Hemp, When is your next trip?

GCL, don’t listen to those jealous bastards. I totally respect your style.
CG

well.. Ifinally got a hance to see why the Brazilian Tourist comission was extremely pissed-off at fox...I fianlly saw the Simposons visit Rio, Brazil episode..and it was hilarious, but it did not paint a pretty picture of Brazil..having never been to Brazil, is it really a bunch of street crime, drugs?-- Well..we all know about the prostitutes..but were it not for this board..I would not set foot in Brazil after watchinig that...thoughts?? anybidy here see it?

BATMAN, I bet the guy that wrote that story on the cartoon show never set foot in Rio before.

If people felt that way about the US they wouldn't seen their kids to school reach other counties kids goes into the high schools in shot up their class mates???? or just putting gas into your car you get shot???? or leaving home deport??? how many times have you heard about those things happening in other countries???

Batman, more and more people don't even want to fly now because of 9/11, or lived and a high rise etc. so when you look at from that stand point were can we feel safe??

I just live my life and not worry about things I can't control and have fun, and live life.

BATMAN, do what you want but, I been going to Brazil since the 70's, and I have never had a problem of any kind, and I feel very safe over there at times I feel a lot more safe there then most places here in the US.

It's up to you BATMAN, but I am the type of person that must find I out for myself and not WHAT some cartoon that make us laugh make up my mind for me.

KidCisco

DonGringo thanks for the compliment about GCL. That guy is a raving sex machine (and so are you). No wonder Delta is cancelling their flights to Rio as they can't cound on him to return. CortoGringo I might try and shoot for January but that is still up in the air at this time. I hope all you guys heading down there at the end of November have a great trip. I hear there is a STUFFING Party at VIPS that Friday? Tell the girls Hemp would have loved to CUM. CortoGringo if you find BIA take care of her you BASTARD. I plan on doing the big nasty with Rebecca when I return and ruin her for all you other guys. Hemp

Sorry Layne - I know you'll kick my ass if I do Rebecca but I think it would be worth it. I might even do her and Camilla at the same time. Wow whata wuppin I would get. Who's all going down in November? I know GCL, CortoGringo, BT what about the rest? DonGringo - UWP ?? What a way to spend Thanks Giving. Hemp

Interesting to read the comments of Sakebomb and Canonperdido regarding questioning by immigration. As a European my perspective is slightly different in that we are allowed up to 180 days a year, without the hassle of applying for a visa and paying the reciprocity fee.

I returned to Brasil in late June having spent 148 days there this year. The immigration at GIG asked me if I was working there and wanted to look at my ticket. This showed a return 10 days later (which I later extended by another 19 to bring my total to 177 days) but the guy gave me 30 days. I would describe his demeanour as very officious bordering on unfriendly. I just stayed calm and polite trying not to aggravate him.

Having discussed the situation with some long-term expats I believe the following points apply for non-visa tourists (and may apply to US residents on 5 year visas which sound similar).

1) A tourist can spend up to 180 days in a year in Brasil. The legislation is apparently vaguely worded, and can be interpreted as a calendar year, or a consecutive 12 month period.
2) You are entitled to 90 days a year with an extension for a further 90 days at the discretion of the Federal Police. Worth bearing in mind before you get aggressive at the desk.
3) I hold two countries' passports. The system is sophisticated enough to pick up people who have entered on different passports. There is no guarantee that immigration will check the system at the airport. However, it may be flagged and queried on departure.
4) Anecdotal evidence suggests that it's best not to piss off the immigration guys. In particular don't be tempted to leave some greenbacks in the passport.
5) The item that grabbed the guy's attention was a 10 day extension that I got from the Federal Police in 2001 when I stayed for 100 days. This takes up half a page, is thus quite prominent, and may be best avoided.

I wonder if our experiences are once-offs or if they are scrutinising repeat tourist arrivals more closely.

If it's any consolation I was detained on suspicion of smuggling cocaine when I arrived back in Ireland. I was let go an hour and a half later having persuaded customs that there are reasons other than arranging drug deals for spending six months in Rio.

I was in Rio last month, and did not experiece the problem I did two months before. Of course, I had a new passport, and a new visa because my old one got lost.

Anyway, I did not have any problems. No one on entry at GIG, or exit at GRU asked why I had a different passport, and visa.

