Tourist Visa Procedures for US Citizens
 

Hello -- the more I read about Brazilian VISA applications, the more confused I become. I am traveling to Brazil in late October. I understand the rules for applying, BUT it is unclear to me whether I can apply by mail or not. Many postings on Fodor's forums website describe situations where visa applicants mailed or Fedexed their applications to their consulates. I fall under the NY consulate's jurisdiction, and their website states that "No Visa will be processed by mail or courier service." Does that mean that living in Pittsburgh someone has to fly/drive to NY to apply for and pick up the visa (a two-day process)? I have also read about visa expeditors who provide application services, but isn't this basically a courier service?

Any current advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Michael

You will probably have to use an overpriced courier service. Yes, you have to go in person to apply for a visa. One day to drop off and one day to pick up. Really retarded if you ask me. I would call the consulate in NY and ask them. They all speak english. Tell them you are from Pittsburgh and hopefully they will give you a good answer. I'm also going to research this myself.

unfortunately those are the rules. I'm not sure if your can use a visa processing agency?

I have emailed the consulate's visa section 4 times in the last two weeks. I can tell that they are reading the emails since I get a "read receipt" from them. No replies to my questions though. Phone calls invariably go to voicemail. Remarkable how difficult they make this. I know they're upset at the U.S. processing fee (I don't blame them). But just getting basic questions answered is almost impossible.

I am sure you don't have to go in person to get a Brazilian visa as I just got a new one a couple of months ago (husband is Brazilian) and all you do is fill out the paperwork, send a copy of your itinerary, and your passport and they stamp the visa there and send it back in a couple of weeks. If you look on the following link it will explain in more detail-

http://www.consulatebrazil.org

That is weird because when I applied for my visa at the consulate in new york we all had to go in person.

and show our air tickets

visas are good for five years

In California you have to go in person...twice, once to apply and next to pick up if granted. They keep your passport in between the two visits.

You must also have non-refundable airline tickets, an itinery...written and $100.00 CASH.

That is over on this side of North America.

Good luck!

Here's what appears to be the latest info from the Brazilian embassy site:
http://www.brasilemb.org/consulado/c..._tourism.shtml
It also has a link on there to tell you how to pay.
For an extra $10.00 it appears you can do it by mail if you are within a certain catchment area.
Andrew