Exploring Bolivia's Unique Multiple Citizenship Law

Bolivia permits dual citizenship, with some restrictions. The constitution states that Bolivians who acquire foreign citizenship do not lose their Bolivian nationality, and those who become Bolivian citizens are not required to give up their original citizenship. However, dual citizenship is restricted for those with criminal records or who have stayed illegally in Bolivia. Additionally, Bolivia practices unrestricted jus soli, granting citizenship to anyone born on its territory, except children of foreign diplomats.

Bolivian citizenship by birth

Bolivia practises unrestricted jus soli or ius soli, meaning anyone born on Bolivian territory is granted citizenship by birth. This includes children born to foreign diplomats.

Bolivian nationality may also be acquired by foreigners through birthright or naturalisation. Foreigners can acquire nationality by fulfilling one of three requirements: time of residency in Bolivia, family ties, or services rendered in favour of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

To acquire nationality through birthright, one must be born in Bolivia or born abroad to at least one parent with Bolivian nationality. To acquire nationality through naturalisation, a foreigner must make a voluntary statement that they want to acquire Bolivian nationality and comply with the procedures in the Migration Law of 8 May 2013 and its Supreme Decree No. 1923 of 13 March 2014. Applications are processed by the General Directorate of Migration and naturalisation is bestowed by resolution of the President of Bolivia.

Foreigners can become naturalised citizens if they meet one of the following requirements:

• Foreigners with uninterrupted residency of at least three years.
• Persons married to Bolivians, those who have Bolivian children, those who were adopted as children by Bolivian parents, or those who have provided military or legislative service to the country and who have had legal residence in the country for a minimum of two years.

Citizenship by descent

Bolivia permits dual citizenship. The country's constitution states that citizens of Bolivia who acquire a foreign citizenship do not lose their Bolivian nationality. Similarly, those who become citizens of Bolivia are not required to renounce their original citizenship.

A child born abroad to either a Bolivian mother or father is granted citizenship by descent. If the child is born outside Bolivia, they will need to register with their local consulate. Alternatively, they can obtain citizenship by returning to live in Bolivia.

According to Bolivian nationality law, regulated by the 2009 Constitution, Bolivian nationality is typically obtained either on the principle of jus soli (by birth in Bolivia) or under the rules of jus sanguinis (by birth abroad to at least one parent with Bolivian nationality).

To acquire Bolivian citizenship, a foreign citizen applicant may comply with one of three requirements: time of residency in Bolivian territory, family ties, or services rendered in favour of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

Foreigners can acquire Bolivian nationality by fulfilling the following conditions:

• Continued uninterrupted residence in Bolivian territory for more than three years.
• Having a child or children born in Bolivian territory.
• Marriage to a Bolivian citizen.
• Having performed military service and having had a minimum residence of two uninterrupted years in Bolivian territory.
• Being over the age of 18 and being descended from a Bolivian father or mother.
• Contributing in a relevant way to the Bolivian State.

Citizenship by naturalisation

Bolivia permits dual citizenship. The 2009 Constitution of Bolivia states that nationality cannot be lost by obtaining another nationality. The Constitution also does not require those acquiring Bolivian nationality to renounce their original nationality.

To acquire Bolivian citizenship through naturalisation, an applicant must meet one of three requirements: time of residency in Bolivia, family ties, or services rendered in favour of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.

Naturalisation requires an explicit and voluntary statement from the applicant that they want to acquire Bolivian nationality. They must also comply with the procedures contained in the "Migration Law of 8 May 2013 and its Supreme Decree No. 1923 of 13 March 2014". Applications are processed by the General Directorate of Migration and naturalisation is bestowed by resolution of the President of Bolivia.

The requirements for eligibility include:

• Foreigners with uninterrupted residency of at least three years.
• Persons married to Bolivians, those who have Bolivian children, those who were adopted as children by Bolivian parents, or those who have provided military or legislative service to the country and who have had legal residence in the country for a minimum of two years.
• Persons with no ties to Bolivia may obtain citizenship after residing in the country for at least two years.
• Foreign women married to a Bolivian citizen acquire their husband's citizenship as long as they live in the country and express their agreement. This nationality is not lost even through widowhood or divorce.
• Persons who have Bolivian spouses or had children born in Bolivia need only reside in the country for one year.

Dual citizenship in Bolivia

Overview

Bolivia permits dual citizenship. The country's constitution guarantees that Bolivians acquiring a foreign citizenship do not lose their Bolivian nationality, and those acquiring Bolivian nationality are not required to renounce their original citizenship. Bolivia practices unrestricted ius soli, meaning anyone born on Bolivian territory is granted citizenship by birth.

Acquiring Bolivian Citizenship

There are three main ways to acquire Bolivian citizenship: citizenship by birth, citizenship by descent, and citizenship by naturalization.

Citizenship by Birth

Those born in Bolivia automatically acquire citizenship at birth, except for those born to foreign diplomatic personnel.

Citizenship by Descent

Children born to a Bolivian mother or father, either in Bolivia or abroad, are entitled to citizenship by descent. If born abroad, they must be registered with the local Bolivian consulate.

Citizenship by Naturalization

Foreigners may acquire Bolivian citizenship through naturalization if they meet the following requirements:

• Residency in Bolivia for at least 3 years without interruption (reduced to 2 years for those with close family ties to Bolivian citizens or who have served in the military)
• An explicit declaration of their desire to acquire Bolivian nationality
• A valid current residence

Restrictions

While dual citizenship is allowed in Bolivia, there are some restrictions. The granting of dual citizenship is restricted for those with criminal records or who have remained in Bolivia illegally.

Loss of citizenship

Bolivia permits dual citizenship. The 2009 Constitution states that Bolivians do not lose their nationality by obtaining another citizenship, nor through marriage to a foreigner. The same rules apply to foreign women who marry Bolivian men—they automatically derive Bolivian nationality and do not lose it through widowhood or divorce.

However, there are some ways in which Bolivian nationality can be lost. Until reforms in 2004, the only remaining provision for loss of Bolivian nationality was if a national took dual citizenship. Before this reform, there were several ways in which a person could lose their Bolivian citizenship. Firstly, by serving in an enemy army in a time of war. Secondly, by obtaining citizenship in another nation. Thirdly, a woman would lose her Bolivian nationality upon marriage if her husband's country granted her his nationality. She could only repatriate if her husband died, she established residence in Bolivia, and she declared her intention to become a Bolivian national again.

Today, there are still some grounds for involuntary loss of Bolivian citizenship. This includes aiding an enemy of Bolivia during wartime, accepting a foreign government job without Senate approval, and acquiring the citizenship of a country that does not have a reciprocal dual citizenship agreement with Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions