People of some nationalities require a visa to enter Bolivia. The Visa Requirements for each person depend on the nationality of the passport with which they will be traveling. Some visas are free, others require a payment. Some can be obtained by reaching the Bolivian border. Others MUST be obtained in advance.
It is the criterion of each one to inquire about the requirements for their visa before they travel and apply for the Bolivian visa within the necessary time ranges.
Below is a guide through which you will select your country to obtain more appropriate information according to your nationality.
Select your country of origin:
VACCINE AGAINST YELLOW FEVER
Due to new sanitary regulations, the Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory to enter Bolivia. Vaccination certificate will be required, especially in endemic areas (eastern Bolivia, Beni, Amazonas, Chaco).
ARGENTINE CITIZENS
Argentine citizens do not need a visa or passport to enter Bolivia as tourists. The permanence for a specific time (90 days) will be granted with the sole presentation of your ID or Identity Card.
The requirements to travel to Bolivia as a tourist, are quite similar to other countries of South America, being generally an entrance without difficulties. The documents that are required correspond to:
IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENT
Citizens of Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay) can present both identity card and passport as identification document. While citizens of other nationalities, they may enter Bolivia exclusively with a valid passport.
TOURIST VISA: ONLY NECESSARY ACCORDING TO NATIONALITY
Only citizens of some nationalities require a tourist visa to enter Bolivia. Among the countries that do not have to apply for a tourism visa, are those that are part of the European Union, the Mercosur countries and Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, Turkey and the Vatican.
TIME OF PERMANENCE IN BOLIVIA
If you belong to the countries of the Andean Community of Nations, you can stay in Bolivia for 90 days, which can be automatically extended only once for the same period.
If you belong to the MERCOSUR Party and Associate countries, you can remain in Bolivia for a period of 90 days without the possibility of extension.
The rest of the countries may stay a maximum of 30 days, renewable up to twice per year, and must complete the "Tourist Visa Extension" procedure.
CUSTOMS AND HEALTH FORMALITIES
At the moment of entering Bolivia, a form known as "Affidavit of Accompanied Baggage and Foreign Exchange" is delivered, where any item indicated in the document must be declared.
The elements that can be entered into the country without having to be declared correspond to articles of personal use, in amounts that do not presume that they are imported or exported for commercial purposes. While new items, for example gifts, must be declared.
Regarding sanitary formalities, it is important to declare at the time of entry into Bolivia, all products of vegetable and animal origin that are carried in the baggage. In general you can enter foods that do not exceed 5 kg in airtight containers without signs of alteration, while home-made foods are not allowed.
REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING THE DIFFERENT VISAS
ALL VISA REQUESTS MUST BE PROCESSED PERSONALLY BY THE INTERESTED PARTY
VISA TOURISM
Form "Affidavit of Visa Application", duly completed, enclosing a recent photograph in 3 x 4 cm colors, without glasses.
Passport valid for more than 6 months.
Passport valid for more than 6 months.
Hotel reservation.
Economic solvency (Credit Card).
Photocopy of the certificate against yellow fever (if the tourist visits a tropical or subtropical region).
Please consult Countries that DO NOT REQUIRE TOURISM VISA (GROUP I, GROUP II, GROUP III) to enter Bolivia.
The Visa will be extended in 24-48 hours, depending on the Group.
Bank Deposit (Please check with the Consul).
VISA OBJECT DETERMINED
Letter addressed to the General Consulate of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, requesting a Visa Objeto Determined, indicating the reason for the trip.
Form "Affidavit of Visa Application", duly completed, enclosing a photograph in 3 x 4 cm colors, without lenses.
Passport valid for more than 6 months.
For foreigners living in Chile, photocopy of the Chilean identity card.
Criminal record
Photocopy of the Travel Ticket (entry and exit) or travel itinerary.
Photocopy of the work contract.
Proof of the bank deposit for 85 $ US (eighty five US dollars) in the name of the CONSULATE GENERAL OF THE PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA in the Bank of Credit and Investments (BCI), account No. 11055367.
