DL/AA: Europe/USA-GRU $479 ai, 14k-18k mi
#16
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Hilton, United, Gold DL
Posts: 993
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Currently in Bloomington, IN, but Normally NYC, CDG, and even POZ or wherever FT takes me.
Programs: Northwest Airlines. MTA pay-per-ride Metrocard; zero-balance Oyster card.
Posts: 14,015
And it is.
But it is retaliatory because the US government imposes ridiculously onerous restriction on flyers to South America who transit through the US. (For ex-Asia flights, this is just about the only practical way, unless you can snag a deal through Africa or Australia, or take a 48 hour flight through CDG/FRA/etc.).
So yes, it sucks, call your congressman.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 169
so are you saying going there and just hanging around the gate area without visa is goona be ok? if so i'd like to do it for status resaon.
#19
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: So Paulo, Brasil
Programs: HHonors Gold, AAdvantage, MileagePlus
Posts: 19
My guess is that it would be very difficult to be successful boarding a flight that has Brazil as your final destination without a valid visa. If you had a layover there, no issue. But if Brazil is the last stop on the itinerary they probably won't let you board the plane with just a "Don't worry, I'm just gonna hang around in the terminal." line.
Brazil's visa policy is based 100% on reciprocity. They will only require what the other country requires of Brazilians. Last year (or the end of '13, I can't remember) Mexico dropped visa requirements for Brazilians whose trips were tourist in nature. Brazil immediately dropped those same requirements for Mexicans wanting to visit Brazil. When the US changes their policy towards Brazilian tourists, Brazil will follow suit rather quickly.
Brazil's visa policy is based 100% on reciprocity. They will only require what the other country requires of Brazilians. Last year (or the end of '13, I can't remember) Mexico dropped visa requirements for Brazilians whose trips were tourist in nature. Brazil immediately dropped those same requirements for Mexicans wanting to visit Brazil. When the US changes their policy towards Brazilian tourists, Brazil will follow suit rather quickly.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: DFW
Programs: AS, BA, AA
Posts: 3,670
If you are asking, "As a US citizen, can I just stay in the Brazilian airport and fly back to my origin on the same day without getting a Brazilian visa?" I would guess the answer is no. But that's just a guess based on other countries' policies.
#21
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New York
Programs: DL PLT, Hilton Diamond, CX MPC Silver
Posts: 265
#22
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: DL DM, Hilton DM, Marriott P
Posts: 103
I believe the point being made is that most countries (except the USA) do not have visa issues with Brazil. You need to check the requirements for the country that issued your passport.
If you are asking, "As a US citizen, can I just stay in the Brazilian airport and fly back to my origin on the same day without getting a Brazilian visa?" I would guess the answer is no. But that's just a guess based on other countries' policies.
If you are asking, "As a US citizen, can I just stay in the Brazilian airport and fly back to my origin on the same day without getting a Brazilian visa?" I would guess the answer is no. But that's just a guess based on other countries' policies.
#23
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Arlington, VA
Programs: UA 1K, AA PLT, SPG PLT
Posts: 1,612
A US citizen going to Brazil requires a Brazilian Visa....no exception....no opportunity to just stay in the airport etc. If you're a dual citizen then that's a different story. The US passport Brazilian Visa is excessive but it is based on the excessive charges that the US has toward Brazilians.
It's one reason why I haven't been back to S. America, because I'd transit Brasil/Argentina, but if I need a visa to get onboard, there are far too many places [as a US citizen] to visit that don't need a visa, so this area has just been crossed off entirely (luckily, I'm considering Chile now that I can get there without a visa)...
-jeremy
#24
formerly DustyFoot
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SFO/OAK/SMF
Programs: UA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 99
I'm guessing (hence your definitive post) that this has changed, but in August 2006 (I know, a long while ago), I did just this...what turned out to be a paper ticket from the USA to GRU and then onto Bolivia. At the time, there was a US$100 (I believe) visa fee for Brasil. My wife and I didn't get one. On transit in GRU, it wasn't much fun, but staying in the crummy RCC in GRU and doing literally the only walk in the airport behind the security/immigration like 50 times, was boring as hell, but we got around the fee and definitely didn't need the visa.
It's one reason why I haven't been back to S. America, because I'd transit Brasil/Argentina, but if I need a visa to get onboard, there are far too many places [as a US citizen] to visit that don't need a visa, so this area has just been crossed off entirely (luckily, I'm considering Chile now that I can get there without a visa)...
-jeremy
It's one reason why I haven't been back to S. America, because I'd transit Brasil/Argentina, but if I need a visa to get onboard, there are far too many places [as a US citizen] to visit that don't need a visa, so this area has just been crossed off entirely (luckily, I'm considering Chile now that I can get there without a visa)...
-jeremy
#26
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: c1 au pays des Y_ _
Programs: none (crazy!)
Posts: 34
Brazil will not hesitate to apply a visa policy for economic considerations!