Use express mail versus regular mail (overnight delivery).

GCL,

I sent & received the visa fedex through TDS, so the shipping cost sending direct or going through TDS is the same. The only extra cost is the $40 TDS fee and I think it was well worth it given my circumstances.

Have you ever tried calling the Brazilian Consulate in Miami? I did for 2 days and I couldn't get anyone the 2 times I called (they're only open 10-4).

You received your visa fast, but the Miami consulate has been slow for others-up to a month. And if I did have a problem, do you think I could call to get a status update from them? I doubt it. No falo muito portuese.

I agree that given I had 3 weeks, I probably could have gotten the visa in time, but why risk it when the following is on the line:

1)Non-refundable ticket
2)Comp time off work that has to be taken at end of month
3)Sweating out waiting for my visa until the last minute
4)Wanting to die if I miss the trip of my life.

I think it was $40 well spent and I'd recommend TDS to anybody who needs a visa on a deadline. As to whether DonGRINGO should use it, it depends on when he's leaving and where he lives.


HC1

All TDS does is look at your visa app for errors and take it to the Consulate. Then they pick it up and mail it back. Mailing it Express mail to the consulate yourself gets it there the same as TDS handcarrying it--only quicker because it gets to the conulate sooner. Having said that, it is only $40 after all, and if it gave you piece of mind to mail your app to a third party and rely on them to handle it properly, pick it up and return it to you, then I agree with you, it was money well spent.

I know that a friend of mine had an error on his application, he mailed it on a Friday, and the following Tuesday his passport was returned to him along with an explanation of the problem. SO they had a pretty good turn around time on his too--even if it was just to tell him it had an error.

GCL,

My point exactly. Someone at TDS received the application, checked it, put a TDS sticker on my Passport in case it got separated, and hand carried to the Brazilan embassy. I'm guessing they write down which passports go every day and who takes them, so they know where your stuff is at all times. So if I had a problem, they would know where everything is. This is what I paid $40 for-accountability and speed.

I'm glad your friend had his returned so quickly, but if I were to call the Miami consulate, if I ever got through, do you honestly think somebody would care where my visa app was and do you think they would look for it? Or if time was short, would you rather have an 800 number to call where they could tell what day it arrived and can give you a daily status.

The point is that if there's a 10% chance the Miami consulate could screw it up, it's worth the $40 to me to have somebody to get hold of to troubleshoot any problems.

I do agree with you that if you have over a month or so that you shoud just mail it straight to the consulate.

HC1

I called them once, asked a question, she told me my answer and that was it. Then a friend of mine had a question, called them while I was on the line, we had a threeway conversation--again, got straight through.

Again, there is nothing wrong with using the service, but they dont do anything for you that you cant do yourself. If there is a mistake or something missing they just return it to you. You get nothing for your money except peace of mind--which may or may not be worth $40.

Ok GCL-I give up.

I'm stupid for spending $40...

You're right. I'm wrong. I don't know how I'm going to live with myself in Rio knowing I should have listened to you and saved $40.

I'm sure if I didn't have my Visa in time you could have called the consulate and cleared it up immediately and if you couldn't you would refund my ticket and call my boss to get me more time off, etc...

BTW-have you ever bought insurance?

HC1

I didnt say you were stupid, I said if it gives you peace of mind, do it. There isnt a right or wrong.

Do you mean travel insurance? I havent.

If you referred to TDS as insurance that your visa will be processed, they are liable only for $100--and all they do is mail your visa to the consulate, which you could do yourself. I quote from their site:

"Completed passports and visas are normally sent by U.S. Registered Mail, Federal Express, or airline package services and are subject to the conditions set by these Companies for Shipment. TDS is not responsible for any loss or delays incurred for shipments consigned to these delivery services".

Their stated limit of liability or "insurance":
"TDS liability for loss or damage to a passport during the course of visa or passport processing is limited to the actual replacement cost of the passport or $100, whichever is less".

They go on to say:
"Processing time for visas and passports quoted by TDS are approximations based on our experience with Embassies, Consulates and the Passport Agency in usual circumstances, and are deemed reliable in most cases but are not guaranteed".

So you can see, all they do is gather the documents from you and send them to the embassy. Charge $40 for it.

GCL,

No, I didn't mean travel insurance or TDS's liability and I should have been more clear, but I wrote it at 5 am.

What I meant was that using TDS was like a type of insurance and I was sarcastically asking if you had ever bought insurance, since you still don't get it. My mistake for not making sense, though.

