Bolivia
Regulations on entry, stay, residence, and treatment access for people living with HIV
The categories of restriction are:
- No restrictions on entry or staying.
Restrictions on entry to Bolivia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on entry to short-term stay based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Bolivia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on entry.
Additionally, information available in the General Directorate for Migration suggests that there are no specific entry regulations for people living with HIV. Neither a medical certificate nor an HIV test result is required when entering the country. There are no regulations regarding the control, deportation or expulsion of those concerned.
A Yellow Fever certificate of vaccination is required.
Current migration law, under Law on Migration No. 370 of 8 May 2013, does not include as causes of deportation any health condition.
Restrictions on short-term stay in Bolivia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on short-term stay in Bolivia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Bolivia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on short-term stay.
The General Directorate for Migration provides a list of supporting documents that should be included with a transitory visa application and none of those documents makes reference to HIV or the general health of the applicant.
Restrictions on long-term stay in Bolivia
We found no evidence of any official restrictions on long-term stay in Bolivia based on HIV status.
According to UNAIDS and the US Department of State, Bolivia does not have any HIV-related restrictions on long-term stay.
A medical certificate should be submitted when requesting long-term residence permits. Such a medical certificate does not contain explicit requests for HIV tests or self disclosure. A list of authorised institutions to provide the medical certificate can be found here.
Information available in the General Directorate for Migration suggests that there are no specific residence regulations for people living with HIV.
Treatment access in Bolivia
The following summarises available information on access to healthcare for people living with HIV in Bolivia. There is no evidence that non-nationals are restricted from accessing treatment in the same way as nationals.
Antiretroviral medication can be imported, but we have no information about allowed quantities.
Bolivia has a Unified Health System (SUS) which offers universal and free coverage to its citizens. In Bolivia, HIV treatment is free and is provided by the State, through the National STI/HIV/AIDS Program of the Ministry of Health.
The Ministry of Health has included non-nationals living in Bolivia in the Unified Health System. This allows foreign residents to receive free medical care in the public network at all levels.
It is a requirement to have a health insurance to enter Bolivia. This will allow you to be treated in health centres throughout the country. If you are travelling for tourism, you will have to pay for medical treatment since the free public system is available only to non-national residents.
For SUS affiliates, many medicines are free and included in their coverage. If you go as a tourist, you will have to pay for the medicines you want to buy.
To enter the country with medicines you must carry only the quantity necessary for the duration of your trip. You will also need to show your doctor’s prescription with details of the medicine and quantity. If you need to buy prescription medication during your stay, you must take your prescription with the information to a Bolivian doctor who will write you a new prescription so that you can buy the medication locally.
Sources
The HIV Justice Network's Global HIV Criminalisation Database
Visit the Bolivia page on the Global HIV Criminalisation Database to see more information about known HIV criminalisation laws in this country, an overview of how the laws are used, and any significant advocacy developments.
UNAIDS Global AIDS monitoring data
This information about access to HIV services comes from UNAIDS https://lawsandpolicies.unaids.org/, a platform to view data on HIV-related laws and policies. This is information provided by national authorities and civil society and may contradict other sources.
Migrant populations
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable documented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable undocumented migrants to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Migrants are able to access HIV services | Yes |
Refugees and asylum seekers
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable asylum seekers to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens | Yes |
| Laws/policies enable refugees to access HIV services under the same conditions as citizens implemented (countries with such laws/policies) | Yes |
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This site focuses on information about HIV travel. Please also consult your own Foreign Office/Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, or the local consulate of the country you are visiting, to see what restrictions there are specifically for you as a citizen of your country, regardless of your HIV status.
