How to Apply for a Suriname Visa in Portland

Residents of Portland and the Pacific Northwest region who want to experience the biodiversity of the Amazonia rain forests and businesspeople seeking access to natural resources are the top visitors to Suriname.  Once known as Surinam, the nation just north of the equator borders Brazil, French Guinea, Guyana, and the Atlantic Ocean.

“South America's smallest country, Suriname is a warm, dense convergence of rivers that thumps with the lively rhythm of ethnic diversity,” Lonely Planet reported (https://www.lonelyplanet.com/the-guianas/suriname). “From Paramaribo, the country's effervescent Dutch-colonial capital, to the fathomless jungles of the interior, you'll get a genuine welcome to the country – whether from the descendants of escaped African slaves, Dutch and British colonialists, Indian, Indonesian, and Chinese indentured laborers, or indigenous Amerindians.”

During the 19th and 20th centuries, the region was a Dutch plantation colony that primarily produced sugar.  Dutch Guinea became a country under the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 1954, and then gained independence in 1975 as the Republic of Suriname.  Still, the legacy of Dutch rule remains strong in Suriname’s society and culture.  It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the Americas, as most of its 600,000 residents are descendants of African and Asian slaves brought to the area by Dutch settlers.  Suriname is the only country outside of Europe where Dutch is the official and primarily-used language.

Commodities trade in natural resources dominates the Suriname economy.  Bauxite (aluminum ore) accounted for more than 15% of the country’s GDP and 70% of earnings through the mid-2010s before newly-founded deposits of petroleum and gold took on a larger role.  Gold exports now account for more than 60% of export earnings and 8.5% of GDP, while the oil and gas industry adds another 10% to GDP.  Trade between the United States and Suriname totals $609 million, according to the U.S. State Department, with U.S. companies investing in commodities ventures.  The United States is also the leading exporter to Suriname, with chemicals, excavating machinery, and food (particularly meat and poultry) topping the list of trade opportunities for Portland-based companies and businesspeople. “Opportunities for U.S. exporters, service companies, and engineering firms will likely continue to expand over the next decade with increased activity in the mining and oil sectors by American companies,” the department noted. “Suriname is looking to the U.S. and other foreign investors to assist in the commercial development of its vast natural resources and to help finance infrastructure improvements.” (https://2021-2025.state.gov/u-s-relations-with-suriname/)

Tourism has also been identified as a potential growth industry, with Americans ranking in the top 10 countries for visitors.  Most tourists from the Portland area come to Suriname to experience its tropical rain forests, which are some of the most biodiverse environments in the world.  About 30% of the country’s land has been set aside as wildlife reserves.  Central Suriname Nature Reserve (one of Suriname’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites) and Brownsberg Nature Park (which overlooks Brokopondo Reservoir, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world) are the largest and most popular reserves.  Eco-tourism projects include the Berg en Dal Eco & Cultural Resort and Tonka Island in Brokopondo Reservoir.  The country also features numerous waterfalls, old sugar plantations, Atlantic beaches, and the Bakhuys and Van Asch Van Wijck mountain ranges.  For those seeking adventures off the beaten path, tour group operators take visitors to remote jungle villages with planes and riverboats.

Most Surinamers live in urban areas.  Paramaribo, the capital and largest city, is located on the Suriname River less than 10 miles from the ocean.  Its historic inner city is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. (The third UNSECO site is the Jodensavanne Archaeological Site.) Notable landmarks in Paramaribo for Portland-based travelers will be the presidential palace, Fort Zeelandia, St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral, Suriname Mosque, Nevey Shalom Synagogue, and Arya Diwaker Hindu Temple.  Roads and Kingdoms stated, “Paramaribo isn’t a remarkable world capital, but it’s pleasant enough—a place where you could spend a day or two, enjoy the warm weather, take a boat ride along the river, and down a beer or two in one of the city’s nothing-to-write-home-about restaurants.” (https://roadsandkingdoms.com/2014/why-would-anyone-go-to-suriname/)

Suriname Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and many other countries living in the Portland area can visit Suriname for up to 90 days without a visa if traveling for tourism or a family visit, however, you must pay the Entry Fee Voucher to obtain a tourist card prior to traveling.  You must hold a passport valid for at least six months and pay a $50 tourist entry fee to get an entry card (plus an $8 service fee to the government contractor).  Visitors from certain countries where yellow fever risk is high must also provide proof of vaccination.  If you plan to stay more than three months in Suriname, you will need to obtain an Authorization for Temporary Stay (Machtiging tot Kort Verblijf, MKV).

Register for the Entry Fee Voucher at https://suriname.vfsevisa.com/suriname/online/home/entry-fee, the website of Suriname’s visa issuance partner, VFS Global.  For the Entry Fee Voucher, you will need to complete an online application and provide a scanned color copy of the biometrics (information) page from your current passport.  Each traveler in your party will need their own approval.  As mentioned above, the fee is $58 for U.S. citizens, payable when you apply. 

For longer stays and non-tourist visits, you can apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa) at the VFS Global site above.  It typically takes 72 hours for the application to process but can take as long as five days.

Business travelers coming from Portland will need to upload the same documents as tourists, but they must also provide an invitation letter from a Suriname organization that explains the reason for the visit, plus copies of the host’s Certificate of the Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the guarantor’s ID card.  The government’s business visa fee is $178.  You can review the complete this of requirements for the business visa on the Visa Supply website: https://www.visasupply.com/suriname-business-visa.html

Although not required for the visa, we recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Suriname.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

When your application has been approved, you will receive your e-Visa as a .pdf file in your email.  Print a copy and, if possible, store a copy on your phone.  You will need to present both your passport and your e-visa to the Immigration Officer at your port of entry.

More information about Suriname can be found on the embassy website: https://www.surinameembassy.org/

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for your visa and answer your questions about visiting Suriname.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Suriname.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.

If you live in Portland or anywhere in the state of Oregon and have difficulty applying for a Suriname visa, or require assistance with any part of the process of preparing for your trip, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company through our website.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Suriname visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. 

We provide the following Suriname visa services for residents of Portland:

  • Suriname Tourist Visa (Entry Fee Voucher)
  • Suriname Business Visa
  • Suriname Authorization for Temporary Stay (MKV)
  • Suriname Transit Visa
  • Suriname Diplomatic Visa
  • Suriname Hotel Accommodations