GoBolivia Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Chinese citizens holding diplomatic, official, or public service ordinary passports can enter Bolivia visa free for a period of three months, cannot engage in business, and cannot register a company.

Individuals holding a regular passport who come to Bolivia need to apply for a visa. For information on visa application, please contact the Embassy of Bolivia in China at 86-10-65326657 ext. 812, website http://www.embolchina.cn/ ）. I, as a citizen, can apply for a tourist visa upon arrival in Bolivia for tourism purposes only (limited to leisure and entertainment purposes, business negotiations, customer visits, market research, etc. are all work-related and cannot apply for a tourist visa). Please prepare the following materials in advance: 1. Original passport with a validity period of not less than 6 months. 2. Round trip airfare (paper version). 3. Hotel accommodation reservation (paper version, in English or Spanish. Santa Cruz Immigration Office does not accept hotel reservations on the Booking website and has blacklisted hotels such as Siesta) or invitation letters from Bolivians with legal home addresses (including booking homestays), which must be registered and notarized at the Bolivian Immigration Office. 4. Legal proof of personal economic ability (in English). 5. If entering a high-risk area for yellow fever, an effective proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required. 6. Recent personal ID photo, 4x4cm, white background. Due to the significant on-site discretion of immigration officials at Bolivian ports of entry, they can make decisions on whether to allow entry based on face-to-face interviews. To avoid unnecessary economic and property losses, it is recommended that my citizen obtain a visa from the Bolivian Embassy in China before traveling for any purpose.

Common situations where Chinese tourists are rejected when applying for a tourist visa on arrival include missing complete round-trip airfare, questionable itinerary arrangements, incomplete information on accommodation documents that matches their personal information, unanswered phone calls on accommodation orders, and limited English or Spanish proficiency that makes effective communication difficult. Please make sure to check the documents before departure to ensure that the information is accurate and complete, and that there is a 24-hour reachable phone number on the hotel or accommodation booking (some international flights enter in the early morning or late at night). I suggest that citizens print all the materials in advance and carry them with them. Storing only in mobile phones, computers, or checked baggage without carrying paper landing visa application materials increases the risk of visa rejection. Immigration officials typically inquire about information such as travel purpose, place of permanent residence or origin, occupation, main itinerary, and financial security, while also requesting the presentation of tourist visa on arrival application materials. I suggest that citizens prepare accurate and complete materials that are consistent with the tourism purpose and answer relevant questions truthfully, avoiding mentioning unrelated matters such as meeting customers and seeking business opportunities.

Before arriving in Bolivia, a personal declaration form (DECLARACI Ó N JURADA DE EQUIPAJE ACOMPA ん ADO E INGRESO Y SALIDA DE DIVISAS Formalio N ° 250) needs to be filled out. The QR code can be scanned at the local immigration hall to fill it out or issued by the flight attendant on the plane. It should be handed over to the airport border inspection department when entering or leaving the country.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

According to local laws, the entry of foreign animals and plants is strictly restricted. The entry of related products requires inspection and quarantine certificates and permits from the health regulatory authorities. Please refer to the website of the Bolivian Ministry of Health and Sports for specific information.

Chinese citizens are advised not to bring cash or equivalent currency exceeding 10000 US dollars into or out of Bolivia. If there are special needs, they need to declare to the customs. Bolivian customs phone number: 00591-2-2128008.

Some areas in eastern Bolivia have dengue fever and yellow fever. Please get vaccinated against yellow fever before departure.

Bolivia has a tradition of chewing coca leaves (the source plant of cocaine). Coca leaves are sold legally in the local area, but they are still listed as controlled substances in Annex I of the 1961 Single Convention on Drugs. Their import and consumption are prohibited in China. Citizens are advised not to bring them back to the country.

Residency and Naturalization

1、 Chinese citizens who come to Bolivia for business or work need to apply for a specific visa (Visa de Objeto Determinado) in order to apply for residence, register a company, and open a bank account.

If you need to reside in Bolivia, you must go to the Immigration Bureau of the Ministry of the Interior of Bolivia within 30 days to complete the relevant procedures. Generally, it is necessary to apply for a 1-year residence permit (Permanent Permit) first, and then renew it for 2-year, 3-year, and permanent residence permits after expiration.

Individuals who have obtained one-year, two-year, or three-year residency in Bolivia must return within 90 days if they leave Bolivia; Individuals who have obtained permanent residency in Bolivia must return to Bolivia at least once within 2 years. Individuals who have obtained a valid residence permit in Bolivia do not need to apply for a visa to return to Bolivia.

2、 All individuals born in Bolivia are eligible to obtain Bolivian citizenship. Foreign citizens who marry Bolivian citizens can obtain Bolivian citizenship without losing it due to divorce. Bolivia recognizes dual citizenship, making it extremely difficult to process withdrawal.

Phone number of the Immigration Bureau: 00591-2-2110960

Santa Cruz Department of Immigration Phone: 00591-3-3519579

The risk level of Bolivia is yellow (medium risk).                             

