whether you are preparing to leave, settling in, or already well established, this is your community.

About Us

The world is fast globalising, and economies are integrating. Today, 9 percent of Bhutan’s population is outside Bhutan. It is growing! In Australia alone, the Bhutanese population doubled between 2020 and 2024.

Most of the migrants are young and educated. Over half hold university degrees. A large number previously worked in public service, especially in education and health. This shift affects both individuals and the country.

At the same time, many Bhutanese abroad face professional downgrading and policy uncertainty in destination countries. Bhutan has launched programmes such as REVIVE under the National Reintegration Programme. Yet there is no one nimble community mechanism to engage Bhutanese overseas. Bhutan Beyond Boundaries is built to empower non-resident Bhutanese, and forge pathways to participating in Bhutan’s 10X economy.

To friends of Bhutan, we bring Bhutan closer to you!
TEAM Picture

Our Goal

Support

A clear, reliable, and accessible information hub for those in the gateway phase, especially before departure. A resource pool for informed guidance on everyday lives and career opportunities in destination countries.

Connect

A resilient and vibrant community built on friendships and professional relationships through social engagements and networking events. A vibrant community network for people-to-people relations with friends of Bhutan.

Empower

A pathway for Bhutanese to promote Bhutanese through mentoring, skills sharing, and participating in Bhutan’s journey. A bridge for inward investment of knowledge, experience, and networks.

77 Bhutanese | 27 Friends of Bhutan
As of 28 February 2026

Community

Our network brings together two interconnected communities:

Explorers and Learners
Bhutanese at all stages of their journey abroad
  1. Prospective residents
  2. New residents
  3. Established members seeking connection.

Supporters and Collaborators
  1. Well settled Bhutanese
  2. Friends of Bhutan, including spouses, partners, professionals
The structure facilitates experience, goodwill, and insider knowledge to flow across the communities.

Chapters

Membership for Bhutanese is based on chapters. 

The United Kingdom

Support

What should I know about the cost of living?

As you plan to come to the UK, research the cost of living including the rental, utilities, daily living costs, commute (public transport), council tax, and availability and nature and type of works available, in the specific area you plan to live, besides university tuition fee (for self-financed students). You may research online or ask someone in the UK. The UK, particularly cities like London, can have a high cost of living compared to many other locations. Students are exempt from Council Tax.

Prior to your move, for self-financed students, consider initial expenses such as the University fee, visa fees, Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), air fare, and initial accommodation.
Visa applications depend on the type of visa you need. Student visa fee is £524. Each dependent (children or partners) application will have their own costs. Check if you need a UK visa and other work visas. Unless exempted, most visa applicants must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which grants access to National Health Service (NHS) healthcare. The fee is currently £1,035 per person, per year.
Flights vary by location, season and luggage options.. It’s worth checking flight comparison sites like Skyscanner to check for cheaper options. More budget-friendly accommodation, like a hostel, or airbnb are recommended for short-term stay. For a long-term tenancy, you would typically need the first month’s rent plus a deposit (equalling about 5 weeks of rent), and a UK guarantor.
The overall costs of moving to the UK can vary depending on your purpose of visit and whether you have an employer sponsorship or a scholarship. Places such as London are very expensive, particularly housing and accommodation.

You can find accommodation and pricings on websites like Zoopla or Rightmove or on social media groups. Documents needed will vary based on the accommodation. Exercise caution before paying any deposit upfront without first verifying the legitimacy of the accommodation and the landlord or agent. If you happen to know someone in the UK, request to view the property for you.
As you start settling in, open a bank account. You can either open in traditional banks such as Barclays, HSBC, or digital banks such as Monzo, Revolut. You need a UK address and proof of identity. One can apply online, and it does not take long. If utilities are not included in the rent, check gas and electricity, and water providers and get it set up. And register for GP (General Practitioner). Check for the nearest GP from your place of residence. If you would like to look for work, apply for a National Insurance number. A National Insurance number is your personal account number for tax and social security. You can apply for one after you arrive in the UK if you have the right to work. For groceries, popular stores include ALDI, TESCO, LiDL, Sansbury’s. Look out for discount cards and coupons.
Follow online job portals such as Indeed, Reed, Charity Jobs, LinkedIn as well as recruitment agencies and attend networking events. Research the job market in your industry, tailor your CV (resume) to meet UK standards, and customize your cover letter for each application.
The nearest embassy is the Royal Bhutanese Embassy, Brussels, Belgium. The Ambassador is HE Aum Tshoki Choden (tchoden@mfa.gov.bt) and most student matters are handled by Sangay Needup (sneedup@mfa.gov.bt). There is an Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Bhutan to the UK who lives near London (andrewsutton001@aol.com). While he has no staff, he may be able to help with advice and is someone to contact if you are in difficulties.

