timbre

In February, I will will be flying TAM airlines from Montevideo to GRU and then tranfering to Continental to fly to Houston.

Does anyone know if I need a visa to do this transfer? Can I just go through a transfer process and NOT go through immigration?

I appreciate your help.

erik123

No need for a visa if you can interline the luggage - so make sure you can check your luggage thru. If you are using two tickets have the agent make a note in your record that you will be transiting in GRU.

Transit in GRU is straightforward - just make sure you follow the transit directions when you leave the aircraft.

timbre

Erik,
Thanks for the reply ... interestingly, when I asked Continental, I got the exact opposite response ... which, of course, makes me very nervous. However, I agree with you that it should work as you describe.

FlyingRabbit

You do not need a visa for this. You'd need one if you had to recheck your luggage in GRU, so if you can be sure you do not need to do that then you should be ok.

Also have in mind that GRU airside has very little options to pass the time, so I hope your connection time is not too long or you have access to a lounge.

erik123

If they interline you will be fine - have tam make a note that you are a transfer pax continuing on to CO.

Also print out this info (you can get it from the Delta website). This is what the check-in agents can pull up.

/ 20SEP08 / 1515 UTC
National U.S.A. (US) /Transit Brazil (BR)
Destination Argentina (AR)
ALSO CHECK DESTINATION INFORMATION BELOW

Brazil (BR)


TWOV (Transit Without Visa):
Visa required, except for Those continuing their journey
within 8 hours and not staying overnight, to a third country,
by the same or first connecting flight, provided such
connecting flight is confirmed on passenger's ticket;
- TWOV is not possible at:
a. So Paulo from:
- Viracopos Airport to Congonhas Airport; or
- Viracopos Airport to Guarulhos Airport; or
- Congonhas Airport to Guarulhos Airport or the other
way around; or
b. Rio de Janeiro from Galeo Airport to Santos Dumont
Airport or the other way around; or
c. Confins Airport in Belo Horizonte.
Warning: transit visa is also required for transit
passengers staying in the airport hotel (as located outside
transit area after immigration) overnight. Leaving the
airport transit lounge is not allowed.
Additional Information:
- All visas issued from any foreign representation of Brazil
must be used within 90 days after issuance. If not, entry is
denied.For details, click here
- All visitors must hold sufficient funds for their stay in
Brazil as well as return or onward ticket and other
documents required for their next destination.
Non-compliance may result in refusal of passenger upon
arrival.

LadyTrillion20

Hi There!

I need so help..I see that transiting through Brazil doesn't require a visa if the transit is less than 7/8 hours. But I am transiting through Brazil for 9 hours! Do I need a transit visa? If so, do I obtain it from the airport or do I apply for a Tourist visa? I am going from SA to Columbia via Sao Paulo.

Please help

SoCal

I'd suggest contacting your airline(s) to really be sure (e.g., will you already have the boarding pass for your second flight?). I've never heard of the 7-8 hour limit, but I've only transited domestic-to-interntional and vice versa at GRU.