I wanna go to Rio in March, 2005. I saw the online VISA applicant form and I was wondering what I should say for my reason for being there. What should i write? I certainly don't wanna say something like "I'm gonna f*ck some of the hottest sluts in the world" on the VISA application! And for what reason would you be rejected a VISA?

Just put vacation or tourist, nothing more. As far as getting rejected, I've never heard of it happening. You'll get a visa, guaranteed. It's just a stick in the eye because of our regulations and fees for Brasilians trying to come here.

Dave; getting a visa is not a problem as long as you are paitent, your starting now for a trip in March will give you plenty of time.

Like Catocony say's above just put vacation on it, by the way once you get the visa you HAVE to travel to Brasil within 90 days.

You can't start too early. Once you have your visa, you have 90 days to enter the country.

On my visa application it states they want a copy of the plane ticket. Is this always a requirement?

For the first time you travel it is a requirement. Other trips once you have your Visa it is not required. - Hemp

Once I arrive in Rio de Janeiro, will anyone verify that I have a VISA? In other words, if I don't have one, am I screwed?

You will be put on the first plane back to your point of origin, may have to sleep in the airport, pay a change of ticket fee and be jet lagged beyond comprehension. Yes, you will be screwed but not the way you had hoped for.

Also, be careful to check the number of days for your entry stamp. It is written and located in the bottom right hand corner of the entry stamp on your passport. Do not assume you automatically have 90 days per visit. Immigration can get very arbitrary on this if they want to and it can cost you time and money to get out of the country if you overstay your time limit.

Dave,

You won't get on the plane here without a visa. The airlines are real strict about it - United checks visas a second time at the departure gate. I heard from United that Brasil fines the airline US$10k for any passenger who for whatever reason shows up in Brasil without a visa. Not sure if this is true or not, but I can verify that at Dulles, my home airport, they do go through your passport not only to make sure you have a visa, but that you have an entry stamp from a past trip that hit the 90-day window. So, if they go to that much trouble, not only making sure you have a visa but that even the 90-day window has been satisfied, I really doubt you can get on a plane. That's why they check a second time at the gate.

But, if you do and for whatever reason the visa is deemed illegit upon arrival in Brasil, take Sandman's advice to heart. Don't screw around with this, get your visa and make sure you get down within 90 days.

Also, make sure you get a 5-year tourist visa and not one for a shorter duration.

Just ask Dongringo about not having a valid visa for brasil....If I remember the closest he got to a garota on that trip was the chair massage woman in SP. Also remember to not flip the bird at the photographer when you get to Rio.

I had to get a letter from my travel agent that had my agenda on it. This is to prove that you will leave Brasil. I guess there is a problem with Americans not wanting to return home after sampling some of the finer bundas in Rio.

What is the entry stamp? Is it a stamp on the passport that displays when the 90 day period starts? Also, does the 90 day period thing say that I have to be out of Brazil before the 90 days ends? Thanx for answering my ?'s right away.

Dave33:

the entry stamp is a record of your entry date that is stamped in your passport upon entry. This is the one that needs to be within 90 days from the visa issuance date the first time you use the visa for the visa to be valid in later trips (assuming it is multiple entry, which is the norm).

The length of the stay is written on the arrival form which you fill on the plane, a copy of which you will keep in your passport for the duration of your stay and yield to the Brazilian immigration officer at the airport on departure.

As others have said, do this by the book. It is straightforward, and you don't want to mess with third-world bureaucracies.

Dave, you want to go to Brasil in March, then do your visa in January. You have to enter into Brasil within 90 days of the issue of the stamp. The stamp will be your "visa" and it will go inside your passport. Yes--you will be mailing your passport to the consulate for a stamp. And I dont know where you live but if you are in the region of the Miami Consulate they dont require a ticket, you can send a copy of your itinerary.

BUT--you are working on this too soon. Wait. If you get a visa and dont enter the country in 90 days you will have to get a SECOND visa. So relax.

ALso--although I think it is easy to do the visa, and it took me about 5 days from the time mine was mailed to recieve it back. You can also use a visa service. The service doesnt save you any time, but they look over your paperwork to make sure it is complete. Since it was a one page document, I did mine myself.

Dave, one other thing -

The second time I applied for a visa, after the first five-year-duration visa expired, the consulate gave me a visa that was only 90 days duration, i.e. it expired after 90 days.

The next time, I asked the passport/visa service I was working with (I don't live in a consulate city) how I could increase the odds to get a 5-year duration visa. Here's what they answered, and it worked for me.

In the Purpose of Trip section of the visa application, under Comments, be as specific as possible. If you can't think of anything, write something about wanting to explore the culture, learn Portuguese, blah blah. Also, in this section, write that you expect to return to Brazil a number of times and ask for a visa that's good for 5 years.

HTH.

Be extremely careful when following the advice given by other boardmembers, as it is not always accurate. I can personally attest to the fact that one should not presume that the visa issued will automatically be for 5 years. In fact, it is routinely for 90 days unless you specifically request 5 years.

I can also personally attest to the fact that sleeping on the floor in a Brazilian airport, stripped of ones passport and ticket while awaiting deportation is a less than pleasant experience. Given the obvious stress that this can place on an overanxious libido, it could lead to you questionable sexual behavior while alone in the handicap mens room.