There is a friendship society called the Bhutan Society of the UK, a membership association whose aims are to foster good relations between Bhutan and the UK (www.bhutansociety.org). The Society is independent of the Bhutanese government but maintains friendly links with Brussels and Thimphu. Honorary membership is offered to Bhutanese students. Contact the chairman, Deborah Keith (deborah@scottsteedman.com) or the membership secretary, Marion Young (membership@bhtansociety.org). One will get to meet Bhutanese student members and friends of Bhutan by attending their events. One needs to register as a member to attend its events and get updates about its calendar of events.

And one way to reach more Bhutanese is by becoming a member of the Bhutan Beyond Boundaries. We bring Bhutanese closer through facilitating community get-together, organising events and connecting with networking events.

Moving to a new country brings exciting opportunities, but it also involves adapting to a different culture, lifestyle, and environment. These changes can sometimes feel overwhelming and affect one’s mental balance. To facilitate smooth transition, we aim to connect the new arrivals by connecting with community circles, friendship societies, and well-being activities. These connections can forge long-term mental and emotional health while living abroad.

Connect

 How can I meet other Bhutanese in my area?

Register through the Bhutan Beyond Boundaries membership form to be connected to your local group. You’ll receive invitations and notifications to small meetups and community gatherings happening near you.

Yes. We regularly organize both social and professional networking events – like informal coffee chats, cultural evenings, and career-sharing sessions – to help members build friendships and professional connections.

Absolutely. We also connect with smaller, smaller, relaxed activities such as book circles, tea talks, or buddy chats – friendly spaces where you can connect at your own comfort level.

Yes. We believe in connection beyond boundaries. Anyone with a genuine link to, or have interest in Bhutan – friends, partners, or supporters – is warmly welcome. You can apply for membership as well.

Definitely. Bhutan Beyond Boundaries is volunteer-led and always open to helping hands. You can assist with event coordination, communications, or lead an interest-based group. The executive team will be available to discuss the details about the event. 

Any idea that encourages connection and well-being – such as potluck dinners, hiking days, mindfulness sessions, or skill-sharing meetups – are welcome. You can share suggestions with your local chapter lead.

All event updates will be posted on our website and social media accounts.

Empower

Do the Bhutan Beyond Boundaries provide networking and professional advice?

Yes. We provide general networking and professional advice through information sessions where one would meet a community of Bhutanese professionals and academics. While the information session would respond to specific questions pertaining to career and academics and the like, we do not provide curated and bespoke one-on-one sessions. For those, one-on-one sessions, we leave it up to the convenience and availability of relevant individuals.

Bhutan Beyond Boundaries can provide general and introductory sessions on the education system and academic practice and culture of the host country. For those who may need subject specific consultations, we can connect you with relevant members with subject expertise. We cannot guarantee their availability. We can connect and leave it up to the individuals concerned. Please write to us should you need subject specific guidance.

Our support in career and professional growth cover a range of stages. Through information sessions, we cover topics on building an online presence and profile such as LinkedIn, connecting with a community of people in relevant fields and building and customising relevant CVs and resumes. The session also covers work culture and environment and general labour laws and standards.

