Obtaining Bolivian Citizenship: A Guide To The Process

Obtaining Bolivian citizenship is a complex process that requires careful planning and attention to detail. While the beautiful Andes, unique nature, and low real estate prices make the country an attractive destination, it is essential to understand the specific requirements and procedures for becoming a Bolivian citizen. This includes understanding the different paths to citizenship, such as citizenship by birth, descent, or naturalization, and fulfilling the necessary conditions, such as residency requirements and documentation. Additionally, the financial costs and time investment involved in the process should not be underestimated, as acquiring Bolivian citizenship can be a lengthy and expensive endeavour.

Live in Bolivia for at least two years

To obtain Bolivian citizenship, you must live in Bolivia for at least two years as a legal resident. This period is considered uninterrupted residency, and during this time, you cannot be outside of Bolivia for more than 180 days. It is important to note that simply living in the country for two years is usually not enough to qualify for citizenship. This period is a prerequisite that must be combined with other requirements to form a complete application.

The specific conditions that must be met alongside the two-year residency depend on your personal circumstances. If you are married to a Bolivian citizen or have a child born in Bolivia, you only need to satisfy the two-year residency rule. However, if you are a foreigner with no familial ties to Bolivia, you must reside in the country for at least three years to be eligible for citizenship.

To ensure your time in Bolivia counts towards your application, it is crucial to follow the correct procedures. This includes obtaining the necessary visas and ensuring your passport remains valid. Before entering Bolivia, you should obtain a specific purpose visa and a letter of intent from your company or organisation. Upon arrival, you will be issued an entry stamp in your passport, allowing you to stay for 30 days. You can then extend your stay by up to 60 additional days by visiting the Bolivian Immigration Office.

During your time in Bolivia, you must comply with the country's laws and regulations. Additionally, it is essential to maintain valid visas and ensure that your passport remains current. By fulfilling the two-year residency requirement and meeting the relevant additional conditions, you will be well on your way to successfully applying for Bolivian citizenship.

Marry a Bolivian citizen

Obtaining Bolivian citizenship through marriage to a Bolivian citizen is a viable option, but there are a few important steps to follow. Firstly, you must obtain a specific purpose visa, which allows you to enter Bolivia with the intention of gaining residency. This visa is applied for at the Bolivian embassy and requires several documents, including a sworn statement, money order, introduction letter in Spanish, proof of financial stability, passport photo, and more. It is important to note that you cannot use a tourist visa for this purpose.

Once you have obtained the specific purpose visa, the next step is to open a bank account in Bolivia. This is a prerequisite for obtaining the much-needed residency visa. After that, you can proceed to obtain a 2-year temporary residency visa, which costs $286 for adults and $141 for minors. Along with this, a Bolivian identification card is required, costing an additional $50.

Now, the key aspect for marriage-based citizenship is the duration of residency. For those married to a Bolivian citizen, the requirement is to reside in Bolivia for a minimum of 2 continuous and uninterrupted years as a legal resident. This is a more relaxed requirement compared to the 3-year minimum for other applicants. During this time, it is important to ensure that your residency is uninterrupted, and any extended absences should be carefully considered.

After fulfilling the 2-year residency requirement, you can begin the process of applying for citizenship and permanent residency. This stage involves additional costs, with the citizenship application costing $874 and the permanent residency application costing $570. Furthermore, a special identification card is required for permanent residents, with an additional fee of $55.

It is worth noting that dual citizenship is not recognized in Bolivia, so becoming a Bolivian citizen requires renouncing your previous citizenship. This is an important consideration, especially for those from countries without a reciprocal agreement with Bolivia, as they would need to voluntarily renounce their previous citizenship.

The process of obtaining Bolivian citizenship through marriage is a detailed and time-consuming endeavor, but with careful planning and attention to requirements, it can be successfully achieved.

Have a child born in Bolivia

If you have a child born in Bolivia, you may be eligible for Bolivian citizenship. This route to citizenship is open to you even if you and/or your spouse are foreigners. However, you must have lived as a legal resident of Bolivia for a minimum of two continuous, uninterrupted years.

Bolivian nationality law is regulated by the 2009 Constitution, which determines who is, or is eligible to be, a citizen of Bolivia. The legal means to acquire nationality and formal membership in a nation differ from the rights and obligations between a national and the nation, known as citizenship. 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).

Children born within the territory of Bolivia are granted citizenship by birth (ius soli), regardless of the nationality of their parents. The only exception to this rule is children born to parents in the service of other governments. This means that if you have a child in Bolivia, and you have lived there as a legal resident for at least two years, you may be eligible for Bolivian citizenship.

