Consulate processing time for a Brazil visa?
 

I have a Brazil trip coming up in May, but only have a 10 day window between other international trips when I can actually relinquish my passport. Should I go to the Los Angeles consulate on my own to do this, or use a service? The consulate website says that they do not do rush processing, yet some of the services offer rushed servicing for a fee. Any ideas on if this is doable within my time frame?

The website of the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles states that it takes "at least 5 business days" to get a tourist visa. A visa agency/service isn't going to have any influence on that. If the Consulate folks aren't dealing with a pre-WC rush (similar to what happens before Carnaval), maybe they can process your visa in that minimum time. They may be able to assure you of that if you go in person and talk to them. If you can't do it any sooner because of other trips, you'll just have to take your chances, won't you? Most Br. Consulate sites say not to purchase tickets until you have a visa, though.

Looks like I might be out of luck... the online appt calendar on the consulate website only has 3 days available in the next 3 months, and I am traveling on each of those dates. I guess it is the pre-WC rush.

Where are you visiting in Brazil? Some people have been able to get same or next day visas in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina or similar cities across the land border. An option if you really need to get a visa but can't wait for the long processing time in the US.

Uruguay has no visa requirements or reciprocity fees for Americans.

Rio

The solution was to get a second passport, so I can send it to a service for processing. I'm picking it up tomorrow in San Diego. My visa will end up costing me something like $500. Oh well.

Didn't know you could do that legally, or that the gov't would issue another if existing not reported lost/stolen, or validity has expired (in which case don't they want it turned in before issuing a new one?) .

If you travel so much that you need a passport at the same time as it is needed for visa processing, etc., you can request a second USA passport.

People with (USA) official passports often have second ones for personal travel.

depending on the kind of travel having the two following docs work

1) USA passport card...for certain countries//land/sea
2) nexus card...to canada