Your statment that "all they do is gather the documents from you and send them to the embassy and charge $40 for it" is incorrect. What they do is provide some sort of accountability, namely when they received your app, when they dropped it off, and when it was picked up and sent back. I can call and get a person to tell me details of where I am in the process and what I need to do if there's a problem. It's not foolproof, and they won't be liable for my trip as you point out, but I have someone to call for status.

You still seem to be under the delusion that the Miami consulate will be able to do the same if there was a delay or problem because you got you're visa fast and your friend got his returned fast. I'll say again-I tried calling twice with questions and was on hold for about 45 min. Layne87 posted his visa took over a month. He later stated this may be due to the holidays-maybe so, mabye not, I don't know. The point is that I had 21 days until leaving for Rio.

You do the math GCL. I have 21 DAYS until Rio. Another hombre reports over 1 MONTH to get his visa from Miami. I can chance it, or spend $40 to get my visa within a week. With Rio on the line, I think I made the right call because if I did make a mistake or it was held up, I'd have had a better shot of knowing where things were in the process and what I could do to fix it....Rather than waiting by the mailbox.

As for TDS's limited liability, that's my mistake because my statement about insurance was unclear. TDS, or any company for that matter, would always seek to limit liability because of the unforseen nature of potential damages (ie-Someone at the consulate loses the app, someone doesn't get their visa in time for a trip and sues TDS for losing a buisness deal for $1 million).

As for travel insurance, it's something I've looked at a little bit. I've heard that the baggage or trip insurance is not worth it, but having medical insurance out of the country is a good idea if your plan doesn't cover it. I've never gotten it

So the scenario goes like this: You complete your application, mail it to TDS. THey mail it to the consulate. You call TDS to ask about your package and get someone on the phone. THey politely tell you they will call you back. They wait until 10:00 am when the consulate accepts questions, call and inquire. Then call you back. The Consulate then approves the visa in the normal case of business and returns it to TDS. TDS then mails it to you. Anyway you slice it--you lost two days minimum in the additional handling by the expeditor.

On a lighter note, DonGringo has reminded me I should shut my mouth since you might be in Rio the same time we are in Sept and could break my legs. I propose you just let me buy you $40 worth of beer--and your expeditor fee can be on me.

GCL,

I checked the calendar and I'm leaving 2 weeks or so before you get there. I would have liked to meet up with you and DG though. Maybe some other time.

Your above scenario is wrong. TDS doesn't mail the app to the consulate, they walk them in to the embassy in DC and pick them up. That way they could tell me who delivered it to whom on what day, if it's still in the embassy and if so the status, and when it was picked up and sent out. This way, a representative of TDS would know exactly who to talk to at the Brazilian embassy and they may even know them personally because they are there on a daily basis.

This is why they told me 3-4 day turnaround provided you do everything right. TDS drops off the app, it takes one business day to cash your funds and stamp the passport, then TDS picks up the next day. The point is TDS is tracking things for you. I admit it is no guarantee, but to me it beats waiting with no word or trying to call the consulate (that I couldn't get through to).

You're also wrong about the minimum 2 days extra using TDS. If I overnighted my app to them in the afternoon and they receive it before noon the next day, they could easily walk it to the embassy that day. Similarly, if they picked up the visa in the morning, it could be overnighted that day, the same as if it were overnighted direct from the embassy.

Do you understand my point about Layne87's taking a month at the Miami consulate? I had 3 WEEKS to get the Visa. You of all people should know were talking about RIO here, not some trip to Newark. This is the trip of my lifetime and I was not going to miss it waiting on a visa in the mail.

HC1

Hey Hombrecito...The trip of a lifetime is right. On my last trip I was there for 4 days...I banged 12 different girls, in 14 sessions and there were countless other examples of debauchery, such as the night in Laciccliona--(spelling??) on the way to the bathroom (the mens room is accessed by passing through the women's dressing room believe it or not) and I started making out with a gorgeous tall blond who had just gotten off work from 4 x 4. She undid her jeans and I stuck my hand down her pants and started checking her oil. After a few minutes I returned to my table with the garota of my choice and had a beer until I was ready to take her home for the night.

All in a days work in Rio. What a place. It is like Costa Rica on steroids.

I am leaving this Thursday night at 930 pm for my second trip. I have been packed and ready to go since Sunday. Nuff said.

Have fun. I'm sure I will see you there eventually.

