Bolivia Visa Requirements - Specific Purpose Visa - Visa de Objeto Determinado

by BoliviaBella
(Santa Cruz Bolivia)

Bolivia visa requirements: Anyone planning to move to Bolivia, Live in Bolivia , Work in Bolivia , or retire in Bolivia (meaning anyone who plans to apply for Residency in Bolivia) must enter Bolivia with a Visa de Objeto Determinado (commonly called a Specific Purpose Visa) in English.

The Bolivian government requires this of ALL foreigners, no matter their country of origin, who are NOT entering Bolivia as tourists. Even if Bolivia does not require tourists from your country to process a tourist visa to enter Bolivia. (Depending on the international treaties Bolivia has with different countries, some tourists need a visa to enter and some do not).

The Visa de Objeto Determinado must be processed by the Bolivian Consulate or Embassy in your country or origin. If there isn't one in your country you must find the one that is responsible for your general region. If you arrive in Bolivia on a tourist visa you will not be allowed to apply for residency and you cannot change your immigration status from "tourist" to "seeking residency" once you are here.

Like the tourist visa, the specific purpose visa is a travel visa (or entry visa) only. It is not your actual residency application (sometimes mistakenly called a residency visa).

The specific purpose visa allows you to be in Bolivia for 30 days. During these 30 days you must begin your application for residency. Once you've turned in your residency application and have completed all the requirements for residency, you can remain in Bolivia until the government returns either an acceptance or a rejection. During this time you will port a document that shows your residency application is "en trámite" (being processed).

During the time the Bolivian government is reviewing your application (the completed application and supporting documents are sent to La Paz) they will have your passport as well. This means that you can Travel in Bolivia during the time you are awaiting a response, but will be unable to travel outside of Bolivia. If, during this time, you need to leave Bolivia for any reason, you can request the Bolivian Immigration Service return your passport to you. However, if you do this your residency application will be "forfeited" and you would have to begin all over again (and pay again) when you return to Bolivia. They do not put your residency application "on hold" and wait until you come back to continue.

It's important you be aware that at this time residency application approvals are taking anywhere from 2 weeks to 4 months so you can plan accordingly. Visit our Bolivia Visa Requirements Home Page for more details on the Visa de Objeto Determinado.

Once you arrive in Bolivia BoliviaBella Expat Services can help you apply for residency. Our offices are located in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.





Expat Services   Expat Meets   Expat Forum   Live in Bolivia   Site Tools

Comments for
Bolivia Visa Requirements - Specific Purpose Visa - Visa de Objeto Determinado

Click here to add your own comments

Apr 01, 2013
airline ticket
by: Ralph

Yes thanks I will try again for information but, have gotten no repley twice before. OK rant over sorry. I want to aply for permenant residency and wil arrive on a specific purpose visa. Question: Will I still have to provide a round trip ticket? This is very expensive and a waste of money as the airlines will not reemburse the money for the unused portion.thanks
--------------
From the webmaster. No, it doesn't have to be a round trip ticket since you are flying to Bolivia for the specific purpose of requesting residency.

Jun 07, 2012
why the bolivian government holds your visa
by: Anonymous

It might have to do with the fact that the visa is actually a sticker that must be adhered into our passport. The sticker is signed by the head of immigration, who is in La Paz. If you are requesting residency in another city, your passport and residency application will be sent to La Paz.

Jan 18, 2011
Residency Application
by: Canuck

Hi, would someone be able to please explain to me why the Government of Bolivia HOLDS my passport through the entire Residency Application process? This is disconcerting, as it is hardwired into me to NEVER relinquish my passport for obvious personal security reasons. Is it not appropriate to apply in person in La Paz with all documents instead? I understand that they don't want you leaving the country during the application process, but because you would have to start over again ought to be enough of a deterrent rather than holding your passport. Thank you.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Travel Visa Forum