Bolivia Visitor Visa: Application And Requirements Guide

If you're planning a trip to Bolivia, it's important to understand the country's visa requirements to ensure a smooth entry. The process for obtaining a Bolivian visa varies depending on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. For tourist visits, there are typically three groups of countries: those that don't require a visa, those that can obtain a visa prior to entry for free or with a fee, and those that must obtain a visa in advance with special authorization. U.S. citizens, for example, can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at any land or air border, while Dutch nationals don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days per year. However, if the purpose of your visit is different from tourism, you may need to apply for a specific type of visa, such as a business or student visa. To increase your chances of a successful application, it's crucial to provide the necessary documentation, including a valid passport, proof of accommodation, and a round-trip ticket.

What documents do you need?

To fill out a visitor visa for Bolivia, you will need to gather several documents to support your application. Here is a detailed list of the required documents:

• Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Bolivia.
• Photographs: You will need a passport-sized photograph (2" x 2") with a plain background.
• Visa Affidavit Form: Fill out the necessary visa application form, also known as the Visa Affidavit form.
• Proof of Lodging: Provide a copy of your hotel reservation or, if staying with friends or family, a letter from them indicating the address where you will be staying. Additional documents, such as recent utility invoices or a rental contract, may be required.
• Round-trip Ticket or Travel Itinerary: Show proof of a round-trip ticket or provide a copy of your travel itinerary, including confirmation of your plans to depart Bolivia.
• Economic Solvency: Include a bank statement or other proof of financial means to support your stay in Bolivia. For minors, the requirement applies to parents or guardians.
• International Certificate of Yellow Fever Vaccination: This is required if your travel includes endemic regions. Check the list of endemic regions before your trip.
• Other Supporting Documents: Depending on the specifics of your trip, you may need additional documents. For instance, if you plan to work, study, or conduct business in Bolivia, a separate visa may be necessary.

It is important to note that processing times for visa applications can vary, so it is recommended to start the process early. Additionally, ensure that all your documents are in order and scan them before beginning your application.

Where can you apply?

The Bolivian government has divided the world into three categories, each with different visa policies. The first category may enter Bolivia with only a passport or national ID card and no tourist visa. The second category may obtain a tourist visa at the airport, while the third category must apply for a visa from a Bolivian consulate or diplomatic mission.

If you are a citizen of a country in the first group, you do not need to worry about applying for a visa. For citizens of countries in the second and third groups, you can obtain a visa at any Bolivian Embassy or Consulate in the United States or a neighbouring country. You can also obtain a tourist visa at any land or air border.

If you reside in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, or North Carolina, you can apply for a visa at the Bolivian Consulate in Washington, DC. If you do not reside in one of these states, you must apply at another Bolivian Consulate, such as New York, Miami, Houston, or Los Angeles.

How much does it cost?

The cost of a Bolivian visa depends on your nationality and where you are applying for it. If you are from one of the countries on Group 2, then you may be able to receive a visa free of charge if you apply before your trip at an Embassy or Consulate. If you apply on arrival, you will have to pay a fee, which is around USD 160. However, please note that this is an estimate and the price is subject to change based on your nationality, purpose of visit, and changes in immigration rules.

Nationals of China (including Macao and Hong Kong), Iran, and Taiwan can obtain a visa on arrival for 30 days (90 days for China and Taiwan) at a fee of USD 30. This fee also applies when the visa is obtained in advance.

Nationals of Group 3 countries must apply for a visa at a Bolivian embassy in advance. The cost for this visa is USD 30.

If you are applying for a Bolivia E-Visa through VisaHQ, you will need to pay a visa processing fee through their platform. The payment methods accepted may vary.

What are the processing times?

The processing time for a Bolivian visa depends on the method of application and the type of visa. For online applications, the processing time is typically 1 to 6 business days, but there is an option for faster processing, which can provide the application form in as little as 24 hours. However, it is important to note that the processing time may be longer if additional documents are required or if there is a high volume of applications. In-person applications at the embassy or consulate generally take longer.

The Bolivian government has instituted an online visa application form, but the process is complicated and partially only available in Spanish. The processing time for a Bolivia visa may vary depending on the type of visa and the location of the embassy or consulate where you apply. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks. The Bolivian consulate in Washington, DC, for example, has a processing time of 10 business days, starting when they receive the application, payment, and actual passport.

There is an expedited process available for emergency situations or urgent travel. Applicants need to select their desired expedited processing option during application submission. If approved, the visa application form procurement time can be reduced to as little as one business day. However, expedited processing may come with an additional fee, which varies depending on the processing speed chosen.

It is recommended that you apply for a Bolivian visa well in advance of your intended travel date to allow for sufficient processing time and to avoid potential delays or complications.

What are the entry requirements?

To enter Bolivia, you must have a valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining. If you are a citizen of a country in Group 1, you do not need a visa to enter Bolivia as a tourist for up to 90 days per year. Group 1 countries include:

• All European Union member states, except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and Romania
• The Philippines
• Finland
• Brazil
• Russia
• Israel
• The United States
• China
• Macao
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan

Citizens of Group 2 countries must obtain a visa prior to arrival or on arrival for a fee. Group 2 countries include:

• Iran
• Nationals of Group 2 countries can obtain a visa on arrival at Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz airports for $30 USD.

Citizens of Group 3 countries must obtain a visa in advance with special authorization. Nationals of the following countries cannot obtain a visa on arrival and must obtain further authorization from a Bolivian embassy or consulate:

Dominican Republic

If you are a citizen of a Group 2 or Group 3 country, you will need to apply for a visa. The visa application process typically involves the following steps:

• Filling out a visa application form
• Providing a passport-sized photograph
• Submitting a copy of your hotel reservation or a letter from friends or family indicating the address where you will be staying
• Providing a round-trip ticket or copy of your travel itinerary
• Proof of economic solvency, such as a bank statement
• Paying the visa application fee

It is important to note that processing times for visa applications can take 4 to 6 weeks due to limited availability of visa stickers at the embassy. Therefore, it is recommended to start the visa application process well in advance of your planned travel to Bolivia.

Frequently asked questions