Gcl

GCL,

Do you think you'll get back to CR much after being exposed to Rio?

Also, if you had to choose between Cuba and Rio for 1 week, which would it be? (You can't say both).

HC1

HC1, Costa certainly doesnt hold the appeal for me it used to, but it is conveniant, and I will probably go back for a short trip once or twice a year. And between Rio and Cuba I would choose Rio. I have never experienced such a wide range of quality (both in looks and performance) as in Rio. Having said that, I am planning a Cuba trip now...gotta keep a little variety.

There has been some talk/questions in the past about what does one actually need in terms of proof that one has a round trip ticket to & fro brasil for the initial visa application.

If one has an actual photo copy of a paper ticket this is of course ideal but shy of that then there are other means of proof.

I've seen some statements from various consulate sights that say that if you have to have a "signed statement" from our travel agent that you have a valid ticket. I personally think if one has a clear itenerary like normally accompanies a paper ticket then "no problema". If one buys an eticket directly thru airline, they will send you an official looking itenerary that should be sufficient proof for a visa application.

I recently bought an eticket thru an online service & the "proof" of purchase didn't look very convincing to me. I personally wouldn't have accepted their silly email receipt so I talked to Contenental & they printed up a more official looking itenerary.

Youngtom,

I had the same worry. I just sent a printed copy of my receipt and itenerary in. The guy at TDS assured me they were used to it and I ended up not having any problems. I think if they can see you are confirmed on a flight and have paid somehow, I think it's ok, but you never know.

HC1

I got my Visa back in 6 days from TDS. Everything went real smooth. Sent my passport, application and copy of my airline tickets and had no problems at all. Received Visa for 5 years. (I should have got a discount as my HEART won't last 5 years.

Hemp. You may get so much exercise in Brazil that it will be the same as creating a new heart for you. You may be getting 3 or 4 more of these 5 year visas. You just need to keep things UP.

Got my visa 5 business days after I walked it into the Brazilian Consulate in Beverly Hills...it too is a 5 year Visa, is this the standard? I was pretty excited, as i thought I would have to get a new 90 day visa every trip (and I expect next week to be the first Rio adventure of many...heh)

5 year visas are fairly common unless you use the houston consulate then a live time of 90 day visas is the reward.

YT,

My heart goes out. What they put you guys through down there is a crime. Chicago and LA are obviously granting 5 year visas as a general rule. The Consulate Office in Chicago was very professional and on the ball. It was actually walking distance from my office. I believe I heard of one other office besides Houston that was screwing people around with 90 day visas. I really believe that someone in the Houston Consulate also owns a piece of one of those visa services places.

With regard to the e-ticket stuff above, there is no problem with submitting an e-ticket receipt, at least not in Chicago.

Btw, if you have travelled to Colombia, you need proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination for your Brazil Visa.

Até logo,
G

Well guys, doesn't seem to be a time problem with the L.A. consulate. I mailed my application, etc. on Tuesday of last week. Recieved my visa, five year version, on Saturday. Used express mail, really didn't need to given the turn around time.

Glad you got your visa so well.

90 day visa vs 5 yr Visa & Houston Counsulate

Houston is the center of the US oil industry. Right now there is a lot of off-shore work in Brazil. There are workers in the Brazilian off-shore fields from all over the world.

I bet that a lot of US workers in the off-shore fields have been trying to get 5 yr tourist visas to circumvent the short term business / work visas at the Houston counsulate.

This would be the only reason to explain why you only get short term visas there, and long term visas everywhere else in the US at other Brazilian counsulates.

I received my 5 yr visa at the L.A consulate the next day after I hand carried everything I needed.Cost me $60.

I just received my 5 year visa from the LA Consulate. I mailed it on the 7th of August and received it on the 20th. I noticed during my research that different consulates have different forms and rules in obtaining a visa. The San Francisco consulate does not allow an individual to send in their visa; they have to go through one of the agencies that in turn send it to the consulate for you. They must be getting a kickback. I wonder how many people are turned off and choose another destination for travel because of the Brazilian requirements for a visa. I dont mind the fee but sending in the passport and then sweating that something might happen to it in the mail ect. I would have never gone to brazil because of these requirements but the power of pussy via the pictures and reports on this site inspired me to act out of character and so Im on my way for one month end of Oct to end of Nov. I purchased my ticket from priceline.com for 479 out of SD plus tax total 594.

