Bolivia Visa Information

Passport/Visa

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	No/2	Yes
Australian	Yes	No/2	Yes
Canadian	Yes	No/2	Yes
USA	Yes	No/2	Yes
Other EU	Yes	No/1/2	Yes

Passport Note
(a) 2. All nationals traveling on business do need a Specific Purpose visa. (b) Nationals not requiring a tourist visa are usually allowed to stay for a period of 30 to 90 days; check with the embassy (or consular section at embassy). (c) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see General Info).

Passports
Passport valid for at least one year beyond the intended length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above except the following, provided traveling for tourist purposes:
(a) 1. nationals of Malta.

Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist/Transit: Cost depends on nationality; enquire at the embassy (or consular section at embassy). Specific Purpose: £61.50. Student: £31.

Validity
Tourist visas are valid for 30 days but can be extended for up to 90 days (depending on nationality) from the date of entry. Specific Purpose visas are valid for 30 days and can be renewed for 60 or 90 additional days at the immigration office in Bolivia. Student visas are valid for 60 days. Transit visas are valid for 15 days.

Applications to:
Consulate (or consular section at embassy); see General Info.

Working Days Required
One to two for nationals requiring tourist visas without special authorization. Approximately six weeks for all other nationals requiring tourist visas and special authorization from the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Warning
The threat from terrorism is low. But travelers should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.

In early January 2007, Bolivia experienced a period of civil unrest in some of the major cities. There is continual risk of public protests and strikes throughout Bolivia and major roads can be blocked at very short notice by protestors with local disputes. The tension has now decreased considerably, but you should continue to exercise caution.

Since January 2007 there has been an outbreak of dengue fever in the regions of Santa Cruz and Beni. The floods have also increased the risk of other diseases, including malaria. There have been a number of cases of Yellow Fever in the Yungas (La Paz department) and in the Chapare (Cochabamba department). You should ensure you have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate before traveling to these areas.

Be aware of the dangers of altitude sickness.

There is a risk of "express kidnappings". You should exercise caution when arriving in, and traveling around, Bolivia and be aware of the general risks of crime for visitors.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel

Health

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	1
Cholera	2	No
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A

Health Care
There is no reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Medical insurance is strongly recommended. In case of a medical emergency, La Paz has a good US clinic.

Note
1
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers arriving from infected countries. Vaccination is recommended for incoming travelers from non-infected zones visiting risk areas such as the Departments of Beni, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz and the subtropical part of the La Paz Department.

2
Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Bolivia. However, cases of cholera were reported in 1996 and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.

3
A moderate to high risk of typhoid exists, especially outside main cities and tourist areas.

4
Malaria risk exists throughout the year below 2500m, in the Departments of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz and Tarija, and provinces of Lacareja, Rurenabaque, and North and South Yungas in the La Paz Department. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. The recommended prophylaxis is general mosquito bite prevention plus chloroquine chemoprophylaxis, except on the northern affected parts of Bolivia - mefloquine, doxycycline or atovaquone. The disease occurs predominantly in the benign vivax form but falciparum malaria occurs in Beni and Pando, especially within the localities of Guayaramerín, Puerto Rico and Riberalta. There is lower-risk Malaria in Cochabamba and Chuquisaca.



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