Your first 90 days in Bolivia: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Dollar scarcity is the practical constraint that surprises people — official and parallel exchange rates have diverged, and getting money out of the country is harder than getting it in. Do not hold more in-country than you need for living expenses.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
File the temporary residence (residencia temporal) application with the Dirección General de Migración and obtain the foreigner's ID card
Within the validity of your entry stamp — the specific-purpose visa is usually obtained abroad and converted to residence within 30 days of arrival
Bolivia requires an Interpol certificate issued IN Bolivia as part of the file, which cannot be arranged before you arrive, and every foreign document needs apostille plus official translation. Budget several office visits.
Get your NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria)
Invoicing, any business activity and filings with Impuestos Nacionales require it; the carnet de extranjería number is what banks and utilities key off day to day.
Registered with Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales once you hold the carnet de extranjería; salaried employees are handled through the employer.
Open a bank account
Banco Nacional de Bolivia, BCP and Banco Mercantil Santa Cruz open accounts on the carnet de extranjería — the passport alone is generally not enough. Bolivia maintains a fixed exchange rate and has faced dollar scarcity, so obtaining hard currency locally can be difficult; keep funds accessible from outside the country.
Enrol in healthcare
The SUS (Sistema Único de Salud) provides free public care to residents, but capacity and equipment vary enormously between La Paz, Santa Cruz and rural areas. Most foreign residents use private clinics, which are inexpensive by international standards. Altitude is a genuine medical factor in La Paz and El Alto — ask about it specifically.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for short stays; residents convert through the Servicio General de Identificación Personal, with a medical check and a test. Bolivia drives on the right.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Bolivia: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Bolivia?
File the temporary residence (residencia temporal) application with the Dirección General de Migración and obtain the foreigner's ID card — Within the validity of your entry stamp — the specific-purpose visa is usually obtained abroad and converted to residence within 30 days of arrival. Bolivia requires an Interpol certificate issued IN Bolivia as part of the file, which cannot be arranged before you arrive, and every foreign document needs apostille plus official translation. Budget several office visits. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the NIT and do I need one?
NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria) is Bolivia's personal tax/ID number. Invoicing, any business activity and filings with Impuestos Nacionales require it; the carnet de extranjería number is what banks and utilities key off day to day. Registered with Servicio de Impuestos Nacionales once you hold the carnet de extranjería; salaried employees are handled through the employer.
Can I drive in Bolivia on a US license?
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for short stays; residents convert through the Servicio General de Identificación Personal, with a medical check and a test. Bolivia drives on the right. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Bolivia?
The SUS (Sistema Único de Salud) provides free public care to residents, but capacity and equipment vary enormously between La Paz, Santa Cruz and rural areas. Most foreign residents use private clinics, which are inexpensive by international standards. Altitude is a genuine medical factor in La Paz and El Alto — ask about it specifically. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Bolivia's system treats foreign residents.