Bolivia Entry Policy
| Type | Delivery | Validity | Stays | Entries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Form (SIGEMIG) | 30 days | Up to 90 days | Single | Apply now |
Overview
To visit Bolivia, all foreign travelers need proper travel authorization. The government of Bolivia has categorized visa applicants in 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 group two and three are required to get a visa either before entering the country or on arrival.
The Bolivian government also mandates all passengers to register at 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.
Allowed Activities
Entry Form (SIGEMIG)
- Sightseeing (recreational visits)
- Meeting with friends and/or relatives
- Holiday visit
Processing Steps
Online Application
Form is received and reviewed for approval.
Receive Document
Receive the approved document via e-mail.
Arrive in Bolivia
Present the document upon arrival.
Bolivia Visa Policy and Entry Form Explained
Is a Visa Needed to Visit Bolivia?
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 for 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 in 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 are opting for a visa on arrival.
Visitors from another group of countries such as Cambodia and Yemen should get a visa before planning a trip to Bolivia. They are not eligible for a visa on arrival in the country.
Bolivia has separated their visa policy into three groups.
Explaining the SIGEMIG Online Registration
All foreign travelers have to register their accommodation details in the Bolivian government's official foreign migration system - SIGEMIG. This is an online registration form and travelers can complete it before arriving in Bolivia.
If they have not completed the form before arriving, they can seek help from the immigration officials at the port of entry.
The form will have the complete details of a foreign visitor's accommodation from the date of his/her arrival and till he/she leaves.
All foreigners are legally-bound to register in SIGEMIG. If they fail to do so, they will have to pay heavy fines upon departure from Bolivia. Visa Free Entry to Bolivia (Passport and ID card entry). Most foreign travelers need proper travel authorization such as a visa to enter Bolivia.
However, the government of Bolivia grants visa-free entry to travelers from a few eligible foreign countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Colombia. They can stay up to 30 days without a visa initially and can extend it for three months.
If they wish to extend their stay for over three months, they have to apply for a visa in a Bolivian mission at their home country.
Citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Paraguay and Uruguay can enter the country without their passports. They can submit their national ID cards at the immigration counter at the port of entry.
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
International travelers from visa-required countries have two options. They can either apply for the visa at the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate or can get a visa on arrival at select airports in the country.
Note that while applying through the embassy is free of cost, foreign travelers must pay a processing fee at the port of entry if they are opting for a visa on arrival.
Applying for a visa through a Bolivian mission is comparatively a lengthy process. It is to be noted that not all foreign countries have a Bolivian mission.
Applicants can contact the nearest mission and enquire about the process - whether they need to personally go there to get a visa or can submit the application via mail.
According to the embassy's instruction, they can make necessary arrangements and appointments (if needed).
They can complete the Bolivian visa application form that is hosted on the official website of the country. The applicants can also upload the travel and identity documents with the application.
Apart from their passport and travel documents, all applicants are required to register in Bolivian SIGEMIG and submit proof of vaccination against yellow fever.
Based on the mission, they can either mail the completed application form or can personally drop them off.
Generally, a Bolivian visa takes 10 to 15 days to process. Once the visa is delivered, they are advised to take a printout of the same.
Foreign travelers from eligible countries can get a Bolivian visa on arrival at international airports in La Paz, Santa Cruz or Cochabamba for a fee.
However, there is not much information about the procedure or time taken for visa issuance. It is different from airport to airport.
Note that digital payment may not be available, travelers need to carry cash if they are preferring a visa on arrival.
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 a special authorization from the Bolivian national immigration service.