by Tyler
(La Paz!!)
I wanted to share what happened with me and how I got where I am so others can use this for their own answers.
I applied for a special objective visa and explained my circumstances with honesty in my letter of intent. My situation is unusual as I want to marry, study, and work (possibly volunteer, possibly not depending.)
I sent in all the requirements on the website including 1 photocopy of a notarized letter of intent to marry from my fiancee
1 letter including information about one of the volunteer places I have considered helping. (no signature, just info about the purpose of the NGO/ONG.)
Photos of me and my fiancee together.
They sent me the visa pretty fast. They kept all my other documents.
***I want to include that I had to get other documents to marry ready, but they were not included in the visa packet so that is a different story for a different post***
I was nervous about immigration at the airport and customs. Immigration was more friendly with me I think when they saw my reason for my visit than they were for my last one. Maybe they see tourists as more necessary than wanted as opposed to someone with ties to the country.
I brought over 1000$ in value of my items if brand new, but I shopped for nice things on e-bay for cheap and printed my receipts. I put the value is under 1000$ and they did not check my bags. I read something about a red light green light process where they check bags at random. I guess I just got lucky, but in exchange I cannot give better information about bringing high value items.
I had lots of electronics, dj gear and lighting as I want to purchase or open a bar in La Paz at some point. This is the dream of my fiancee. Either way they will come in handy for some sort of future projects.
The Bolivian migración in the airport is probably the most intimidating I have seen from first glance, but remember that they are people and greet them with a smile and respect and you will be surprised how far that can get you. That and enough Spanish to be cordial. That goes for all of Bolivia.
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