Bolivia

Bolivia visa guide: tourist groups and consular visas

  • 4 visa types
  • checked 24 October 2026

How visas for Bolivia work

Bolivia's visas are issued abroad by its embassies and consulates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Directorate General of Migration (DIGEMIG) controls the border, grants and extends stays in Bolivia and decides residence permits (permanencias). The framework is Migration Law 370 and its regulation, Supreme Decree 1923 of 2014.

For tourism, Bolivia sorts nationalities into three groups set by the List of Visa Exemption and Extension (Supreme Decree 27150 of 2003 and its later amendments). Group I needs no tourist visa; Group II needs a consular tourist visa; Group III needs a tourist visa issued only after the consulate consults DIGEMIG. The group of each nationality is set in the annexes of that decree.

Visitors receive 30 days at entry, which DIGEMIG can extend twice, up to 90 days a year in total. Other consular visas cover study, work and other specific purposes (visa de objeto determinado), frequent business travel (visa múltiple), transit and humanitarian situations; after arriving, holders of study or work visas apply to DIGEMIG for a temporary residence permit.

Which visa do I need?

Holiday or visit: no visa for Group I nationals; Group II and III nationals need a consular tourist visa; 30 days at entry, extendable to 90 a year.

Frequent business or investment trips: visa múltiple, valid one year, stays of up to 90 uninterrupted days.

Work, voluntary work, academic exchange, religious activity, health or family reasons: visa de objeto determinado.

School or university studies: student visa, then a one-year student residence permit from DIGEMIG.

International protection or other humanitarian reasons: humanitarian visa, free and valid for up to 30 days.

Visa types for Bolivia

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Tourist or visit visa (visa de turismo o visita) and visa-free entry for Group I

    Nationals of Group I of Bolivia's visa list enter for tourism or visits without a visa.

    Maximum stay: 30 days at entry, extendable twice by similar periods; 90 days a year at most

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Multiple-entry visa for investment and business (visa múltiple)

    Bolivia's visa múltiple lets foreigners enter and leave repeatedly for investment and business activities.

    Maximum stay: Up to 90 uninterrupted days per stay

Study and training

  • Student visa Student visa (visa de estudiante)

    Foreigners who come to Bolivia for primary, secondary or higher professional education apply at a Bolivian consulate for a student visa.

    Maximum stay: Visa valid up to 60 days; then a one-year temporary residence renewable until graduation

Work

  • Work visa Special-purpose visa for work and other activities (visa de objeto determinado)

    Bolivia's visa de objeto determinado is the consular visa for stays with a specific purpose other than tourism: work, short-term work, volunteering, academic exchange work, religious activities, health and family reasons.

    Maximum stay: Depends on the purpose of the stay

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Bolivia?

It depends on your nationality's group in Bolivia's List of Visa Exemption and Extension. Group I nationals need no tourist or visit visa; Group II nationals need a consular tourist visa; Group III nationals need a tourist visa that the consulate issues only after DIGEMIG authorises entry.

How long can a tourist stay in Bolivia?

DIGEMIG grants 30 days at entry, which can be extended twice by similar periods; the maximum for tourists is 90 days a year.

Which nationalities need a Bolivian tourist visa?

Nationals of Group II countries need a consular tourist visa, and nationals of Group III countries need one issued after the consulate consults DIGEMIG. The list has been amended several times, for example by Supreme Decree 2097 of 2014, so check your nationality with a Bolivian consulate.

Is a yellow fever certificate required?

Bolivian consulates ask visa applicants for a yellow fever vaccination certificate if they will visit high-risk endemic areas.

Can I claim international protection in Bolivia?

Bolivian consulates issue a free humanitarian visa of up to 30 days to people who show a need for international protection under the principle of non-refoulement; the claim itself is handled in Bolivia.

Embassies and consulates

Last checked 24 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.