USA to Cochabamba for 90 Days - Tourist Visa Confusion

by Jim
(Massachusetts)

Hi, I've read through a couple of the forum threads and it appears there are some discrepancies about having a Letter of Good Conduct from the Police. Funny thing is the Miami and Los Angeles Consulates don't ask for a Letter of Good Conduct from a Police Station (meaning you don't have a criminal record/no pending court dates).

I just spoke to the New York Consulate of Bolivia and they said you needed the following per their website.

1) Passport
2) 1 Passport Photo
3) Letter of Good Conduct (from Police)
4) Flight Itinerary
5) Hotel or Letter of Invitation (Notarized)
6) Bank Statement (not a credit card statement)
7) Yellow Fever Vaccination
8) $135

What is going on here? Would it be best just to bring all these documents when I arrive in Cochabamba and deal with it there? Any previous experiences with obtaining a tourist visa from the Cochabamba International Airport?

Thanks


Requisitos de Visas de Turismo
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• Formulario de Declaración Jurada de Solicitud de Visa, debidamente llenado y firmado, una fotografía actualizada a colores, tamaño pasaporte, SIN LENTES.

• Pasaporte vigente no Menor de 6 meses. y su respectiva fotocopia

• Certificado de Antecedentes Policiales.

• Reserva de hotel debidamente respaldada que cubra la totalidad de la estadía en Bolivia ó Carta de Invitación NOTARIADA de un familiar o amigo residente en Bolivia, Señalando domicilio y compromiso formal de responsabilizarse con los gastos de hospedaje y manutención de su invitado en tanto dure su permanencia.

• Pasaje de ida y vuelta o Itinerario de viaje.

• Solvencia económica en el país residente (extracto bancario).

• Vacuna contra la Fiebre Amarilla

• Money order por $us 135.- a nombre del Consulado General de Bolivia. (Si el tramite es por correo)

• Si el tramite es por correo enviar un sobre pre-pagado con su direccion para luego ser reenviado al interesado.

NOTA.- Por favor presentar toda esta documentación ordenado y en folder.

Comments for
USA to Cochabamba for 90 Days - Tourist Visa Confusion

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Jul 10, 2012
 US State Dept says no criminal record needed
by: Anonymous

This is from www.travel.state.gov from the state dept:

If you are a U.S. citizen seeking to enter Bolivia as a tourist, you must have an entry visa. You can apply for a Bolivian tourist visa by mail or in person at Bolivian consulates in the U.S., as well as at Bolivian ports of entry, such as at Bolivia’s international airports and at land border crossings. Bolivian tourist visas are valid for five years from the date of issuance and allow the bearer to enter the country three times in a year for a cumulative stay of not more than ninety days. The tourist visa costs $135.00. You can pay the $135.00 fee in cash, by deposit to the Bolivian Consulate’s bank account, or by money order. If you choose to apply for your visa upon your arrival to Bolivia, you must pay this fee in cash to immigration authorities. In addition to the $135.00 visa fee, you must present a visa application form with a 4cm x 4cm color photograph, a passport with a validity of not less than 6 months, evidence of a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation in Spanish, proof of economic solvency (credit card, cash, or a current bank statement), and an International Vaccination Certificate for yellow fever.

Please visit the Embassy of Bolivia web site for the most current visa information. Bolivian consulates in the United States are located in Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, New York, , , and Washington, DC.


So I'm gonna try my luck at the La Paz airport without a criminal background clearance.
Feb 10, 2012
 get visa in bolivia
by: Anonymous

I went through Miami consulate but it is closed now. It's probably easiest just to bring your documents and $ 135 to the airport and porcess the visa when you arrive in Santa Cruz or La Paz. I'be never known anyone who did not get a visa at either bolvian airport. The New York consulate is having issues with drugs coming in from Bolivia and that's why they ask for a criminal background check. You will be fine dealing with the visa once you arrive in Bolivia.
Feb 10, 2012
 Tourist Visa at the Airport
by: Matlokz

You don't need anything more than the money when you arrive at the airport. I went in October and didn't have a clue about the visas. I arrived and they told me I had to pay 135 dollars and fill out 1 form.
Feb 06, 2012
 good conduct certificate
by: Anonymous

Hi everyone,

I hope this helps with others applying for a visa.

Today I went to the Bolivian consulate in New York with all the required documents for a tourist visa, but they would not grant the visa since I did not have the good conduct certificate (background check from police). Even though other Bolivian consulates do not require this, for some reason the NY one is.

Since I only have 2 weeks before my travel, they recommended I just get the visa in the La Paz airport, but they still said that I need the good conduct certificate from police. I doubt it would be a problem though if you don't have this in La Paz.
Sep 29, 2011
 Certificate of good conduct???
by: Johanna

Hi Jim I am having the same issue and was told also by the NYC bolivian consulate that we need a background check, but nowhere in the website or any other website that is stated. Did you run into problems??? please Email me if you have any info Johanna.guardado@gmail.com
May 27, 2011
 get your visa first
by: Anonymous

Americans are required to get their travel visa before traveling. But you can use ANY Bolivian consulate in the US, you don't have to use the one in New York. The one in Washington is very friendly and efficient. You can Fedex them your stuff, wait a few days, call to see if it's ready, and then send Fedex to pick it up and send it back to you (you pay the courier both ways). I hear Miami is issuing visas within 48 hours but you have to call them to confirm that.
May 26, 2011
 Response to Bolivia Bella
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the prompt response.

I checked with both LA, Miami and DC and no mention of criminal background check/Letter of Good Conduct.

When I called the Bolivian Consulate of New York City (who processes visa for the North East of the USA), they mentioned I needed to get one.

Any further comments would be greatly appreciated.

How is the Visa process at the Cochabamba Airport? Is it worth it to wait until I get there to apply as long as I have all my necessary documents?
May 26, 2011
 criminal background check tourist visa
by: BoliviaBella

You're the second person to mention to us that a Bolivian consulate in the USA is requesting a criminal background check to issue a tourist visa. This has not been a requirement ever before that we know of.

The criminal background check is usually requested of foreigners who are MOVING to Bolivia to request residency. And it is done here in Bolivia (a national criminal background check at the police station and an international criminal background check at Interpol, both here in Bolivia).

I checked the Bolivian Consulate in Washington DC's website http://www.bolivia-usa.org (click on tourist visa) and it does NOT list a criminal background check as a requirement for a tourist visa.

I checked the Bolivian Consulate in Miami's website http://www.consuladodebolivia.net/serv_visasdeturismo.php and it does NOT list a criminal background check as a requirement for a tourist visa.

If this is a new thing they need to inform their consulates and update their websites. In the meantime, you may want to contact one of the above for a second opinion.

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