Bolivian Visa for Americans $100
 

Just a heads up for any Americans headed to Bolivia. A us$100 visa is now required to enter this country. Don't let that, or the talk of four eastern departments(states) wanting to breakaway and be independent stop you. It really is a beautiful country, and the people are very nice.

Safe travels.

Oh Brother, Where Am I ?

Do you know if this is for travel by air only, or does it apply to land crossings as well? I know Brazil had (has?) a $100 visa fee for Americans in retaliation for our (the US government) charging Brazilians the same to come here, but it didn't aplly to land crossings. At least that is what I was told.

Do you happen to know if it applies to EU passport holders? Probably not but...
Lorraine

All Crossings
 

As far as I'm aware it's for all border crossings. One of our group was a few days behind us at the crossing near Copacabana and was the first one to get the news. Needless to say, he wasn't too happy.

And I think it only applies to U. S. citizens, but Lorraine, you might want to check.

Travel Safe

Oh Brother, Where Am I ?

its for the USA
 

A little looking up it seems that Bolivia is mad at the USA demanding reciprocity from the citizens of the USA. Moving US tourists from the lest regulated to the most regulated category. For the US side seems there mad Bolivias Morales office friendship with Presidents Fidel Castro of Cuba and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. And Morales has recently accused the United States of using its aid to support his conservative opposition.

Here some of the document I have cut it down it bit as its dam dry and boring.

Ref: VREC-DGRC-UAB-3213/2007
Classification: Ordinary

La Paz, September 6, 2007

To the Honorable,
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
La Paz.

Supreme Decree No. 28997

Presidency of the Republic
Bolivia
Evo Morales Ayma
Constitutional President of the Republic

Whereas:
Supreme Decree No. 27150 of September 3, 2003 modified the Tourist Visa Exemption and Issuance List, aimed at fostering tourism toward Bolivia by allowing the entry of tourists to the national territory and adopting specific measures for the issuance of tourist visas.
To that effect the aforementioned legal norm established a country classification distributed in three (3) groups: countries not required to obtain entry visas to Bolivia, countries required to obtain entry visas to Bolivia without consultation, and countries required to obtain entry visas to Bolivia with consultation.
The lists of Countries in the I, II, and III groups of Supreme Decree No. 27150 were prepared in accordance with international bilateral and multilateral agreements on visa elimination, in application of the principle of reciprocity and taking into account aspects related to the security of the State.
According to Article 3 of such legal norm, the country group list can be modified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship in compliance with international bilateral and multilateral agreements on the subject and in observance of the principle of reciprocity.

In council of ministers

Decrees:
ARTICLE 1. (Objective). The objective of this Supreme Decree is to modify the Visa Exemption and Issuance List approved my means of Supreme Decree No. 27150.
I. The following countries are transferred from Group I to Group II:
SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
CYPRUS, REPUBLIC OF
II. The following country is transferred from Group I to Group III:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
III. The following countries are transferred from Group II to Group III:
ANGOLA, REPUBLIC OF
BHUTAN, KINGDOM OF
CHAD, REPUBLIC OF
CONGO, REPUBLIC OF
RWANDA, REPUBLIC OF
YEMEN, REPUBLIC OF
INDONESIA, REPUBLIC OF
CHINA, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF (Including TAIWAN)
IV. The following country is transferred from Group II to Group I:
CROATIA, REPUBLIC OF
ARTICLE 2. (VALIDITY OF NORMS). Supreme Decree No. 28801 of July 18, 2006 is abrogated.
The Ministers of State, in the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Worship and of Government remain in charge of the application and enforcement of this Supreme Decree.
It is given at the Palace of Government of the city of La Paz, on the first day of January of the year two thousand seven.
SIGNED: EVO MORALES AYMA
David Choquehuanca Céspedes,
Juan Ramón Quintana Taborga
Alicia Muñoz Alá
Walker San Miguel Rodríguez
Casimira Rodríguez Romero
Hernando Larrazábal Córdova
Luis Alberto Arce Catacora
Abel Mamani Marca
Celinda Sosa Lunda
Salvador Ric Riera
Hugo Salvatierra Gutiérrez
Carlos Villegas Quiroga
José Guillermo Dalence Salinas
Santiago Alex Gálvez Mamani
Félix Patzi Paco
Nila Heredia Miranda

Republic of Bolivia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship

BI-MINISTERIAL RESOLUTION No. 01/2007
La Paz , August 31, 2007

CONSIDERING:

ARTICLE ONE. (Approval.) To approve the requirements and procedures for the exemption and/or issuance of Tourist Visas pursuant to the classification established by Supreme Decrees No. 27150 and No. 28997 in the terms of this Bi-Ministerial Resolution.
ARTICLE TWO. (Group I List). The aliens from the countries in the Group I List are not required a tourist visa to enter to Bolivia, provided they meet the following requirements:
1. Andean countries, countries of the Common Market of the South and associate states:
Valid passport and/or identity card.
2. Countries from the rest of the world:
Passport valid for no less than six months
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Roundtrip tickets or travel itinerary
ARTICLE THREE. (Group II List.) In order to enter Bolivia as tourists the aliens from countries included on the Group II List will have to apply for a visa at the corresponding diplomatic or consular office. In case there are no such offices in the place of residence of the applicant, the visa can be issued in the closest diplomatic or consular office to his/her place of residence.
The Chargé of Consular Affairs or Consular Officer will issue the corresponding visa without the need for consultation, but verifying the compliance of the following requirements:
1. Personally fill out the Visa Application Affidavit.
2. Presentation of a passport valid for no less than six months.
3. Presentation of a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
4. Presentation of roundtrip tickets or travel itinerary.
5. Presentation of proof of address in Bolivia.
ARTICLE FOUR. (Group III List.) In order to enter Bolivia as tourists the aliens from countries included on the Group III List will have to apply for a visa at the corresponding diplomatic or consular office. In case there are no such offices in the place of residence of the applicant, the visa will be issued in the closest diplomatic or consular office to his/her place of residence.
The applicant will have to comply with the following requirements:

1. Personally filled out and signed Visa Application Affidavit with personal data and attached 4cm x 4cm color photograph of the applicant, taken without glasses and on red background.
2. Presentation of passport valid for no less than six months.
3. Presentation of Police Antecedents Certificate, as fit in the country of origin.
4. Present hotel reservations with due supporting evidence for the applicant’s entire stay in Bolivia or, alternatively, a notarized letter of invitation from a family member or friend with permanent residence in Bolivia in which he/she commits to pay for all the guest’s lodging and sustenance expenses during his/her stay in Bolivia. The National Migration Service may interview the host prior to granting or denying the visa.
5. Presentation of a round trip ticket or a travel itinerary.
6. Proof of economic solvency in the country of residence by means of supporting documentation.
7. Presentation of yellow fever vaccination certificate.
ARTICLE FIVE. (Procedure). The Chargé of Consular Affairs or the consular officer will be responsible for verifying compliance with requirements. In case there were reasonable doubts regarding the authenticity or validity of any document, the officer may require additional evidence from the applicant. Once the visa application is accepted, it will be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship for submittal to the National Migration Service.
The National Migration Service shall examine the application and will communicate its acceptance or denial to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship within 10 days upon reception of the application.
The Ministry of Foreign affairs and Worship will convey the diplomatic or consular office the migration authority’s determination on visa authorization or denial, as to inform the applicant.
Any expense incurred for the issuance of the visa shall be paid by the applicant.

ARTICLE SEVEN. (Entry through border points). When the citizens of the countries on the Group III List comply with the requirements set forth in Article Four, as an exception, they will be able to obtain the entry visa at the first aerial or ground migration control checkpoint. Compliance with the requirements will be verified by National Migration Service officials.

(Signatures)
David Choquehuanca Alfredo Rada Velez
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship Minister of Government

There it is wonder how this is going to cost there tourist industry. By there admission 1 in 5 tourist are from the USA spending $40 million a year. :oops2:

Bolivian Visa
 

Hi, Im From Bolivia And Yes, Only The Americans Have To Have The Visa.

And It Is Mandatory For Us Citizens Who Are Entering The Country.

By Air, Road Or Any Kind Of Transportation.

If Anybody Has Questions Feel Free To Contact Me.

Bummer, I was on my way to Bolivia. But I´m not going to pay a hundred bucks for the privilege of spending my money in the country.

Just Fine
 

I wouldn,t want to go anywhere that supports this 21st century Socialism bullshit anyway,especially when like Evo they want to change the constitution so that like Fidel Castro they can re-elect themselves for life and subject the population to a communist experiment that everybody knows does not work!!!
I,ll stick to Peru
Albert theturtleshead

Peru has had it for years
 

but at least it's good until your passport expires.

