Visa Services

Frequently Asked Questions

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia desires to facilitate lawful travel to the United States of America.  Information about how to obtain a visa may be obtained on our website at bolivia.usembassy.gov   Below are some frequently asked questions regarding visas.

1) What are the most important things I need to do to get a visa to the U.S.?

a) Schedule your appointment as soon as possible; b) come prepared to the interview with all necessary documentation and information; and c) always tell the truth during the interview.

2) I have an indefinite visa, is it still valid?

No.  The United States Government stopped issuing "indefinite" validity visas on February 1, 1995 and they are no longer valid. The maximum validity of a B-1/B-2 visa is ten years.

3) For how long is a visa valid?

You may use your visa to travel to the United States until the date it expires.  At the port of entry, the length of your authorized stay in the United States will be determined by US immigration authorities.

4) Do Bolivians need 6 months validity on their passport to obtain a visa to the US?

Yes, for an immigrant visa.  For non-immigrant visas, the passport must be valid for at least the intended length of the trip at the time of the interview. 

5) I have a visa in my old passport. Can I just transfer it to my new passport?

No. It is not possible to transfer a visa from one passport to another without making a new visa application. You should carry both passports when traveling to the US.

6) My passport containing a valid visa has expired. I've obtained a new passport. Do I need a new visa?

If the passport in which your visa has been placed has expired, the visa in the old passport still can be used, provided that you also carry a valid passport of the same nationality. Note: If, when canceling your old passport, your national passport authority has clipped the corners of the passport, and, in so doing, has damaged the visa in any way, that visa is no longer valid and cannot be used for travel to the United States.

7) My marital status has changed, and I have a passport that reflects my new name.  Can I still travel with my visa in my former name?

Yes, you may.  However, you should travel with the documentation that shows your change of marital status (divorce decree, marriage certificate, death certificate, etc.) to present to the immigration authorities at the Port of Entry, in case such proof is requested. 

8)  My children's visas are in my passport.  Can they travel without me?

No.  If the child's visa is located in the passport of one of the parents, then the child can only utilize the visa if they travel with the parent who is the lawful bearer of the passport.  If the child wishes to travel without the passport bearer parent, then the child will need to apply for a separate visa in his or her passport.

9) What will happen if I obtain or present false documents to a Consular Officer?

Do not attempt to procure or present any false documents, or else you may be barred for life from obtaining a U.S. visa.

10) Can I purchase a visa from a “tramitador,” or can a “tramitador” guarantee the issuance of my visa? 

Only the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia can issue visas within Bolivia.  Some unscrupulous individuals attempt to “issue” or “guarantee” visas to the U.S. for a fee.  Do not fall prey to these scams.  Please contact the local authorities and the Consular Section of the Embassy if you suspect that you have been the victim of fraud.

11) Should I hide the fact that I have relatives in the U.S.?

No.  Always tell the truth on your application and during the interview.  You may get a visa if you have relatives living in the U.S., in some cases even if they are living there illegally, provided that you otherwise qualify for the visa.  However, if you try to conceal this information from the consular officer, that may result in you not getting a visa.

12) Do I need to have $10,000 in the bank to get a tourist visa?

Not necessarily.  U.S. immigration law presumes that all visa applicants are intending immigrants, and they must prove otherwise to the satisfaction of the consular officer.  One aspect of this is that the applicant must have sufficient resources for the planned travel.  Applicants that can demonstrate strong financial, social and family ties to Bolivia may be eligible for a tourist visa.

13) What if my relatives or friends in the U.S. are paying all of my expenses?

Applicants must demonstrate strong ties to Bolivia, which include their own personal financial solvency.  The financial situation of friends or family in the U.S. is not as relevant.

14) If I get a 10-year visa, does that mean that I can stay in the U.S. for 10 years?

