Best La Paz District For A Bolivian Visa

The Bolivian government has divided visa applicants into three groups, each with different visa requirements. If you are a citizen of a country in Group 1 (USA, EU, Australia, etc.), you do not need a visa to enter Bolivia for stays of up to 90 days. Citizens of Group 2 and 3 countries, however, must obtain a visa before entering Bolivia. The visa application process and requirements vary depending on the group your country belongs to. It is important to determine which group your country falls under and understand the specific visa requirements before planning your trip to Bolivia.

Bolivian visa requirements for US citizens

All US citizens visiting Bolivia are required to obtain a visa. Most types of visas are only available at a Bolivian Embassy or Consulate in the United States or a neighbouring country. Tourist visas can also be purchased 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 live in another state, you will need to apply at a different Bolivian Consulate, such as New York, Miami, Houston, or Los Angeles.

• A valid US passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
• An international certificate of yellow fever vaccination.
• Proof of a round-trip ticket or confirmation of plans to depart Bolivia.
• Proof of lodging in Bolivia, such as a hotel reservation. If you are staying with friends or family, you may need a letter of invitation from the host.
• A 2"x2" passport-sized photograph.
• A copy of your hotel reservation or a letter from your friends or family in Bolivia, including the address, sketch of the address, and invoices of the last three months of basic services (water, electricity, telephone) in your name.
• A round-trip ticket or a copy of your travel itinerary.
• An economic solvency test, such as a bank statement.
• A completed visa application form.

The Bolivian Immigration Office issues several types of visas, including transit, diplomatic, educational, tourist, multiple-entry, and special case visas. It is important to understand the different visa types and choose the one that fits your travel purpose.

Where to apply for a Bolivian visa in the US

If you are a US citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Bolivia for stays of up to 90 days. However, if you wish to stay longer than this, you will need to apply for a visa from one of the Embassies or Consulates of Bolivia.

In the US, there are several Bolivian Consulates where you can apply for a visa, depending on your state of residence. These include Washington, DC, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and New York. If you live in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, or North Carolina, you can apply at the Bolivian Consulate in Washington, DC. For those living outside of these states, you will need to apply at a different consulate, depending on where you are based.

Bolivian visa requirements for Group 1 countries

The Bolivian government has divided visa applicants into three groups, each with its own set of rules. Group 1 countries do not require a visa to enter Bolivia for visits of up to 30 days, which can be extended to 90 days. This group includes:

• USA
• EU member states (except Bulgaria, Cyprus, Malta, and Romania)
• Australia
• Russia
• Brazil
• Israel

Citizens of these countries can enter Bolivia with a valid passport or national ID card. It is important to note that the passport must have at least six months of validity remaining. Additionally, visitors must provide proof of accommodation, such as a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from a host in Bolivia. A round-trip ticket or copy of the travel itinerary is also required.

If you plan to stay in Bolivia for more than 90 days, you must apply for a visa from one of the Bolivian Embassies or Consulates abroad.

Bolivian visa requirements for Group 2 countries

The Bolivian government has divided visa applicants into three groups, each with different visa policies. Group 2 countries are those whose citizens must obtain a visa before arrival, either at any Bolivian embassy or consulate for free, or on arrival for a fee.

If you are a citizen of one of the following Group 2 countries, you must obtain a visa before travelling to Bolivia:

• Central African Republic
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Central African Republic
• Democratic People's Republic of Korea
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• United Arab Emirates

How to Apply for a Bolivian Visa (Group 2)

• Find the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate, or choose one that is convenient for you to go to. Note that there may not be a Bolivian consulate in every country.
• Contact them to learn about their specific application requirements, whether you need to make an appointment, and how to submit your application.
• Complete the Bolivian visa application form (Sworn Statement for Visa Application), which is accessible online. Attach electronic copies of the following documents:

• A passport-size photograph (3 cm x 3 cm or 2 inches x 2 inches)
• Proof of accommodation in Bolivia
• Invitation letter from a host in Bolivia (if applicable)
• A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever
• Any other required documents

• Print and sign the confirmation page, which will be downloaded as a PDF.
• Collect the required documents for the Bolivian visa application.
• Pay the Bolivian visa fee, as per the requirements of the embassy or consulate. In some cases, you may not have to pay a visa fee if you are applying before your trip.
• Submit the documents at the embassy or consulate during opening hours or on the date of your appointment. Depending on the embassy or consulate, you may also be able to submit the documents by mail.
• Wait 10-15 working days for the visa to be processed. You will be notified once a decision has been made on your application.
• Receive your visa. If you applied in person, you may need to go to the embassy or consulate to collect your visa. If you applied by mail, the documents can be mailed back to you.

Alternatively, if you are unable to access a Bolivian embassy or consulate, you can obtain a Bolivian visa on arrival at the Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz airports. However, the application process may not always be the same, and you must have all the required documents and the necessary cash (in US dollars) to pay the visa fee.

Bolivian visa requirements for Group 3 countries

The government of Bolivia has divided countries into three groups, each with different visa policies. Citizens of Group 3 countries must obtain a visa in advance with special authorization from the National Migration Service in Bolivia. The process for applying for a Bolivian visa as a Group 3 country national is as follows:

Firstly, find the nearest Bolivian Embassy or Consulate or one that is convenient for you to visit. Contact them to understand their requirements and whether an appointment is necessary. Enquire if you can mail your application and documents to the Embassy/Consulate instead of visiting in person.

Next, complete the online Bolivian visa application form (Sworn Statement for Visa Application) and print it out. Attach electronic copies of the following documents:

• A passport-size photograph (3 cm x 3 cm or 2 inches x 2 inches) in JPG format and a maximum of 150Kb in size. Your entire face must be visible, and you must be staring ahead with a neutral expression. Headgear and eyeglasses are not allowed unless worn for religious reasons.
• Proof of accommodation in Bolivia: This can be a letter of invitation from your host or a hotel reservation. The document must include the dates of your stay.
• A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.
• Any other documents that may be required.

Collect the required documents for a Bolivian visa application. These include:

• Your valid passport with at least six months of validity and a minimum of two blank pages for visa stickers.
• Printed Bolivia visa application form (Sworn Statement for Visa Application).
• A copy of your flight ticket or travel itinerary.
• Proof of financial resources: A copy of your bank or credit card statements.

Then, visit the Bolivian Embassy/Consulate to submit your application. Present your passport and documents in person or send them by registered mail if that option is available. The Embassy/Consulate will forward your application to the National Migration Service in Bolivia.

Finally, wait for a response. You will typically be notified about their decision within three to five weeks. However, in some cases, the process can take up to three months. If your application is successful, you will receive your visa.

Frequently asked questions