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Byevisa » Bolivia Tourist Visa

You may require a visa. We cannot assist in processing this document, but we provide instructions on how to apply.

All About the Bolivia Visa

This Andean country offers several traditional passes, but it does not currently have an electronic travel pass available. Travellers wanting to visit here must go to a Bolivian consulate or embassy abroad, if you’re not exempt from requiring travel authorisation. 

Are you planning a journey to Bolivia? If so, you will need to know if you need a visa to enter the country or if you are exempt. Fortunately, citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as most EU nationals fall under the second category. These visitors, as well as citizens of a number of other nations, can enter Bolivia for trips of up to 30 days (extendable to 60 days free of charge once inside the country). 

If you come from a nation that requires travel authorisation for this Andean country, the tourist visa to Bolivia has a validity period of up to 90 days, while the business one allows you to stay for up to 30 days. Depending on the type of travel pass you choose, you may be able to apply for an extension once you’ve arrived in the country. 

Below we provide you with all the information you require to fill in the application form, so you can navigate the application process with ease.

What Are the Differences Between the e-Visa, the VoA, and a Traditional Visa for Bolivia?

As we mentioned, this country does not currently have an electronic travel document system, so for the moment, it is not possible to apply for an eVisa to Bolivia.

Although some procedures can be done online from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Portal, applications for a visa for Bolivia must be made by contacting the consulate in your country.

Regarding the second option, the Bolivian authorities only offer a ‘Visa on Arrival’ (VoA) for citizens of India, China, Macao, Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the case of Indian citizens, the VoA is only available at the airports of Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz.

In addition, this Andean country offers the possibility of extending your travel authorisation once you arrive in the country, for a period of up to 90 days.

Visa Application Process for Bolivia

The first step is to contact the consular office closest to you, either by telephone or by e-mail to arrange an in-person appointment. 

Once you’ve done this, you will be directed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, where you must fill in the “Visa Affidavit Form”.

This is a convenient procedure that can be done online in a few simple steps. In addition to providing basic data (name, surname, telephone number, etc.) you must specify what type of travel pass you are requesting.

The next step is to print out the affidavit form and bring it to your appointment at the nearest embassy or consulate. You must also bring all the supporting documents requested by the embassy, depending on the type of pass that you are applying for.

Which Nationalities Can Apply for a Visa to Bolivia?

The policy regarding who requires travel authorisation divides visitors into 3 groups:

Group 1 – Those from countries whose citizens are visa-exempt

All European Union citizens*
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Ecuador

Israel
Japan
Liechtenstein
Mexico
Monaco
Norway
New Zealand
Palestine
Panama
Paraguay

Peru
Philippines
Russia
Saint Lucia
Switzerland
Turkey
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Vatican City
Venezuela

*(Except for citizens of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta and Romania who must obtain a VoA)

Group 2 – Countries whose citizens must obtain travel authorisation prior to arrival

Algeria
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bulgaria
Cameroon
China
Cuba
Cyprus
Egypt
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
India
Kenya
Kiribati
Kuwait

Liberia
Macau
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malaysia
Malawi
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritius
Mauritania Micronesia
Moldova
Morocco
Myanmar
Nicaragua
Papua New Guinea
Qatar
Republic of Moldova
Romania

Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga
Tunisia
Uganda
Ukraine
USA
Vietnam
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Group 3 – Countries whose nationals must obtain travel authorisation from the Bolivian consular authorities:

Samoa
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Suriname

Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Tonga

Tunisia
Uganda
Ukraine
Vietnam
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Form and Documents Required for a Visa to Bolivia

Although the documents and data required varies depending on the type of travel pass that you apply for, there are several aspects that are mandatory for all applicants applying for a visa for Bolivia:

  • Passport with a minimum validity period of 6 months.
  • Recent bank statements proving that you have sufficient funds for your stay.
  • A passport photograph taken on a white background.

In addition, if you intend to visit any of the 32 yellow fever endemic localities, you will be asked to provide an international yellow fever vaccination certificate.