Solo - good points. But remember many of brazil's visa policies are as a result of reciprocity policy that Brazil matches the visa policies of various nations. the USA kinda screws around Brazilians tourists so we feel it when we try to visit Brazil & apply for a visa.

Youngtom: Ya got it - TR does the sam with US passport holders. Wann go to IST ? Cough up USD 65. Why ?

You Turk ? Get grilled at a US Consulate, and still pay the same moola. YMMV

youngtom: I know why they require the visa but dont understand their reasoning. It seems that their need for tourism is much greater than our own. How many Americans are sneaking into Brazil and not going home versus Brazilians coming to the US and not returning. I dont think the Brazilian reciprocity policy takes this into account. They treat us like our government treats them but how much tourism from the US and revenue does it cost their country?

Now I didn't say that I like their policy but understand it. I have a passport full of those damn visas. :-)

In Rio now. Got here last week. This is the 1st time in 2 years that anyone in Immigrations has given me any crap.

When I entered, the immigration guy looked at my passport, and then said that he wanted to see my ticket (1st time anyone asked).

After looking at my passport, and ticket, he said that I could only stay for 30 days.

I cannot understand. Of course, I am only going to be here about 14 days.

The 5 yr tourist visa allows 90 days, and then can be extended for another 90 days.

I have only been here about 34 days this year after this trip.

Any ideas what happened between me an the immigration guy?

By the way, I was polite, and did not give the guy a bad time.

When I got there on morning the 14th August, the guy look at my visa, asked me how long I'm staying and I said two weeks. He didn't say anything and asked me to go into secondary with him. He flushed out rapid Portuguese with his boss then told me to sit down. Five minute later he told me to open my carry on, checked every single thing including my boxers. He then took me back to his booth and said okay. During the whole 15min ordeal, he probably muttered 10 words. I was polite and followed his order during the whole process. Damn, somebody was really having a bad day or was just pissed off of these americanos screwing all his women.

I am planning two more trips this year to Rio. Hope this does not happen on every visit.

I hope that it doesn't happen in the future as well.

Sounds like you're falling into the guilt by association theory. Most of yall magically got those 5 year tourist visas on your first try. I got have a whole passport full of the 90 day tourist visas. I get my visa thru the Houston Consulate & there apparently is lots of absuse of the tourist visa by the oil contractors(they really should get a work visa). Anyone not on crack would be able to figure out that my company isn't in the oil buz but apparently the houston consulate is doing some crack. But in any event, if they are giving you shit when you are technically within the bounds of your current visa then I think that they really are sending a message to the many guys that we all know that are living in brazil year around on tourist visas.

Based on my lousy experiences, I would guess that that they will continue to treat you like shit but all long as you are technically within the limits of your visa then you will get in.

Have you guys explored a business visa ?? I have quite a few for countries that do not require a tourist visa -- Sometimes it makes it easier

With my luck on visas, they'd probably give me a 90 business visa And besides I'm on vacation - it isn't my fault they are morons & can't seem to figure that one out.

Any trouble with immigration. They gave me some trouble last month, but I got through it.

CP

CP,

You mean immigration into Brazil, out of Brazil or back into the US?

No problem into Brazil at all.

I had a problem leaving Brazil. I was next in the line at the ticket counter and 2 guys take me and my luggage to a room behind the counter. They open up all my luggage and looked through everything. Laptop turned on, CD player, took a pic with the camera. Took about 20 min and they laughed at the 25 rubbers and lube in my bag. I really didn't care I was busy crying having to leave Rio.

Back at US customs I breezed through. The guy in front of me was a 20 yr old male-model type surfer who had been in Rio. Customs agent asked him what he did in Brazil. Guy says, "You know man, I partied, got wasted, you know...demented shit", Custom guy then laughs and waves him through and waved me by as well.

HC1

HC1 and CP: What's with the problems returning from Brasil? I just recently heard the same thing happening to a friend of mine. Any reason why?

I have a 5 yr tourist visa. The visa allows you to stay 90 days, and then get it renewed.

When I visited in Aug this year, I think the immigration guy in Rio say that this would be the 5th time into Brazil this year. He then asked to see my tickets. He say that I was leaving in two weeks. He then said that I could stay for up to 30 days.

This is the first time that I had anyone put a limit on my stay in Brazil.

I think that my total days in Brazil this year are right around 45 right now.

I am going back again in Oct for 10 days. Just wondering if I should expect trouble in Rio in Oct?

