VISA requirements

[Big Daddy]

I tried to do a seach on Visa information and got kind frustrated. I will be arriving in Rio on October 24th, and so I need to start making arrangements. Carlo has secured a reservation for me at the Atlantico and I am going to make a reservation on Continental Airlines. I managed to secure my US passport without too much hassel,and now must go about the process of securing a Visa. Could someone out there please walk me through the process. I know that the fee is $100 and that I must travel to Brazil within 90 of obtaining the Visa (which is why I have waited until now). I live in Phoenix, with the closest consulate probably in San Francisco or Los Angeles. Can the application process be accomplished reasonably via mail, or should I schedule a trip to a consulate site? Tri, could you possibly add a FAQ regarding passport and visa information.

 

I have been lusting to trvel to Brazil since the first day, the now almost sacred post of Tri's appeared, that opened up an entire new world of adventure for many of us. I am looking forward to meeting and partying with the M4Mer's that will be thre in October. I am planning on staying until November 5th, and fully intend to give the sauna boys a run for their money.

 

Big Daddy

[ohgwm226]

I downloaded the visa form from the Brazilian Embassy site online: http://www.brasilemb.org/consular1.shtml

http://www.brasilemb.org/consular_forms.shtml , filled it, and mailed it with the fee/paasport to the Brazilian Consulate by regular mail, and got my visa back within few days without any problem or delay.

[trilingual]

I recommend going to the website recommended, but then search for the consulate that serves your state of residence (in your case, probably Los Angeles). If there's a link to that particular consulate's website, go to it and read what it has to say about visa application procedures. These seem to be somewhat inconsistent from consulate to consulate (perhaps because of staffing issues) but I've noticed that some say they'll accept mail applications, others will only accept out-of-town visa requests through visa services. You may want to call the relevant consulate directly to be sure what their particular procedures are.

 

Generally, though, you have to fill out a visa application form, to which you must attach a passport photo (I think they require two photos, actually), and submit it with your passport (which must have at least six months validity) and a money order (not a personal check) for $100 made out to Brazilian Consulate General. If you're applying from out of town, you may also need to submit a prepaid self-addressed return envelope, but check directly with your servicing consulate for that.

 

The process is a bit cumbersome, and some of it is simple reprisal for what the U.S. makes Brazilians (and other foreigners) go through to get a U.S. visa, but on the whole it's still a lot less onerous than what the U.S. makes foreign visa applicants go through! But that's a subject for a different discussion. . .

[sf traveler]

Just to expand a bit on what Tri said, Brazilian visa requirements are based on the principle of reciprocity whereby they impose the same requirements on a country's citizens that that country imposes on Brazilians. The visa fee was raised to $100 because that's what the US charges foreigners, including Brazilians. Starting shortly, every applicant for a US visa will have to be personally interviewed at a US consulate, which is imposing significant hardship on my Brazilians who would like to visit their relatives here. Luckily, I have not heard that Brazilian consulates are imposing this particular requirement on Americans. Most people who can't visit a consulate in person use a visa service. I know the whole thing feels like a giant pain in the ass, but just think what the much poorer population of Brazil has to put up with. SF Traveler

[Funseeker 22]

When I got my visa last year there was a requirement also that a copy of your airline itinerary had to be included with the paperwork.

I don`t know if this is still needed.

[trilingual]

Thanks! I'd forgotten about that. A copy of the itinerary is a requirement, but I've received a visa without one. However, if you're applying by mail, don't take a chance; attach an itinerary (the kind printed out by your travel agent or airline, or from the airline's website if you reserved online).

[dick_nyc]

The New York Consulate Office asked for a Visa application, an itinerary, a place where you would be staying while in Brazil (preferably a notice from the hotel including address that you were booked there) and, in February, a money order for $80. I understand that the money order is now $100. I just called them as I am going in September.

[buckguy]

I just went through this. Using priority mail (and enclosing a stamped priority mail envelope for return), I received the visa within a week from the Miami consulate. There was a $10 fee on top of the $100 for doing this by mail. I just put my first hotel down as my place of residence. If you don't have reservations, you could probably just pick some place out of a guide book. This sort of thing is common in visa applications and I doubt that anyone ever checks; I've made something up if I didn't already have a place to stay.

[Big Daddy]

If I mail the visa application, I understand that I also have to include my passport. On the Brazilian Embassy web site, it clearly states that THE CONSULAR SERVICE WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR PASSPORTS SENT BY MAIL. I do not feel comfortable surrendering my passport, when the entity that I am sending it to disclaims any responsibility. However, if that is how it is done, that is how it is done.

 

I appreciate the information.

 

Big Daddy

[trilingual]

If you're uncomfortable mailing your passport (although I've heard of no problems using this method) your best alternative is to use a visa service. Ask a local travel agent to give you the name of one. Be warned that they're expensive, probably an additional $75 - $100 on top of the visa fee you pay the consulate.

 

The consulates aren't careless about the passports, but they can't guarantee what will happen to them in the mail and won't take responsibility for their being lost by the USPS. However, you can reduce your worries by mailing your passport to the consulate via registered mail, return receipt requested, or by any other trackable mailing or delivery system. At least you'll know they received it!

[Big Daddy]

Thanks Tri:

 

I will include my passport and send it registered mail. Unless I go to Los Angeles myself, I will follow your advise. There are a couple of escorts in LA that I am very interested in, BUT, for what I would pay for a few hours of bliss (hopefully anyway), I can get a R/T ticket to Rio. OK, I can afford both, so may do the short hop to LA.

 

Again, thank you for all the great information on Brazil that you have provided. I am going to recommend you to the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce as someone who should be their poster boy.

 

Big Daddy

[buckguy]

Registered mail is a good idea. BTW, I've been many places & never had a problem with the handling of my passport when getting visas by mail. I'd have more worries about having a travel agency or some other third party do it for me; I've had many negative experiences with travel agencies and the like, which is one reason I enjoy independent travel.