How to Apply for a Bolivia Visa in New York

New York is America’s most-populous city, and its metropolitan area has over 20 million people.  New York City contains the five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.  The New York metropolitan area includes New York City, Long Island, and the Mid and Lower Hudson Valley.  It also includes several large cities in New Jersey such as Newark, Edison, Elizabeth, Paterson, Jersey City, and Hoboken, along with cities in Connecticut that include New Haven, Bridgeport, and Stamford.  New York is one of the most important economic regions in the world and has the highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the United States.  New York is considered “Capital of the World”, not only due to its economic power, but also because it is a center of diplomacy and culture.  The city is home to the United Nations and there are over 800 languages spoken here, including Quechua, one of the official languages of Bolivia.  The city is also home to the Quechua Collective of New York, an organization promoting and preserving this ancient language still spoke by 10 million people in Bolivia and other countries.  There are an estimated 10,000 Bolivians living in the New York metropolitan area, concentrated mostly in Queens and northeastern New Jersey.

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America that is nearly eight times the size of New York state by land area, but its population of 11.6 million people is slightly more than half that of the Empire State.  The population is composed of several indigenous ethnic groups (including the Aymara, Quechua, and Guaraní people).  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.  Present-day Bolivia still has huge deposits of silver and other natural resources, making this country an important destination for businesspeople working in the mining and manufacturing industries.  Although Bolivia is one of the least visited countries in South America, it may be one of the most interesting considering its diverse landscape that includes rainforest, snow-capped mountains, wetlands, and deserts.  Bolivian cities are also diverse: La Paz and Sucre are influenced by indigenous culture while Santa Cruz has more European characteristics.

Obtaining a Bolivian Visa from New York

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 Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Washington D.C., and New York City.  To apply for a visa from New York you will fill out the visa application and ship your original passport and supporting documents to their consulate located in Midtown Manhattan by US Mail or courier service (FedEx or UPS).  Here is the address:

Consulate General of Bolivia
800 Second Avenue, Suite 430
New York, NY 10017

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 – Consulado General de Bolivia en EE.UU., Nueva York (cancilleria.gob.bo)

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 New York

If you are a citizen of Bolivia living in the New York area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consulate by calling 202-286-3122.  The consulate’s non-emergency number is 212-687-0530.

If you need to renew your Bolivian passport or apply for a Bolivian passport for your child, you must appear in-person at the consulate’s office.  Here is a link to the consulate website with more information about passports.: Pasaportes – Consulado General de Bolivia en EE.UU., Nueva York (cancilleria.gob.bo).  The subject of passports is also covered on the consulate’s frequently asked questions page: Preguntas frecuentes – Consulado General de Bolivia en EE.UU., Nueva York (cancilleria.gob.bo)

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in New York City or anywhere in the state of New York or New Jersey 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