Bolivia student visa

The student visa is the entry authorisation for foreigners who will study at primary or secondary level or at higher education institutions that provide professional training in Bolivia. It is a two-step route: the consulate issues an entry visa of up to 60 days, and within that time the student applies in Bolivia to DIGEMIG for a temporary student residence of one year, renewable each year until the studies are completed. Even Group I nationals, who are visa-exempt as tourists, cannot study for a full programme on a tourist stay, which is limited to 90 days a year and to leisure.

Bolivian consulates ask for the sworn statement visa application form, a passport valid for at least six months, and any of the following documents proving the studies, legalised beforehand by the competent consular office: a study certificate, secondary school diploma, bachelor's or postgraduate degree, or a transcript or record of grades.

Applicants aged 16 and over add a police, criminal or judicial record certificate from their country of origin or last residence. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is needed if the student will visit high-risk endemic areas, and a recent 4 x 4 cm photo with a red background completes the file.

Have your foreign diplomas and transcripts legalised for use in Bolivia before applying, translate them into Spanish where needed and confirm with the consulate which fee applies, since the consular network's general visa page does not publish it. Keep copies of all documents for the DIGEMIG residence application after arrival.

Within the 60-day validity of the visa, apply to DIGEMIG for the student temporary residence. It is granted for one year and renewed annually until the studies end. DIGEMIG has departmental administrations across the country, including in La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, where residence applications are handled.