Photocopy of yellow fever vaccine certificate (if you are visiting a tropical or subtropical region).
The Visa will be extended in 24-48 hours.
MULTIPLE VISA
Letter addressed to the Consulate General of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, requesting Multiple Visa, indicating the reason for the trip.
Form "Affidavit of Visa Application", duly completed, enclosing a 3 x 4 cm color photograph, without glasses.
Passport valid for more than 6 months.
For foreigners living in Chile, photocopy of the Chilean identity card.
Criminal record.
Photocopy of the Travel Ticket (entry and exit) or travel itinerary.
Photocopy of the work contract.
Photocopy of yellow fever vaccine certificate (if you visit a tropical or subtropical region).
The Visa will be extended in 48 hours.
Bank Deposit (Please check with the Consul).
DIPLOMATIC AND OFFICIAL VISAS
Verbal Note from the Diplomatic Mission or International Organization requesting the corresponding Visa.
It is valid for diplomatic, official or equivalent passport holders.
TRANSIT VISA
Valid passport.
Travel ticket that certifies the final destination.
The transit through Bolivian territory is 7 days maximum.
Passengers in transit, pilots and crew of aircraft will be considered.
The Visa will be extended in 24 hours.
STUDENT VISA:
Form "Affidavit of Visa Application", duly completed, enclosing a color photograph of 3.5 x 4.5 cm., Without glasses.
Passport valid for more than 6 months.
Certificate of studies (legalized).
Birth certificate (legalized)
Certificate of background (legalized)
Certificate of Elisa's analysis.
Economic solvency signed by the father or mother before a Notary, or demonstrate having obtained a scholarship.
Registration in Bolivian educational institution.
Photocopy of yellow fever vaccine certificate (depending on the region).
The Visa will be extended in 72 hours.
SECURITY IN BOLIVIA:
Bolivia has historically been one of the safest countries in the area, although unfortunately the situation has changed in recent years, there have been cases of express kidnappings and robberies especially taxi passengers in the area of Santa Cruz de la Sierra . El Alto, which is already an independent city of La Paz, is best avoided if you do not know where to go. For this it is advisable to charge only what is necessary, avoiding jewels and valuables, such as watches and excess money, carrying with them some photocopies of their identity documents and credit cards, not displaying valuables such as cameras. or video, smarphones or jewels and, it is always convenient to leave accompanied at night in little crowded places or remote areas, in case of theft, not resist.
AT THE HOTEL:
If you consider that the hotel you are staying in is reliable, you prefer to leave your valuables in the hotel safe, check its contents and get a receipt that can confirm the good condition and the loss of what you have saved. Make sure that doors and windows are well closed and if you leave all in the hotel and only take what is necessary, make sure that the valuables that you leave are not visible and reach the cleaner. Anyway, in Bolivia there is a division of the national police, called the Tourism Police, which helps and protects all the tourists that visit the country.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Numbering zone La Paz (2) Ambulances 118 Firemen 119 Radio Patrol 110 Service Nal. Search 138 Bolivian Red Cross 222-7818, 222-6936 Airport 281-0122, 281-0123
PRECAUTIONS:
This is a list of tips to make your trip a safe and hassle-free stay.
Take a photocopy of your passport, both sides of your credit card and traveler's checks. Load with these copies in another bag.
Have your passport, airline ticket, credit cards, etc. in a safe place.
Do not leave valuables in the hotel room. Hand in the objects at reception so they can be put in the safe.
Go to ATMs in the morning or in the afternoon. When you do, try to go to the ATM with someone else. If you do not have anyone to go with, try to go to an ATM that has a policeman nearby.
Ask the hotel staff if it is safe to walk around the hotel area and which places can be dangerous.
If you travel with valuable equipment, it is better that you purchase additional insurance for your equipment.
Be alert, especially in places where there are many people.
