I am in a real squeeze. I have a paid-for trip to South American scheduled to leave 3/1/10. The travel company, Smartours, told me not to apply sooner than 60 days for the visa, since it was only good for 90 days. What they didn't tell me was that if you can't apply in person and must use a visa service, in this case CIBT, you should not delay any longer than 30 days before the trip.

As soon as I found this out and that CIBT can't guarantee a passport and visa being back in the applicant's hands in less than 3 weeks, I overnighted my application and passport to them.

THEN came the snowstorm last week. The Brazilian consulate was closed all week. I am hoping so hard that they will reopen on Tuesday, 2/16 and that CIBT has my application there early. It's a really tight thing. If they get it there early Tuesday, there will be only 9 business days to get my visa and overnight it back to me on the weekend before my trip.

My question is, has anyone else dealt with CIBT and the Brazilian consulate in D.C.? Are they fairly fast and efficient?

My roommate on the trip lives in NYC and she applied in person for her visa early this month. And got it in a week! If I still had my passport in hand, I think I'd hop a very expensive day flight to NY and get it in person there. (They don't accept 3rd party applications out-of-district, but would give me one in person.)

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might know how fast they can be or might be in D.C.

And if you happen to have any 'connections' with the consulate, by golly, I know I'd love to hear from you!

Tourist VISA - up to 10 business days

Business Visa and other Temporary Visas - up to 10 business days

Visa applications made by Visa Service Agencies - up to 12 business days

Diplomatic/Official/Courtesy Visas – 3 business days

Visa application submitted by mail - up to 15 business days


www.brasilemb.org

actually as of 1/15/10 or so

there is no wait on the visa

so you should be fine.

Wouldn't calling tomorrow morning be your best bet to find out just where your application stands and how long it will take? Of course, today would have to be legal holiday.

I do hope that things work out and that it's not too nail-bitingly close.

Thank you, qwovais and Jeff. Just to update you on what's gone on since I posted (and it is a story with a happy ending) ~

CIBT called me Monday and told me they couldn't get the visa in D.C. in the time left. I thanked them and asked them to overnight my passport packet back to me. Which they did, gratis. They called twice and tried to help me and were honest that they couldn't.

Therefore, I went into plan B. Bought a very expensive last-minute ticket from WV to NYC on the HOPE (my last hope) that I could get a visa there as quickly as my friend did, who is a resident of NYC. The website information seemed to indicate that you couldn't get a 3rd party visa out-of-district, but you could in person.

Today was the day. Everything went very smoothly, except for not getting much sleep. I was in NYC by 8:30 a.m., at the consulate by 9:30 and had my application accepted by 10:30. Flew home tonight by 9 p.m. They said my visa will be ready for pickup Monday, which is only 4 business days and anyone could pick it up for me, if I gave them my receipt. I am so impressed. My friend will pick it up Monday and overnight it to me. We leave on our trip one week from then.

I just wish Brasil had the same policy on visas as Chili. The price is the same, $130, but it can be done when you arrive in country. It is so tricky, getting a visa in advance when there can be weather shutdowns, miscommunications, etc. I've always gotten visas when I arrived at the destination airport on other trips.

I am SO THANKFUL that this went well and I do thank you for your information and input. I do wonder why it takes so much longer to get one in D.C. than NYC.

It's so good that it worked out.

I'm sure the major reason Brazil does this is because it's what the U.S. does to Brazilians who want to visit. Actually, Brazilians have to jump through a lot more hoops. We get by easier.