If you cannot be vaccinated against yellow fever, you must bring a medical certificate stating that you are exempt from vaccination for health reasons.

Types of Travel Authorisation for Bolivia and Eligibility Requirements

The Bolivian consular missions abroad have 7 types of travel authorisation available:

  • Tourist visas (types I, II, and III).
  • Multiple or Business 
  • Visa for a specific purpose
  • Student visa
  • Courtesy visa

In the case that you require another type of pass, consult the embassy for further information.

– Tourist visas

This pass is usually valid for visits of up to 30 days and can be extended up to a maximum of 90 days.

Nationals of Group II and III countries must provide specific documentation.

Eligibility requirements for Group II nationals (Visa on Arrival)

  • Present a passport valid for a minimum period of 6 months.
  • Return travel tickets or a travel itinerary.
  • Hotel reservations or letter of invitation from someone who is a resident of the country.
  • Recent bank statement proving sufficient funds.
  • An international yellow fever vaccination certificate. Persons who for health reasons cannot be vaccinated must present a medical certificate (in Spanish or English). Children under 18 years of age and adults over 65 years of age are exempt.
  • Travel authorisation if there are children under 18 years of age who will be travelling alone.

Eligibility requirements for Group III nationals (Embassy Visa)

The required documents are the same, but Group III citizens will also have to provide a police record certificate or certificate of good conduct.

This must be issued by the Federal Court of Justice of the country of which you are a citizen, or of the country in which you reside. The certificate must be at most 1 month old at the time of presentation at the consular offices.

– Multiple Visa (Business Visa)

This is for applicants wanting to do business or invest in Bolivia. It is granted for a maximum period of 1 year and allows multiple entries and exits from the country.

The requirements for the business visa for Bolivia are the same as for tourist pass (Group II), but in addition, all persons travelling for business purposes will have to provide 3 documents with their application:

  • A photocopy of the original Tax Identification Number (NIT) or the company’s original electronic certification if the company was established in Bolivia.
  • Documents that prove your employment in the company you represent in your country of origin or place of residence.
  • Recent copy of your criminal record or certificate of good conduct.

– Visa for a specific purpose

This travel pass is for those wanting to enter the country for short business trips, with a work contract, or because they are doing work experience. It is valid for 30 days.

It is also the appropriate pass to apply for if you are going to do unpaid voluntary work, get married, or filming for commercial purposes.

In this case,  application requirements are the same as for Group II citizens, but you will also have to provide the following documents, depending on your situation:

For athletes, artists, and workers: You must provide all the relevant documentation that accredits the purpose of your trip (a specific work contract for a musical performance, sporting competition, etc.).

Volunteers and cooperation personnel, such as NGOs, will have to attach a certificate from the sponsoring organisation accrediting their status as cooperation workers.

A certificate of good conduct (criminal background certificate), issued by the Federal Court of Justice of the country of which he/she is a citizen, or of the country in which he/she resides. The certificate must be no more than 1 month old when the application is submitted to the embassy.

Bolivia Visa Status Check

Once you’ve submitted your application and provided all the necessary documentation, your application will be processed while you’re there at the consulate. If you have any questions afterwards, you can contact the embassy where you applied. 

How Much Does a Visa to Bolivia Cost?

Both the courtesy and the tourist passes are free of charge as long as they are made in advance at a consular office before the trip to Bolivia. Only citizens of Iran, China and Group III countries have to pay a fee of 30 USD before entering the country.

However, when you obtain your pass, you may be asked to pay administrative fees, although this depends on the consular office where we make our application.

This fee may vary depending on the type of pass you are applying for and, above all, the length of time. In the case of student visas (180 days) or multiple business passes (1 year), you may be asked to pay a fee.

If you are a citizen of a Group II country and want to obtain a VoA at the Bolivian border, there is a fee of 95 USD.

More Questions and Information About the Bolivian Visa

If you still have questions about getting your documentation sorted for your trip, here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

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