CURRENCY:
Bolivian currency is Bolivian and its symbol is Bs. This is issued in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Bolivian notes; in 1, 2 and 5 bolivianos coins, and in 10, 20 and 50 bolivianos cents.
Inside the airports there are banks and money exchanges, where you can convert your money into Bolivians.
Warning, when you receive your change, make sure the transaction was correct.
Within Bolivia the dollar is well accepted as well, but you must be careful with the variations of the value of the dollar within the country.
When you receive cash, either dollars or bolivianos, make sure that the bills are in good condition, intact without ruptures and without any written mark. Be careful also with the fake dollars that you could circulate inside Bolivia.
ATMs; They are found in the main cities of the country.
Credit Cards; The most widespread in Bolivia are American Express, Visa and Master Card.
Currency exchange
Foreign currency, both in cash and traveler's check, can be exchanged in banks, exchange houses and hotels.
Most of the transactions are with US dollars, although in some exchange houses they are traded in foreign currencies.
YOUR COUNTRY DOES NOT REQUIRE A TOURIST VISA TO ENTER BOLIVIA
Holders of passports from the selected country do not require a visa or have to pay any kind of fee when entering Bolivia.
The only requirement is that you present a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months and a valid immigration card at the border.
Andean countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile) and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay Venezuela), and associated states:
They must present or carry the valid passport and / or Identity Card. Citizens of Colombia it is necessary to print the report of their judicial past that must be obtained from the following link; They will also be asked for their vaccination card against yellow fever.
Countries of the rest of the world (eye see list):
They must carry the passport with a validity of no less than six months.
Display round trip tickets or present travel itinerary.
YOUR COUNTRY REQUIRES A TOURIST VISA TO ENTER BOLIVIA (WITHOUT PRIOR CONSULTATION TO THE NATIONAL MIGRATION SERVICE, THROUGH THE CONSULAR OFFICE OR BOLIVIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION)
Holders of passports from the selected country NEED to apply for a visa either at a Bolivian embassy or directly at the border. Obtaining a visa at the Bolivian Embassy in advance is FREE, however, if you choose to obtain your visa at the border, a fee of $ 95 USD will apply.
Fill out the “AFFIDAVIT OF VISA APPLICATION”, form with your personal data, duly signed, enclosing a recent color photograph, without lenses, 4 × 4 centimeters, with a red background.
Carry passport with a validity of no less than six months.
Display yellow fever vaccine.
Display round trip tickets or present travel itinerary.
Proof of domicile in Bolivia (hotel or family home)
Delivery of the visa on the day or in 24 hours in the case of a group of tourists.
The visa is granted free of charge to the citizens of your country.
YOUR COUNTRY REQUIRES A TOURIST VISA TO ENTER BOLIVIA (WITH PREVIOUS CONSULTATION TO THE NATIONAL MIGRATION SERVICE, THROUGH THE CONSULAR OFFICE OR BOLIVIAN DIPLOMATIC MISSION)
Holders of passports of the selected country MUST apply for a visa IN ADVANCE and ONLY can apply for one directly in a Bolivian embassy. The cost of the visa is $ 30 USD.
EXCEPTION: US CITIZENS UU Americans can apply for a visa either at a Bolivian embassy or at the border. The cost of the visa is $ 160 USD in any way.
Fill out the "AFFIDAVIT OF VISA APPLICATION", form with your personal data, duly signed, enclosing a recent color photograph, without lenses, 4 × 4 centimeters, with a red background.
Present the passport with a validity of no less than six months.
Submit a Certificate of Police Background, when it comes from the country of origin.
Exhibit duly endorsed hotel reservation covering the entire stay in Bolivia, or alternatively letter of invitation from a family member or friend with permanent residence in Bolivia, formally committing to cover the cost of lodging and meals for their guest, in so long is his stay in Bolivia. The National Immigration Service may interview the person who made the invitation prior to the acceptance of the visa.
Show round trip ticket or present travel itinerary.
Proof of economic solvency in the country of residence through the submission of supporting documents.
