Bolivia, the landlocked heart of South America, is a land of extraordinary contrasts — from the vast salt flats of Salar de Uyuni to the lush Amazon basin, the colonial streets of Sucre to the high-altitude city of La Paz. Whether you’re drawn by adventure, culture, or natural wonders, understanding Bolivia’s visa requirements before you travel is essential.

Bolivia divides all countries into three groups when it comes to entry requirements. Group 1 covers countries whose citizens are visa-exempt, Group 2 covers countries whose citizens must obtain a visa in advance, and Group 3 covers countries whose citizens must obtain both a visa and special authorisation. This guide breaks down each category in full so you know exactly where you stand before you book.

Quick Reference Summary

Group	Requirement	Stay Permitted
Group 1 – Mexico	No visa required	Up to 180 days
Group 1 – Dominican Republic, Palestine, Honduras, UK	No visa required	Up to 90 days
Group 1 – Russia	No visa required	Up to 90 days within any 180-day period
Group 1 – EU states (excl. Cyprus) + 30 others	No visa required	Up to 90 days per calendar year
All countries (diplomatic/official passports)	No visa required	Up to 90 days (China: 30 days)
Group 2 – All other countries	Visa required in advance	As per visa granted
Group 3 – 20 specific countries	Visa + Special authorisation required	As per visa granted

Group 1: Visa-Free Entry

Citizens of Group 1 countries may enter Bolivia for tourism or business without obtaining a visa in advance. Entry is permitted for the period listed below, depending on nationality.

180 Days – Mexico

Mexican citizens enjoy the most generous visa-free allowance of any single nationality, permitted to stay in Bolivia for up to 180 days. This reflects the strong bilateral relationship between Mexico and Bolivia and the long-standing ties between the two nations.

• Mexico – up to 180 days

90 Days – Dominican Republic, Palestine, Honduras, and United Kingdom

Citizens of the following countries may enter Bolivia without a visa and remain for up to 90 days. Notably, the United Kingdom’s entry covers all classes of British nationality, meaning British Overseas Territories Citizens, British Nationals (Overseas), British Overseas Citizens, British Subjects, and British Protected Persons are all included.

• Dominican Republic – up to 90 days (visa-free status granted in 2024)
• Palestine – up to 90 days
• Honduras – up to 90 days
• United Kingdom – up to 90 days (all classes of British nationality included)

90 Days Within Any 180-Day Period – Russia

Russian citizens may enter Bolivia visa-free but under a rolling window restriction: a stay of up to 90 days is permitted, but only within any 180-day period. This means that once you have spent 90 days in Bolivia, you must wait until 180 days have elapsed from your first entry before you can return visa-free.

• Russia – up to 90 days within any 180-day period

90 Days Per Calendar Year – European Union and Others

The following countries and territories are granted visa-free access for up to 90 days per calendar year. This is a distinct limitation from the rolling 180-day rule — it resets on 1 January each year. Citizens of several South American nations may enter using a national ID card in lieu of a passport, as marked below.

• All European Union member states (except Cyprus)
• Andorra
• Argentina (ID card accepted)
• Australia
• Brazil (ID card accepted)
• Canada
• Chile (ID card accepted)
• Colombia (ID card accepted)
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador (ID card accepted)
• El Salvador
• Iceland
• Israel
• Japan
• Liechtenstein
• Monaco
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Panama
• Paraguay (ID card accepted)
• Peru (ID card accepted)
• Philippines
• South Africa
• South Korea
• Suriname
• Switzerland
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United States
• Uruguay (ID card accepted)
• Vatican City
• Venezuela (ID card accepted)

The ‘ID card accepted’ designation applies to citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, reflecting Bolivia’s participation in South American regional integration frameworks that permit travel on national identity documents within the continent.

Note on Cyprus: Although Cyprus is a European Union member state, it is specifically excluded from Bolivia’s EU visa-exemption arrangement and falls under Group 2 (visa required in advance).

Special Rules: Diplomatic and Official Passports

Bolivia maintains a liberal policy for holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports, regardless of nationality:

• Holders of diplomatic or official/service passports from ANY country (except China) may enter Bolivia without a visa for up to 90 days.
• Holders of diplomatic or service passports, and passports for public affairs issued by China, may enter without a visa for up to 30 days.

This means that even citizens of Group 2 or Group 3 countries can enter Bolivia visa-free if they are travelling on a diplomatic or official passport — with the exception of Chinese diplomatic passport holders, who receive 30 days rather than 90.

Group 2: Visa Required in Advance

Nationals of countries not listed in Group 1 or Group 3 fall into Group 2 and must obtain a visa before travelling to Bolivia. Visas must be obtained from a Bolivian embassy or consulate prior to arrival — they cannot be obtained at the border or airport.

