Has anyone gotten one by mail recently? I am reading conflicting statements on the varous embassy websites. We do not have a consulate near our home. Thanks!

I live in NJ and there is a consulate in NY but when I wanted a VISA I used a Visa service www.zvs.com .

When I calculated the cost of going in myself, parking, tolls, gas and taking the day off to drop off and pick up then it justified the cost.

You simply send them the passport with application form and they go and get it for you then send it back to you when it is done.

You have to go through the embassy or consulate that handles the particular state where you live. The embassy in Washington's site is:

www.brasilemb.org

Click on CONSULAR SERVICES, then VISAS. You'll see something about "Other Brazilian consular offices and their jurisdictions." See where your state falls. You have to use that one. Follow its instructions. They seem to differ. Some accept applications by mail. Others require you to come in person or use a visa processing service that they work with. If something isn't clear, give them a call and ask.

Note that the website's address above is spelled with an S, not a Z.

I researched and for Washington State you have to use a mail in service. Any suggestions on which might be a good one?

For Washington state we have to go through the San Francisco consulate. Years ago we could use the Vancouver, BC, consulate, but not any more.

In 2004 I used Visa Services Northwest -- 1511 3rd Ave Ste 801,
Seattle, WA 98101,
206-448-8400. No problems.

Fortunately the visa is good for five years so I won't need a new one when I make another trip to Brazil this July/August.

KST

Thanks for the info, I will give them a call. My wife and I will be going to Rio and Iguazu Falls this August so now is the time to start on the Brazilian Visa.

Yes -- not too early though as you have to enter Brazil withing 90 days of the visa issue date or it is not valid. And I am not sure if it is automatic that the consulate will issue a visa good for return trips within five years -- someone said you have to ask for that to be included (doesn't cost any more).

Rio is spectacular. I've still not been to Iguazu even with all the trips to Brazil I've enjoyed. My upcomming trip will be only to Amazonas and Para (plus the Venezuelan state of Amazonas).

KST

Our departure date from Brazil back to the states is August 17 so I figure it will take awhile to get the Visa and we will be within our 90 days. We are also going to the Amazon(Peru), MachuPicchu, and Buenos Aires before heading into Brazil. It sounds like we both have great vacations coming up! The only place that I didn't include on this trip that I would love to go to is Panatal to see all the wildlife. We were lucky enough to see a leopard on our safari in Afirca last year and wanted to compare it with a jaguar from South America. I guess I will just have to plan another visit to Brazil!

Oops, I must be getting tired, I misspelled both Africa and Pantanal, sorry.

I like to use www.travisa.com when I need something in a hurry.