I'm thinking of using a visa service in Houston, TX. (visaexress) But I'm not sure if that's possible, given my jurisdiction is for San Fran.
So, my question is, when one uses a visa service, do they have to live where the service company will be applying for the visa?
I have a similar question. San Francisco doesn't appear to allow mailed applications still, could I mail it to the Chicago one? If it matters, I can use a Wisconsin address, and most likely would have the return envelope addressed to the Wisconsin address anyways.
Second question, if mailing in a passport, can we use one envelope for two people/passports? Also same with the return envelope. Also, if we were to drop off the passports at the Chicago embassy, could we include one return envelope for two passports to have them both mailed back? Thanks!
Yes, as long as you can present proof of residence in the Chicago Brazil Consular district (utility bill, driver's license, etc.), you can mail your information to the Chicago one.
I was surprised to see how much the process has changed in just a little more than a year. Last February, the Houston Consulate refused to expedite visas and was quite reluctant to take in-person applications. Documents had to be submitted by mail or travel agent.
While helping a friend prepare for a trip in May, I learned that now all applications must be submitted in person or by an approved agent. Nothing by mail will be accepted.
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Originally Posted by mikew99
I have come to learn (the hard way, unfortunately) that
(1) Each consulate makes its own rules as to how, and from whom, it accepts visa applications; and
(2) these rules can change any time!
It's a good idea to check the rules at the consulate within your jurisdiction and allow plenty of time to work through the process.
Understatement of the century. The Internet is filled with horror stories about how difficult it is to get a tourist visa to Brazil. There are also a few stories (in this thread, for example) about it being a cinch.
Many people (myself included) would simply not have planned travel to Brazil had we known in advance how difficult it would be. I've gotten visas before and never had a hassle, so I didn't think to research in advance.
And there are some of us who love the experience of being in gorgeous Brazil and among the warm Brazilian people so much that (even had our experience of getting a visa been less simple and straightforward than it actually has been over several visa cycles and applications) we would gladly do whatever is neccessary simply to spend time in Brazil again!
I had no issue getting my visa approved. Sent to the Embassy in ATL my passport, the application, and the fees, and about a week later had my passport back with the visa.
Maybe one of you can help me with these issues then. I'm running out of time in case there's a problem and I have to resubmit, so I confess I'm a tad nervous.
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Two (2) receipt pages from VISA APPLICATION FORM per applicant, properly and completely filled in and signed by the applicant;
Only one page was generated by the form... and it's not a standard US page size... should I use legal paper?
What is the other page they request?? Should I print the same page twice?
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Two recent passport-size photos, front view, full face, either in color or black and white, with a light background (snapshots are not accepted)
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Affix your picture to the receipt and sign it.
Affix two photos or one? If two, both together? Or (if the answer above is print the same sheet twice) one on each page? (That's what I'm guessing.)
Where on the sheet? The upper box seems right but it's not the right size and shape for a 2x2 passport photo. It *is* the right size and shape for the photo which has been scanned and printed in your passport. But I don't dare trim it...do they do this? And if so, is the advice upthread to glue the photo incorrect? I saw on CC someone saying their application was rejected because they had stapled their photos. How should it be affixed??
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SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT
Should the signature be placed in the lower box or on the line below? I'm presuming the line below (NOMO DO CONTATO) is for one's own name to be printed, is that correct?
THANK YOU to whomever said you have to sign all three of your names.
I never do that so I definitely would have been caught by that.
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Visa fee, payable in US Postal Money Order only, as applicable (SEE VISA FEES TABLE); A non-refundable handling fee of US$20.00 per visa applies to visa applications submitted by mail or by any individual other than the applicant or an immediate member of his or her family;
Two money orders or one with both amounts combined? (I assume it doesn't matter.)
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Any application that shows “self-employed” or “unemployed” must be complemented with a current “Balance Account Bank Statement” with applicant’s name and address;
I am technically self-employed. How much money do they want to see? I read somewhere that you can obscure your account number for safety--is this correct??
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CONTACT IN BRAZIL
LENGTH OF STAY
What if I'm only visiting by boat, and have no contact in Brazil?
Any help appreciated and I apologise for the length of this post.
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I'm leaving in 3 weeks for Argentina, and will be going up to Iguazu Falls. If I want to see the falls from the Brazilian side, will they be checking for visas? It seems silly to me to drop $160 + other fees for a few hours.
Has anyone done Iguazu lately from the Argentine side?
If I want to see the falls from the Brazilian side, will they be checking for visas? It seems silly to me to drop $160 + other fees for a few hours.
I hired a taxi driver with his cab for the day several years ago. I do not remember the cost, but it was rather inexpensive, and the drive was so friendly and helpful that he almost doubled as a guide.
He took me across the border from Argentina into Brazil and back with no problem or issue whatsoever even though I did not pay for a tourist visa for Brazil. No one checked.
I was able to spend several hours at my leisure at the bird sanctuary and the falls on the Brazil side.
I am traveling to Brazil for the first time. I was told by the visa service that I have to get my visa w/in 90 days of landing in Brazil. My trip was postponed so now I will be outside ninety days from the date on my visa. The visa service tells me I have a problem, and yet a "seemingly" knowledgeable person at a consulate says I have a "new" type visa and the 90 day provision no longer applies. If it does not say on the face of the visa that I have to land w/in 90 days of the date on the visa am I still OK?
Does anyone have experience with a "new" versus "old" tourist visa and when/if such a change over really occured?
