Work permits and visas in the Bolivia: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Bolivia? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of work permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Bolivia. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work permits in Bolivia, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work visa in Bolivia?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Bolivia, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s immigration and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional legal advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Bolivia

Who needs a work visa in Bolivia?

All foreign nationals (i.e., anyone who is not a Bolivian citizen or permanent resident) must obtain a valid visa and work permit to live and work in Bolivia.

Note that, for citizens of MERCOSUR countries (i.e., Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), the process is simplified. However, they will still need to acquire the Specific Purpose Visa (see below).

Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Bolivia, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

How do visas and permits work in Bolivia?

To relocate or hire a foreign national in Bolivia, there are typically three primary steps you need to follow:

1. Acquire a work permit

As the employer, you must apply for a work permit (Permiso de Trabajo) with the Department of Immigration (DIGEMIG). You must also prove to the Bolivian Ministry of Labor that the job cannot be filled by a Bolivian citizen.

There are several types of work permit, based on duration and residency:

Temporary permit for non-residents: This permit is valid for up to one year, and is used for employees who are working in Bolivia without residing there permanently.

General temporary permit: This permit is also valid for up to one year, and is renewable based on the employment contract.

Resident work permit: This permit is valid for three years, and is renewable for similar periods. It is intended for employees who reside in Bolivia.

Note that the application process for a work permit usually takes 30 to 60 days, so applications must be started early.

2. Acquire a Specific Purpose Visa

The next step is to acquire the Specific Purpose Visa (Visa de Objeto Determinado), which acts as a short-term visa for entry.

This visa is issued to individuals who are entering Bolivia for a specific purpose other than tourism, such as work, volunteering, academic exchange, medical treatment, or family reasons. Note that is not a residence visa.

The Specific Purpose Visa is typically valid for 30 days (and can sometimes be extended to 180 days or more, depending on the type of job or contract).

3. Acquire a residence permit

Finally, your employee will need to obtain a residence permit based on their employment. There are two types of residency categories in Bolivia:

Temporary residence: This is granted for one to three years to those in medium- to long-term employment.

Permanent residence: This is available after three years of continuous employment, allowing indefinite residence and work rights.

How to get the work permit in Bolivia

Once there is a concrete job offer (or existing employment), and you have proven to the Ministry of Labor that the position cannot be fulfilled by a Bolivian citizen, you can submit a work permit application on your employee’s behalf.

To do this, you must make an official application through the Ministry of Labor, Employment and Social Security. You’ll also need several supporting documents from your employee, including:

• A passport valid for at least six months
• Recent passport-sized photos
• A police clearance certificate indicating a clean criminal record
• A copy of the employment contract
• Any academic or professional qualifications (if required)

Note that these documents must be translated into Spanish and legalized/apostilled.

As mentioned, the work permit application process takes between 30 and 60 days, and the permit can be for one year (temporary), or up to three years (permanent).

Once the permit is acquired, your employee can apply for the Specific Purpose Visa at the Bolivian consulate or embassy in their home country. As part of their visa application, they will need to meet numerous eligibility requirements and provide:

• The approved work permit
• A valid passport
• A completed visa application form
• A medical certificate
• A certificate of police records
• Proof of economic means
• Payment of the consular fee
• Their proposed entry into Bolivia (such as a flight itinerary)
• A valid job contract or letter of invitation

Once processed, they can collect the visa from the Bolivian consulate. Note that the visa is valid for thirty days, and is extendable once the employee arrives in Bolivia (enabling them to finalize the residence permit during the initial stay period).

Once in Bolivia, they must then register with the General Directorate of Migration (DIGEMIG) and provide biometric information, before being issued with a foreigner identity card (Cédula de Identidad de Extranjero). Once they have this card, you must register them with Bolivian social security (Caja Nacional de Salud). 

They can then apply for and receive their residency permit.

Does Bolivia offer a digital nomad visa?

No. Bolivia does not currently offer a digital nomad visa, and it is not legal for individuals to work on a tourist visa.

See also: Which other countries offer digital nomad visas?

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Bolivia, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s employer of record (EOR) service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Bolivia on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local payroll tax and employment laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Bolivia, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.