Study in Bolivia
Bolivia offers affordable education, primarily taught in **Spanish**. The country is known for its social sciences and indigenous studies. International students require a **Specific Purpose Visa (Estudio)** and must obtain a **Residence Permit** after arrival.
Application timeline
2-4 weeks (Visa) + 1-2 months (Residence Permit post-arrival).
Living cost
BOB 2,500 - 4,500/month (USD 360 - 650, very low cost of living).
Hourly wage
$0 - BOB 40/hr (Casual work is prohibited).
Study visa confidence
Our AI compares your grades, finances, and previous visas with real student approvals to predict how admissions officers will view your application for Bolivia.
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Student visa pathways
Processing times, work rights, required documents, and dependent rules for each permit route.
Specific Purpose Visa (Estudio) + Temporal Residence
Long-stay, Academic
Validity
1 year (renewable)
Processing time
2-4 weeks (Visa) + 1-2 months (Residence Permit post-arrival).
Fee
USD 70 - 100 (Visa) + BOB 800 - 1,500 (Residence Permit).
Work rights
No. The student visa does not permit work. A separate Work Permit is required, which is difficult to obtain.
Documents required
Acceptance Letter (Certificado de Admisión), Proof of Solvency, Police Clearance, Medical Certificate, Passport, Visa Application Form.
Dependents
Yes, Dependents can apply for a Family Reunion Visa/Residence Permit. · No (Dependents may not work without a specific Work Permit).
Top universities & flagship programs
Shortlist globally-ranked institutions with tuition benchmarks.
Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA)
La Paz · #1 in Bolivia (varies regionally)
Licenciatura (BSc) in Sociology
4 years · USD 500 - 1,000/yr (Public, Intl)
Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo (UCB)
La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz · Top Private University
Ingeniería (BEng) in Systems Engineering
5 years · USD 2,000 - 3,500/yr (Intl)
Scholarships & exchange routes
Reduce tuition costs and build international exposure.
Scholarships
Merit + needs-based opportunities
Bolivian Government/Bilateral Scholarships
Partial tuition waiver/stipend.
Highly limited, reserved for students from specific partner countries (e.g., Cuba, Venezuela, or China).
UCB Merit-Based Scholarships
Partial tuition waiver (e.g., 25% - 50%).
High academic merit for private university studies; highly competitive for international applicants.
OAS (Organization of American States) Scholarship Program
Partial tuition waiver/stipend.
Citizens of OAS member states for undergraduate or graduate study.
Exchange partners
1-2 semester mobility
MERCOSUR Educational Programs
1 semester or 1 year
Students from MERCOSUR associate and full member countries.
Bilateral University Agreements
Varies
Specific to partner institutions, often from Latin American or European universities.
Announcements & policy watch
Stay ahead of IRCC and embassy updates.
Residence Permit Required
All international students must register with the Dirección General de Migración (DIGEMIG) upon arrival to obtain the Temporary Residence Permit.
Visa success playbook
Action items that consistently strengthen study permit approvals.
Obtain high Spanish proficiency (B2/C1) before arrival; budget for the Residence Permit process and fees; start the visa process well in advance due to bureaucratic processing times.
Country fast facts
Key embassy + lifestyle data
Official language
Spanish
Currency
Bolivian Boliviano (BOB)
Time zone
UTC-04:00
Visa portal
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Part-time work ideas
Average hourly wages
None (General casual work is prohibited)
N/A
International students are not permitted to engage in casual, part-time work off-campus.
Language Tutoring/Exchange (Informal)
BOB 20 - 40/hr
Informal tutoring, particularly in English, is sometimes possible but is not legally authorized employment on a student visa.
Nearest embassies
Plan biometrics & interviews
Job market insights
Low. No direct post-study work visa. Employment requires a change of migration status and employer sponsorship, which is complex and requires specialized skills.