In a significant policy reversal, Bolivia has removed tourist visa requirements for citizens of the United States and Israel, alongside several other nations. The move, enacted on Monday 1 December 2025 by the country's first conservative government in nearly two decades, aims to stimulate the economy and recalibrate international relations.
A Bid for Tourism and Strategic Alliances
Americans and Israelis, as well as travellers from South Korea, South Africa, and several Eastern European countries, can now enter Bolivia with just a valid passport for stays of up to 90 days. Previously, they faced a costly and cumbersome application process. President Rodrigo Paz, who took office last month after the long rule of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party, is spearheading this change. His administration views increased tourism as vital for economic progress and seeks to build a strategic alliance with the United States.
Bolivia is currently grappling with a severe shortage of US dollars, which has stifled imports and paralysed the economy. Officials estimated on Monday that the country had lost approximately $900 million in potential revenue from the decline in visa recipients since 2007. They now project an influx of $80 million in new tourism income over the next four years.
Reversing a Legacy of Hostility
This decision marks a stark departure from the policies of former left-wing President Evo Morales (2006-2019). Under his leadership, anti-American sentiment peaked. Morales expelled the US Drug Enforcement Agency, sent the US ambassador packing, and imposed visa restrictions on US citizens, citing a principle of reciprocity due to the difficult visa process Bolivians face when travelling to the US.
During the 2014 Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Morales also severed diplomatic ties with Israel and introduced visa requirements for Israeli travellers. His presidency saw Bolivia pivot towards closer relationships with Russia, China, and Venezuela. Although a right-wing interim government briefly scrapped the US and Israeli entry rules in 2019, they were reinstated when the MAS party returned to power under Luis Arce in 2020.
Challenges and Cautions for Visitors
Foreign Minister Fernando Aramayo stated the new measures are intended to "restore the world’s confidence in Bolivia being a suitable and safe country to visit." However, travellers are advised to remain vigilant. The US State Department maintains a Level 2 travel advisory for Bolivia, urging visitors to "exercise increased caution" due to civil unrest risks.
A more severe Level 4 "Do Not Travel" warning is in place for the coca-growing Chapare region, where ex-President Morales is reportedly evading arrest on allegations of statutory rape. President Paz's broader economic liberalisation plan, which includes scrapping certain corporate and wealth taxes and planning to take on more debt, is designed to replenish depleted dollar reserves and navigate the country's worst economic crisis in forty years.
From the Andes mountains to the Amazon basin and the iconic salt flats, Bolivia offers a wealth of experiences often overshadowed by its neighbours. This visa shift represents a concerted effort to put the country firmly back on the international tourism map.
