Last checked: 12 Nov 2026Some rules are still being checked
In brief
Temporary residency lasts 1 to 3 years and tourists can apply without leaving Bolivia. After 3 years you can become permanent, and citizenship follows after more than 3 years of residence.
Initial residency1 to 3 years
Apply from insideYes
PermanentAfter 3 years
Citizenship3 years, or 2 with Bolivian family
Residency routes
Bolivia gives temporary residence for a reason: work, your own work or business, or family. After 3 years you can apply for permanent residence. We found no route for retirement or savings alone.
Temporary residence for independent work
Who it's for: Self-employed people and freelancers with real work or a business activity in Bolivia.
Money needed
No fixed amount: 3 months of bank statements, a contract, or rental or sale income showing you can support yourself
How long it lasts
1, 2 or 3 years, depending on your activity
Leads to
Permanent residence after 3 years
Apply from
Inside Bolivia, at a migration office; you can apply after arriving as a tourist
Processing time
24 hours once your file is complete (official target)
What you need
Passport: valid, with your entry stamp
Your activity: a sworn description of your work, where you'll do it and for how long
Background checks: Bolivian police and Interpol checks, done in Bolivia Reported by residents
Proof of income: 3 months of bank statements, a contract, or rental or sale income
Medical certificate: or proof you've started the medical exam
Photo and fee: one 4 × 4 cm photo on a white background, plus the government fee
Good to know
Fees: about Bs 3,240 (about $280) for 1 year, up to about Bs 5,260 (about $450) for 3 years
Remote employees: working for a US company doesn't make you self-employed; have your case checked first Still being checked
Family: relatives apply separately, on the family route
Time abroad: more than 90 days out of Bolivia in a year, without permission, can cancel the permit
ID card: after approval you get a foreigner ID card from SEGIP, a separate step
Checked against the lawDocuments, the money rule, length and fees, from the migration office checklist and regulation.
Reported by residentsChecks done in Bolivia, with no US FBI check or apostilles.
Still being checkedWhether remote work for a foreign employer qualifies, and the rules for foreign documents.
Sources (3)
Legal basis and exact figures
Legal basis: Law 370 as amended; Supreme Decree 1923; the migration office's current checklist for independent work.
Fees: 960 UFV for 1 year, 1,260 UFV for 2 years, 1,560 UFV for 3 years (US nationals). Converted at 3.37 Bs per UFV (12 Nov 2026) and 11.67 Bs per US dollar. Medical, police, document and ID card costs are extra.
Official checklist wording: 'applicable home/INTERPOL and local background certificates'; residents report that only the Bolivian police and Interpol checks are asked for.
Processing: the migration office's 24-hour target starts once every requirement is presented; it excludes gathering documents and the ID card.
Who it's for: Spouses, partners and relatives of someone living legally in Bolivia, including Bolivian citizens.
Money needed
No fixed amount: 3 months of bank statements or other proof; dependants add a notarized support letter from the relative
How long it lasts
1, 2 or 3 years (adoption cases: 1 year)
Leads to
Permanent residence after 3 years
Apply from
Inside Bolivia, at a migration office; you can apply after arriving as a tourist
Processing time
24 hours once your file is complete (official target)
What you need
Passport: valid, with your entry stamp
Proof of the relationship: marriage, partnership, birth or adoption papers, plus your relative's ID
Background checks: Bolivian police and Interpol checks, done in Bolivia Reported by residents
Proof of means: 3 months of bank statements, or your relative's support letter
Medical certificate, photo and fee: as for the other routes
Good to know
Fees: about Bs 880 (about $75) for 1 year, up to about Bs 1,550 (about $135) for 3 years
Foreign certificates: marriage or birth certificates not in Spanish must be translated and legalized Still being checked
Retirees: retirement or savings alone don't qualify; you need the family tie
Work: this is a family permit, not a work permit
Checked against the lawWho qualifies, documents, length and fees, from the migration office checklist.
Reported by residentsChecks done in Bolivia, with no US FBI check.
Still being checkedWhich translators are accepted, and how recent each foreign certificate must be.
Sources (3)
Legal basis and exact figures
Legal basis: Law 370 as amended; Supreme Decree 1923; the migration office's current family checklist (blood relatives, marriage or recognized free union, planned marriage, adoption, economic dependence, affinity and guardianship).
Fees: 260 UFV for 1 year, 360 UFV for 2 years, 460 UFV for 3 years (US nationals), converted as for independent work.
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