Our mentorship programme covers both general and one-on-one sessions. We provide general sessions on building profile, developing customised CV, resumes and cover letters through information sessions. The one-on-one sessions would depend on the kind of support you are looking for and availability of the expertise in the network. For consideration, write to us at

We provide general introductory sessions on the education system, academic culture and practices and libraries through information sessions.https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7cc804e5274a38e5756b56/v01-2012ukes.pdf 

For personalised and bespoke sessions, we connect with relevant people with subject knowledge. However, we cannot guarantee the support sought would be delivered in that it would depend on the availability and willingness of the individual concerned. For personalised subject-specific support, write to us at.

We are a growing community with members cutting across different disciplines. In case, you would like to reach out to a member of your discipline, write to us. 

The network believes and is a proponent to promote the works of indigenous knowledge that are distinct to the Himalayas and Bhutan. To this end, we organise a conference bringing together expertise on Bhutan, both national and international. The platform not only helps in promoting knowledge but also provides an ideal platform to receive feedback for your work, and growth. 

We do not provide specific advice on Business ideas and proposals. However, if you have certain questions, we may be able to direct you to relevant individuals and offices during information sessions.

We can facilitate two kinds of interventions. First, for Bhutanese planning to return to Bhutan but do not have a clear career path, reach out to the National Reintegration Programme https://www.moice.gov.bt/?p=268124. Second, for Bhutanese inclined to staying back, check visa regimes https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa

We do not provide any references and recommendations for work, studies or any other purposes. However, the members would be able to provide one in their own capacities and positions.

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The first operational phase begins in the United Kingdom under the Europe region.
Each region has its own membership code system to ensure clarity and coordination.

Pillars

We support Bhutanese in transition and bring Bhutan closer to friends of Bhutan.

Support

We build a Central Information Hub on accommodation and guarantors, career opportunities, educational system and worldview. We aim to help members make informed decisions.

Connect

We promote well-being through cultural and knowledge exchange programmes, and professional networks. We encourage friendships across Bhutanese and friends of Bhutan.

Empower

We create pathways for contribution through mentorship, skill sharing and strategic engagement aligned with Bhutan’s development goals. We commit to bring Bhutan closer to friends of Bhutan.

Membership

Membership is free and renewed annually.

Membership shall be renewed annually, corresponding to the last day of a calendar year

Our Team

Bhutan Beyond Boundaries is led by a volunteer Executive Team.

Dechen Rabgyal

Dechen’s commitment to public service is captured in his self-styled expression, “Mongar gave me hope and I would like to return hope to Mongar. As an aspiring social scientist, he writes occasionally on Bhutan’s current affairs at his personal website.

Choeying Dolma

Passionate about supporting Bhutanese in the diaspora as they navigate life between cultures, helping them find a home in between and creating spaces where they feel empowered.

Namgyel Wangchuk

Namgyel is driven by a passion for bringing Bhutanese together through shared spaces of connection, learning, and mutual upliftment within the diaspora. His efforts are rooted in volunteerism and a belief that community matters, we are few, and we must stick together; together, we are stronger.

Santi Rai

A registered nurse, passionate about supporting individuals through new transitions, guided by empathy, and community empowerment.

Phub Gyeltshen

Phub is a MBA graduate from the University of East London. He has experience in business incubation, event coordination, and community engagement. I previously supported youth development and wildlife conservation initiatives with the Royal Society for Protection of Nature. I served as a Free Licence Cultural Guide under the Tourism Council of Bhutan. Currently I live in London.

Tshering Yangden

Team Member at Bhutan Beyond Boundaries, dedicated to building global connections and supporting Bhutanese communities beyond borders.

Dawa

Dawa is an MSc Educational Leadership student at the University of Portsmouth. Since 2013, he has served as an educator at Lhomon Education, Chokyi Gyatso Institute, dedicated to fostering holistic education through Buddhist-inspired curricula.

Chencho

Chencho works in the hospitality sector and has experience in Bhutan’s growing private sector. With genuine interest in building lasting friendship and community, Chencho looks forward to working with emerging networks of Bhutanese overseas.

Bhutan Beyond Boundaries

Building Bridges for a Brighter Tomorrow

We facilitate meaningful connections and collaborations among non-resident Bhutanese and Friends of Bhutan to support each other in social and professional growth grounded in Bhutan’s journey.

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