Has anyone here successfully used the Chicago Consulate computer process to get a Brazil Visa? I keep getting an error when I try to send it in. It is in the area of Current Nationalities, and says "The Field Current Nationalities must be filled out". But I have already marked the United States choice? I've tried multiple times. Also sent them an email but haven't gotten a response yet.

I may have to give up and use one of those services. In which case, any recommendations? There seem to be tons of them, and no info as to which one is better.

I'm going to try the phone route today.

Thanks for any assistance or sympathy.

Romelle

I've had some online forms that don't work with certain browsers. IE is usually best. Some just don't like Firefox, which is what I normally use. If you're using IE, use Firefox.

Thanks for the tip. Hadn't thought of that this time, although I do usually know better.

The phone call did the trick. Took a long time to work my way through the automated stuff, but finally got a person. Handed off twice, but the last person told me some things to try. One finally worked. I'm back in business again. Seems you have to click on United States for current citizenship(from a long list of countries), and then there is a box on the right for "Add". You click on that. The form blinks and adds a line with a check-off box on the right and the words "United States". You have to click in that box and a little check mark appears. And then it works!!

The phone number is not on the front of their site, but rather in with their address. Took me a while just to find that.

The form is tricky. Tells you to send and then print. One problem is that when you send, all your typing goes away and the only way you can get a form to print is to re-enter everything.

Again, thanks Jaimito.

Romelle

Since I'm posting my "lessons learned here" thought I'd add that when I got to the post office to get the right envelopes and the money order, I learned the post office only takes hard cash for the money orders. I knew they take credit cards for stamp purchases, and brought along my check book as a back-up, but didn't know the requirements for cash. Might save somebody a trip....

Oh, and there was that blank for Occupation. I'm retired so filled it in accordingly, but then wondered if they would want my former place of occupation and detail in the rest of the blanks. I asked that question of the person I got for my other question, and was assured I could just leave all the rest blank. I'm nervous about this whole thing, as the rules are so specific and there doesn't seem to be much room for error. So assume at least some other people are similarly nervous.

I just got my visa from the Chicago consulate as well. The Post Office will take debit cards, as well as cash, which was a real time saver for them.

In terms of lessions learned, make sure that you fill in all of the fields on the online form, even if they say optional. My wife did not fill in the address in Brazil (listed as optional on the application), but they wanted it when I went into turn in the visas.

Also, beware, the Chicago consulate is saying it will take 15 Business Days to process the visa. I got mine in about a week (after pleading with them for speed as I am leaving before the 15 business days), but they generally will not expediate it.

Lastly, don't go on a Monday or Friday. The visa clerk warned me the lines are 2-3x longer on those days..

stngfn

So you went there in person to turn in the packet of stuff? To whom did you plead? Front desk or did you go back into some office?

I've never been there. But wanted to ask in case I have to go. I mailing in the application for me, and am mailing in my granddaughter's as soon as we get the extra bits necessary for a minor. Probably will mail today or tomorrow.

We leave Nov 27 so still a bit of time. I just hated to use one of those services if I could figure out how to do it myself. With the 15 day turn, in case we get a reject there is still time for another round.

The post office here didn't offer to take a debit card, but I do have to admit I didn't ask specifically. They did say "cash only", but suppose I could have asked if a debit card would count as cash for them. I had both with me. Thanks for the information.

Romelle

If the PO took credit cards, everyone on FT would be churning money orders for the credit card cash back!

I asked the clerk at the counter and she stuck a note on my packed with my departure date. I think they give you the 15 WORKING day deadline as a worst-case scenario.