Originally Posted by farfaraway

Olá a todos,

I said I would be back with an update when I had news on my visa, so here's the outcome. I mailed my application to the Chicago Consulate on December 22nd and it arrived on the 24th. I sent an email on the 29th and a follow-up on the the 30th concerning some questions I had about the application and their holiday hours, and I received a reply on the 30th asking only if I had sent proof I was in their jurisdiction (to which I replied 'yes'.) I did not receive any other email communication from then.

I had been checking the online form everyday since then, and I believe it was January 4th when it moved from "received" status to "processing." I checked this morning and it was the same, however this afternoon I thought my CAPTCHA skills were falling behind but then I noticed the glorious "
THERE IS NO NEW APPLICATION PENDING" message! I should have my passport back by the end of the week and my sanity has already returned!

Now I will be heading to AAA to get an international driving permit, and start checking for some auxiliary tickets to São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. I'm not sure if I'll be there for Carnival though, I have plans to go to Bombinhas, SC ... thinking about reconsidering though it is a bit late.