Work Visa Requirements: Bolivia's Essential Entry Rules

Bolivia's visa requirements vary depending on the nationality of the passport you hold. Citizens of specific countries and territories may enter Bolivia without a visa for tourism or business purposes, while others must obtain a visa in advance or upon arrival for a fee. US citizens, for example, are required to obtain a tourist visa, which costs $160 and is valid for up to 90 days per year. If you plan to work in Bolivia, you must apply for a separate residence and work visa, which also requires a valid employment contract and government permission to work.

Requirements for US citizens

US citizens are required to obtain a visa before travelling to 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.

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 tourist visa with them at all times while travelling in Bolivia, although it is safer to carry photocopies to avoid the hassle in case of theft.

A Bolivian tourist visa costs $160 and is valid for 30 days per trip, not exceeding 90 days per year. It can be paid for in US dollars or local currency upon arrival.

If you plan to work in Bolivia, you must apply for a separate visa. There are different types of work visas available, depending on the duration of your stay. For short-term work, you may apply for a transitory residence or work visa, which is valid for 30 to 180 days. For longer stays, you will need to apply for a temporary residence visa, which is valid for one to three years. After living in Bolivia for three years, you may apply for permanent residence.

To apply for a temporary residence or work visa, you must submit the following documents to the Bolivian Consulate in your home country:

• A completed and signed application form.
• Your passport with at least six months of validity.
• Proof of a yellow fever vaccination if your 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 your 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 obtain a work visa for Bolivia are as follows:

Firstly, it's important to note that the Bolivian government has categorized countries into three groups, each with different visa requirements. Group 1 countries' passport holders can enter Bolivia without a visa and only need to present a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months and a valid immigration card at the border. Group 2 countries' citizens must obtain a visa prior to arrival, either from a Bolivian embassy or consulate for free, or on arrival for a fee. Group 3 countries' citizens must obtain a visa in advance with special authorization from a Bolivian embassy or consulate.

For those seeking a work visa, the specific requirements will depend on their country of origin. However, some general requirements for obtaining a work visa in Bolivia include:

• A completed and signed application form.
• A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
• Proof of a yellow fever vaccination if the 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 a police record issued through INTERPOL and criminal and police records from the applicant's last country of residence.
• A medical certificate.
• A passport photograph.
• Any other supporting documents requested by the Bolivian Consulate.

The process of obtaining the necessary visas can take one to five months, and employees cannot start working in Bolivia until they have the appropriate visa. It is advisable to contact the local Bolivian embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on requirements, processing times, and fees, as the authorities may change the rules and prerequisites at their discretion.

Application process

To obtain a work visa for Bolivia, you must apply for a special class of visa and meet a complex set of criteria. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Bolivian work visa:

• Determine Your Eligibility: Before starting the application process, ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements for a Bolivian work visa. This includes having a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining and meeting the specific criteria for your intended work activities.
• Gather Required Documents: The following documents are typically required for a temporary residence or work visa application:

• Completed and signed application form.
• Passport with at least six months of validity.
• Proof of yellow fever vaccination if working in a high-risk area.
• Documents proving employment, such as an invitation letter from the company and other supporting documents.
• Police record issued through INTERPOL and criminal/police records from your last country of residence.
• Medical certificate.
• Passport photograph.
• Other supporting documents as requested by the Bolivian Consulate.

• Submit Your Application: File your application along with the required documents at the Bolivian Consulate in your home country. You can also apply for a work visa upon arrival in Bolivia at the airports in La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, but it is generally recommended to apply in advance.
• Wait for Processing: Once your application is submitted, the process of obtaining the necessary visas can take one to five months. You cannot start working in Bolivia until you have received the appropriate visa.
• Receive Your Visa: After your application is approved, you will receive your Bolivian work visa. The cost of the visa will depend on the duration of your stay and must be paid in US dollars or local currency.
• Register Your Presence: All foreign travellers to Bolivia must complete the web-based registration process (SIGEMIG) prior to their arrival in the country. This can be done through the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs' website.
• Enter Bolivia: When travelling to Bolivia, ensure that you carry your visa and passport with you at all times. If you are entering through a land border, it is especially important to have your original documents due to concerns about illegal border crossings.
• Comply with Visa Requirements: As an employee in Bolivia, you must adhere to the terms and conditions of your work visa. This includes working only for the specified employer and within the permitted timeframe. Any changes to your visa status must be done through the appropriate channels.
• Apply for Extensions or Changes: If you need to extend your stay or change your visa status, you can do so through the Dirección General de Migración (National Migration Service) in Bolivia. For significant changes, you may need to work with an attorney and the Department of Immigration.
• Comply with Employment Laws: As an employer or employee in Bolivia, it is important to comply with the country's business and employment laws. This includes submitting employment contracts to the Ministry of Labour for timely approval and ensuring that at least 85% of your in-country staff are Bolivian nationals.

By following these steps and staying informed about Bolivia's visa and employment regulations, you can successfully navigate the application process for a Bolivian work visa.

Visa costs

The cost of a visa to Bolivia depends on the type of visa and the duration of the employee's stay. Here is a breakdown of the visa costs:

Tourist Visa

The cost of a tourist visa to Bolivia is $160 USD, allowing holders to stay for up to 90 days per year and are valid for 10 years. This visa can be obtained at a Bolivian Embassy or Consulate or purchased at any land or air border. It can be paid in US dollars or local currency.

Transitory Residence or Work Visa

This visa is for employees working in Bolivia for a short time, usually between 30 to 180 days. The cost of this visa is not specified but is likely to be lower than the temporary residence visa.

Temporary Residence Visa

The temporary residence visa is required for longer stays, ranging from one to three years. The cost of this visa is higher than the transitory residence visa and increases with the duration of the employee's stay.

Permanent Residence Visa

After living in Bolivia for three years, employees may apply for permanent residence. The cost of this visa is not specified but is likely to be higher than the temporary residence visa.

It is important to note that the visa costs provided are based on the information for US citizens. The visa costs may vary for citizens of other countries. Additionally, there may be additional costs or fees associated with the visa application process, such as medical certificates, passport photographs, and other supporting documents.

Visa duration

The duration of a work visa for Bolivia depends on the type of visa and the employee's length of stay.

Transitory Residence or Work Visas

Employees working in Bolivia for a short time may apply for transitory residence or work visas, which are valid for 30 to 180 days.

Temporary Residence Visa

Longer stays require a temporary residence visa, which lasts for one to three years.

Permanent Residence

After living in Bolivia for three years, employees may apply for permanent residence.

Specific Purpose Visa

The specific purpose visa has a duration of 30 days from the date of entry into Bolivia and allows the bearer to extend their stay for the required time before instances of Migration Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions