Tourist Visa For Bolivia
Touring in Bolivia? Be sure to get a tourist Visa for Bolivia. If you don’t, you could end up jailed for visiting the country for less than 30 days. At least that’s what happened to this gentleman.
Bolivia is an extraordinary country whose beauty is mostly unknown in the outside world. I didn’t even know where Bolivia was before I moved there, but now Bolivia is my home and the place that’s closest to my heart. For anyone interested in applying for a tourist visa to Bolivia, or those who simply want to have a better understanding of doing a visa run in Bolivia, this article should help.
What are the tourist visa requirements for entering Bolivia? There are a lot of rumors that floating around the internet nowadays. One of them is that you can acquire a Bolivian Tourist Visa in the Airport. This is not true as there is no such thing as an airport visa for Bolivia. So please don’t listen to anyone telling you any different, it’s just plain wrong, and will get you in trouble if you put your faith in these people. This article covers what tourist visas you can (and cannot) apply for when entering Bolivia today.
Bolivia is a country in South America that offers tourists a wide range of natural and cultural attractions. Bolivia is also one of the most biodiverse countries in South America and has a rich history.
A tourist visa for Bolivia is required for any traveler who wishes to enter the country for non-business purposes. Tourists must apply for their visa at the Bolivian consulate in their home country prior to travel, and this visa must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Bolivia.
The process for obtaining a tourist visa for Bolivia can be started by filling out an application form, which can be downloaded from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (www.mre.gov.bo). Once this form has been completed, it should be submitted along with supporting documents such as passport photos and an original photo ID to the Bolivian consulate in your home country where you will receive an appointment time for your interview with an official representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During this interview, you will be asked questions about your reason for traveling to Bolivia and if there are any health issues that might prevent you from entering or staying there safely during your stay (for example if you have been diagnosed with HIV).
Visiting Bolivia can be a great experience, but before you go, you need to get a tourist visa. It’s easy to do and can be done at any Bolivian consulate in your home country.
The process is simple: just bring an application form, two passport-sized photos, and proof of identity (a passport or national ID card). You also need to pay an application fee of $135 USD (or $125 USD if you apply online). Once you’ve applied for your visa, it will be issued within about one week.
While there are many reasons for visiting Bolivia, some of the most popular include trekking the spectacular Andes Mountains and exploring the ancient ruins like Tiwanaku from 10th century BC that are found throughout the country.
You’ll also want to check out Uyuni Salt Flats, where thousands of migratory flamingos arrive each year for breeding season.
How to Apply for Bolivia Visa (Group 2)
As a citizen of the countries included in the second group, you have two options when it comes to applying for a Bolivia visa:
- Applying in a Bolivian Embassy/Consulate
- Getting a Bolivia Visa on Arrival
The process of applying for a Bolivia visa at an Embassy or Consulate is as follows:
- Find the nearest Embassy/Consulate of Bolivia or the one that’s most convenient for you to go to. There is not a Bolivian consulate in every country.
- Contact them to learn about their application requirements, whether you have to make an appointment, and how you can submit the application.
- Complete the Bolivia visa application form (Sworn Statement for Visa Application), which is accessible online (here). You have to attach electronic copies of the following documents:
- Your passport
- A passport-size picture (3 cm x 3 cm)
- Travel itinerary
- Proof of accommodation in Bolivia
- Invitation letter from a host in Bolivia (if applicable)
- A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever
- Any other documents that may be required
- Print out the confirmation page (which is downloaded as a PDF) and then sign it.
- Collect the required documents for a Bolivian visa. (See the necessary documents under “Bolivia Visa Requirements”).
- Pay the Bolivia visa fee, as per the requirements of the Embassy/Consulate. In some cases, you may not have to pay a visa fee at all if you are applying before the trip.
- Submit the documents at the Embassy/Consulate during opening hours or on the date of your appointment. Depending on the Embassy/Consulate, you can also submit the documents by mail.
- Wait 10-15 working days for the visa to process. Once there is a decision on your visa application, you will be notified.
- Receive your visa. If you applied in person, you may have to go to the Embassy/Consulate yourself to receive your visa, whereas if you applied by mail the documents can be mailed back to you.
Bolivia Visa On Arrival
If you cannot access a Bolivian Consulate/Embassy, you can also receive a Bolivia Visa On Arrival at the Cochabamba, La Paz and Santa Cruz airports. However, the Bolivian immigration authorities do not have the most detailed information regarding how eligible applicants can receive their Bolivian visa on arrival. Although it is possible, the application process may not always be the same.
However, if your only choice is obtaining a Bolivia visa on arrival, then you must have all the required documents required for a visa with you (see the required documents for a Bolivia visa under “Bolivia Visa Requirements” below).
You must also have the necessary cash (in US dollars) to pay the Bolivia visa on arrival fee. The bills for the visa fee have to be in good condition since the visa officers at the entry may refuse to accept them otherwise.
Bolivia Visa Requirements
When applying for a Bolivian visa, you have to submit documents which support your application. The required documents are:
- Your valid passport. It must have a validity of at least another six months and with at least two remaining pages for visa stickers.
- Printed Bolivia visa application form (Sworn Statement for Visa Application).
- Passport-size picture, with the following requirements:
- Dimensions: 3cm x 3cm or 2inch x 2inch
- For electronic picture: JPG format and a maximum of 150Kb
- White background
- Taken recently
- You must be staring ahead, and your entire face has to be visible
- You must have a neutral face expression
- You are not allowed to wear headgear (except for religious reasons) or eyeglasses that obstruct your eyes or your face
- If you wear headgear for religious reasons, make sure it does not cover your face.
- Proof of accommodation in Bolivia:
- Hotel reservation or
- a letter of invitation from your host. In either case, the document must include the dates you will stay there.
- A copy of your flight ticket or travel itinerary.
- Proof of financial resources: A copy of your bank or credit card statements.
- Certificate of Yellow Fever vaccine.
Note:
You need the above-mentioned pictures in electronic format and paper format. You need the electronic copies to attach them on the online application form.
The electronic copies of the required documents have to be in PDF format (except the picture) and they must not be larger than 500Kb.
Additional Documents for Bolivia Visa Application
In addition to the documents mentioned above, you may also have to submit the following documents, which are based on the type of visa you need. These can include:
- For Bolivia Transit Visa: Documents that proof your flight itinerary and that you intend to travel to a third country (visa, flight ticket, etc)
- For Bolivia Student Visa:
- Academic transcripts
- Letter of acceptance
- Police clearance documents, issued from your country of residence
Duration of Bolivia Visa
A Bolivia tourist visa is issued for a maximum of 30 days per entry. You can apply for a visa extension before the visa expires. If the visa is issued as a multiple-entry visa, you may be able to stay for up to 90 days within a one-year period (no more than 30 days per entry).
The decision regarding the duration of your visa is up to the immigration officers at the port of entry or the Embassy/Consular authorities where you obtain the visa.
Bolivia Visa Cost
The cost of a Bolivian visa depends on your nationality. If you are from one of the countries on Group 2, then you may be able to receive a visa free of charge if you apply before your trip at an Embassy or Consulate. If you apply on arrival, you will have to pay a fee, which is around USD 160.
Please note, however, that this is an estimate and the price is subject to change based on your nationality, purpose of visit, and changes in immigration rules.
Bolivia Visa Requirements for US Citizens
US citizens do not need a visa to enter Bolivia as of December 20, 2019. If you are a US citizen travelling to Bolivia for tourism purposes, you can enter with just your passport, which must have at least 6 months remaining validity. You can only stay for up 30, 60, or 90 days, as the Immigration officer at the port of entry decides.
Conclusion
The tourist Bolivian visa is a great way to visit Bolivia, one of the most welcoming and fascinating countries in South America. I know the process seems daunting at a first glance, but it’s quite simple if you can find some helpful resources. The official governmental website for the TIR visa is at http://touriago.com/bolivia
