How to Apply for a Bolivia Visa in Dallas

The city of Dallas and the surrounding metropolitan area is the most populous metropolis in the southern United States and fourth-most populous in the country.  The Dallas metropolitan area—known as the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, or DFW by local residents—has a population of 7.6 million people and includes the cities of Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, Irving, Garland, Richardson, Frisco, Mesquite, Denton, Grand Prairie, and McKinney.  The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, located in North Texas, is one of the fastest growing regions in the country thanks to its low cost of living, low taxes, abundance of resources, and ease of doing business.  Dallas has the second-highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the United States and there is a long list of companies that have been relocating to the area from other parts of the country.  Dallas has the sixth largest population of Hispanics in the country, numbering nearly 2 million residents.  The overwhelming majority of this population has Mexican heritage, so Mexican culture is not unfamiliar to most residents of Dallas.  Bolivians, on the other hand, only number about 1,500 in the Dallas area.  Although Bolivia and its culture is little known to most in Dallas, the country is an emerging travel destination for those seeking unique attractions. 

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America that is 1.6 times the size of Texas by land area and has a population of 11.6 million people, which is only about four million more than those living in Dallas.  The population is composed of several indigenous groups (including the Aymara, Quechua, and Guaraní people) and mestizo people with indigenous and European ancestry.  One-third of the country lies in the Andes Mountains; land that was once under the control of the Incan Empire.  The Spanish would conquer the Incan Empire in the 16th century and use the riches of this territory to advance their global ambitions.  The Bolivian town of Potosí, one of the highest cities in the world, was the source of the Spanish Empire’s supply of silver and was home to the first silver mint in the Americas.  La Paz, the second most-populous urban area in Bolivia after Santa Cruz, has the distinction of being the highest capital city in the world.  Although Bolivian cities and towns like La Paz, Sucre, Copacabana, Sorata, and Coroico are spectacular, the main draw for visitors from Dallas will be the country's diverse landscape that includes the Amazon rainforest, snow-capped mountains, extensive wetlands, Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world), and Salar de Uyuni (the world’s largest salt flat).

Obtaining a Bolivian Visa from Dallas

Visas for Bolivia are issued by the Bolivian government in the United States.  (Tourist visas can also be obtained on arrival at any land or air border, however, we recommend securing the visa several weeks before leaving the United States.)  The government of Bolivia is represented by their five consulates located in New York City, Washington D.C., Miami, Los Angeles, and Houston.  To apply for a visa from Dallas you will fill out the visa application and ship your original passport and supporting documents to their consulate located in Houston by US Mail or courier service (FedEx or UPS).  Here is the address:

Consulate General of Bolivia
2401 Fountain View Drive, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77057

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Bolivian consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the consulate website with detailed information: Visas (boliviatx.org)

You should include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope (please make note of the tracking number) so the consulate can return your passport and visa to your home or office.   

The government’s visa fee is $160 for U.S. citizens and the processing time can take up to 4 weeks.  If you need the visa faster, please contact our company to inquire about expedited services.

Other things to consider:

  • U.S. citizens must obtain a visa to enter Bolivia and must have a valid passport that does not expire within six months of your date of entry into Bolivia.
  • Visitors to Bolivia are required to have a valid World Health Organization (WHO) card with yellow fever vaccination. Please use the following link from the Center for Disease Control website to find the nearest clinic offering the yellow fever vaccine: Search for Stamaril yellow fever vaccination clinics | Travelers' Health | CDC
  • If applying for the visa on arrival in Bolivia, bring $160 cash and ensure the bills are in good condition and have no tears or marks. Visitors to Bolivia must also show return flight tickets (or proof they intend to leave the country) and proof of accommodations. 
  • All visitors to Bolivia must obtain a negative COVID-19 test (PCR) result before entry into the country (the test should be taken 72 hours prior to departure).  Visitors who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are required have another RT-PCR test taken 72 hours after arrival and must quarantine until they receive a negative COVID-19 test result. The cost of this test must be covered by the visitor.  Visitors must also have health insurance with coverage for COVID-19 upon entry to Bolivia.
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.

Emergency Assistance for Bolivian Citizens in Dallas 

If you are a citizen of Bolivia living in the Dallas area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consulate by calling 832-916-4200.  The consulate’s email address is info@boliviatx.org.

If you need to renew your Bolivian passport or apply for a Bolivian passport for your child, you will appear in-person at their office in Houston (no appointment is necessary).  Here is a link to the consulate website with more information: Passports (boliviatx.org)

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Dallas or anywhere in the state of Texas and have difficulty applying for a Bolivia visa or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Bolivia visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Bolivian government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Bolivia visa services for our customers:

  • Bolivia Tourist Visa
  • Bolivia Business Visa
  • Bolivia Student Visa
  • Bolivia Official / Diplomatic Visa
  • Bolivia Courtesy Visa
  • Bolivia Humanitarian Visa
  • Bolivia Object Determined Visa (For marriage, paid work, education, volunteer, etc)
  • Bolivia Hotel Accommodations