Axel2DP

Hello,

Does anyone know if it will be difficult for a U.S. citizen to get a Bolivian visa at the border when crossing from Chile into Bolivia? Has anyone done this recently and encounter any issues?

I had tried to get my visa prior to my upcoming trip by applying through the embassy in Washington D.C.; However, I got an email from them yesterday saying that it was rejected. One of the reasons given was because I had left out my middle name on the application form so therefore my full name on my passport didn't match the full name on the application. I just had to roll my eyes at such a petty reason for rejecting one's application. Anyway, I'm supposed to fly out to San Pedro de Atacama, Chile on 5/29. I simply won't have the time to re-submit my application and paper works to the embassy and risk it taking too long and/or being rejected again. But now I am worried if I will be able to easily get my visa at the border crossing into Bolivia. I had to submit quite a few paper works to the embassy for the process. Will I need to bring all of those papers with me? I know I'll need my passport, of course, and yellow fever vaccination, but do I also need to bring my bank statement, etc ?

Honestly, if I had done my research and knew how much of a hassle and cost (vaccination, visa application fee) it was to get to Bolivia, I would not have booked my current trip. But my trip balance has been paid for, so I really need to go.

Thanks
Alex

SambaChula

Cultural sensitivity is important when traveling. Naming conventions are different in different cultures. In Spanish and Portuguese culture, the mother's family name is the "middle" name. So Jose Mendez Garcia is quite a different person than Jose Lopes Garcia, for one fictional example. So for them, the "middle" name is not a petty detail; it is a crucial identifier. Folks from those culture are often bemused by the lack of space for three important names on common forms in the US.

Are you crossing into Bolivia by land? At the border crossing from which country? With time to apply at a Bolivian Consulate? Or are you flying directly in, expecting an airport visa?

SambaChula

This site for the US Embassy in LaPaz seems to have the info you seek:
http://bolivia.usembassy.gov/mobile/...o-bolivia.html

mlgb

Bring everything including USD cash, proof of reservation, hotel booking in Bolivia, bank statement, extra photos, yellow fever etc.

Why would you not include your full name on the application?

Is it worth /possible to use an expedite service before leaving!

Axel2DP

I don't often reference my middle name at all - it's just one letter. And it was already the 2nd time I had to redo the application form, and I was in a hurry so I just inadvertently left it out. Also, the embassy's online application form has required fields marked '*' on each page. It won't let you continue to the next page until each required field is populated. The middle name isn't one of the required fields.

I was actually using traveldocs.com to have them handle the visa process for me. I'm actually kind of disappointed in them that they didn't make sure I had all my t's and i's crossed before they submitted my documentations to the embassy. I just don't want to go through the process again because (a) of the cost ($160 plus traveldocs fee) and (b) what if my application gets rejected again.

From what I've read on another travel forum, it seems like the police at the border was really only interested in getting the $160 and didn't ask for any additional paper at all. Of course things could be different now. I'll see in a week and a half. Fingers crossed.

crellston

I don't know about the Chile/Peru border but three years ago we crossed into Bolivia from Peru and the immigration process was pretty cursory ( and very friendly). I am a UK citizen and so don't have to pay the reciprocity fee so that was not a consideration. Other US citizens mostly seemed to be paying at the border without incident. The main concerned seems to be to get everyone processed as quickly as possible. There were around thirty people on our bus and the whole process took less than 30 mins for everyone to get through ( multiple nationalities)

We met some Americans on our Salar tour who had crossed from Argentina and had got stamped out of Argentina and "forgot tend to get stamped in to Bolivia" at the Villazon crossing - easily done as it is chaotic! They were very worried but the guide said it happens a lot and told them, just go to the local immigration/ police station and sort it out , which they did. We did meet some people who had problems because of no YF certificate though.

As mlgb says, take all the paperwork you can ( although we weren't asked for anything. I would also smile a lot and at least greet them with a few words Spanish. It does help a lot in these situation! Whatever you do don't "roll your eyes"

Axel2DP

I will definitely be on my best behavior when I go through the immigration process

Thanks everyone.

Axel2DP

Quick Update: I didn't encounter any issue getting my visa at the border crossing from Chili San Pedro de Atacama into Bolivia. I just had to pay $160 and provided a passport size photo of myself. The only small glitch was that the guard rejected one of my 20USD bill; Luckily I had brought some extra pristine 20USD bills with me so everything ended well.