Planning a trip to Bolivia to see the Salar de Uyuni, Lake Titicaca, La Paz, Sucre, Potosí, the Amazon or other destinations? Depending on your nationality, you may be able to enter Bolivia without a tourist visa, while other travelers must obtain a visa before or during their journey.
This complete Bolivia tourist visa guide explains who needs a visa, the three visa groups, required documents, the application process, visa fees, tourist stay rules and important travel considerations.
Bolivia classifies foreign nationals into three groups for tourism and visa purposes: Group I, Group II and Group III. The applicable group depends on your nationality and Bolivia's current immigration and visa rules.
The official Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends checking the visa category applicable to your nationality before traveling because visa requirements can change.
| Group | Tourist Visa Requirement | Important Information |
|---|---|---|
| Group I | Generally no tourist visa required | Travelers from Group I countries can generally enter Bolivia for tourism without obtaining a tourist visa in advance. |
| Group II | Tourist visa required | Travelers normally need to obtain a tourist visa and satisfy the applicable documentary requirements. |
| Group III | Tourist visa required with prior consultation | The application is subject to consultation with the Bolivian migration authorities before the visa can be issued. |
Visa classifications are based on Bolivian nationality and immigration rules. Always verify your individual situation with a Bolivian embassy, consulate or the relevant Bolivian authorities before booking your trip.
Applicants who are required to obtain a Bolivian tourist visa should prepare the documents requested by the Bolivian authorities. Current official consular guidance includes the following requirements:
Bolivia's official visa information states that a yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required when visiting high-risk endemic areas.
This is particularly important if your itinerary includes tropical or Amazonian areas. Do not assume that the requirements for La Paz or another high-altitude destination are identical to those for every region of Bolivia.
If your nationality requires a tourist visa, prepare your application through the appropriate Bolivian embassy or consulate. The exact procedure can vary according to nationality and where you submit your application.
The cost of a Bolivian tourist visa is not necessarily identical for every traveler. Consular fees can depend on nationality and reciprocity arrangements.
For example, the Bolivian Consulate General in Geneva currently lists a tourist visa fee of US$50, while its published schedule also lists a separate US$160 tourist visa sticker fee for United States citizens and Puerto Rico under the specified category.
Because consular fees can change and may differ between nationalities and locations, check the fee schedule of the Bolivian embassy or consulate handling your application before paying.
Do not rely on old travel blogs that quote a single universal Bolivia visa price. Bolivian consular fees and nationality-specific rules can change. Always verify the current amount with the official Bolivian consulate responsible for your application.
Bolivian immigration regulations provide a framework in which a tourist visa is issued for an initial period of 30 days and can enable extensions of two additional similar periods. The regulations specify a maximum tourist stay of 90 calendar days per year.
The actual conditions applicable to an individual traveler can depend on nationality, visa status and current immigration rules. Travelers should therefore check the entry stamp and instructions provided by Bolivian immigration authorities.
A tourist visa is intended for tourism, recreation and visiting Bolivia. It is not the appropriate immigration status for taking regular employment in Bolivia.
Typical tourism activities include:
A tourist status is designed for tourism and does not authorize ordinary employment or remunerated activities in Bolivia.
If you intend to work, conduct qualifying professional activities, volunteer, study or remain in Bolivia for another specific purpose, you may need a different immigration category.
Bolivia has separate visa and immigration categories for purposes such as work, temporary work, study, family, health and other activities.
If your main purpose is employment or another activity that is not tourism, do not simply apply for a tourist visa because it appears easier. Bolivia provides other immigration and visa categories for specific purposes.
For example, the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes a Visa de Objeto Determinado for purposes including work, temporary work, volunteering, academic exchange, religious activities, health and family-related purposes.
See our Bolivia Work Visa Guide for more information.
Families traveling to Bolivia should prepare travel documents for every child and check whether each child has the required passport, visa or other documentation. Requirements can differ according to nationality and family circumstances.
If a child is traveling with only one parent or another adult, additional authorization or documentation may be relevant. Families should verify the requirements with the appropriate Bolivian authorities and their airline before travel.
Bolivian consular guidance lists accommodation documentation among the requirements for tourist visa applicants. This can include a hotel or other accommodation reservation.
An appropriate invitation from a person legally domiciled in Bolivia may also be accepted where the official requirements permit it. In some circumstances, the invitation must meet specific registration or authorization requirements.
If you are applying for a visa, make sure your accommodation documentation is consistent with your travel dates and itinerary.
Tourist visa applicants may need to demonstrate that they have sufficient financial resources for their trip.
Official Bolivian consular information refers to evidence such as:
The purpose is to demonstrate that you can reasonably support yourself during your visit to Bolivia.
Bolivia can be entered through international airports and land border crossings. Immigration officers may verify your passport, visa status and supporting travel documentation.
Before departure, make sure:
Bolivia changed the visa classification of several nationalities in December 2025. According to the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citizens of South Korea, South Africa, Bulgaria, Malta, Romania, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and the United States were moved into Group I for tourism under the announced policy.
This means travelers should not rely on older websites or travel guides when checking whether a visa is required. Nationality-based visa rules can change, and information published before December 2025 may now be outdated.
The Bolivian government announced in December 2025 that the United States was moved to Group I for tourism.
This represents an important change from older Bolivia visa information that required U.S. travelers to obtain a tourist visa.
If you are a U.S. citizen planning a trip to Bolivia, verify the current entry requirements before travel because airlines and immigration authorities apply the rules in force at the time of your journey.
Many European travelers should check their individual nationality against Bolivia's current Group I, II and III classifications rather than assuming that all European countries have identical requirements.
Visa rules are nationality-specific and can change because of diplomatic agreements, reciprocity and Bolivian government decisions.
If you are traveling from Switzerland, the key factor is your nationality rather than simply your country of departure.
Before traveling, check the current Bolivian visa rules for your passport and, if a visa is required, contact the appropriate Bolivian consular representation.
Tourist visas are issued through Bolivian diplomatic and consular representations abroad, according to the applicable rules.
Bolivia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides official consular information and visa services, while the Dirección General de Migración (DIGEMIG) is the country's migration authority.
If you need a tourist visa, use this checklist before submitting your application:
Once your entry requirements are confirmed, Bolivia offers an unusually diverse travel experience. Popular destinations include:
Obtaining a visa is only one part of planning a trip to Bolivia. Travelers should also budget for accommodation, food, domestic transportation, tourist activities, travel insurance and flights.
Bolivia can be considerably less expensive than many European destinations, although prices vary significantly between cities, tourist destinations and travel styles.
Bolivia Monthly ExpensesA tourist trip is very different from relocating to Bolivia. If you are considering staying long term, working, studying, joining family members or establishing a business, you should investigate the appropriate residence or visa category before making your plans.
Our Bolivia Residency Guide explains the broader immigration system and the difference between temporary and definitive residence.
If your tourist trip is also an opportunity to explore Bolivia as a potential future home, consider visiting several cities before making a relocation decision. Climate, altitude, housing, healthcare, employment opportunities, transportation and lifestyle can vary substantially between places such as La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Sucre.
Read our Move to Bolivia Guide to learn more about relocation.
This page is provided for general travel information and is not legal or immigration advice. Visa requirements, fees, nationality classifications, health requirements and immigration procedures can change.
Before traveling, verify the latest requirements with the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the relevant Bolivian embassy or consulate, and/or Dirección General de Migración (DIGEMIG).
In particular, travelers from Group II and Group III countries should confirm the current visa procedure before purchasing non-refundable flights or accommodation.