The Consulate of Bolivia in South Africa has confirmed that, while South African passport holders will be eligible for a visa on arrival, the process has not yet been fully implemented and travellers are advised to confirm requirements before departure.
This follows the announcement that Bolivia had removed visa requirements for South African citizens travelling for tourism, based on a communication issued by Bolivia’s General Directorate of Migration late last year.
In response, the Consulate of Bolivia said that a new regulation introduced in December 2025 allowed South African nationals to obtain a visa on arrival, rather than applying in advance. However, the consulate added that it had not yet received full operational guidance on how visas on arrival would be processed at ports of entry.
The consulate advised that travellers arriving without the correct documentation could face entry refusal, and urged all South African and African passport holders to confirm requirements before travelling.
Until further notice, South African travellers are advised to contact the Bolivian Consulate in Johannesburg for confirmation of current entry requirements before booking or departing. Enquiries can be directed to seabeco@tiscali.co.za.
