Kasani, Bolivia Immigration Office — Local services in La Paz

AMERICANS! READ THIS!

It is nearly impossible to find accurate information for this crossing and I hope you found this post in time. To prepare to cross, I referenced the US State Department website, the US embassy in Bolivia and the Bolivian embassy in Washington DC. None prepared me and information was inconsistent.

You MUST have the following: -Valid passport with at least 2 fully blank pages (not sure how long it needs to be valid for) -1 photocopy of the photo and signature page of your passport -A printed copy of your itinerary in Bolivia that includes your name. You can type this up yourself. Ex: John Doe Passport # Day 1 Copacabana Day 2 La Paz Day 3 xxx You can take some liberties just make sure you include EXACTLY how you will be leaving. For example: Cross into San Pedro de Atacama, Chile by van transfer on Day X. Ideally include some type of proof that you will be leaving Bolivia ex: lodging reservation in different country, invitation letter, flight or bus confirmation, etc. -A printout of your most recent bank statement. Likely just the first page, must include your name and account balance and recent date. -2 2x2 headshots taken against a white background (passport photos) -Printout of where you will be staying for at least some of the days. It is imperative that your name be on the reservation. You can slide if someone else made the reservation, but you will have to explain it and they may reject you. For example, lodging booked by a tour operator that does not clearly state your name. If using an AirBnb or similar, ask for and print out a confirmation from the host that you will be staying at their location, check in and out dates and that you have paid. I printed my AirBnb reservation for La Paz at home & some information was missing. This caused a conference between the boarder officials. -Yellow fever and covid vaccine cards were not requested -$160USD and bills must be in IMMACULATE condition. Cannot stress this enough. Go inside your bank, not the ATM, and request brand new bills. Keep them flat in an envelope. Do not fold them in your wallet. I had bills rejected that seemed fine to me and you would think they were too.

If you are a couple traveling together, both will need copies. Everyone needs their own copies of everything. You cannot share documents. Err on providing them with too much information. All documents you give them will be kept by them. So if you need copies of something for yourself, factor that in.

All documents will be heavily scrutinized. Fine tooth comb. You will not skate or slide one in. It’s like watching the teacher in middle school you swore was trying to fail you grade your assignment in front of you. It’s nauseating.

If you are reading this and it’s too late, directly adjacent to the immigration building is a copy shop that can take photos and allow you to print documents. There are signs everywhere that the shop accepts credit cards. They do not accept credit cards. You can pay in most any currency but it must be cash. Between 2 people we need 2 sets of headshots and 6 copies, $8usd. I had a $20, he said he only had $10 in change. At that point I didn’t care. There is nowhere near the copy shop to get cash so hopefully you have some or are with someone willing to loan you.

It may be possible to pay for the visa by credit card. This is not a guarantee. The official had to call and get permission from someone somewhere to allow this.

I highly recommend having some who speaks at least intermediate Spanish with you. If possible, get the visa in advance. This was a horribly stressful experience I hope this makes it better for you.

One photo is a printout of what the immigration officer said was required when we arrived at the border. Accurate as of 9/23. This was printed by an immigration official and handed to me. Others are of rejected bills. Good luck, and keep in mind that the process is this way because this is what we do to Bolivias trying to enter our county. It’s a giant payback and we’re bringing it on ourselves. *Traveled 9/2023 3/2024...

Hey! Posting an updated version of what was needed at the border, hope this helps someone!!! We crossed 6/22/24

Sworn statement for visa application (if you google it you will find this doc) Form 250 (customs) Bank Statement Typed Itinerary (needs to be day by day, where you will be, which day your taking buses, really specific) First hotel booking in bolivia Exit ticket (we bought the cheapest bus ticket) 2 passport pictures 160 pristine, perfect bills with no marks (ours were rejected but we were able to pay with card) Copy of your passport ALL PRINTED, a copy for everyone entering

We also had printed Yellow Vaccine and Covid but didn't need them

When you get to the office the farthest left worker deals with visas specifically and was much more helpful than the first person we talked to who was super strict on our documents

You are able to print, we paid 20Bs for two sheets.

The bus will likely leave you.. we were left.. but the colectivo to Copacabana is 4Bs each and it's only 15 minutes away. We were able to catch our connecting bus to La Paz

All in all took an extra 20 min. It's stressful...

... we were fine as we only needed stamps to enter Bolivia, no visa required. We travelled with Bolivia Hop. Other members of our group who needed visas to enter had their paperwork ready, however, when they got to the immigration desk, they started having problems because the officer wanted to see their names on the hotel booking form. The travellers explained that their hotel was booked for them by someone else but they are definitely staying in the stated hotel. Even the tour guides were powerless and they said that the border rules keep changing. Our yellow fever card was not checked, there was no final passport check before you actually leave the area. You basically cross the border, go to the immigration office, fill in the immigration form, get a stamp on your passport, get your digital photo taken and off you go. There is a photocopying machine nearby, pay to use toilet and...