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminds Chinese citizens in Bolivia to closely monitor the local security situation, be vigilant, strengthen prevention, and pay attention to safety. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

The people are simple and honest, and the overall public security situation is good, but it has deteriorated in the past two years. At present, Santa Cruz City, Alto City (around La Paz International Airport), and some neighborhoods in La Paz City (such as near Buenos Aires Avenue, Achachicala, Villa F á tima, Cotahuma, and around long-distance bus stations, as well as Ovejuyo and Chasquipampa in the southern district) are areas with a high incidence of cases. The crime rates in major provincial capitals such as Cochabamba and Oruro have also increased.

Please ask the personnel in charge to be vigilant, strengthen prevention, avoid going to secluded places, and try to avoid going out too late. When going out, please take a vehicle belonging to a regular taxi company, do not wear expensive jewelry, and carry a small amount of cash on your body. If you encounter police interception while going out, please contact the Chinese Embassy in Bolivia and do not easily agree to go to the police station for questioning or sign any documents at their request. There are many street demonstrations and marches, so if you encounter them, you should stay away from the scene and not stop to watch, in order to avoid accidental injuries.

natural disaster

The rainy season is from November to March of the following year, and floods often occur throughout the country, especially in the northeastern region. Occasional earthquakes and volcanic activity occur in the southwestern provinces bordering Chile. In high-altitude areas, there are occasional hail disasters during the rainy season and snow disasters during the dry season.

FDA

The residents of Bolivia have a simple diet and enjoy eating roasted chicken or fried chicken. The overall food hygiene situation in the local area is good, but it is not recommended for citizens to easily try roadside stalls or consume too much greasy food in high-altitude areas.

Urgent Help

Bandit police: 110

Fire alarm: 119

First aid: 118

Number inquiry desk: 104

Phone number of the Embassy in Bolivia:

00591-2-279385100591-72028168 (24-hour consular protection telephone, unable to reach domestic landline, please dial with mobile phone)

Phone number of Consulate General in Santa Cruz:

00591-3-344514100591-69100687 (24-hour consular protection hotline, unable to reach domestic landline, please use mobile phone to dial)

air traffic

There are currently three international airports in Bolivia: La Paz (EL ALTO), Santa Cruz (VIRU VIRU), and Cochabamba (JORGE WILSERMANN).

Bo Airlines has a relatively small scale and outdated aircraft, mainly operating domestically. International flights are mostly operated by foreign airlines. The main routes from China to Bolivia include: Beijing Madrid Santa Cruz La Paz, Beijing Paris Lima La Paz, Beijing New York Bogota La Paz, Beijing New York Miami Santa Cruz, and Beijing Paris Sao Paulo Santa Cruz.

Airline situation: BOA， Bolivian state-owned airline, with routes covering major cities in the country as well as Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Madrid, and Miami.

Ecojet， Bolivian private aviation operates routes covering some major cities in the country, all of which are small-scale aircraft.

Amaszonas， Bolivian private aviation operates routes covering major cities in the country, all of which are small-scale aircraft.

Special reminder: Delay and cancellation of domestic flights in Bolivia are quite common. Therefore, when making travel plans, attention should be paid to changes in flight information.

land transport

There are long-distance buses between the provincial capitals of Bolivia. There are small vans available for traveling to suburban and rural areas, but the accident rate is relatively high. Every year, about 1000 people die and 40000 people are injured in traffic accidents. The police investigation shows that heavy fog in the mountains, poor road conditions, drunk driving, and fatigue driving are the main reasons for the frequent occurrence of traffic accidents in the country.

water communication

Bolivia has no seaport, and inland waterway (lake) shipping is mainly used for freight transportation.

Urban transportation

There is no subway in Bolivia, and private minibuses and taxis are often used for travel, with stops at the wave. There are relatively few large bus companies. The government of the capital city of La Paz operates Puma Katari buses Cable cars are also one of the main modes of transportation. Public transportation fares are relatively cheap, with an average of 3-5 SGD per person.

There are taxi companies in La Paz and Santa Cruz, and their contact information is as follows:

major city

La Paz: The political center of Bolivia, with a population of approximately 755000, mostly Native Americans. The average temperature is 10 degrees and the average altitude is 3657 meters.

El Alto: Adjacent to La Paz, with a population of approximately 885000 and an average elevation of 4090 meters, the city's El Alto International Airport is located at an altitude of 4061 meters and is the highest international airport in the world.

Sucre: the constitutional capital of Bolivia, the location of the Supreme Court, with a population of approximately 296000 and an average elevation of 2750 meters. In 1991, Sucre was designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Santa Cruz de la Sierra: the largest city in Bolivia, the economic center of Bolivia, an important industrial and commercial city, located in the eastern plains of Bolivia, with a relatively developed economy. The largest international airport in Bolivia, Viru Viru Airport, is located in the city. The average altitude is 416 meters and the population is about 1.606 million. The city was founded in 1561 and belongs to a tropical climate with an average temperature of 23 degrees.

