Bolivia eases entry rules for key partner countries

International

New government lifts visa requirements for US, Israeli and several other foreign visitors

Bolivia’s new center-right administration under President Rodrigo Paz is reshaping the country’s tourism and foreign-policy landscape. One of its first measures is the removal of visa requirements for citizens of the United States and Israel — a significant shift from regulations in place for more than a decade. The easing applies not only to these two countries but also to visitors from South Korea, South Africa, Latvia, Estonia and Romania.

Policy reversal aimed at boosting tourism

The Foreign Ministry said the decision restores visa-free access that had been suspended for political and economic reasons since 2008. Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo expects the change to generate at least 320 million US-dollars in tourism revenue between 2026 and 2029. President Rodrigo Paz described the previous policy as costly for the national economy, estimating that Bolivia forfeited more than 80 million US-dollars in potential income.

Background of earlier restrictions

Under former President Evo Morales, visa obligations for US nationals were introduced in 2007 and extended to Israeli citizens in 2014. The new government’s move marks a clear departure from this approach and is intended to signal openness to international visitors and stronger ties with partner countries.