I was planning to go through Bolivia to Argentina this year. So does anyone have any up to date information on crossing into Bolivia from Peru? I would particularly like to know if USA types are able to cross at the land entry point by just paying the $100 and presenting enough paper to make it look good. Or will the traveler have to get the visa months in advance at the consul general in Chicago or Washington DC?

Fritz

from the department of state you can get the visa at the border. Here it is Bolivia

Have fun on your trip.

Thanks. I went on the Bolivian Embassy USA website and it indicated the same, but with a lot more requirements. The Bolivia website is very interesting and I think I might just make an application here beforehand.

The good news is that at least I found out about this problem on HUBB well in advance of the trip. So now I can worry with confidence!!

Morales, the USA and why the Visa Fee.
 

My feeling is that once the Smirking Chimp criminal Bush is out of office in a year the Bush admin. policies could be turned around.

Oh yes
 

One quick question Mollydog.Where do you actually live and for how long?
I live work and employ people in Latin america.
Albert theturtleshead

More than one outlook
 

Mollydog,

Have appreciated your input and wisdom in sooo many blogs, but I don't think this is the forum for political venting! I am of a different outlook. Don't be quick to throw me into the "evil right wing" category either,.. I said DIFFERENT. There are more than 2 sides on things like this..

I have lived beside and worked with the poorest of the poor in the neighboring (and very similar) country of Peru for most of my life (volunteer work in education with my own funds - NOT US GOV). I have listened to the people on all socio-economic levels who benefit and/or suffer from policies made out of their control. I been prisoner of the terrorists (also wanting justice), and been unjustly treated myself for the good things I have attempted to do...

I spoke with many (in Spanish and Quechua ) while in Bolivia 8 months ago and many, many do not stand behind their leader... in fact 7 in 10 in Santa Cruz disapprove....

I'm just saying: "There's more than two opposite sides to this thing.."

When I was younger, in a moment of frustration once, when I just wanted to BE Peruvian and not stand out as a Gringo even tho I lived as they did, I asked my father (then veteran of 30 years in Peru): "What do I have to do to become totally Peruvian ?!!

His wise response: "You can't, you just be the BEST GRINGO to ever come down the block."

Am I, are you, are each of us being the BEST GRINGO these people have ever met ????

Appreciate you guy.... Toby Around the Block 2007 |

Just trying to infom
 

Sir,
It really pisses me off that you would hijack this thread and use it for political BS. Please come to talk the people who work, live and pay taxes in these countries and see what is actually happening TODAY.Travel through more than the "tourist" areas and spend some time with the people who invest their lives and fortunes in unstable futures, making these places "work".

Maybe I should have been more direct in my original post. The people of Bolivia were actually talking about a civil war in the near future andd finding a gas station that had both gasoline and diesel was near impossible.

Take the political BS elsewhere man, this aint the place.

ps Freddy is a standup dude, he gave us info on the road from Cochabamba to Montero

Indeed
 

I,ve lived in Latin America for 14 years and right now 21st Century socialism has caused me to lose two employees and all the other people I know in business are losing people too!!!
Chaves Morales and Correa are a curse on the working man and anyone looking at the other examples e.g Colombia and Peru where the growth rates are similar to China.
Ah screw it I,m moving to San Fran to get a job in a recording studio!!!Why bother
Albert theturtleshead

Tell it like it is Albert!
 

Running a business and going through the day to day trials and tribulations which amounts to your survival really gives you a perspective on a country like no motorcycle "passerthrough" can match. Let's face it. If things go wrong for them, they are just a plane ride away from their sterile and anticeptic point of origin. They don't have your "worry factor". Other than being website "chatterboxes", whatever happens in Bolivia doesn't really affect them at all.

:offtopic:Funny to see people telling others about not being political then be political them selfs. Mollydog just was expounding on the why of it from a point of view some may not have. I dont care if there left right or down the center as long as I can get in and see it for my self. I want the facts as much as anyone but facts with out the why are near useless. Its like Data with out information, Intelligence with out wisdom, like 35 with out 35pounds in the front tire. So I say vent away. But the HU BAR is better place on HUBB for pure political venting and surprisingly there is little there. :offtopic:

Not that most of this has any thing to do with what a traveler from the USA needs to get in to Bolivia. $100 for seeing the other side of the fence sounds good to me.

