Bolivia’s entry requirements changed significantly in December 2025, and SIGEMIG has become mandatory for everyone. Here is the complete, updated 2026 guide.
Who Needs a Visa?
Bolivia divides visitors into three groups:
Group 1 — Visa-Free (90 days)
United States, United Kingdom, European Union (all member states), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most Latin American countries.
Major policy change: The US, UK, and EU were added to the visa-free list effective December 1, 2025. This reversed a policy that had required US citizens to pay a $160 reciprocity fee for decades.
Group 2 — Visa on Arrival ($30–52 USD)
Russia, most of Asia not listed above, selected African countries. Fee paid at port of entry in USD cash.
Group 3 — Consulate Visa Required
Most of Africa and parts of Asia. Apply at a Bolivian consulate in your country before travel. Processing time: 5–15 business days.
SIGEMIG — Mandatory for Everyone
SIGEMIG (Sistema de Gestión Migratoria) is Bolivia’s mandatory digital pre-registration for all foreign visitors regardless of nationality. This is separate from the visa.
How to register:
- Go to migracion.gob.bo (official Bolivian immigration portal)
- Create an account with your passport number and email
- Fill in your travel details — flight numbers, accommodation, purpose of visit
- Submit. A QR code arrives by email within minutes.
- Present the QR code at the immigration desk on arrival.
Key facts:
- Free — no fee
- Opens: 30 days before your travel date
- Ideal window: 2–7 days before departure
- Skipping SIGEMIG is the #1 cause of delays at El Alto International Airport
Entry Requirements
For all visitors arriving in Bolivia:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport validity | 6+ months from entry date |
| SIGEMIG QR | Mandatory for all nationalities |
| Onward ticket | Proof of departure recommended |
| First-night accommodation | Address required in SIGEMIG form |
| Yellow fever card | Physical booklet, not phone photo (see below) |
Yellow Fever
Yellow fever vaccination is required if you:
- Are arriving from an endemic country (most of tropical Africa and South America)
- Plan to visit Amazon national parks (Madidi, TIPNIS, Noel Kempff)
Important: Bolivia requires the physical yellow International Certificate of Vaccination (Carnet Amarillo) — a phone photo is not accepted at borders. If yours is missing, vaccination stations at El Alto airport charge $40–80.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping SIGEMIG: The most common issue at El Alto. Complete it online before you leave home.
- Assuming old US requirements apply: US citizens are now visa-free (December 2025) — the old $160 fee no longer applies.
- Phone photo of yellow fever card: Only the physical yellow booklet is accepted.
- Overstaying 90 days without extension: Results in fines and complicates future Bolivian entry applications.
Extending Your Stay
Group 1 visitors can stay up to 180 days per calendar year in Bolivia.
To extend beyond the initial 90 days:
- Visit a SIGEMIG office in La Paz, Santa Cruz, Cochabamba or Sucre
- Bring passport, copy of original entry stamp, proof of address and onward ticket
- Cost: $35–45
- Apply at least 1 week before your 90-day limit expires
Bolivian Amazon: Additional Requirements
If entering the Amazon departments (Beni, Pando, northern Santa Cruz):
- Yellow fever vaccination (physical card)
- Malaria prophylaxis recommended (consult your travel doctor)
- Some protected areas require park permits arranged in advance
Key facts
- → Effective December 1, 2025, US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea citizens enter Bolivia visa-free for up to 90 days.
- → SIGEMIG digital pre-registration is mandatory for all foreign visitors — free, takes 8–10 minutes at migracion.gob.bo, generates a QR code required at the border.
- → Skipping SIGEMIG registration is the most common cause of delays at El Alto International Airport — complete it 2–7 days before departure.
- → Yellow fever vaccination is required with a physical yellow booklet (not a phone photo) for arrivals from endemic countries and visitors to Amazon national parks.
- → Group 1 visitors can extend their stay up to 180 days per calendar year at SIGEMIG offices; extensions cost $35–45 and require 1 week advance notice.
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa for Bolivia in 2026? +
No. US citizens have been visa-free since December 1, 2025, for stays up to 90 days. However, SIGEMIG digital pre-registration is mandatory for all visitors including Americans — complete it free at migracion.gob.bo before travel.
What is SIGEMIG and is it mandatory? +
SIGEMIG (Sistema de Gestión Migratoria) is Bolivia's mandatory online pre-registration system for all foreign visitors. It's free, takes 8–10 minutes, opens 30 days before your travel date, and generates a QR code you show at the border. Failing to register can result in delays and fines on exit.
