Bolivia is a South American country blessed with rich natural resources and beautiful landscapes and rich culture. The country attracts annually lots of tourists who visit the country around the year. However, if you desire to visit the country as a tourist, you will need a tourist visa except if you are a foreign national of countries having a visa exemption program.
To obtain a tourist visa for Bolivia, foreign nationals must apply for a visa at the Bolivian consulate or embassy in their home country. Depending on the country of origin, applicants may need to provide documents such as a valid passport, a completed visa application form, two passport-sized photos, proof of travel arrangements, proof of financial stability, and a letter of invitation from a Bolivian resident.
Additionally, applicants may be required to provide evidence of a valid return ticket and proof of health insurance coverage. Depending on the country of origin, a visa fee may be required.
Once the application has been approved, the visa will be issued and can be collected at the Bolivian consulate or embassy. The visa is valid for 90 days and can be extended for an additional 90 days if required.
To learn the process of tourist visa application to Bolivia read through the processes and requirements that have been outlined and discussed in this informative piece.
How To Obtain A Tourist Visa For Bolivia (Step By Step Guide)
Just as it is in most countries around the world, you need a visa permit to enter Bolivia. The country issue different types of visas but for the sake of our discourse we are concerned with the tourist visa permit.
A tourist visa for Bolivia can be obtained at a Bolivian Embassy/Consulate/visa application center or in neighboring countries. Plus, a tourist visa can be purchased at any land or air border.
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Significantly, the Bolivian visa policy depends on the country you are coming from. That is because the Bolivian government categorizes visa applicants into three groups.
Foreign nationals or permanent residents from Countries that are in the first group such as the USA, EU states, Australia, etc., do not need a visa to enter Bolivia for stays of up to 90 days.
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While Foreign nationals or permanent residents from Countries that are in groups 2 and 3 If you are from a country in group 2 or 3, have to get a visa before entering Bolivia, but the visa requirements and application process differ.
You are likely reading this informative piece because you fall under group 2 or 3, meaning you have to get a Bolivian visa before you are allowed to enter the country.
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Interestingly, you can get a visa for Bolivia from a Bolivian Embassy/consulate/visa application center in your home country or the jurisdiction responsible for your country. Plus, you can get a visa on arrival.
Tourist Visa Application For Foreign Nationals From Group 2 Countries.
If you are coming from one of the group 2 countries, there are two options for you to apply for the Tourist Visa for Bolivia. These are:
- Applying at the Bolivian Embassy/Consulate.
- Getting a Bolivia Visa on Arrival.
Applying At The Bolivian Embassy/Consulate.
The process of applying for a Tourist visa for Bolivia at an Embassy or Consulate is discussed below and it is as follows:
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Step 1 – Locate the nearest Bolivian Embassy/Consulate in your home country or nearest to your country.
Step 2 – Contact them for visa application processes and learn about the application requirements.
Step 3 – Fill the Bolivia visa application form. You can download the form online or download and fill it in as a hard copy. You need to attach an electronic copy of your document (if required in your embassy) such as:
- Current valid passport.
- A passport-size photograph (3 cm x 3 cm).
- Your travel itinerary.
- Proof of accommodation in Bolivia.
- Invitation letter from a host in Bolivia (if required).
- Evidence of Yellow fever vaccination is to be presented.
- Supporting documents (if required).
Step 4 – Print out the confirmation page that was sent to you via the email address you provided and then sign it.
Sep 5 – Collect the required documents for a Bolivian visa.
Step 6 – Pay the Bolivia visa fee. The fee can differ as per the requirements of the Embassy/Consulate where you applied for the visa application. While in some cases you may not pay a visa application fee if you are applying ahead of time.
Step 7 – Submit the documents at the Embassy/Consulate on the date of your appointment. You can also submit the document via mail depending on the Embassy/Consulate.
Step 8 – Depending on the e Embassy/Consulate, typically you will have to wait 10-15 working days for the visa to be processed. You will be notified once there is a decision on your visa application.
Step 9 – Receive your visa. You may have to go to the Embassy/Consulate yourself to pick up your approved visa, or the approved visa documents can be mailed back to you via courier service.
Getting A Bolivia Visa On Arrival.
The second option to getting your Tourist visa for Bolivia is on arrival. Also, for foreign nationals from countries in group 2.
Possibly, you could not access a Bolivian Consulate/Embassy in your country or the nearest country to you, take advantage of the Bolivia Visa On Arrival at the Cochabamba, La Paz, and Santa Cruz airports.
It is possible to get your approved visa on arrival but, the application process may not always be the same. Also, make sure you have all the required documents for your visa application with you.
In addition, ensure you have enough cash (in US dollars) to facilitate the process to pay the Bolivia visa on arrival fee.
Immediately, after you get to the airport, you can pick up a visa application form and fill it out appropriately. Submit the application form together with all required documents, and a passport photograph.
Pay the required fee and wait until the process is completed. You will be called to pick up your visa and proceed on your journey.
Tourist Visa Application For Foreign Nationals From Group 3 Countries.
If you will be traveling to Bolivia from one of the countries in group 3, you are required to apply for a Bolivian visa at an Embassy or Consulate abroad.
However, this process is longer since they have to request authorization from the National Migration Service in Bolivia.
However, there is not much disparity in the process of foreign nationals in group 2.
The only difference is that once your application is submitted, the Bolivian Embassy/Consulate will forward your application to the National Migration Service in Bolivia which will notify you about their decision via the email address sent to you.
The process can also be longer and sometimes the decision can take up to three months. If the application is successful and approved, you will be given your visa.
Tourist Visa Requirements For Bolivia.
As we continue our discourse on How to Obtain a Tourist Visa for Bolivia, there are requirements that you must meet when applying for a Bolivian visa chiefly the documents you must submit that support your application. The required documents are:
- Your valid passport is at least valid for another six months and with at least two blank pages for visa stickers.
- Printed Bolivia visa application form.
- Passport-size photograph.
- Document of proof of accommodation such as hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Bolivia or shared/free accommodation.
- A copy of your travel itinerary or flight ticket.
- Proof of financial support can be a copy of your bank statements.
- Certificate of Yellow Fever vaccine.
Duration Of Bolivia Visa.
Typically, a Bolivia tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days per entry. Before the expiration of your current visa, you can apply for a visa extension.
You may be eligible to stay for up to 90 days within one year (no more than 30 days per entry) if the visa that is issued to you is a multiple-entry visa.
However, the decision regarding the duration of your visa is up to the immigration officers at the border or port of entry or the Embassy/Consular authorities where you obtain the visa.
The Cost Of Bolivia Tourist Visa.
The cost of a Bolivian tourist visa depends on the country you are coming from.
If you are a foreign national or permanent resident of one of the countries in Group 2, you may be able to receive a visa free of charge if you apply before your trip to an Embassy /Consulate.
If you apply on arrival, the visa application fee will cost you around USD 160.
Know that the price is subject to change based on your nationality, and changes in immigration rules.
Conclusion.
That is the much we can discuss and as you can see from our discussion on How to Obtain a Tourist Visa for Bolivia, the visa application process is not tedious and not different from what most countries offer.
You must find out which group your country falls in to inform your decision when preparing.
More so, ensure you have all the required documents ready so that the process for your visa application will not be delayed.