Funny, on my July trip, I only had trouble when I entered at GIG. I left GIG two weeks after entry, and went to Buenos Aires for 4 days. I came back to Sao Paulo, and had a layover of 6 hours prior to catching a Varig flight to Los Angeles. Since I did not want to wait in the Transit area, and had paid the airport tax at GRU, I went through immigration again at GRU even thought I would only be in country for 6 hours. I did not have any problems at GRU.

Maybe the only places they have a lot of problems is at GIG. I think this is because there are a lot of oil workers that come and go through GIG, and try to do it on a tourist visa.

What Airport is GRU and how much is the airport tax and is there a tax at GIG. How much would the fare be from Rio to Buenos Aires and what would be the cheapest Airlines.

Sao Paulo - The main business center of Brazil.

tax is only a few bucks and should be the least of your worries...use a website like brol.com to check airfares within south america...VASP would prolly be a good airline to take...

I just found out that the Brazilian consulate in San Francisco, and I assume the other Brazilian consulates in other US cities, effective November 21, increased the tourist visa fee from $65 to $100. This was done in retaliation for the US consulates charging Brazilian nationals $100 to obtain a US tourist visa. What a bunch of crap. This is definitely the most expensive visa I have ever had to pay. Congratulations to the Bush administration making it more expensive and difficult for Brazilians to visit the USA.

It's Bush's not so sneaky way of trying to keep everyone out...

We all like the good old USA, but it is not too hard to understand how they feel.

You monger (us) might not want to be photographed and finger printed next time you enter Brazil. Think about it. That is what we make some people do now.

I know, there are things that we need to do for our own safety, but that does not mean everyone else in the world feels the same way we do.

Brazil feels that if their citizens have to pay $100 to enter the US, then US citizens should have to pay the same to enter thier country. Even though I do not paying the $100, I can certainly understand why they feel that way.

CP

PS: Hee Hee. I got my visa when it was much less.

So this means that within a 6 month period, the Bushies have raised the visa fee twice: from $40 to $65 and then to $100. Glad I still have 4 years on mine, but at this rate, the Bushies will have raised it to $700-$800 by then! This "Fuck Tax" must be a plot of the religious right fanatics in the Administration. We've gotta throw these bums out in two years! I don't think Bill Clinton would tax pussy so heavily!

But Gore might ... remember Tipper is the poster-child for record lyric warnings!

They are right behind England and Germany for # of tourists to Orlando every year and they are #1 as far as dollars spent per head. Bush is not helping Orlando at all.

Someone call Jeb...

Hey, don't go insutlin' mah Guvnah by pretending he's related to the village idiot in the White House ... at least one of 'em is obviously adopted!

Just got back from Rio. This was my 4th entry since Oct 2002.

When I got to immigration, they really gave me the 3rd degree. This is the 2nd time that this has happened to me.

The immigration guy asked me why I was there, and I old him that I was visiting a girl friend.

He could not believe that I had been there 4 times in such a short period, and almost accused me of working there.

I have never had any problems when entering through Sao Paulo at GRU.

Any of your other frequent Brazil visitors having trouble because you have entered the country a lot?

It is always kind of scary when you think they might not let you in, or imply that you might not be telling the truth.

Interested in the experienc of others.

CP

Canonperdido, the reason you were accused at the immigration is the Oil industry. In the last couple of years there has been an oil boom in brasil. Very often people from the US or Europe have to go to brasil to work on short notice. Those people can't get a working visa on short notice, it usually takes several month. Most companies send their people over with just a tourist visa, when they get caught they bribe immigration. Last time I was there I spend 3 hours in immigration, at the end American Airlines got me out there. I wasn't working there, just visiting a few friends. I talked to some other gus from Europe, some of them have been there for 7 hours, till their company got them out.
Most likely you won't get this problems in Sao Paulo because the oil industry is based in Macae, close to Rio.
wolf

CP

4 trips to Rio for me since 9/02...never a problem

mitchc has been 100 times since last year...they still let him in..of course he looks like a whoredog..

Maybe it is my smelly oil workers clothes.

Really, they have just given me the 2nd degree twice in Rio, but never in Sao Paulo.

I went through Florianpolis last month, and did not have a problem there either.

Just cannot figure out why the problem in Rio.

CP

I have been given the third degree on my past couple of trips. The officer refused to believe that I was coming to Rio so frequently just for vacation. I finally had to show him my work ID for him to believe that I worked in NYC not in Rio.

I'm getting ready for my second Rio trip in June. In Dec 02 I got a tourist visa good for 5 years with the expiration date on it. In Jan 03 I made my first trip to Rio. While looking over my passport I see the tourist visa stamp on it but I don't see any entry or exit stamp on it showing when I made my first trip in Jan 03.

