I have travelled to about 120 countries and without a DOUBT the Brazil Gestapo here in SYD take the all time prize for rudeness and lack of ease to deal with.

I went there each year on vacation in recent years, and may do again at xmas/NYE (NYE in Rio everyone MUST do sometime!) and all ozzies could get were 90 day Visas - at the same mad cost as US citizens now pay.

EACH time it was a major drama. Long delays, INCREDIBLY rude staff, stupid requests like last 3 months bank statements etc. And expensive.

In the end wrote their Consul and said unless they could offer me a better smoother system I would go to Argentina instead on vacation. (Who charge zippo for entry to ozzies.)

He OK'd a 5 year Business VISA thank goodness as "an exception", but Brazil consulate staff in general I found a right Royal pain in the butt.

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[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 09-08-2003).]