I just finished an enjoyable ride through un-touristed areas of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. I tried to observe different cultures, peoples, politics, diets, lifestyles, etc., without judgement. I choose to live my life, and they live theirs.

Information about political turmoil, along with the causes and effects, is important to my travels. I enjoy reading different points of view and even a heated argument. Thanks everyone for sharing.

I haven't decided yet if I'll visit Bolivia. Lucky for me, one of my passports is in the Class 1 category.

I recomend everyone get an extra passport from an extra country. It's super handy to have more than one. It goes like this: passport please. Which one? says I. Is it better to have US or Panama? says I. Or I do some research ahead of time (like this forum) and decide ahead of time to show only my Panama passport if I go to Bolivia. I'll also make sure to get it stamped going into Peru, Chile, and Argentina, for in case I'm asked to show how I got to Bolivia in the first place.

Albert: take a chill pill or have another beer! You're quicker to anger than a scot- oh, wait, you're a Scotsman! Right. No worries. Right on!

Hmmm
 

I don,t see how me having to deprive people of their livings is a light hearted chill pill situation.I hated having to lose these people,but It had to be that way to keep the ones with wives and children employed!!!
You keep enjoying your travels,I,ll keep being pissed off by stupid policies that affect me and the people that I employ.
Albert theturtleshead

One Hundred Bucks A Small Price To Pay?
 

Think about it: we charge $100 for their citizens; they charge $100 for US citizens. This "reciprocity" is in effect in the following countries that I've visited to date:

1) Chile - currently only via Santiago International Airport; land crossings are no charge
2) Brazil - all border crossings: air, ship and overland
3) Zambia - though through some finesee and if you're not staying more than a day or two you can get a transit Visa; but can be tough to process. You'll pay $100 over land crossings
4) Tanzania - land, air and ship

South Africa, Malawi, Botswana & Namibia are all free except the useless "carbon tax" or "insurance tax" or other silly expenses. Just be sure you get a multiple entry visa that doesn't expire until your Passport does. It's a sad thing. But I can't say I blame them

and yes, Bolivia while Evo's socialist tendencies are not favorable to most of the world stage, and the $100 is a hefty price to pay, these are no reasons to boycott a great country with warm people, great roads and amazing natural scenery. Anyone who rides through south america and passes by the Salar de Uyuni is missing one of the most amazing land features on the planet.

While I recognize American immigrations mistreats the entire world including its own citizens, the purpose of this Visa rule is to express contempt and hatred towards Americans.

I've had enough of that on this ride. If they don't want me to come, I won't.

Does anyone know what it costs a Bolivian to visit the USA? I don't, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was $100. I am a big believer in free trade and travel, and I'm not defending him, but you can't really blame Morales for retaliating. Like a lot of protectionist acts, I don't think it's been thought through all the way. Most small businesses in Bolivia have a poster of Morales hanging up, so he seems to be a popular figure there.

I met 2 Ecuadorans that spent something like $600 each on visas to ride from Ecuador to Alaska. We in the US don't always realize how good we have it , as far as international travel goes.

Er, don't you think you might be taking this a wee bit personally? Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm guessing this legislation wasn't codified just to piss you off...

It's reciprocal - nothing more, nothing less. Just like Brazil. The States charges Bolivian citizens $100, Morales is returning the favour. No expression of contempt nor hatred.

Suerte, Dan

Given that I just rode through dozens of angry Peruvian mobs who barricaded my path, threw nails in front of my bike, threatened to slash my tires and tried to break into my luggage because of their hatred of American trade policy and the fact I've experienced nearly daily spontaneous expression of anti-Americanism for the last 4 months of my travels, I might be getting a little punchy.

The fact is the Bolivian government has gone out of its way to show I'm unwelcome. If they don't want me to come, fine.

I would be nice if they would reciprocate with the many hundreds of millions of dollars of humanitarian assistance we've been putting into their economy for decades as well.

Finally, it seems improbable that migration of peoples between Bolivia and the US is reciprocal.

The average American headed to Bolivia is likely either a tourist or businessman. Either way he seeks to sprinkle alot of cash around and leave. A probable net benefit to the Bolivian economy.

The average Bolivian headed to America is more likely to be an economic refugee and possible illegal immigrant. Not necessarily a net economic benefit.

Maybe its your attitude towards them, perhaps clouding your assessment of the situation.

