Get A Bolivian Id: Navigating The Application Process

To obtain a Bolivian ID card, you must first apply for residency in Bolivia. Once your residency has been approved and your passport stamped, you can apply for the ID card. This process is fairly simple, but some people choose to hire a lawyer to help with the required documentation and fees. The Bolivian ID card is the one document you'll carry with you everywhere, so it's important to get it sorted as soon as possible.

Requirements for foreigners

To obtain a Bolivian ID card, officially known as a Cedula de Extranjero (Foreigner's ID Card), you must first obtain a one-year temporary residency in Bolivia. Here are the requirements and steps for foreigners to obtain a Bolivian ID card:

• Obtain temporary residency: Before applying for the Cedula de Extranjero, you must have a one-year temporary residency in Bolivia. This involves applying for a visa at a Bolivian Consulate before your arrival in the country.
• Specific Purpose Visa: If you plan to apply for residency in Bolivia, you must enter the country on a Specific Purpose Visa, not a tourist visa.
• Work Permit: If you intend to work or start a business in Bolivia, you will need to obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. The costs vary depending on the bilateral agreements Bolivia has with different countries.
• Biometric Registration: All foreigners in Bolivia are required to participate in the Bolivian Biometric Census. This involves providing biometric data, such as fingerprints and a digital photograph.
• Valid Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Bolivia. You will need to provide a photocopy of the passport page with the residence permit sticker when applying for the ID card.
• Criminal Record Certificate: Provide a criminal record certificate from your country of origin or the place where you have resided for the last six months. It must be apostilled and translated into Spanish if issued in another language.
• Health Certificate: Obtain a health certificate, especially if arriving from a country with yellow fever or other specific illnesses.
• Proof of Economic Solvency: Provide a bank statement or other proof of financial stability to ensure you can support yourself during your stay in Bolivia.
• Photographs: You will need to submit a digital copy of a passport-style photograph with a white background. This can be done at most Bolivian photo studios, and you will receive a CD with the digital image.
• Pre-registration through SEGIP: Navigate to the SEGIP website and complete the pre-registration process for the Cedula de Extranjero.

Application Process:

Once you have obtained your temporary residency and gathered the required documents, follow these steps:

• Visit the SEGIP Office: Go to the SEGIP office, located on Calle Mexico in La Paz, with all your documentation. Ensure you have a printout of your pre-registration, a photocopy of your passport, the cover letter granting your residency, and the receipt of payment of the required fees.
• Wait time: If your documentation is in order, you will be asked to return in one week to collect your Cedula de Extranjero.
• Collection: After the waiting period, you can collect your Bolivian ID card from the SEGIP office.

Application process

To apply for a Bolivian ID card, or 'carnet', you must first obtain a one-year temporary residency. Within 25 days of receiving this, you must apply for a Cedula de Extranjero (Foreigner's ID Card).

The application process is as follows:

Pre-registration

First, get a digital copy of a passport-style photograph with a white background. You can get this taken at almost any Bolivian photo studio. Then, pre-register through the website SEGIP, navigating to SEGIP > Extranjeria > Solicitud de Cedula de Extranjero.

Visit the SEGIP office

Next, go to the SEGIP office with the following documents:

• A printout of your pre-registration
• A photocopy of your passport, including the one-year residency sticker
• The cover letter granting your residency
• A receipt for payment of 480bs to SEGIP (contact them for the account number)

Collect your ID card

If your documentation is in order, you will be told to return to the SEGIP office in one week to collect your ID card.

Renewing your ID card

To renew your ID card, you must present your original and updated Bolivian birth certificate, as well as your previous ID card and/or passport. If you are married, divorced, or widowed, you must also present your original, updated marriage certificate and/or death certificate.

The cost for renewal is $20, payable by credit or debit card.

Getting a Bolivian Foreigner's ID Card

To get a Bolivian Foreigner's ID Card, you must first obtain a one-year temporary residency in Bolivia. This can be done by applying for a Specific Purpose Visa, not a tourist visa. You can obtain a specific purpose visa with a valid passport, a letter of intent from the company or organization, a work contract, a criminal record certificate, proof of address, an application for temporary residence, and a letter to the under-secretary of Migration.

Once you have obtained your one-year temporary residency, you must apply for a Cedula de Extranjero (Foreigner's ID Card) within 25 days of receiving your residency, or else fines will apply. To apply, first get a digital copy of a passport-style photograph with a white background. You can get this taken and put onto a CD at almost any Bolivian photo studio for around 15 BS. Then, do a pre-registration through the website SEGIP, navigating through SEGIP > Extranjeria > Solicitud de Cedula de Extranjero.

Once you have done that, go to the SEGIP office with the following:

• A printout of your pre-registration
• A photocopy of your passport, including the one-year residency sticker
• The cover letter granting your residency
• A receipt of payment of 480bs to SEGIP (contact them for the account number)

If all your documentation is in order, they will tell you to come back in one week to collect your Cedula de Extranjero.

Please note that the process outlined above is specific to the SEGIP office in La Paz, which is currently located on Calle Mexico a few blocks away from Plaza Estudiente. The process may vary for different locations.

Renewing your ID Card

To renew your ID card, or cédula de identidad, you must be physically present and provide your original and updated Bolivian birth certificate (as of Management 2007). You will also need to present your previous identity card and/or passport, which can be in the form of an original document or a photocopy.

If you are married, you must present your original, updated Bolivian marriage certificate. If you are divorced, you must present your original, updated marriage certificate, along with the registration of the cancellation of registration and/or a copy of the divorce decree. If you are widowed, you must present your original, updated Bolivian death certificate.

For profession registration, you must present your academic title of a middle or superior technician or professional title in the original national provision and a simple copy for the corresponding press. If you obtained your professional title abroad, you must present an original and a copy legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a simple photocopy.

The cost for renewal is $20, payable by credit or debit card.

Using your ID Card

Once you have your Bolivian ID card, there are several ways you can use it. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Carry it With You:

The Bolivian ID card, also known as the "carnet," is an essential document that you should carry with you at all times. It serves as proof of your identity and residency in Bolivia. You may need to present it when accessing certain services, travelling within the country, or during legal or official procedures.

Banking and Finances:

Your ID card is crucial for accessing banking services in Bolivia. Banks typically require you to have a foreigner ID card issued by the Bolivian authorities before allowing you to open an account. This is a standard requirement for residents, and your ID card facilitates financial transactions and managing your finances in the country.

Employment and Work Permits:

If you plan to work in Bolivia, having your ID card is mandatory. The Bolivian Foreigner Identity Card, often referred to as the "Carnet de Extranjero," is specifically required for employment. This card confirms your identity and residency status, which is essential for labour laws and tax purposes.

Education and Studying in Bolivia:

For those seeking educational opportunities in Bolivia, your foreigner ID card is necessary. It serves as proof of identity and residency when applying to educational institutions, whether state or private universities. Ensure you have this document ready when pursuing academic endeavours in the country.

Voting Rights:

Your Bolivian ID card grants you the right to participate in municipal elections. With this card, you can register to vote and have a say in local political decisions. This is an important aspect of civic engagement for residents of Bolivia.

Travelling Within Bolivia:

While your ID card may not be the primary document for domestic travel, having it can still be beneficial. It can serve as a supporting form of identification when travelling within Bolivia, especially when combined with other necessary documents.

Remember to always keep your ID card secure and up to date. It is a valuable document that facilitates various aspects of life in Bolivia, from daily activities to more formal procedures.

Frequently asked questions