This is an important change from previous policy. Until 25 July 2025, nationals of many Group 2 countries could obtain a visa on arrival at Bolivian entry points. That facility has now been discontinued, and all Group 2 nationals must secure their visa in advance. The South Korean diplomatic mission in Bolivia confirmed the end of visa on arrival on 25 July 2025.

Group 2 encompasses a large number of countries across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Europe not covered by Group 1, including (but not limited to): most countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, much of Sub-Saharan Africa (those not listed in Group 3), several Southeast Asian nations, and various other countries without bilateral visa agreements with Bolivia.

If you are unsure whether your country falls into Group 2, you should contact the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate to confirm your status and begin the visa application process well in advance of your travel dates.

Group 3: Visa + Special Authorisation Required

Nationals of the following 20 countries face the most restrictive entry conditions. They must not only obtain a visa from a Bolivian embassy or consulate, but also receive additional special authorisation before their visa can be approved. This two-step process can be significantly more time-consuming, and travellers from these countries should begin the process as early as possible.

• Afghanistan
• Angola
• Bhutan
• Cambodia
• Chad
• Congo
• DR Congo
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Laos
• Libya
• Nigeria
• North Korea
• Pakistan
• Rwanda
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Timor-Leste
• Yemen

The special authorisation requirement reflects Bolivia’s heightened scrutiny of nationals from countries associated with elevated security concerns, irregular migration pressures, or limited diplomatic documentation standards. Travellers from these countries are strongly advised to contact a Bolivian embassy well ahead of their planned travel date, as processing times can be lengthy and approval is not guaranteed.

How to Apply for a Bolivian Visa

Online Application Portal

Bolivia has introduced an online platform (visas.cancilleria.gob.bo) to simplify the initial stages of the visa application process. Through this portal, applicants can submit personal information, supporting documents, and payment electronically. However, it is important to understand the limitations of this system:

• The platform serves as an application portal only — it does not issue a fully digital visa.
• After submitting online, applicants must still contact the relevant Bolivian embassy or consulate directly.
• Physical documents and your passport must be submitted to the embassy or consulate to receive the visa sticker.
• In some cases, an in-person interview may be required.
• Some Bolivian embassies and consulates do not use the online portal at all, so always confirm the process with your local mission first.

Applying Through the Embassy or Consulate

Whether or not you use the online portal, the visa is ultimately processed and issued by the Bolivian embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your country of residence. You should:

• Locate the nearest Bolivian embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your country.
• Contact them directly to confirm current requirements, processing times, and fees.
• Submit all required documentation, including your passport, photos, application form, proof of funds, and any supporting documents they request.
• Allow sufficient time before your travel date, particularly if you are in a Group 3 country where additional authorisation is needed.

Practical Tips for Travelling to Bolivia

Altitude and Health

Bolivia’s capital La Paz sits at over 3,600 metres above sea level, and many tourist attractions — including the Salar de Uyuni — are at high altitude. Travellers should be aware of the risk of altitude sickness and consider acclimatisation time when planning their itinerary.

Passport Validity

Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay. Always check the specific requirements with your airline and the Bolivian immigration authority before travelling.

Entry by ID Card

Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela may enter Bolivia using a valid national identity card in place of a passport. This applies to ordinary travel — holders of diplomatic or official passports follow the diplomatic passport rules described above.

Length of Stay and Extensions

If you enter Bolivia under a visa-free arrangement, you must depart before your permitted stay expires. Overstaying is a criminal offence in Bolivia and can result in fines, detention, and bans on future entry. If you wish to stay longer, contact the Bolivian General Directorate of Migration (Dirección General de Migración) before your current permission lapses.

Working and Studying in Bolivia

Visa-free entry is granted for tourism and business purposes only. If you intend to work, study, or reside in Bolivia long-term, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa or residency permit. Entering on a tourist exemption and then working without authorisation is illegal.

Summary Table by Country/Region

Country / Region	Visa Required?	Max Stay	Notes
Mexico	No	180 days	Most generous single-country allowance
Dominican Republic	No	90 days	Visa-free status granted 2024
Palestine	No	90 days
Honduras	No	90 days
United Kingdom	No	90 days	All classes of British nationality
Russia	No	90 days	Within any 180-day rolling period
EU member states (excl. Cyprus)	No	90 days/year	Per calendar year
USA, Canada, Australia, NZ, Japan	No	90 days/year	Per calendar year
UAE, South Korea, Israel, Turkey	No	90 days/year	Per calendar year
South American nations (ID accepted)	No	90 days/year	National ID card accepted in lieu of passport
Diplomatic/official passports (all countries)	No	90 days	30 days for China diplomatic passports
Cyprus + most other countries	Yes (Group 2)	Per visa	Must apply at Bolivian embassy before travel
Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, North Korea + 17 others	Yes + Special auth. (Group 3)	Per visa	Additional authorisation required — apply early