How to Apply for a Bolivia Visa in Washington D.C.

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and is an important global city that attracts visitors from all over the world.  The Washington, D.C. metropolitan area (known locally as DMV)—which includes the District of Columbia and parts of Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia—is America’s sixth-largest metropolis and has a population of 6.3 million people.  Cities within this area (apart from the District of Columbia) include Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Reston—all in Virginia—along with the Maryland towns of Bethesda, College Park, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring.  Washington, D.C. is one of America’s most culturally diverse metropolitan areas, so American people living here don’t have to venture too far to learn about different parts of the world.  For example, there are over 100,000 Bolivians living in DMV and there are over 20 Bolivian restaurants in Northern Virginia.  This area is home to several organizations that preserve and promote Bolivian culture such as La Fraternidad Diablada Boliviana, and other groups that celebrate Bolivian folkloric dance traditions.  There are also Bolivian soccer leagues, Bolivian community newspapers, and schools that teach Bolivian culture and language to children in Norhern Virginia.  

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America that borders Peru, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil.  Bolivia has a population of 11.6 million people composed of 36 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.  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, including vast reserves of lithium, a metal used to make consumer electronics and electric vehicles.  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 the Amazon rainforest, snow-capped mountains, lowland wetlands, Lake Titicaca (the highest navigable lake in the world), and Salar de Uyuni (the world’s largest salt flat).  The country also has plenty of peaceful towns like Copacabana, Coroico, and Sorata, along with beautiful cities like La Paz and Sucre. 

Obtaining a Bolivian Visa from Washington, D.C.

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

Consulate General of Bolivia
1825 Connecticut Avenue N.W., Suite 200C
Washington, D.C. 20009

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 (boliviawdc.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 Washington, D.C.

 If you are a citizen of Bolivia living in the Washington, D.C. area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consulate by calling 202-718-1091.  The consulate’s non-emergency numbers are 202-232-4827 and 202-232-4828.

If you need to renew your Bolivian passport or apply for a Bolivian passport for your child, you should schedule an appointment on the consulate’s website and appear in-person at their office.  Here is a link to the consulate website where you can schedule an appointment: PASSPORTS (boliviawdc.org)

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Washington, D.C. or anywhere in the state of Virginia, Maryland, or West Virginia 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