Bolivia (BO)
Bolivia is South America's highest and most landlocked country — a plurinational state of dramatic contrasts, from the world's highest navigable lake (Titicaca at 3,812m) and the vast salt flats of Uyuni to the tropical Amazon basin.
Capital: Sucre
Region: Americas
Language: Spanish
Currency: BOB (Bs.)
Cost of living: Very affordable (index 24)
Emergency: 110
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Citizenship & Permanent Residency
Long-term settlement options in Bolivia.
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Permanent Residency
Name
Permanent Residency (Residencia Permanente)
Eligibility
Any foreigner who has held valid temporary residence in Bolivia for 2 consecutive years. No income minimum for permanent residency itself (income was required for initial temporary residency). Good conduct and no criminal record required.
Duration
Permanent — does not expire. Annual check-in with Cancillería no longer mandatory, but updating Carnet de Extranjería with SEGIP is required on any change.
Requirements
- ✓Valid passport
- ✓Current Carnet de Extranjería (temporary residence permit)
- ✓Proof of 2 consecutive years of lawful residence (tax returns, bank statements, lease agreements)
- ✓Clean Bolivian police clearance (FELCC Antecedentes)
- ✓Updated criminal clearance from home country (apostilled)
- ✓Medical certificate from authorised Bolivian clinic
- ✓Application form from Cancillería
- ✓Processing fee: approximately USD 50–100
Mercosur nationals (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay) can apply for permanent residency after 2 years of temporary Mercosur residence. After permanent residency, citizenship can be applied for after a further 3 years. Permanent residents have all the same economic and social rights as citizens except voting and political office.
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Citizenship
Name
Bolivian Citizenship by Naturalisation (Naturalización)
Eligibility
Foreigners who have accumulated at least 3 continuous years of lawful residence in Bolivia are eligible for naturalisation under Article 142 of the 2009 Constitution. In practice this means the citizenship clock begins from first lawful entry — the 2-year temporary residence period counts toward the 3-year total. Spouses of Bolivian citizens may naturalise after 2 continuous years of lawful residence. Marriage to a Bolivian does not automatically confer citizenship — residence requirements still apply.
Duration
Permanent — full Bolivian citizenship
Requirements
- ✓3 continuous years of lawful residence in Bolivia (includes temporary residence period — citizenship eligibility is reached approximately 1 year after obtaining permanent residence)
- ✓2 continuous years of lawful residence for spouses of Bolivian citizens
- ✓Valid passport and Carnet de Extranjería
- ✓Proof of continuous lawful residence throughout the period
- ✓Clean Bolivian criminal record (FELCC)
- ✓Spanish language proficiency (informal assessment — no standardised test as of 2026)
- ✓Knowledge of Bolivian history and the Constitution (assessed informally)
- ✓Application submitted to Ministerio de Gobierno, approved by Presidential decree
Bolivian citizenship is granted by Presidential Decree and is technically discretionary. Wait time from complete application to decree: 12–36 months. Bolivia's 2009 Constitution explicitly permits dual citizenship — no renunciation of prior nationality is required on the Bolivian side. However, your original nationality's law may not permit dual citizenship — verify with your home embassy before proceeding.
Other Routes to Residency & Citizenship
Citizenship by Marriage to a Bolivian Citizen
Eligibility
Foreign spouses of Bolivian citizens. Marriage must be legally registered in Bolivia (Registro Civil) or officially recognised through the legalisation process. The residence requirement is reduced to 2 years of continuous lawful residence (compared with the standard 3 years).
Duration / Outcome
Permanent citizenship after completing the 2-year residence period
Requirements
- ✓Legal marriage certificate registered or recognised in Bolivia
- ✓Bolivian spouse's identity documentation (CI or passport)
- ✓Proof of ongoing genuine matrimonial relationship
- ✓All standard naturalisation documents
- ✓2 years of continuous lawful residence in Bolivia (reduced from 3 years)
Marriage to a Bolivian citizen reduces the standard 3-year residence requirement to 2 years. Since permanent residency itself requires 2 years of temporary residence, a married foreign national can in principle become eligible for citizenship shortly after obtaining permanent residence. Total minimum from arrival: approximately 2 years.
Mercosur Facilitated Residency Path
Eligibility
Nationals of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Duration / Outcome
Temporary 2 years then permanent; citizenship after standard period
Requirements
- ✓National ID card or passport from Mercosur member state
- ✓Apostilled birth certificate
- ✓Clean criminal record from home country
Significantly simplified initial residency process. No income proof required. Same citizenship timeline as other nationalities once permanent residency is obtained.
🌍 Dual Citizenship
✓
Dual citizenship is allowed — Bolivia's 2009 Constitution explicitly permits dual (or multiple) citizenship. Bolivia does not require renunciation of prior nationality upon naturalisation. However, whether you can retain your original nationality depends entirely on your home country's law. USA, UK, Canada, and Australia generally permit dual citizenship. Check with your home country's embassy or consulate before proceeding.
Citizenship & Permanent Residency
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