Bolivia’s new conservative government under President Rodrigo Paz has dropped tourist-visa requirements for U.S. and Israeli nationals, effective December 1. Americans may now enter the Andean nation visa-free for stays of up to 90 days—reversing a $185 visa regime imposed in 2007 by former president Evo Morales amid strained U.S. relations.
The policy aims to revive a tourism sector battered by years of political turmoil and a severe foreign-currency crunch. Government economists project the change could generate $80 million in additional tourism receipts over the next four years, a welcome boost as Bolivia confronts its worst economic crisis in 40 years. La Paz estimates the country forfeited roughly $900 million in tourism income since 2007 because of restrictive visa rules.
![Bolivia Grants Visa-Free Entry to U.S. Citizens, Opening Andean Market to American Travelers]()
For global-mobility programs, Bolivia’s shift simplifies short-term business trips, site visits and rotational assignments in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors—industries where U.S. investment interest is rising. Travelers still require a passport valid for six months and proof of onward travel but can forgo pre-trip consular appointments.
Companies should update internal travel tools and risk-management dashboards to reflect the change; legacy visa-tracking software may still flag Bolivia as visa-required. Employers also should brief travelers on Bolivia’s altitude-related health considerations and monitor evolving security conditions, as policy continuity is not guaranteed amid the country’s fluid political landscape.
The policy aims to revive a tourism sector battered by years of political turmoil and a severe foreign-currency crunch. Government economists project the change could generate $80 million in additional tourism receipts over the next four years, a welcome boost as Bolivia confronts its worst economic crisis in 40 years. La Paz estimates the country forfeited roughly $900 million in tourism income since 2007 because of restrictive visa rules.
For global-mobility programs, Bolivia’s shift simplifies short-term business trips, site visits and rotational assignments in the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors—industries where U.S. investment interest is rising. Travelers still require a passport valid for six months and proof of onward travel but can forgo pre-trip consular appointments.
Companies should update internal travel tools and risk-management dashboards to reflect the change; legacy visa-tracking software may still flag Bolivia as visa-required. Employers also should brief travelers on Bolivia’s altitude-related health considerations and monitor evolving security conditions, as policy continuity is not guaranteed amid the country’s fluid political landscape.
