Bolivia : Bolivian Tourist Visa-US Citizens

1. US Tourist Visas.
New Rules as of December 1st 2007.
Please read below for our comments on these new rules.

US tourists *technically* must obtain a tourist BEFORE entering Bolivia (IE from a consulate or embassy abroad).  To do this they must send the following to a Bolivian Consulate or Embassy:

          A. Print and mail the online Bolivian Tourist Visa Application Form.
          B. Include your passport valid for at least 6 more months.
          C. Present a letter of invitation from a Bolivian OR show a hotel reservation (printed from the internet).
          D. Show proof (photocopy) of the Yellow Fever vaccine.
          E. Show proof (photocopy) of a round trip ticket OR a travel itinerary.
          F. Demonstrate ¨proof of economic solvency¨ by a bank statement that contains your name and account number OR photocopy of a credit card (WE STRONGLY ADVISE TRAVELERS NOT TO GIVE OUT THEIR CREDIT CARDS ).
          G. Payment of $100 (by cash, transfer to the Consulate´s account, or money order).
          H. A 4x4cm color photo of your face without glasses.
          K. Self addressed stamped envelope for return of passport.

*You may only spend 90 days in Bolivia per year.
*This tourist visa is valid for 5 years.
*You may enter Bolivia up to 3 times a year (total days not to exceed 90).
*The Bolivan embassy website states that: "Only in justifiable cases, the Bolivian migration authorities may authorize stays of longer than 90 days."



Link to the US embassy site for more info: http://bolivia.usembassy.gov/wm11152007.html

Spitting Llama says:

*We just met an US friend who just booked a flight to La Paz in December 2007 (ignorant of the new rules) and showed up in La Paz airport. They made him pay $100 but he provided NO other documents and they gave him a 90 day tourist visa with no problems.

*The fine is roughly $1.24 for every day that a foreigner overstays their visa. No other penalty or problem occurs upon leaving the country.  Many tourists planning longer trips in Bolivia simply overstay their visas and pay this fine upon exiting the country.

*Applying for a 30 day ¨Objecto Determinado¨ visa (for work, missionary, education etc.) actually requires less paperwork and is about the same price as a tourist visa. This visa may also be extended for 60 days (aprox $50) or for a year once inside the country (See Other Visas Section). 

*The phrase  "Only in justifiable cases, the Bolivian migration authorities may authorize stays of longer than 90 days."  seems fairly open ended and we have yet to see how this will play out in reality for volunteers and tourists wishing to stay longer than 90 days.

*These new rules will likely increase chances of corruption among Bolivian migration officials by foreigners offering to pay for help obtaining a visa.

*DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION TO ANYONE.