Travelers' Guide To Getting A Bolivian Tourist Visa

If you're planning a trip to Bolivia, you may need to get a tourist visa. The visa requirements and application process for Bolivia depend on the country you are from. The Bolivian government divides visa applicants into three groups. If you're from a country in Group 1, such as the USA, EU, or Australia, you don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. For Group 2 and 3 countries, a visa is required before entering Bolivia, and the specific requirements and application process may vary. US citizens, for example, need to apply for a tourist visa before travelling to Bolivia. The application process typically involves contacting the nearest Bolivian Embassy or Consulate, completing the necessary forms, providing supporting documents, and paying the visa fee. It's important to carefully review the visa requirements and process for your specific country before initiating your travel plans to Bolivia.

Required documents: passport, photograph, proof of accommodation, visa fee, etc

To obtain a tourist visa for Bolivia, you will need to gather several required documents and fulfil certain criteria. Here is a detailed list of the documents and requirements:

Passport:

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in Bolivia and should have at least one blank visa page. It is essential to ensure that your passport is in good condition and not frayed, torn, or altered in any way.

Photograph:

You will need to provide a recent passport-size photograph that meets specific criteria. This should be a 2" x 2" colour photo taken against a plain white background within the last three months. The photo should feature a full frontal view of your head, with your face centred in the middle and a neutral expression. No eyeglasses or headwear are allowed, except for religious purposes.

Proof of Accommodation:

You must provide proof of your lodging in Bolivia. This can be in the form of a hotel reservation or a letter from friends or family indicating the address where you will be staying. If staying with Bolivian friends or family, you may need a letter of invitation from the host.

Visa Fee:

The visa fee varies depending on your nationality. For US citizens, a tourist visa costs $160, payable in US currency or its equivalent in local currency upon arrival. For some nationalities, the visa is free of charge, while others may have a different fee. It is recommended to pay the visa fee in advance, as it may not always be possible to purchase one on arrival.

Additional Documents:

• Round-trip Ticket or Travel Itinerary: You must show proof of a return or onward ticket, or provide confirmation of your plans to depart Bolivia.
• Economic Solvency: You may need to provide a bank statement or proof of sufficient funds for your trip.
• Visa Application Form: Fill out the necessary visa application form, also known as the Visa Affidavit form.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: This is required if you are arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

It is important to note that you may need to provide additional documents depending on your specific situation. For instance, if you are travelling with pets, you will need health certificates for them. Additionally, if you are applying for a business visa, you will need a business cover letter and a letter of invitation from the organisation you will be visiting.

Always refer to the official websites of the Bolivian Consulate or Embassy in your country for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding visa requirements and fees.

Visa groups: Group 1, 2 and 3 countries and their requirements

To obtain a tourist visa for Bolivia, you must first determine whether your country of citizenship falls into Group 1, 2, or 3. Each group has different requirements and procedures for obtaining a visa.

Group 1 Countries:

Citizens of Group 1 countries do not require a visa to enter Bolivia. They can enter for tourism or business purposes without obtaining a visa in advance. This group includes all European Union member states, with the exception of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and Romania, who are required to obtain a visa. Additionally, holders of diplomatic or official/service passports of any country except China can enter without a visa for up to 90 days.

Group 2 Countries:

Citizens of Group 2 countries must obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Bolivia. The visa can be obtained free of charge from any Bolivian embassy or consulate, or upon arrival for a fee. Nationals of China, Macao, Hong Kong, and Taiwan fall into this group and can obtain a visa on arrival for 90 days with a fee of 30 USD.

Group 3 Countries:

Citizens 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. As of February 2021, Israel is in Group 3. Nationals of Iran can obtain a visa on arrival for 30 days, but only at Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz airports, with a fee of 30 USD.

Regardless of the group, all visa applicants must ensure they have a valid passport with at least six months of validity and a completed Visa Affidavit form, among other requirements.

Where to apply: finding and contacting the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate

To apply for a tourist visa for Bolivia, you will need to contact the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate.

If you are a US citizen, you can apply at the Bolivian Consulate in Washington, DC, but only if you reside in one of the following states: District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, and North Carolina. If you live elsewhere in the US, you will need to apply at a different consulate, such as New York, Miami, Houston, or Los Angeles.

If you are not a US citizen, you will need to find out where your nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate is. You can do this by searching online for 'Nearest Bolivian embassy/consulate [name of your country/city]'.

Once you have located your nearest embassy or consulate, you can contact them to find out about their application requirements, whether you need to make an appointment, and how to submit your application.

Application form: what to include and how to complete it

To apply for a tourist visa to Bolivia, you must complete a Visa Affidavit form. This form can be obtained from any Consulate of Bolivia. If you live in the US, you can apply with the Bolivian Consulate in Washington, DC, only if you reside in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, or North Carolina. If you live elsewhere, you must apply with a different Bolivian Consulate.

The application form must include:

• A 2" x 2" passport-sized photograph
• A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity and at least one blank visa page
• A copy of your hotel reservation or a letter from friends or family indicating the address where you will be staying. If staying with friends or family, you must also include a sketch of the address, invoices of the last three months of basic utilities (water, electricity, telephone) in your name, the contract of the current rent, or other related documents.
• A round-trip ticket or a copy of your travel itinerary
• A bank statement showing transactions for the last three months

Please note that incomplete applications will be returned without being processed. It is important to ensure that all the information in the application form matches that in your passport.

Processing times: how long it takes to get a Bolivian tourist visa

The processing time for a Bolivian tourist visa is 10 business days, starting when the consulate receives your application, payment, and passport. The Bolivian government has listed countries into three different groups, each with different requirements for entry. The cost of a tourist visa varies depending on where you are applying from and can be free of charge, $30, or $95 USD.

It is important to note that most consulates and embassies are only open to the public during the morning hours. The best time to apply for your Bolivia visa is 1-2 months before your travel date.

Frequently asked questions