The information below is to be used only as a guide & may change without prior notice. It is advisable to contact the relevant Embassy in plenty of time before the trip departs to check the current visa requirements.
At the present time United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand passport holders do not require visas to travel in the countries that we visit on our South America tours. Australia, USA and Canadian passport holders require a visa for Brazil only and South African passport holders for Bolivia only. These can ALL be obtained en-route. On arrival to countries in South America, you will be given an 'Immigration card'. It is important that you keep this with your passport during your entire stay in the particular country as it is needed for departure. Failure to produce this immigration slip can result in a fine.
For more information on other nationalities & Visas checkout www.projectvisa.com
Updated USA visa information in effect as of 12 January 2009. The US government
has announced that as of 12 Jan 09 a new online system known as Electronic
System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) that is part of the visa waiver programme
(VWP) will become mandatory. To apply for authorization to travel to or via the
US (even on transit) under the VWP, travellers will have to log on to the ESTA
web based system and complete an application online providing biographical &
eligibility information. In most cases, ESTA will provide an almost immediate
determination of eligibility to travel under the VWP.
If your country
does not appear on the Visa Waiver Program list below, you will need to apply
for a visa to the US before flying out to join your tour. More information can
be found at: Foreign & Commonwealth Office website: www.fco.gov.uk; U.S
State Department travel advice: www.travel.state.gov or www.usembassy.org.uk
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are; United
Kingdom, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the
Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
If your nationality does not
participate in the VWP, check the US State Dept website for your visa
requirements and how to apply. Failure to determine your eligibility for travel
under the Visa Waiver Program or to apply for a visa to travel to the US will
result in you being denied by airlines and or the US government to travel to or
via the United States.
Visas
| Country | British | Australian | N.Zealand | S.African | American | Canadian |
| Ecuador | No |
No | No | No | No | No |
| Peru | No |
No | No | No | No | No |
| Bolivia | No | No | No | Yes* | US$135 | No |
| Chile | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Argentina | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Uruguay | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Brazil | No | US$30** | No | No | US$150 | US$40** |
* = We recommend obtaining this visa before travel, though if starting your trip in Rio this will not be possible, and you will need to obtain en route. Price varies.
** = If starting your trip in Rio or Santiago this visa should be obtained in advance of travel (valid for 90 days from time of issue). Otherwise you will need to obtain your visa on the trip, probably from Buenos Aires.
Your passport must be valid for at least nine months from the start date of your South America overland tour and you will need one blank page for each country you intend to visit. Please bring 2 photocopies of your passport details to give to your tour leader. You will need at least 1 blank page per country in your passport, which must be valid for at least 9 months from your departure date. If you have Dual Nationality you can only use one passport for the entire trip. It is your responsibility to ensure you have all the relevant Visas you require.