Volunteers coming into our program are always asking about visa requirements. For most western countries you can get a 90 day visa once in Bolivia but for US citizens the situation is a bit different. Below is the information provided to us by the Bolivian Embassy. You can either do the paperwork in the US at the nearest Bolivian Embassy or bring it all and pay the fee in the airport once you land in Bolivia. It is just about paperwork so read on....
Tourist Visa Requirements for U.S. Citizens
1. The sworn statement for visa application form
2. A passport valid for six months
3. Hotel reservation or invitation letter
4. Photocopy of roundtrip ticket or travel itinerary
5. Proof of economic solvency
6. Payment of $135 visa issuance fee
7. International yellow fever vaccination certificate
CONFUSED??? A FEW MORE DETAILS
1. THE SWORN STATEMENT FOR VISA APPLICATION FORM . If the tourist does not already have the application form, he/she will be able to obtain one at each immigration checkpoint.
2. VALID PASSPORT. The passport must have a validity of not less than 6 months.
3. HOTEL RESERVATION. In case the tourist is unsure about which hotel he/she will stay at, the immigration officers will provide the tourist with a list of hotels to choose from, according to the tourist's travel budget. A tourist who arrives in the country bearing a letter of invitation shall submit such letter to the immigration officer.
4. PHOTOCOPY OF ROUNDTRIP TICKET OR TRAVEL ITINERARY. In the event the tourist does not have a photocopy of their ticket, he/she shall show a ticket stating his/her return to the United States or to a third country. This information will be recorded in the sworn statement for visa application form.
5. ECONOMIC SOLVENCY. Credit card or equivalent, which must be valid for the duration of the planned stay in Bolivia. In the event the tourist does not have either a credit card or an invitation letter, he/she must be in possession of at least US$50 per day for the length of the anticipated stay in Bolivia.
6. CASH PAYMENT. The US$135 visa fee payment shall be made in cash. No credit or debit cards will be accepted.
7. INTERNATIONAL YELLOW FEVER VACCINATION CERTIFICATE. In case the U.S. citizen does not have an international yellow fever vaccination certificate, he/she must sign an affidavit exempting the Bolivian state from any liability in case of yellow fever contagion within the Bolivian territory. This provision shall apply until further notice.
