Visa Requirements For Working In Bolivia

Bolivia's visa requirements depend on the nationality of the passport holder and the purpose of their visit. Citizens of specific countries and territories may enter Bolivia without a visa for tourism or business purposes. However, some nationalities, including US citizens, are required to obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Bolivia. This can be done by applying online, at a Bolivian embassy, or directly at the border, with varying associated fees. For those planning to work in Bolivia, a separate residence and work visa is necessary, and additional documents must be filed with the Bolivian Consulate in the applicant's home country.

Requirements for US citizens

US citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Bolivia. This can be done at a Bolivian Embassy or Consulate in the United States or a neighbouring country. Alternatively, a tourist visa can be purchased at any land or air border. A visa is valid for 30 days per trip, not exceeding 90 days per year, and costs $160.

To obtain a visa, US citizens must provide:

• A valid US passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
• An International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination.
• Proof of a round-trip ticket or confirmation of plans to depart Bolivia.
• Proof of lodging in Bolivia, such as a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from a host.

It is also recommended that visitors carry their passport and visa with them at all times while travelling in Bolivia, although it is safer to carry photocopies to avoid petty theft.

If you plan to work in Bolivia, you must apply for a separate visa. The process for obtaining a work visa in Bolivia is as follows:

• Employees must obtain a residence and work visa.
• Employees working in Bolivia for a short time may apply for a transitory residence or work visa, valid for 30 to 180 days.
• Longer stays require a temporary residence visa, which lasts for one to three years.
• After living in Bolivia for three years, employees may apply for permanent residence.

To apply for a temporary residence or work visa, candidates must file the following documents with the Bolivian Consulate in their home country:

• A completed and signed application.
• A passport with at least six months of validity.
• Proof of a yellow fever vaccination if the workplace is in a high-risk area.
• Documents that prove employment, such as an invitation from the company and other supporting documents.
• A police record issued through INTERPOL and criminal and police records from the last country of residence.
• A medical certificate.
• A passport photograph.
• Any other supporting documents the consulate requests.

Requirements for other nationalities

The requirements for other nationalities to enter Bolivia vary depending on the passport a person holds. Bolivia's government has divided countries into three groups, each with different entry requirements.

Group 1 countries:

Passport holders from Group 1 countries do not require a visa or need to pay any fees upon entering Bolivia. The only requirement is to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a valid immigration card at the border.

Group 1 includes all European Union member states, except for Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and Romania, which are classified as Group 2 countries.

Group 2 countries:

Nationals of Group 2 countries must obtain a visa prior to arrival or upon arrival for a fee. The visa can be obtained at any Bolivian embassy or consulate free of charge. A visa on arrival is available at Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz airports for some nationalities, such as Iran, for a fee of USD 30.

Group 2 includes China (including Macao and Hong Kong), Taiwan, and the United States. Nationals of these countries can obtain a visa on arrival for a fee.

Group 3 countries:

Nationals of Group 3 countries must obtain a visa in advance with special authorization from a Bolivian embassy or consulate. They cannot obtain a visa on arrival. Group 3 includes countries such as India, China, and Taiwan.

Additional requirements for all nationalities:

All visitors to Bolivia must have a passport with at least six months of validity remaining from the date of entry. Visitors may also be asked to provide proof of sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay, such as a credit or debit card.

Health requirements:

If entering Bolivia from a country with endemic yellow fever, such as Argentina, Brazil, or Peru, a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required. This certificate may also be needed when travelling to areas of Bolivia below 2500m in altitude, including the Amazon Basin.

Application process

To apply for a work visa in Bolivia, you must first determine the type of work visa you need. For employees working in Bolivia for a short time, a transitory residence or work visa is required. These visas are valid for 30 to 180 days. For longer stays, a temporary residence visa is needed, which lasts for one to three years. After living in Bolivia for three years, employees may apply for permanent residence.

The application process for a temporary residence or work visa in Bolivia involves the following steps:

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Firstly, you must ensure you have all the necessary documents. These typically include:

• A completed and signed application form.
• A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
• Proof of a yellow fever vaccination, especially if your workplace is in a high-risk area.
• Documents proving employment, such as an invitation from the company and other supporting documents.
• A clean criminal record, including your police record issued through INTERPOL and criminal and police records from your last country of residence.
• A medical certificate.
• A passport photograph.
• Any other supporting documents the consulate requests.

Step 2: Submit Your Application

Once you have gathered all the required documents, you need to submit your application to the Bolivian Consulate in your home country. You can locate the nearest consulate on the Bolivian government's website or through your local Bolivian embassy.

Step 3: Wait for Processing

After submitting your application, the process of obtaining the necessary visas can take anywhere from one to five months. During this time, you cannot start working in Bolivia until you have received the appropriate visa.

Step 4: Enter Bolivia and Register

Upon receiving your visa, you can enter Bolivia. Remember to get entry stamps from the Bolivian authorities every time you enter the country. Additionally, foreign travellers to Bolivia must complete the web-based registration process (SIGEMIG) prior to their arrival. This registration must include lodging information.

Step 5: Apply for Extensions if Necessary

If you wish to extend your stay in Bolivia beyond the duration of your visa, you can apply for an extension through the Dirección General de Migración (National Migration Service), which has offices in most major cities.

Visa costs

The cost of a visa for Bolivia depends on your nationality and the type of visa you require. For citizens of Group 1 countries (including the USA, EU countries, and Australia), no visa is required for stays of up to 90 days. For citizens of Group 2 countries (including the Central African Republic, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United Arab Emirates), a visa must be obtained before entering Bolivia, either from a Bolivian Embassy/Consulate or on arrival, and will cost around USD 160. For citizens of Group 3 countries (including the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea), a visa must be obtained from an Embassy or Consulate of Bolivia abroad, and the process will be longer as authorisation must be requested from the National Migration Service in Bolivia.

The cost of a Bolivian visa also depends on the duration of the employee's stay. Employees working in Bolivia for a short time may apply for transitory residence or work visas, valid for 30 to 180 days. Longer stays require a temporary residence visa, which lasts for one to three years. After living in the country for three years, employees may apply for permanent residence.

For US citizens, a tourist visa to Bolivia costs USD 160 and is valid for up to 90 days per year and for 10 years. It can be obtained at any land or air border, or at the Bolivian Embassy in Washington DC, or via the local Bolivian embassy or consulate.

Visa extensions

U.S. citizens can extend their initial 30-day stay in Bolivia by applying for an extension through the Dirección General de Migración (National Migration Service). The National Migration Service has offices in most major cities. The extension is free, but the maximum time travellers are permitted to stay in Bolivia in any given year is 90 days.

To avoid fines and other penalties, it is important not to overstay your visa. If you do, you will face a fine at the airport, border crossing, or immigration office, and there will be a lot of bureaucracy to deal with. You may also be barred from re-entering Bolivia in the future.

Frequently asked questions