First of all, if you don't state your nationality/passport, it is not possible to comment.
Secondly, if a U.S. passport, state which Brazilian Consulate has jurisdiction, as regs for each are a bit different and each is a bit different in level of cooperation with questions.
Nowadays, a U.S. passport holder no longer needs to use a new Brazilian visa within 90 days of issue. When exactly was your visa issued? What exactly does it say on it?
Okay I got the notice that Chicago is not able to issue visas. My friend and I have a flight on Tuesday from ORD to GRU and unfortunately the Chicago Embassy/Consulate sent us back our Passports. Does anyone know if we can just overnight our passports to a friend in Houston who could get us Visas by proxy? Or do we have to show up in person?
Okay I got the notice that Chicago is not able to issue visas. My friend and I have a flight on Tuesday from ORD to GRU and unfortunately the Chicago Embassy/Consulate sent us back our Passports. Does anyone know if we can just overnight our passports to a friend in Houston who could get us Visas by proxy? Or do we have to show up in person?
Normally you have to apply at the consulate whose official jurisdiction includes your residential address. I'm not sure how or if you can run around that, even by proxy. But what have you to lose by trying?
But! Since there is so little time remaining before your scheduled flight, I'd consider cancelling for a refund if possible. Even if you can effect a visa issuance by proxy, it's extremely unlikely that you could do so in two business days.
This is a colossal mess and you have my sympathy; however even in the best of times Brasil's visa policies require a lot of lead time to be safe.
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Brazilian visa questions have been moved to this thread, so others can find it and various answers more easily.
As things normalize, we are likely to split the thread into an archival one and one that deals with current visa qualities (length = 10 years, etc.) and merge the "technical difficulties (RFID stamp issues) are solved.
In the meantime, try the visa services if you can not make it to a consulate dispensing visas yourself.
I have used, several times: Travel Document Systems, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Houston and New York (the New York office has been affected by post-tropical storm Sandy at the moment).
TDS' shortcut link to Brazilian visa information (including downloadable forms and instructions) is here.
Travisa is another visa and passport expediter, with offices in several locations as well as subsidiaries like www.visacentral.com and Zierer Visa Service (I used the latter, and found them expensive). CIBT visas, www.abriggs.com, www.visahq.com, are others. I have not used them.
Generally, for U S Passport holders:
The passport original is required, and must:
Be valid for the next six months
Have at least one blank visa page (amendments and endorsement pages cannot be used to fulfill this requirement)
Not be frayed, torn, separating, or altered in any other way
You may be required to provide a copy of your identification / personal information page as well. You may want to scan this as well and send yourself a copy so you can retrieve it form e-mail if your passport is lost, stolen or damaged.
Photograph: ONE color, passport photo is requitred
The photograph must:
Be printed on photo paper (paper-printed digital photos not accepted)
Be two inches by two inches
Have a white background
Have been taken within the last six months
A copy of current Driver's License, displaying your residential address, is required
Proof of Travel Arrangements
Proof of travel arrangements for the trip duration are requested, including:
Include a copy of an itinerary or e-ticket showing entry and exit dates
Show the traveler's full name (as printed in his or her passport)
Letters of invitation for nonpaid lodging can be useful
Online Brazil Application (from CBIT)
The Consulate of Brazil has instituted a web-based visa application form. The application must be completed online and can be found at https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/. We cannot process your visa request if you do not complete the application form online. Your completed application must:
Include answers for all fields
Include your name as it appears in your passport (leave the middle name field of the application form blank if your middle name is not represented in your passport)
Include your designated code number which will be issued at the end of the online application process
Include your signature as it appears in your passport
Be submitted to the consulate within 30 days of completion
Be signed inside the LARGE BOX found directly below the place of birth field
Be printed and included in your completed (CIBT Application Kit)
Minor Applicants
Minors under the age of 18 must submit the following documents, all of which must be notarized:
The attached Minor Authorization form
A notarized letter of consent from both parents or legal guardian
The child's birth certificate
A copy of both parent's photo IDs
If the child has legal guardians, the guardians must provide a notarized legal proof of guardianship.
A useful tool is timatic - Delta Airlines helpfully provides access to timatic via this link, with a page you can provide nationality, country of residence, trip origin, destination, etc. to get the same information used by your airline.
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A visa service is not going to be able to do anything for you under the current circumstances at the Brazilian Consulates. The visa service in the same position as an individual.
Seems wise to contact your airline for information on what they can do for you in terms of refunds/cancellation for your flight should your visa not come through in time.
First of all, if you don't state your nationality/passport, it is not possible to comment.
Secondly, if a U.S. passport, state which Brazilian Consulate has jurisdiction, as regs for each are a bit different and each is a bit different in level of cooperation with questions.
Nowadays, a U.S. passport holder no longer needs to use a new Brazilian visa within 90 days of issue. When exactly was your visa issued? What exactly does it say on it?
VidaNa Praia:
Thanks for responding: I am a U.S. Citizen and have been issued a visa by the San Francisco consulate (my jurisdiction). I am beginning to think that depending on the consulate issuing and their mood of the day, different type visas are being issued. I guess my real concern is (since my visa just says "good for ten years from date of issue") and it appears that different types of visas are being issued, does customs/imigration at the various points of entry interpret the terms of the visas (no stated requirement for entry within 90 days) as written on the face or all as one (e.g. must enter within 90 days of issuance) regardless of what it says or doesn't say on the face of the visa.