Oruro: a city in western Bolivia with a population of approximately 300000, mainly consisting of Native Americans. The average altitude is 3706 meters. The winter temperature in Oruro is relatively low, with nighttime temperatures reaching below -10 degrees Celsius from May to July. Visitors should prepare in advance to keep warm.

Cochabamba: a city in central Bolivia with a population of approximately 660000, mainly inhabited by Native Americans. It has an average elevation of 2574 meters and a pleasant climate, earning it the titles of "Spring City" and "Garden City".

Potos í: located in the southwest of Bolivia, with a population of approximately 240000. With an average altitude of 4067 meters, it is one of the tallest cities in the world and was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Tarija: a city in southern Bolivia with a population of approximately 238000 and an elevation of 1843 meters. Tourism and winemaking are the main industries in the city.

Special reminder: Precautions for traveling to high-altitude areas

Some major cities in Bolivia, such as La Paz, Oruro and Potosi, are located in plateau areas with an altitude of more than 3000 meters, similar to Xizang in China. Visitors from plain areas often experience altitude sickness, with main symptoms including accelerated breathing, increased heart rate, headache, dizziness, insomnia, bloating, diarrhea, and fatigue. A small number of people may even experience high-altitude pulmonary edema, cerebral edema, etc. They must seek medical attention immediately, otherwise their lives are in danger. People who are tall and strong, and excessively obese, usually have stronger altitude sickness.

Commodity prices

There is no foreign exchange limit for Bolivia. However, due to the shortage of US dollars, Bolivia is currently implementing temporary foreign exchange control measures, making it difficult to withdraw foreign exchange. The remittance fees may vary slightly among different banks. Cross border remittances are subject to a 0.3% tax, high transaction fees, and long waiting times.

Insurance Medical

There is a shortage of medical resources in Bolivia, and there is a general situation of a shortage of doctors and medicines. Public hospitals have cheaper consultation fees, but they are overcrowded. Private hospitals charge higher fees, but have better facilities and services. There are many local pharmacies in Bo, making it convenient to buy medicine and offering reasonable prices.

During the dry season (April to October each year), there is a high incidence of influenza nationwide. In high-altitude areas, there is a large temperature difference between day and night, and there are fewer mosquitoes and insects, making infectious diseases rare. Pestis is occasionally seen in urban slums with poor sanitation conditions and eastern rural areas. The eastern plains region (including Santa Cruz) often experiences outbreaks of diseases such as yellow fever and dengue fever, and visitors must take preventive measures in advance.

Address and contact information of the main hospital in Bo:

Customs taboos

Important holidays: National Day (January 22), Independence Day/National Day (August 6), Andean New Year (local winter solstice is the Andean New Year every year), Carnival (no fixed date, around the beginning of February and the end of March every year). In addition, as most residents in Bolivia believe in Catholicism, Christmas and Halloween are also important local holidays. July 16th is the anniversary of La Paz city, and September 24th is the anniversary of Santa Cruz province.

Etiquette and customs: Social etiquette and customs follow European practices. Native American communities still retain some traditional customs.

Clothing: Usually casual wear is the main attire. Attending important or formal events requires formal attire or ethnic attire.

Diet: mainly Western cuisine; Native American food mainly consists of fried foods such as potatoes and fried chicken.

It is advisable to arrive slightly later than the agreed time when attending banquets, receptions, and other activities in the local area. When dining at a local restaurant, a tip of 5-10% of the consumption amount should be given to the waiter; When checking out of hotel accommodation, it is also necessary to leave a tip appropriately.

Taboo: Try to avoid mentioning racial issues when talking to Bolivian people. In addition, tourists should not take photos or videos of local indigenous residents or their finances without their consent to avoid discomfort.

Communications Power

Power supply voltage:

Both 110V and 220V voltages are used, with the latter being more commonly used. The power interface is mostly European standard, please bring your own socket converter.

Communication network:

The international long-distance area code for Bo is 00591.

The main telecom operators in China include Entel, Tigo, and Viva. Domestic calls in China usually cost 0.8 to 1.2 pesos per minute, while calls to fixed and mobile phones in China are usually charged around 5 pesos per minute. Mobile phone services include different fee packages, which users can choose according to their needs. If using an entel number to make domestic calls, please enter the operation code 0010+86+city code+landline phone number or 0010+86+mobile phone number. If using a Tigo number to make domestic calls, please enter the operation code 0017+86+city code+phone number or 0017+86+mobile phone number. There are also many specialized branches in the city that provide public telephone services, which can make international long-distance calls.

Internet users in Bolivia account for 73.4% of the total population. The main network service providers include Entel, AXS, Tigo, and Viva, which are expensive and have slow internet speeds.

Special note: The procedures for major operators to handle fixed, mobile and Internet services are different. Generally, they should bring their passports or copies of passports when opening or handling services. Some companies even require the provision of invoices for the applicant's residential water and electricity bills, as well as some personal information of their work partners or peers.