south african tourist visa to Bolivia

by natalie marx
(ladysmith)

Hi, I am confused??? I sincerely hope someone can help me. I will be spending a few days in Bolivia during mid December. I was under the impression that you could get a visa at the the airport as per the information given by your web site. The consulate in Johannesburg says absolutely NOT and I need to apply for a visa here in South Africa. This would be ok but the consulate closes on Wednesday 23 November because the entire staff is going to a conference in Durban until 15 December 2011. This means that no visas available tile then??? No good for me as I fly on 16 December. What does this means? Do I now have to cancel my tickets to Bolivia and lose thousands of Rands in the process or do I go with the info on your web site and just take all the forms to the airport?? This has caused us great concern and any positive input would be appreciated.

Thank You

Natalie Marx

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Oct 09, 2018
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Visa requirements
by: Fozis

Hello.. I want to know the visa requirements for Bolivia. I am flying to Sao Paulo and then flying to la paz in December. Is it visa on arrival? Do I have to have a yellow fever vaccination?

Mar 08, 2018
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You don't need to apply before you leave
by: Dee

We just visited Bolivia (March 2018):
You don't need to apply before you leave South Africa, and it is free!
Check out our blog post about the whole process here:
https://www.vagabondjournals.com/single-post/2018/02/27/Bolivian-Visas-for-South-African-Citizens

Note this applies to all citizens from Group 2 countries.

Nov 21, 2011
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Visa for South Africans
by: BoliviaBella

The information we provide comes directly from the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores which is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. On their website it states that citizens of South Africa are in GROUP 2 (tourists that require a visa but can obtain it upon entry and do not need to obtain it prior to travel). This is the page that lists the countries in GROUP 2:

http://www.rree.gob.bo/webmre/documentos/servicios/d48.htm

What I might suggest is that you contact one of the Bolivian consulates in a nearby country. We were told by immigration that you can use any Bolivian consulate in your region.

We cannot provide you legal or immigration advice on our site. We can only transmit to you what we are told here and what the official websites say.

Maybe try to find a nearby consulate using this website as a guide:

http://embassy.goabroad.com/

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visa for south african visiting bolivia

by natalie marx
(Ladysmith)

Hi, I am confused. I have been told and your website confirms that as a South African we need a visa but can purchase it at the airport. I phoned the Bolivian Consulate in Johannesburg today and they said absolutely not we have to get it here in South Africa. We are only flying on 16 december and they also advised me that I have left it very late. I am now going to drive 400 kilometers to the consulate to try to sort this out. This has put a damper on my plans and can anyone confirm what is actually correct?

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Apr 26, 2012
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Visa
by: Anonymous

Where does one get a Bolivian visa? The house in Saxonwold, Johannesburg is derelict.

Nov 22, 2011
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Bolivian visa for south africans
by: natalie marx

An update...Today I travelled 400km to Johannesburg to try to sort out the visa problem at the Bolivian consulate. They were very helpful and I only waited about two hours for our visas. The only problem was the cost at R400 per visa. We each needed two because we are entering twice so it cost R800 per person, quite expensive and cannot understand why we had to get two visas valid for thirty days???Anyway I am relieved that all is sorted now. I did print out the Group two documents from this website and I showed the offical at the consulate. I was advised this was outdated and not acceptable. I did not want to take any chances as the consulate would be closed from tomorrow as all offocials are attending the COPE conference in Durban. I have since read the blog of your attachment and had mail from a reader of trip advisor. YOU CAN BUY A VISA AT THE BORDER AT 50 US DOLLARS. Nice to know.

We are excited for our trip to South America.

Nov 22, 2011
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That information is provided by the Bolivian government
by:

hi

Sorry to hear that you are having visa stresses when you should be looking forward to your trip!

It might be worth pointing out that Bella is providing links to a Bolivian GOVERNMENT site so you could ask the consulate in Jo'burg if they believe the Bolivian government website to be incorrect.

I might get into trouble for saying this, but consulates are businesses in some respects and it might be that they are trying to extract a visa fee from you...

Finally, I found this link on the website from a South African traveller about his experience getting visa upon entry to Bolivia: http://paulkilfoil.webs.com/2010.htm

Nov 21, 2011
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Are you coming as a tourist or moving here?
by: Anonymous

Are you by any chance NOT coming as a tourist? Because if you are MOVING here (and plan to request residency) then YES, you do need to get a visa before travel and that visa is called a VISA DE OBJETO DETERMINADO. It's different than a tourist visa.

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Bolivian tourist visa for South Africans?

by joanne theron
(south africa)

Where do I apply for a tourist visa? Can I get a visa at the border? I am a South African citizen.