No.  A visa allows the bearer to present himself or herself at the port of entry (for example, Miami airport) and request admission from officers of the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”).  Even if you have a valid visa, DHS may decide not to admit you to the United States at the port of entry.  DHS officers authorize entry to the U.S. and determine how long a visitor can stay – the maximum stay for tourism is generally 6 months.  A 10 year visa is valid for 10 years, meaning the bearer can seek entry at the port of entry from DHS during that time frame.  It does not allow the bearer to live in the U.S. for 10 years.  If, while you are in the United States, you find that you need to stay there longer than the period of time initially granted to you, you must contact the nearest office of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to apply for an extension of your stay.

15) What if I enter on the visa waiver program and then decide I want to stay longer than the 90 days?

You CANNOT extend the time on the Waiver Program. The 90 days also includes any time spent in Canada, Mexico and adjacent islands. Therefore, you cannot cross the border into these areas and then return for another 90 days. You can, however, ask for re-entry on the Waiver Program if you have left the continent.

16) How can I renew my visa?

A visa cannot be renewed regardless of its type. One must apply as if it is a new visa.

17) Can I apply for a visa in Bolivia if I am not a Bolivian passport holder or a permanent resident in Bolivia?

An applicant has the right to apply at any Consulate abroad. However, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa when applying outside one's own country of permanent residence. If you choose to apply in Bolivia it is on the understanding that you may be refused, and the application fee is non-refundable if the visa is not issued. You are expected to demonstrate strong ties to your country that you plan to return to after your visit to the US. Therefore, applicants are advised to always apply in their own country of permanent residence if possible. The decision on the issuance of the visa will be made at the time of application.

18) I was arrested/convicted years ago; can I apply for a visa?

Anyone arrested or convicted of a crime (regardless of how long ago) must apply for a visa and cannot use the Visa Waiver Program. The applicant must submit details including court date, type of offence, and outcome. The port of entry and exit to/from the US and the expected dates are also required. This information is in addition to the usual requirements for the type of visa being applied for.

19) My DS-2019/I-20/I-20M form hasn't arrived from the US.  Can I apply for the visa with a photocopy of the approval notice to work/study?

No, you must have the original documents to apply, and you must bring all pages of the form to the Consulate.

20) Can I present a copy of my I-797 approval notice for my work visa?

No, you must have the original I-797 notification of approval from the office of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The consulate CANNOT accept a faxed copy from the applicant, the employer, or the applicant's lawyer.

21) My company is sending me to the US office for training; do I need a visa?

The B1/B2 visa allows you to attend short, in-house training courses of less than 6 months. Among your supporting documentation, you should carry a letter with you on the company letterhead stating the purpose of the trip, the approximate length of stay, and that your salary will continue to be paid from the Bolivian company.

22) Can my relative in the US sponsor me?

Only your employer can sponsor you for work.

23) Can I get a visa to do casual work?

No, there is no visa that covers casual work. You must have an employer sponsor you as described in the working visa information page.

24) Can I work or study in the U.S. on a tourist visa?

No.  You need to obtain special visas in order to study or work legally in the United States.
25) If I have only a tourist visa, what sort of activities can I do in the United States?

B-2 visa is only valid for travel to the United States for a temporary visit for pleasure. This includes touring, visiting friends and relatives, visits for rest or medical treatment, participation on conventions, conferences or convocations of fraternal or social organizations, and participation by amateurs - who will receive no financial remuneration - in musical, sports or similar events or contests. For a visit for business purposes you need a classification B-1 visa. To apply for such a visa follow the instructions on form DS-156.

26)  What is the Visa Lottery?

The 1990 Immigration Act established the Diversity Visa (DV) classification to encourage greater diversity in the immigrant populations in the US.  Bolivian citizens are eligible to apply for the diversity lottery.

27) Where can I find more information?

Answer:  The answer to almost every question about visas can be found on our website at http://bolivia.usembassy.gov  and the State Department website at travel.state.gov  You may also write to us by e-mail at consularlapaz@state.gov