CP

There are 2 separate issues here. Since a bunch of terrorists crashed some planes into some buildings in New York, international security on flights to the US has been very tight. Random people have been picked out on flights from Rio since 9/11 & their bags are hand searched prior to completing the checkin procedure. This has happened to me twice since 9/11 (once on Continental & another time on AA )- it is nothing to be concerned about; security has been tight in Europe and the Middle East for a couple of decades.

Now Canonperdido's problem is a separate issue - essentially spending alot of time in brasil on vacation. I'll be entering Brazil for the 5th time this year shortly so I'm looking forward to being harassed like Canonperdido. Outside of the harassment factor, I'm not really concerned about the guys slapping limits on my length of stay (after all I do have to return to work in the USA). Now if was someone working & living in Rio on a tourist visa, then setting a 2 week or 1 month limit on a stay would create some serious problems (my guess that is immigration's intent).

I got some shit a few visits ago. The agent in brazil asked why I was coming back so much (5th trip in 3 months). I told him I had a girlfriend there. He just smiled and stamped my passport.

Have you guys explored getting a business visa ?
The nature of consulting gigs mandate that the Co. arrange for a business visa and other documents beforehand. I have not done 5 trips to GIG in 3 months, but used do weekend trips to SJO from PTY often while working in PTY.

Ask around your place of work if obtaining a business visa is possible ?

The Brazilian Visa for the US Citizen: What it cost me

5 hours of time.
96 miles of driving.
USD$13.50 in parking fees.
USD$65.00 in a "reciprocity" fee.

My passport was lost on a Southwest Airlines flight a couple of weeks ago. Southwest called, and said they had it. Since is was lost in California, and I was on the east coast, I asked them to hold it for me, and I would get it when I got back. They told me they would hold the passport, and let me get it in the baggage area when I got back to California.

I get back to California, and do not have it. They tell me that they have a policy of sending things to Dallas after 5 days, and then I would have to get it from their lost and found.

Their lost and found is a joke. It is a recording.

It is a week later, and I do not have my passport.

This is a problem now because I am leaving Rio on 10/16, and need a new passport, and a new Brazilian Visa.

On 27 October, I get on the Internet and see what to do. I found Passport Express @ http://www.passportexpress.com/home.asp. I called them. They walked me thru everything that I needed to do on an emergency basis.

On Friday, 27 Sept, I sent Via FedEx all necessary documents to Passport Express. Today, 4 Oct, my new passport and Brazilian visa is on the way to my California office for Monday pickup.

I would recommend these guys to anyone.

The cost was not cheap, but there was no way that I would get a new passport and Brazilian visa in one week.

CP

When I get back from Brazil, I am going to ask Southwest to pay for the trouble. If they refuse, it will be Small Claims court time. It would not be their fault if I had just lost the Visa, but once they have found it, and told me that they would keep it for me, they have a duty to keep it and return it to me.

The small claims court case against Southwest Airlines is another story for another time.

I'm seeing Chgo to Rio for $506 on United, with departure less than a week away. But I don't have a visa. I'm sure I'll visit Rio several times in the next couple years (thanks to reports from you guys), Should I just go ahead & get a 5 year visa so I'm ready to take advantage of a good airfare on short notice?

Thanks for all the good advice.

Dboy,
This is kind of a catch 22, you need a paid ticket to get a visa and you must use the visa within 90 days of issuance. So getting a visa in anticipation of a trip is not really possible. Check the archives for details on getting a visa issued, it can be done on short notice.
CG

Dboy, When you get your 5 year visa you have to travel to Brazil within 90 days. Then it will be good for 5 years.

I think it is a good idea for you to graduate from Costa to Brazil like I did. I enjoyed hanging out with you a year ago in Costa. Trust me, once you go to Brazil you wont even consider Costa Rica again.

Dboy,
Like my buddy GCL says there is no comparison between Costa & Rio. I have been to Costa twice and Rio only once but I can assure you I will never go back to Costa. I thought Costa was the greatest until I went to Rio. While Costa is a "carnival" Rio is "Disney World". I would buy that ticket and then apply for your Visa and get that first trip under your belt. I would try and find out when GCL is going and go before him because that guy once he is there try's to do every Garota in town. He don't know what a return ticket date means. When you go and you find your perfect girl don't tell GCL because I'm sure he will go there and "Glaze" her like he did my BIA. Have a great trip. Hemp

Hemp Kudos on how well you've gotten to know GCL. I couldn't have said it better myself. That bastard never met a garota he didn't love.