I renewed my Brazilian visa about 3 years ago in person at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington DC and the turn around time was 1 week (so my 5 year should still be valid). 8 years ago it was 1 day (turn in and pick up the next day).

Folks need to allow plenty of time - however note that you cannot apply for a visa sooner than 90 days before your travel. You also need a copy of your ticket with ticket number and itinerary when you apply for the visa. You have to arrive in Brazil less than 90 days after visa is granted otherwise it becomes invalid. So late June is the earliest you want to apply for the visa - perhaps do in July to early August.

These days, even if you go to the consulate (in NY), in person, to drop off your passport, -- folks are reporting that it is taking 10-14 days to get the passport back.

Of course, you can't apply for the visa until you have a 'confirmed' tkt/itinerary, - so this definitely can't be a last minute decision to go (unless you already have a valid visa)!@:-)

We live in Seattle and the assigned consulate for Visas is in San Francisco, which requires appointments and showing up in person. We were able to apply for a Brazil visa at the NY consulate, while on a trip to NY, with no appointments needed. They won't ship the passport back, but anyone with the receipt can pick it up for you and send it back, or you can get it on your next trip. Turn around time was 7 calendar days.

So if you have any reason to visit NYC, that may be the easiest/cheapest option. I checked out services but none of them seem to give you a firm price, and I'm guessing when all is said and done, it probably adds $150 to the cost of the visa. If you apply in person, make sure that you have followed their directions to the letter. The person who accepts the applications in NY is very efficient, but she will turn away anyone whose application, photo, postal money order, etc., doesn't conform to the detailed instructions.

PS: visa was for Ms. Seacarl, since I have a European passport, I don't need a visa. The visa and its charge are retaliatory for the fees and process that the U.S. assesses on Brazilians.

Yeah, in person is going to be cheaper, if you are able to do it in person.

That's probably close if you're including the extra $20 you have to pay for not doing it in person (embassy fee), and fedex charges in both directions.

CIBT will give you a price on the first page after you enter (no personal info) citizenship, residence state, country, purpose, etc. I think some of the others had prices also, using the list of acceptable providers on the LA consulates web page.

With my company discount code, it was $39 + fedex charges + $160 embassy fee. Without it was $89 + fedex + $160 embassy fee. (Yes, the embassy fee is $140 in person, $160 if you use a third party).

CIBT is the one my company uses. I used them recently for a China visa. It was very fast turnaround.



Regarding the 90 day entry requirement, apparently that doesn't apply to US citizens. Anyway, this is what it says on the Los Angeles Consulate Visa page about that:

(I added the bolding).

-David

In person: 140
Agency: 160 + agency fee + postage

Just applied for one recently. Agency fee of 49 (there are at least a couple of places that do this price for everyone), 20 for return postage (fedex standard overnight) with a 10 discount (procured via online search after noticing "discount code" on the order page). So paid 210 all inclusive. (70 more than in person. Of course your price goes up noticeably if you want your passport back in a hurry.)

excellent .. which agency did you use?

-David

+1

According to a few FTers, if you send an additional $20, along with the $160, you can have somebody drop off the passport for you at the NYC office, even if you are not in their jurisdiction. I'll be doing this in the next week, as I need a Brazilian visa for my mistake fare MR to Sao Paulo..

And if you need someone to do that, send me a PM. :-: Is the extra $20 thing an additional money order or a bill you slip to the agent in cash?

The turn-around time for my visa was 7 business days (dropped off last Monday, collected today).

(delete)

travelvisapro.com (discount code: online10 for $10, there's also sfo20 for 20%)
(The fee is actually 49 prior to discount. But the total is right at 210.)

Haven't received things back, so can't offer first hand experience on how fast. But decently good reviews on a few sites online.

FYI: Here is the info from DC office:

http://www.consbrasdc.org/english/article.asp?id=10


VITUR





Actual Processing Time



Actual Processing Time





Applications made in person - 10 days


Applications made by Visa Service Agencies - 10 days

Application submitted by mail - 15 business days

Eligibility:

Tourism trip;
Visit to relatives and/or friends;
Attending conferences or seminars ( an invitation or enrollment letter must be submitted);
Participation in artistic or amateur sport competitions, whenever no monetary prize or paid admission is involved (an invitation or enrollment letter must be submitted).
Tourist visa holders are not allowed to work or study in Brazil.


Documents required (the Consular Officer processing the visa can ask for additional documents when deemed necessary):

1) Two (2) receipt pages from visa application form per applicant, properly and completely filled in and signed by the applicant;

2) A passport valid for at least 6 months prior to its expiration date, and with at least one blank page available for the visa stamp;

3) Two recent 2" x 2" passport-type photos, either in color or black and white, front view, full face, with a light background (snapshots are not accepted);

4) Travel Itinerary with confirmed round trip booking. If traveling by land: Proof of financial capacity to pay for ones stay in Brazil;

5) Visa fee, payable in US Postal Money Order only, as applicable (SEE VISA FEES TABLE); A non-refundable handling fee of US$20.00 per visa applies to visa applications submitted by mail or by any individual other than the applicant or an immediate member of his or her family.

6) For non-Americans: copy of green card or valid re-entry visa into the USA or valid visa to country of final destination (this requirement does not apply to applicants returning to their country of citizenship);

7) Any application that shows “self-employed” or “unemployed” must be complemented with a current “Balance Account Bank Statement” with applicant’s name and address;

8) Copy of letter by sponsors with detailed information on the event and conditions of attendance (if applicable).

International Certificate of Yellow Fever Immunization is RECOMMENDED BUT NOT REQUIRED if the applicant has traveled, within the last 90 days, to any of the following countries: Angola, Benin, Bissau Guinea, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Camerun, Central African Republic, Colombia, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guiana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenia, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Surinam, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda or Venezuela.

International Certificate of Yellow Fever Immunization is advisable if applicants destination in Brazil includes any of the following States: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Federal District, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima and/or Tocantins.

Cool! Just checked the link above and it seems I don't need a Visa... :)

It is an official charge that the consulate collects. It has to be via postal money order. I believe it can be a single money order for $160 if you have someone else apply for you - whether it is a friend or an agency.

Am going to be in Ottawa next weekend, so I thought I would check into things. it is interesting that the requirements vary from consular location. The requirements in Ottawa are different from Toronto (which has simpler rules) and allows you to mail in your application with a pre-paid Canada post return envelope.

That looks like the route I will take, once the ticket details are in hand!

D.

Folks,

The program is virtually done, but as we are setting up a payment solution with Chase so everyone can pay with credit card, we won't take deposits for a till May 6th.

But here are the highlights.

Visit to United HQ with all top execs in Chicago
Visit to Hyatt HQ with all top execs in Chicago
Very cool event at the Park Hyatt Chicago
First widebody charter on SMD, Boeing 767 ORD-GRU-DEN (with an awesome stop at Iguazu falls (lowpass?? ;))
Visit to the Embraer factory
Party at the Grand Hyatt Sao Paulo
Party ends in Denver at the Hyatt Regency Denver
AND more.

We are requoting the price due to fuel prices, but we are hoping to charge around 800-900 bucks ORD-GRU-Iguazu-DEN. We will block all middle seats.

Yes, there will be miles

European portion (Optional)
GREAT Lufthansa business fares around the same price as SMDI (1500+ r/t US Europe) Airbus 380!
Event will be in Munich this time, program from Lufthansa, partners and Munich Airport

I will be starting the thread after the events next week and when the payment solution is done

Thank you for being patient