It was an anti-government demonstration. They had barricades in place to stop 'business as usual' - you know, civil disobedience and all that. What you were doing was directly in opposition to their protest. Perhaps you should have found a place to park the thing for a day or two, then you wouldn't have confronted their opposition to running their barricades.

I haven't noticed that 'nearly daily spontaneous expression of anti-Americanism'. Of course, they have a low opinion of the U.S. government, but so do I.

That's what I was trying to do. But by the time I found out about the barricades I had already crossed the border and had about 20 of them between me and the nearest place to park the bike.

While I am pleased to see Bolivia assert its right to self deternmination, I have a distinct impression they are trying to send a message a bit beyond that.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/3...9d122bd3_o.jpg

Well, I just wanted to know the easiest way into Bolivia! If someone who has actually entered his or her moto by land has an answer about how its done and how much paper it takes, a response would be much appreciated. It costs what it costs. Not much I can do about it.

These are the best times that ever were because these are the only times I will ever know. I'm going to take the trip.

Fritz

1938
 

I wonder what would our attitudes have been to driving our bikes through Germany during the Nazi regime,would we see the developing problems or would we just be glib tourists passing through happily seeing the sights,ignoring the political situation.The question is to take a stand by not supporting a regime by not spending your money on it or legitamently visit to see the situation for ourselves,the later is only really applicable is you spend about six months living there and getting sufficiently into the political reality.How many of us do that?
So lets go forth!but lets remember we are nothing more than sightseers!!!
Albert theturtleshead

Reds under the beds
 

Hey Bert,

Might be more helpful if we stuck to the facts in this thread, no, and avoided descending into spittle-flecked, politicised provocations? If you really want to terrify us with tales of the 'red menace', why not do it in the bar, where we can respond with appropriately cheery scorn to your 'Morales is just like Hitler' nursery rhyme taunts...

Love ya Bert - you big daft quasi-fascist...

Suerte, Dan

PS Fritz - 'These are the best times that ever were because these are the only times I will ever know. I'm going to take the trip.' Great attitude.

Red Menace
 

I thought that,d get a reaction He He He,I seen you back posting!!!
By the way you,re the only Red Menace that I know.
The next time you make it round these parts the first nights drinking is on me,but watch out for the spittle flecks
Cheers
Albert theturtleshead

In November of '06, I crossed from Peru to Bolivia near Copacabana, on Lake Titicaca. As far as paper, I had my passport, bike title, and driver's license. It didn't take more than an hour, and I don't believe it cost anything. Of course this was before the $100 visa thing. I am an American citizen.

Sorry mate, but you just invoked "Godwin's Law", "There is a tradition in many newsgroups and other Internet discussion forums that once such a comparison is made, the thread is finished and whoever mentioned the Nazis has automatically "lost" whatever debate was in progress"

Regards

Nigel in NZ

Debate
 

I thought this was a bunch of fat middle aged bikers talking crap!!!
and whats this about the Nazis,without them they,d be no history channel!
Albert theturtleshead

Speak for yourself, pal.

I have the sound mind in a pure body and I am as strong as an ox. I am Tarzan, Mandrake, Flash Gordon. I am Bill Shakespeare. I am Cain, Ulysses, the Flying Dutchman; I am Lot in Sodom, Deirdre of the Sorrows, Sweeney in the nightingales among trees. I am miracle ingredient Z-247. I am immensive. I'm a real, slam bang, honest to goodness, three fisted humdinger. I'm a bonafide supraman.

Well, I have hybrid vigor, so I beat your literary and historical and comic book references.

I said earlier that I try to observe without judgement, but that doesn't mean I don't learn. I take my experiences home, and then I act accordingly. I might contact my congressperson and ask that the next foreign aid package to a particular country include a provision requiring border reciprocity. I might give an interview to a newspaper and voice my concerns. Whether or not my concerns are printed, I at least hope that I'll influence future editorials. This is my version of thinking globally and acting locally.

I had zero problems from Mexico to Panama. Usually I was treated like a rock star, like a visiting dignatary, like royalty, always with respect- ok not always, the El Salvador/Honduras border SUCKED. Otherwise though, everything was fine.

A week after leaving Panama there was a riot and a policeman shot and killed a construction-worker protester! My bike isn't insured. Oh crap that would have sucked to have ridden through that!

I still haven't decided it I'm going through Bolivia. Not because of the $100. (I don't have to pay it!)

I got my first rabies shot today.