Entry/Exit Requirements

U.S. citizens traveling to Bolivia for tourism must apply for a visitor’s visa, which is valid for 10 years.  With this visa, you may stay a maximum of 30 calendar days per trip, not to exceed 90 days total per year.  You can apply for a Bolivian tourist visa through the Bolivian consulates in the United States, Bolivian consulates in any other country and, under certain circumstances, the land and airport port-of-entry offices of the Directorate General of Immigration in Bolivia. Embassy La Paz is aware of reports of U.S tourists receiving Bolivian visas issued by Bolivian Immigration authorities at the port of entry, but we do not advise relying on this option. For more information, please refer to the unofficial English translation of the Bolivian Supreme Decree issued on May 1, 2015, and to Bolivian Consular Offices and Immigration authorities.  Once in Bolivia, and before the initial 30 day stay is over, you may apply to extend your stay for an additional 60 days at Bolivian immigration offices. You should allow plenty of time for processing.

In addition to the visa fee of $160 USD, you must present a visa application form with a 4cm x 4cm color photograph, a passport valid through the date of departure from Bolivia, evidence of a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation in Spanish, round trip ticket or copy of itinerary, proof of economic solvency (credit card, cash, or a current bank statement), and an International Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever.

If you plan to conduct business in Bolivia, you must apply for a separate visa.

Dual Nationals: U.S.- Bolivian citizens may be required to show a valid Bolivian identity document, such as a Bolivian carnet de identidad, upon entering and exiting.

In addition to the  visa fee, you must present a visa application form with a 4cm x 4cm color photograph, a passport valid for at least six months, evidence of a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation in Spanish, round trip ticket or copy of itinerary, proof of economic solvency (credit card, cash, or a current bank statement), and an International Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever.

Arrival by Land: Some tourists arriving by land report that immigration officials did not place entry stamps in their passports, which may cause problems at checkpoints and upon departure. Make sure you get entry and exit stamps from the Bolivian authorities every time you enter or leave Bolivia.

Lost/Stolen Passports: If your U.S. passport is lost or stolen while you’re in Bolivia, you must obtain a replacement passport and present it, together with reports of the loss or theft from the Tourist Police and/or Interpol, to a Bolivian government immigration office in order to obtain a replacement visa at a cost of $80.00. The procedure for obtaining a replacement visa can take up to two days.   For more information on replacement passport procedures, please consult the U.S. Embassy’s web site.

Exit Tax: The Bolivian government charges an exit tax for air departures from the country. If you have Bolivian citizenship or residency, the Bolivian government requires an additional fee upon departure. While the Bolivian government does not currently require travelers to purchase round-trip air tickets in order to enter the country, some airlines have required travelers to purchase round-trip tickets prior to boarding aircraft bound for Bolivia.

Additional Exit Requirements for Minors: In an effort to prevent international child abduction, the Bolivian government has initiated procedures at exit points. Minors (under 18) who are citizens or residents of Bolivia and who are traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party must obtain a travel permit from the local, Bolivian family court (Juzgado del Menor). In order to obtain this permit, the parent or guardian must present a copy of the minor's birth certificate, parents' identification, and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. When a parent is deceased, Bolivian authorities require a notarized copy of the death certificate in lieu of the written authorization. If the travel permit documents are prepared outside of Bolivia, you must have them written or translated into Spanish, notarized, and authenticated by the Bolivian Embassy or a Bolivian consulate. If documents are prepared in Bolivia, only notarization by a Bolivian notary is required. These travel authorizations are only valid for 90 days after they are issued and notarized, and a minor may not be allowed to leave the country if their authorization has expired.

This requirement applies to dual U.S.-Bolivian citizen children who enter Bolivia with a U.S. passport as tourists or have been in Bolivia for more than 90 consecutive days. We recommend that all minors (under 18) who are citizens or residents of Bolivia and who are traveling alone, with one parent, or with a third party, and who plan on staying in Bolivia less than ninety (90) days, carry a letter of permission from their parents or legal guardians authorizing travel. 

Extended Stays: For more information on in-country visa procedures and requirements, please consult the Bolivian Immigration Service at Avenida Camacho between Calle Loayza and Calle Bueno, La Paz, Bolivia; fax/telephone (591-2) 211-0960. Note: If you submit your U.S. passport to Bolivian authorities for visa purposes, you may be able to retrieve it in an emergency. However, under current regulations, you would then need to submit and pay for a new application.

Please visit the Embassy of Bolivia web site for the most current visa information. Bolivian consulates in the United States are located in San Juan, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York City, Houston, and Washington, D.C.

There are limited flights within Bolivia and to neighboring countries. Flight delays and cancellations are common. You should keep this information in mind when making your travel plans.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, Bolivia.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.