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To visit Bolivia, all foreign travelers need proper travel authorization. The government of Bolivia has categorized visa applicants into three groups. Applicants from foreign countries in the first group do not need a visa and can stay up to three months, while travelers from countries in groups two and three are required to get a visa either before entering the country or on arrival.
The government also mandates all passengers to register for the Bolivia SIGEMIG, its migration management system. The SIGEMIG is a traveler location form, and foreigners can register their accommodation details before arriving in Bolivia. Immigration officials at the port of entry will also help foreigners register their information on SIGEMIG.
Processing Steps
Online Application
Form is received and reviewed.
Receive Document
Receive the approved document.
Arrive in Bolivia
Present the document upon arrival.
Three Tiered Policy
Not all foreign travelers need a visa to visit Bolivia for tourism or business. The government of Bolivia permits ordinary passport holders of around 51 nations, including Venezuela, Andorra, Iceland, Vatican City, Mexico, Canada, and Norway, visa-free entry for tourism. They can stay up to 90 days. Initially, they are allowed to stay for 30 days. They can extend it up to three months.
Holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports do not require a visa to enter Bolivia. This is applicable even to the holders of the Chinese public affairs passport. Travelers from countries like India should obtain a visa from the Bolivian embassy or consulate in their country. They can also get a visa on arrival at select international airports in Bolivia. Note that while an embassy visa is free of cost, travelers have to pay a processing fee of around 30 USD if they opt for a visa on arrival.
Visitors from other groups of countries, such as Cambodia and Yemen, should get a visa before planning a trip to Bolivia. They are not eligible for a Bolivian visa on arrival in the country. Bolivia has separated its visa policy into three groups.
Bolivia SIGEMIG Online Registration
Foreign travelers must register their accommodation details with Bolivia’s SIGEMIG system. This can be done pre-arrival or with immigration official assistance at entry points. Failing to register results in hefty fines upon departure. While most travelers need a visa, those from the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Colombia may enter visa-free for 30 days, extendable to three months.
Stays beyond three months require a visa application from a Bolivian mission in their country.
Citizens from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay, and Uruguay can enter using national ID cards instead of passports.
Visa-Free Entry to Bolivia
The government of Bolivia allows foreigners from around 51 countries visa-free entry for short-term stays for tourism and business-related activities. They can stay up to 90 days in the country without a visa. To stay more than three months, they have to get a Bolivian visa.
For this, they have to apply through a Bolivian mission in their home country. There is no Bolivian electronic travel authorization or eVisa.
Visa-Needed Entry to Bolivia
Travelers from visa-required countries can either apply for a Bolivian visa free of charge at their nearest embassy or consulate, or pay a processing fee for a visa upon arrival at certain Bolivian airports. The embassy application process, which involves filling an online form and submitting travel documents and a yellow fever vaccination proof, can be lengthy, taking 10-15 days. Not all countries house a Bolivian mission, so some applicants may need to mail their documents. On the other hand, visa on arrival, available in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba airports, involves an undefined procedure and potentially cash-only payments.
Special Authorization Needed
A few foreign countries, such as Syria, Israel, Angola, and Sudan, are not eligible for a visa on arrival in Bolivia.
They have to apply for a visa at a Bolivian mission. The process may take a little longer as they have to further obtain special authorization from the Bolivian national immigration service.
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Can US citizens get a visa on arrival?
Citizens of the US need a visa to visit Bolivia. They can apply for a visa at a Bolivian embassy or consulate in America or outside. They can get a Bolivian tourist visa on arrival in select airports in Bolivia. They can also extend their visa for up to 90 days.
Can Canadians get a Bolivian visa on arrival?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Bolivia for short-term stays for tourism and business. They can stay up to 90 days without a visa in the country. For staying over three months, they need to get a visa from a Bolivian mission. They are not eligible for a visa on arrival in Bolivia.
Can I get a Bolivian visa online?
The application form for a Bolivian visa is available online at the official website of the country’s immigration services. Applicants have to send the completed application form and documents to a nearby Bolivian mission.
How long does it take to get a tourist visa for Bolivia?
The processing time differs from embassy to embassy. Usually, a Bolivian visa is processed between 10 to 15 days.
How long can I stay visa free in Bolivia?
Citizens of visa-free countries can stay for 30 days initially. They can extend it up to 90 days.
Does Bolivia have an eVisa?
No. The government of Bolivia does not issue an electronic travel authorization or an eVisa.
Can US citizens get a visa on arrival?
Citizens of the US need a visa to visit Bolivia. They can apply for a visa at a Bolivian embassy or consulate in America or outside. They can get a Bolivian tourist visa on arrival in select airports in Bolivia. They can also extend their visa for up to 90 days.
Can Canadians get a Bolivian visa on arrival?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa to travel to Bolivia for short-term stays for tourism and business. They can stay up to 90 days without a visa in the country. For staying over three months, they need to get a visa from a Bolivian mission. They are not eligible for a visa on arrival in Bolivia.
Can I get a Bolivian visa online?
The application form for a Bolivian visa is available online at the official website of the country’s immigration services. Applicants have to send the completed application form and documents to a nearby Bolivian mission.
How long does it take to get a tourist visa for Bolivia?
The processing time differs from embassy to embassy. Usually, a Bolivian visa is processed between 10 to 15 days.
How long can I stay visa free in Bolivia?
Citizens of visa-free countries can stay for 30 days initially. They can extend it up to 90 days.
Does Bolivia have an eVisa?
No. The government of Bolivia does not issue an electronic travel authorization or an eVisa.
Bolivia Visa
See Bolivia Visa Policy for a more in depth explanation of the regular visa process. This may include different visa types, steps behind completing an application, and processing times.