It's important to note that the requirements for obtaining Bolivian citizenship may change, and you should always refer to the latest information provided by the Bolivian government or immigration authorities. Additionally, while having a child born in Bolivia can be a path to citizenship, there may be other requirements or considerations that you need to take into account.

Serve in the Bolivian military

Serving in the Bolivian military is one of the ways to obtain Bolivian citizenship. However, it is not the only way, and there are other requirements that must be met alongside military service. Here is a detailed guide on obtaining Bolivian citizenship through military service:

Requirements for Bolivian Citizenship through Military Service:

• Military Service: Firstly, you must have served or be serving in the Bolivian military. This demonstrates a commitment to the nation and can be a pathway to citizenship.
• Length of Service: While the exact length of service is not specified, it is important to serve with honour and distinction. The impact of your service will be considered during the application process.
• Legal Residency: Alongside military service, you must have lived as a legal resident in Bolivia for a minimum of two continuous, uninterrupted years. This requirement is crucial and must be fulfilled before applying for citizenship.
• Expression of Intent: According to Bolivian law, any foreigner applying for citizenship through naturalization must explicitly and voluntarily state their desire to acquire Bolivian nationality. This expression of intent is a necessary step in the process.
• Compliance with Migration Law: All applicants for naturalization must comply with the procedures outlined in the "Migration Law of 8 May 2013 and its Supreme Decree No. 1923 of 13 March 2014". Understanding and adhering to these laws are essential for a successful application.
• Application Processing: The General Directorate of Migration handles the processing of naturalization applications. It is important to submit a complete application with all the required documentation to ensure a smooth process.
• Presidential Bestowal: In Bolivia, naturalization is bestowed by resolution of the President of Bolivia. This means that the final decision on granting citizenship rests with the President, based on the recommendations of the relevant authorities.

Additional Considerations:

• Dual Citizenship: Bolivia permits dual citizenship. If you acquire Bolivian citizenship, you do not need to renounce your original nationality. Similarly, Bolivians who acquire foreign citizenship do not lose their Bolivian nationality.
• Citizenship by Marriage: If you are married to a Bolivian citizen and have lived in the country for at least two years, you may be eligible for citizenship. This path to citizenship has a shorter residency requirement compared to other routes.
• Citizenship by Descent: If either of your parents is Bolivian, you may be entitled to Bolivian citizenship by descent, regardless of whether you were born in Bolivia or abroad. Registration with the local consulate may be necessary if you were born outside of Bolivia.
• Citizenship Test: Once you have met the residency requirements and your application is approved, you will need to take the Bolivian citizenship test. This test is a standard step in the citizenship application process.

Open a bank account in Bolivia

To open a bank account in Bolivia, you must first meet the eligibility criteria. This includes having proof of residency in Bolivia, fulfilling other banking requirements, and speaking Spanish.

If you are a foreigner looking to open a bank account in Bolivia, you may want to consider using Expat Services. They can help you with the following:

• Discussing the type of account you want to open and describing the types of bank accounts available in Bolivia, the services local and national banks offer, and the basic requirements and documentation needed.
• Accompanying you to banks and assisting with translation.
• Helping you fill out all the required forms to open your bank account.
• Ensuring the bank explains which services they provide at their main and branch offices.
• Helping you activate your ATM card once your account has been opened and you have received your card.
• Providing a list of bank branches and automated tellers.

If you are opening a corporate bank account, there are some additional requirements. Companies must be registered at the Registry of Commerce before opening a corporate bank account in Bolivia. This is typically the last step of the company incorporation process. Once your company has met the requirements for registration, it will be eligible to open a corporate bank account in Bolivia at any financial local entity. You must then designate a person to manage the corporate account. This person must meet the following requirements:

• Locals: Must have a power of attorney (POA) with banking authorization, granted by the company shareholders. Legal representatives can be designated to manage a corporate bank account in Bolivia.
• Foreigners: Must apply for a Bolivian temporary residence to receive a foreign identification number. Once this is completed, the shareholder can grant the foreigner a POA with banking authorization. Foreign legal representatives can also be designated to manage a corporate bank account, as long as an official identification is presented.

The following documents are required to open a corporate bank account:

• Copy of the articles of incorporation of the company, including a commercial registry certificate, company bylaws and amendments (if any), and tax identification (NIT – Número de Identificación Tributaria).
• A POA granted from your company’s board of directors or shareholders authorizing the opening of the bank account and designating individuals with signing authority.
• Passport copies of all shareholders and national identification cards for members of the company.
• Proof of Address for the company’s authorized signatories, which can include utility bills or similar documents.
• Letters of reference or recommendation from other banks or business partners, including their phone numbers and emails for verification.

Frequently asked questions