When I asked a boardmember how for how long my visa was valid, he replied "They're all good for 5 years". I've since forgiven this loathesome creature, only to find new reasons to revile his detestable ways. There - I said it.

You know who you are.

DeeG - We are know who this loathsome creature is and I truly despise him for what he has did to me and my eyes. Thanks Hemp

Here we go again....

I want everyone to know that Deeg is blaming me for his visa problem. All I can tell you is, I read my visa, and I have never been deported.

I suppose my name was muttered in conjunction with several choice words of profanity during your "incarceration"...many times over? Heck, I may actually deserve this status of arch nemesis.

Having said that, deportation couldnt have happened to a more worthy creature.



(Message edited by gcl on August 11, 2004)

Poor deeg..

I find it odd you were only issued a 90 day visa. When I got mine back in the day, I didn't ask for a 5 year, they just gave it to me. This was at the NY consulate. Of course, just to be safe, always ask. If you come to Brazil once, you'll always come back, or like some if us, move here

Should i fill out the visa application at globotur.com and mail it to houston, or does anyone know if San Diego, CA has a consulate that I can go to?

You need to apply with the consulate that represents the city/state in which you live.

If you are in San Diego you need to send it to the Brazilian consulate in Los Angeles. They can be found at: http://www.brazilian-consulate.org

Sterling

Since I live in San Diego, do I absolutely have to obtain a VISA from the Brazilian Consulate in Los Angeles? After all, San Diego is in their jurisdiction. I went to globotur.com (their headquarters are located in Houston) and they said they can process VISA applications and give out VISA stamps.

Dave33,

Globotur is a travel agency. Just about any travel agency will, for a fee, handle the paperwork and get your visa. Globotur will just get the info from you and send your application to the consulate, get your passport and visa back, and send it to you. If you want to $44 plus the shipping fee for this service, go for it. Otherwise, just fill out the paperwork yourself and send it to the consulate in LA.

Some consulates will let you present your application in person even if you don't live in their jurisdiction, but none will take a mail application from outside their jurisdiction from individuals (travel egencies and visa procurement agencies are treated differently). So the answer is yes, you must use the LA consulate if you plan on mailing in the application.

It is a very simple process...I've done it multiple times. So quit fretting and just do it.

(Message edited by Bwana_dik on August 12, 2004)

Dave; Just do what I did, take ALL your paperwork up to the consulate in LA. make sure you give them a FedEx envelope with the airbill made out. After about a week your passport and VISA will be in your hands.

Dave, You can FedEx to the LA consulate, include paperwork ,passport, photo, cashiers check/money order and return FedEx. Note there ia an additional fee, $10 I think, for the consulate to process an application that comes in the mail. It took 5 days, I didn't need it for a month so the FedEx was overkill. Using certified mail would work if time is not of the essence.
CG

Dave, I fucked up and forgot the original receipt at home when I went to pick-up my VISA. The lady told me, come back with the original receipt. I turned around and had someone fax the receipt to me. It worked, a gentleman at the consulate gave me the VISA. I shouldn't have short fused myself on getting the VISA. Moral of the story don't delay. Have fun in Brazil!!!

(Message edited by Ice_Man on August 12, 2004)

(Message edited by Ice_Man on August 12, 2004)

Thanx everyone, if I don't feel comfortable with my shit going through the mail, can I go take all my shit to LA and PICK IT UP a different day?

Dave, I think you are a worrier. At least you dont have to start worrying for several months. Its too soon, so relax until January.

There. I said it.

Dave needs a mother to go with him to Brazil. Maybe she can get him a visa also.

Dave it seems this is becoming the "lets help poor Dave forum". I think the Donkey Punch statement was a step in the wrong direction as far as making friends on theis site.

Oh ya In anticipation of your next question. If you see a yellow liquid on the toilet seat its probably a good idea to wipe it up before sitting down in it and yes they do have toilets in Brazil.

Im not a worrier. im a warrior. its not like im trying to make friends coffee maker. why make friends when you can be getting chicks. If you make a friend, he might take the hot perfect 10 before you do. i hope you aren't assuming im an online loser. i have friends. you were probably at the same point as me sometime during your life. and i wanna end this thread, please. if you respond, you are arrogant.

Finally, a serious contender for the 2004 Kid Cisco Award. This board has been lacking someone with Dave's calibre wit and intelligence since the Kid returned to Navy Seal school for refitting.

"Im (sic) not a worrier, im (sic) a warrior"?? Where did that one come from Dave, one of those motivational posters they sell in the airline magazines? Or did you make it up all by yourself?

How shall we respond? Shall we nudge each other with our elbows and grin? Move our upraised fists in a circle and grunt?? Mebbe sacrifice a gerbil or cut a group fart in your honor??

If you need a gerbil, check with GCL. I understand he has a few - for 'professional film production' purposes of course...

Coffee_Maker, SF_Hombre and DonGringo. I am proud to say I know you all personally. Getting into a pissing match with any one of you would be suicide. Seeing all three of you in this gangbang has me laughing my ass off. Thanks for the chuckles.

Sterling
whoispickingonthekidintheshortbus.