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. See our full yellow fever vaccine Bolivia guide for clinic locations and exemptions.
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
Our Bolivian Amazon rainforest travel guide covers park permits, tour operators and the best entry points from La Paz and Santa Cruz.
Arriving at El Alto Airport
Most international flights land at El Alto International Airport — at 4,061 m (13,323 ft), it is one of the highest international airports in the world. Our arrival guide covers immigration queues, transport into La Paz and what to expect at the border checkpoint.
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.
