Bolivia Archives

IMPACT – HIGH

The four full members of the Andean Community (CAN) have approved the Andean Migratory Statute, and it is intended to take effect on Aug. 13. The statute will provide reciprocal immigration benefits for Andean citizens, including temporary and permanent residency between the CAN member countries.

Key Points:

This new statute will facilitate free movement and residence pathways for Andean citizens through temporary and permanent residence pathways for CAN member countries.
The Andean Temporary Residency will authorize Andean citizens to stay for up to two years in the territory of a member country.
After holding the Andean Temporary Residency for two years, Andean citizens can apply for the Andean Permanent Residence which will authorize them to stay indefinitely in the territory of another CAN member country.
Andean citizens will have the right to work and perform any legal activity as nationals of the receiving countries as guided by the legal regulations of each country.
Andean citizens may enter any other member country as tourists by presenting their valid national identification documents.
Applications for these permits will be managed by the consular office of the destination country or by the appropriate immigration authority if the applicant is already located in the destination country.
According to the CAN Secretary General, Jorge Pedraza, the agreement is expected to take effect on Aug. 13.

Additional Information: The Andean Migratory Statute will be implemented under Resolution 2197, presented during the XXVI Ordinary Meeting of the Andean Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs with the participation of the Secretary General of the Andean Community and the Ministers of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Vice Minister of Bolivia.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States, which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

Bolivia is again requiring visas for nationals of Israel and the United States.

Key Points:

Under a change that took effect on Feb. 8, Israeli and U.S. nationals will need a visa to enter the country.
U.S. nationals can get a visa at any land or air border or a Bolivian consulate in the United States for a fee of $160.
Israeli nationals can obtain a visa at a Bolivian consular post after entering the country.
Entry will be allowed to visa holders for 30 calendar days; however, Israeli and U.S. nationals can request two additional 30-day stays in a one-year period.
Individuals born in Bolivia who are now U.S. citizens are exempt from the visa requirement with documented proof of their place of birth.

Background: This requirement is a reversal of a 2019 change that allowed U.S. and Israeli nationals to travel to Bolivia visa-free.

Analysis & Comments: The change will add to the time it takes for U.S. and Israeli nationals to plan travel to Bolivia.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Bolivia has introduced a visa waiver for Israeli and U.S. nationals.

What does the change mean? Tourists and business travelers from Israel and the U.S. are now able to enter Bolivia on a visa waiver for up to 90 continuous days in a year.

Implementation time frame: Immediate.
Visas/permits affected: Tourist and business visa waivers.
Who is affected: Israeli and U.S. nationals.
Business impact: Israeli and U.S. business travelers will no longer require a visa to enter Bolivia for up to 90 days in a year.

Analysis & Comments: The change is good news as the visa waiver will facilitate tourism and business travel between the two countries and Bolivia. While business activities are allowed under the visa waiver, productive work activities will still require a work visa.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Bolivia’s General Directorate of Migration has introduced an online portal that allows applicants to perform many immigration procedures electronically. The portal has not gone live yet.

What does the change mean? The portal should ease procedures and allow applicants to request certain appointments with local migration authorities online, thereby avoiding having to appear in person and wait in line for visa and permit requests. However, the applications must still be filed in person.

Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing. The portal was introduced June 7, but is not yet in operation.
Visas/permits affected: All visas and permits at the General Directorate of Migration.
Who is affected: Applicants seeking immigration services at the General Directorate of Migration.
Business impact: The online system should improve processing and save time for applicants.
Next steps: Authorities are expected to release more information once the portal becomes operational.

BAL Analysis: Once implemented, the switch to online procedures for appointment requests, certifications and other tasks is expected to save foreign applicants time and allow them to pay government filing fees through a mobile app. Further regulations will clarify details on the system.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Bolivia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? After Bolivian health officials reported a case of yellow fever, the government is now requiring that travelers entering the country present a yellow fever vaccination card.

What does the change mean? As of Thursday, all travelers entering Bolivia must present a yellow fever vaccination card upon entry. Those who do not have a card will have 15 days to show proof of vaccination.

Implementation time frame: March 2.
Visas/permits affected: All visas.
Who is affected: All travelers entering Bolivia, as well as travelers (including Bolivian nationals) leaving the country.
Business impact: All travelers planning to enter Bolivia should obtain a yellow fever vaccination and expect to present the card upon entry. Travelers who are unable to obtain one before travel will have 15 days upon entry to present the card.

Background: Bolivian health authorities reported a case of yellow fever by a patient from Denmark. To prevent spread of the disease, the government is now requiring yellow fever vaccination certificates by travelers. Individuals who do not have the card upon entry must obtain a vaccination within 15 days or provide migration authorities with their health details, which will be forwarded to the Ministry of Health.

BAL Analysis: The yellow fever policy by the Bolivian government follows the recent announcement of a similar policy by Nicaragua. Companies with employees traveling to Bolivia should plan for the additional requirement and time required to obtain a yellow fever vaccination before travel.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Bolivia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Bolivia has issued a decree requiring foreign nationals with transitory, temporary or definitive immigration status to register with the National Registry of Foreigners between now and Nov. 1.

What does the change mean? Affected foreign nationals, whether they have regular or irregular immigration status, must complete the registration processes.

Implementation time frame: Between now and Nov. 1.
Who is affected: All foreign nationals in Bolivia with transitory, temporary or definitive immigration status.
Business impact: Businesses should make sure any foreign employees covered by the decree register with authorities in order to avoid adverse immigration consequences in the future.
Next steps: Foreign nationals covered by the decree should complete the registration process at the closest district Migration Office.

BAL Analysis: Bolivia has instituted the new requirement in an effort to better keep track of foreign nationals working and residing in the country. Those who do not register by the Nov. 1 deadline will be subject to possible adverse immigration consequences in the future.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Bolivia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.