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Sep 18, 2017
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Visa Requiments
by: John Govender

Hi ,to all South African travelers, I left Puño and got to the boarded town (YUNGUYO) only 20 sol in the bus. Existing Peru no issues, got to the Bolivia boarder control, these are the requirements,
1)Proof of Accomadation
2)Proof of Exit flights .
3)1 x passport photo
4)Proof of Yellow Fever Vaccination
5)Copy of passport
6) And CASH 100$

Please make copies of all above documents.

Aug 31, 2012
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Visa to Bolivia
by: Rebeca

Hi Joanne, South Africa is a Group II of countries, you can apply for the Tourist Visa at the border or at the airport upon your arrival. Don´t worry, I know about cases like yours, you will get 30 days, but you can extend it for another 30 days.
Further information solucioneslegales.srz@gmail.com

Aug 31, 2012
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Follow up
by: Sam

Hi Joanne

I similar concerns to you. In the end, were you able to get your VISA at the border?

May 29, 2012
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Visa query
by: Gert

Hi have you arrived in Bolivia yet. How did you arrange your visa. I am planning on going, but am in Brazil and arranging a visa here will be difficult.

Mar 12, 2012
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Applying for visa at Bolivian border
by: Joanne Theron

Thanks for the feed back.
James, I am in south Africa at the moment, but we are backpacking for 6 months starting in Mexico and making our way down towards Bolivia. So I am not totally sure of the specific dates that we will reach Bolivia, which makes it a bit difficult as I hear they only allow you a 30 day travel card from the date that you write on your visa application form. This is why I wanted to know if it's possible to apply for a visa card at the border. It will make it easier for me not to have to stress about getting there on a specific date.

I did call the bolivian consulate in Pretoria, but they insist I apply for the visa card before I go. But then i have read and also now been advised that its possible to get the card at the border. This is why I'm a little confused. I don't want to arrive and get told that I should have applied before hand.
So just making sure its definitely possible to receive a visa card at the border :) any more definate clarity on this will be much appreciated!
Thanks

Jan 31, 2012
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Tourist Visa for South Africans
by: Altiplano Bolivia

South Africa is a Group II country which means you can apply for the Tourist Visa at the border.

http://www.rree.gob.bo/webmre/documentos/servicios/d48.htm

Jan 24, 2012
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Bolivian Tourist Visa (South Africans)
by: James L.

Hi Joanne, Are you located in South Africa - or needing to apply from somewhere else?

I see that SA only has an Honorary Consulate, who should be able to provide you with one (I think). Worth calling.

Bolivia (Republic of)
(Honorary Consulate of)

Johannesburg
(Honorary Consulate)
No. 1 Erlswold Way Saxonwold
2129

Postal Add:
P O 91026
Auckland Park
2006

Tel/fax: 011 646 1408
Cell.: 083 3779081

Email: seabeco@tiscali.co.za
Honorary Consul - Ms S M Caputi
National Day: 6 August

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Tourist Visa Requirements for South Africans

by Varsha Ranchod
(Johannesburg, South Africa)

Hi. I am a South African citizen and will be travelling through South America for 3 months. I am not sure of the dates when I will be visiting Bolivia. I will definitely be visiting Bolivia.

Would I be able to obtain the visa for Bolivia at the entry border as it will be difficult to obtain the visa in South Africa without confirmed dates.

Thanks

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Nov 03, 2015
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VISAS FOR SOUTH AFRICANS CITIZENS
by: JAMES AND HENRIETTE

WE ARE AT THE BRAZIL/ BOLIVIA BORDER AT CORUMBA. YYOU CAN OBTAIN A VISA AT THE BORDER BUT THERE ARE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS SUCH AS AN HOTEL BOOKING CONFIRMATION OR AN INVITE. PHOTOS ,ENOUGH MONEY ECT ECT. ELSE THEY WONT ALLOW YOU IN

Apr 09, 2013
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Brasil
by: Gabi Studart

Varsha...is you, my sister??? I'm looking for you a long time!!! Where you have being??? please, answer me: gabistudart@hotmail.com

Nov 15, 2012
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Were you able to get your visa at the border?
by: DJ

HI Varsha,
Were you able to get your visa at the border? I'm in a similar situation (also traveling on a passport from a Group II country), but have read conflicting information about getting the visa upon arrival. How did it go for you?

Any update would be greatly appreciated.

Mar 12, 2012
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South Africans can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival
by: Anonymous

South Africa is in Group 2 - countries whose citizens need a visa, but are not required to obtain one prior to travel. So you can acquire your visa at any border point upon entry into Bolivia, or at the airport upon arrival, if you fly in.

http://www.rree.gob.bo/webmre/documentos/servicios/d48.htm

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