Costs and timeline of getting residency in Bolivia
You enter Bolivia as a tourist, wait 15 days, file for temporary residency, and walk out with your visa the same day in La Paz. Most people find that speed surprising—Bolivia is simpler than other countries in the region. No apostilles, no home-country criminal records, no months of waiting.
This article covers the timeline in practice and our service pricing. For the full step-by-step process, read our requirements guide.
The timeline in practice
Bolivia requires you to spend 15 days in the country as a tourist before you can apply to change immigration status. That rule is enforced. After day 15, processing in La Paz takes about one week.
Here's what the week looks like:
- Day 1–2: Medical certificate (obtained in Bolivia, includes HIV test)
- Day 1–2: Interpol records (run in parallel with medical)
- Day 2: Sign sworn statement before notary
- Day 3: File application at immigration—visa issued same day (1–2 hours)
- Day 4: Cédula appointment, card issued next day
Counting from arrival: most people complete the process in 3–4 weeks total—15 days waiting plus one week of active steps. You can be in and out of La Paz with your residency card in under a month.
The 15-day wait is not wasted time—it's your chance to explore Bolivia. Most people use it to travel: Santa Cruz for warmth and city life, Sucre for colonial charm, the Amazon lowlands, or mountain hikes in the Andes. The processing window in La Paz is short, so you can plan a short trip and return for the active steps.
What you need to bring
Only two things from your side:
- Valid passport
- Bank statements showing $4,800+ or monthly income above ~$400
Everything else—medical certificate, Interpol records, sworn statement, address verification, all government appointments—is handled by our team while you're in Bolivia. We coordinate every step.
What affects the timeline
- City: La Paz processes faster (1 week) than Santa Cruz (2+ weeks)
- Visa route: The 3-year route requires an SRL first (adds 1–2 weeks) but skips the year-1 renewal
- Absence rules: Staying outside Bolivia more than 90 days per year without authorization risks visa cancellation and resets your 3-year clock toward permanent residency
Pricing
Our service covers everything—advisory, lawyer coordination, government fees, and ongoing customer support. Choose the package that fits your needs:
Our Service Packages
Full-service residency support from $1,999 per person. Lawyer fees and government costs included.
Standard
$1,999/person1-year residency, La Paz processing (~1 week). End-to-end handling.
Preferred
$2,499/person2-year residency, Santa Cruz. Best value — pay once, done for two years.
Mastermind
Preferred base + $50/moPreferred package plus mastermind community and ongoing support from us.
All packages include lawyer coordination and government fee estimates. See full pricing details.
What changes with our service
You could hire a local lawyer directly and manage the process yourself. The difference with us is coordination: we handle the sequencing, appointments, paperwork, and communication so you don't spend extra weeks in country or make costly mistakes.
Most DIY applicants end up paying similar amounts to our package price once they add lawyer fees, government costs, and extended stays from preventable delays.
Contact us to get started or see full pricing details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does your residency service cost?
Our standard package starts at $1,999 per person for 1-year residency (La Paz, ~1 week). Preferred is $2,499 for 2-year residency (Santa Cruz), and Mastermind adds a $50/month retainer for ongoing community support. All packages include lawyer coordination and government fees. VIP Fast-Track is available for +$499 on any package. See full pricing and package details.
How long does it take to get residency in Bolivia?
You must first spend 15 days in Bolivia as a tourist before applying to change status. After that, the active processing in La Paz takes about one week—with the visa issued the same day you file and the cédula issued the next day.
What do I need to bring?
Just your passport and bank statements. We handle everything else—medical certificates, Interpol records, sworn statements, address verification, and all government appointments—while you wait comfortably in Bolivia.
Can I go straight to a 3-year residency visa?
Yes. If you have a services contract from a Bolivian company, you can skip the 1-year renewal and go straight to a 3-year visa. We can help you form an SRL to make this work.
What can delay or reset my residency timeline?
The biggest risk is breaking the continuity rule. If you stay outside Bolivia more than 90 days per year without authorization, your temporary residency can be cancelled and your 3-year clock resets.