We are traveling from Mumbai (India) to Buenos Aires (Argentina) with Ethiopian Airlines. This includes a 6 hour layover in sao Paulo where we change airlines - Ethiopian Airlines to GOL. Do we need a Brazilian visa? Do we need to go through immigration? Nationality Indian.
Do you have similar experience?
Thanks in anticipation.

You really should check this with a Brazilian consulate there in India. I'd go to an official source for a question like this.

Some things to consider:

Is this itinerary all on one ticket? Can Ethiopian transfer your bags to GOL? If the answer to either of those is no, then you will have to go through passport control. I assume, then, you'd need a visa.

The New Delhi Brazilian Consulate mentions a transit visa and states:
1. Duration of stay in the Brazilian transit area is of many hours. Do I need a transit visa?

Answer: You won't need a transit visa if you remain in the international transit area, even if for many hours. The transit visa will only be needed if you intend to leave this area and enter into Brazil.

2. I see in my tickets that I have to change terminals in the Brazilian airport. Are the terminals connected? Will I need a transit visa?

Answer: The applicant is advised to contact directly the concerned airport authority to forward his query. The Embassy of Brazil helds no responsibility regarding airport logistics.

Hey Jeff & Vida, appreciate your comments. I am getting mixed signals and am a bit confused. Ethiopian says, single reservation code tickets will have through check-in. GOL says i need to collect my own bags and hence need visa! Will shoot an email to the embassy. Thanks anyways.

Anyone in the forum who has traveled this route with Ethiopian+GOL?

I realise there is a change in Terminals at Sao Paulo. Ethiopian Airways arrives in Terminal 2, while GOL departs from Terminal 1. Assuming bags are handled by Ethiopian, is change of terminals without going through immigration possible?

Just received an email from Ethiopian Airlines saying baggage would be booked through-and-through from Mumbai to Buenos Aires. Still trying to figure out the way to go from Sao Paulo Guarulhos Intl Terminal 2 to Terminal 1. Also if i need to go through immigration (visa stamping) at Sao Paulo.

There is no immigration (passport control) without continuing into customs to present what you are bringing into the country (luggage) for possible inspection.
Terminals 1and 2 are next to each other, so if they are telling you the luggage will go through, assume you will be in the transit area going between.

Hi Tautik,
I am in the same boat, except that I am traveling to Santa Cruz, Bolivia from New Delhi. The same airlines: Ethiopian and GOL.
Can you tell me your experience? Did you face any problems in Sao Paolo while transiting?

I am also considering not to take a check-in luggage if that would help me.

I would be grateful if you could reply. Kind of an emergency.