For me, an Australian, to whom crossing a border into another country is a BIIIG deal, crossing oceans and all that, crossing a border in Bolivia is often like walking across the road to visit your neighbour.
Now after one year of continually crossing borders I have crossed through the toughest borders (Villazon) and the some of the more "relaxed" such as Puerto Quijarro, not to mention Copacabana, Desaguadero, Yacuiba, the border with Chile plus spent hours in line trying to get extensions in the immigration office in Santa Cruz . . . so yes... through necesity I do now consider myself quite experienced with the folks in Bolivian Immigration.
I hope for this lense to be your resource on crossing borders into and out of Bolivia, getting visas or extensions and your general travel immigration needs
Who requires a visa?
Required by all except the following, provided travelling for touristic purposes:
(a) 1. nationals of countries mentioned in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & The Grenadines, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay and Vatican City;
(c) transit passengers (except nationals of China) continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Note: (a) All nationals travelling on business do need a Specific Purpose visa. (b) Nationals not requiring a Tourist visa are usually allowed to stay for a period of 30-90 days; check with the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy). (c) In addition to a visa, nationals of many countries also require special authorisation; check with the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy).
(a) 1. nationals of countries mentioned in the chart above;
(b) nationals of Argentina, Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Iceland, Israel, Monaco, New Zealand, Netherlands Antilles, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, St Vincent & The Grenadines, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, Uruguay and Vatican City;
(c) transit passengers (except nationals of China) continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours provided holding valid onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Note: (a) All nationals travelling on business do need a Specific Purpose visa. (b) Nationals not requiring a Tourist visa are usually allowed to stay for a period of 30-90 days; check with the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy). (c) In addition to a visa, nationals of many countries also require special authorisation; check with the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy).
What documents will be required?
Passport valid for at least 1 year beyond the intended length of stay required by all except holders of an identity card issued to nationals of Argentina, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.
Application requirements: (a) One passport-size photo. (b) Completed application form. (c) Passport with remaining validity of at least 1 year. (d) Fee, payable by cash or cheque. (e) Return airline ticket or travel itinerary as proof of onward travel. (f) A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required (see Health section). (g) For Specific Purpose visas, a letter of introduction from the relevant company or institution as proof of business intentions and the dates of travel.
Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.
Application requirements: (a) One passport-size photo. (b) Completed application form. (c) Passport with remaining validity of at least 1 year. (d) Fee, payable by cash or cheque. (e) Return airline ticket or travel itinerary as proof of onward travel. (f) A yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required (see Health section). (g) For Specific Purpose visas, a letter of introduction from the relevant company or institution as proof of business intentions and the dates of travel.
Other Information
Time required to issue visa:
1 to 2 days for nationals requiring Tourist visas without special authorisation. Approximately 6 weeks for all other nationals requiring Tourist visas and special authorisation from the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How do I apply?
Enquire at Bolivian Consulate.
What is the cost of a visa?
Tourist: cost depends on nationality; enquire at the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy). Specific Purpose: £61.50. Student: £31. Transit: cost depends on nationality.
How long is the visa valid for?
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days but can be extended for up to 90 days (depending on nationality) from the date of entry. Specific Purpose visas are valid for 30 days and can be renewed for 60 additional days at the immigration office in Bolivia.
1 to 2 days for nationals requiring Tourist visas without special authorisation. Approximately 6 weeks for all other nationals requiring Tourist visas and special authorisation from the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How do I apply?
Enquire at Bolivian Consulate.
What is the cost of a visa?
Tourist: cost depends on nationality; enquire at the Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy). Specific Purpose: £61.50. Student: £31. Transit: cost depends on nationality.
How long is the visa valid for?
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days but can be extended for up to 90 days (depending on nationality) from the date of entry. Specific Purpose visas are valid for 30 days and can be renewed for 60 additional days at the immigration office in Bolivia.
Types of Visas Available
English Translation Coming Soon
Visas Diplomática y Oficial: Otorgadas a extranjeros portadores de pasaporte diplomático, oficial o equivalente.
Visa de Tránsito: Para la obtención de esta visa se requiere: pasaporte válido, boleto de viaje que acredite el destino del pasajero y el transito por territorio boliviano por el lapso de 7 días máximo. Serán considerados viajeros en transito capitanes, pilotos y tripulantes de naves o aeronaves.
Visa de Turismo: Favor revisar la opción "Relación de países que no requieren Visa de Turismo para ingresar a Bolivia, en el sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto: http://www.rree.gov.bo/ .
Visa de Estudiante: Para la obtención de esta visa se requiere: pasaporte válido y legal individualizado, certificado de buena conducta, certificado medico, certificado de estudios, todos debidamente legalizados, si el solicitante es menor de edad de acuerdo a leyes bolivianas, autorización legal de los padres o tutores, refrendada por autoridad competente para viajar y permanecer en Bolivia. Asimismo, certificación de solvencia económica de los padres y correspondiente aceptación de una universidad boliviana y/o similar.
Visa Múltiple: Otorgada exclusivamente por el servicio nacional de migración a través de la respectiva representación consular.
Visa de Cortesía: Otorgada a altos funcionarios de estado, de organismos internacionales, personalidades culturales y religiosas.
Visa de Objeto Determinado: Para la obtención de esta visa se requiere: pasaporte válido, documentación que acredite el objetivo que se persigue con el ingreso a territorio nacional o contratos de trabajo o de actuación cultural, artística o deportiva en su caso. Es otorgada por 30 días prorrogables mediante tramite ante el servicio nacional de migración.
Visa de Tránsito: Para la obtención de esta visa se requiere: pasaporte válido, boleto de viaje que acredite el destino del pasajero y el transito por territorio boliviano por el lapso de 7 días máximo. Serán considerados viajeros en transito capitanes, pilotos y tripulantes de naves o aeronaves.
Visa de Turismo: Favor revisar la opción "Relación de países que no requieren Visa de Turismo para ingresar a Bolivia, en el sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto: http://www.rree.gov.bo/ .
Visa de Estudiante: Para la obtención de esta visa se requiere: pasaporte válido y legal individualizado, certificado de buena conducta, certificado medico, certificado de estudios, todos debidamente legalizados, si el solicitante es menor de edad de acuerdo a leyes bolivianas, autorización legal de los padres o tutores, refrendada por autoridad competente para viajar y permanecer en Bolivia. Asimismo, certificación de solvencia económica de los padres y correspondiente aceptación de una universidad boliviana y/o similar.
Visa Múltiple: Otorgada exclusivamente por el servicio nacional de migración a través de la respectiva representación consular.
Visa de Cortesía: Otorgada a altos funcionarios de estado, de organismos internacionales, personalidades culturales y religiosas.
Visa de Objeto Determinado: Para la obtención de esta visa se requiere: pasaporte válido, documentación que acredite el objetivo que se persigue con el ingreso a territorio nacional o contratos de trabajo o de actuación cultural, artística o deportiva en su caso. Es otorgada por 30 días prorrogables mediante tramite ante el servicio nacional de migración.
New Link List
- Minister of Exterior Relations
- Bolivian Ministry of Exterior Relations
- US Embassy in La Paz
- Information for US Citizens in Bolivia from the US Embassy in La Paz.
New Guestbook
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by Bolivia_Blogger
I am a perpetual Bolivia traveller, based in Santa Cruz fascinated with this beautiful and interesting country - my aim is to make...
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