My question is how does the Brazilian goverment know if I made my trip within the 90 window of the date of issue? Did they screw up when I made my first trip by not stamping my entry and exit on my passport? I don't want to get jammed up when I depart in 2 weeks. Should I see the Brazilian consulate which there is one in my state to clear up? I still have my airplane and hotel receipts from my past trip in Jan.

Real your visa again. If you went in Brazil, your vist got stamped somewhere. In the US a date stamp might say "01-03-03" for 1 Jan 03, but in Brazil it will say "03-01-03".

Look again. You should see it.

CP

CP,

Thanks. I inspected my passport really well. I found the entry stamp right next to the tourist visa stamp. The entry stamp is really faint. You really have to scrutinize the page to find it. I must of been the 100th person he stamped before he reinked his stamper.

Now I can concentrate on more important things such as which terma to hit first.

Two Mondays ago, I sent my Visa application, e-ticket, photograph, passport, return envelope and a $110 money order to the Brazilian consulate in LA. I expected to get my visa in about a week, based on the information on the board and even on the consulate's web site.

Last Wednesday, I called to ask about my Visa's status, and a rather rude woman answered and told me that they had no way of monitoring visas, and I should have used a way of sending mail with a tracking number. She said the Visa people simply didn't have time to talk to me because it was high season, and in any event I can't ask until 2.5 weeks go by.

I didn't realize the Post Office had that service (they require that you use the post office to mail to them for some reason). In any event, I'm wondering what's going on as my trip rapidly approaches.

I don't mind paying the $110, but the kind of rude service I got turned me off. I just hope the Visa magically appears by my fast-approaching departure date of 1 July.

Any advice on what to do? I'm really looking forward to my trip, but it looks like it might not happen if this Visa doesn't hurry up :-(.

D

Next time read the postings, and spend a little more for assured service.

I got my Visa in 4 days using one of the passport agencies in Washington, DC.

OH

A tracking number would only have helped you know when it arrived there, it wouldn't help with any delays on their end, which may well be the problem considering that it's high season.

I am one of the lucky ones that got it back in less than a week. Sorry, I can't give any advice, but you'll probably just have to cross your fingers. You may want to check with your airline for suggestions, you may need to reschedule a certain number of days ahead of time to avoid a higher fee.

Davidd:

Just a remark about the rudeness. Don't take it too seriously. Visa offices in general are notorious for their rudeness. I guess it is the mother of all monopolies.

Davidd, don't feel bad. I sent my visa application two Monday's ago as well and still have not received my passport and visa back. But then again, I am not going to Brazil until August so I am not sweating it too much yet.

Xen, one thing you must consider/remember!!!

I do not have my passport with me at the moment, but the Brazilian visa does state to this effect:

You must arrive in Brasil within (two months) of date of issue, for it to be stamped and valid for the remaining five years duration.

So be aware of the date of issue or NO :-) for YOU!

Well, let's hope that the issue date on the visa isn't before June 16th. I haven't received it back yet, so we'll see.

I have my ticket for arrival scheduled on August 16th, but my travel plans may still have to change. That would suck if I had to apply for another visa.

Xen...the visa stamp says "Valid for arrival within 90 days. Multiple entries for 90 days from date of first entry." You should be okay...provided you get your passport back by August 16th

And when you DO travel, make sure that the visa stamp for that first entry is legible in its entirety. I spent 45 minutes at an American Airlines ticket counter last week because the neurosurgeon behind the counter said she could read the DATE on the entry stamp but NOT the country...I almost was barred from the plane notwithstanding there were a half dozen or so subsequent entry stamps from Brazil.

wow, i thought the neurosurgeons only worked at the gates.

Actually, the neurosurgeons are at the immigration counter at GIG. At GIG they try to figure out how to keep each person out on an individual basis. In Sao Paulo at GRU, they try to get you through immigration as quick as possible.

OH

Phew!

For anyone who's curious about my little adventure, my visa showed up today. I must say that for all this fuss it's a pretty unimpressive looking thing :-).

I am VERY relieved!

D

Take heart! I know a fellow who was planning a long overland trip through Africa. He sent his passport to a certain African embassy, and a week or so later got back an empty and torn envelope. It appeared that when going through one of the USPS sorting machines the envelope shot through the sorter but the passport probably ended up falling into the void, never to be seen again. Poor fellow had to get a new passport and all his other African visas.

I finally got my visa today. All it is a stamp in my passport and a receipt for the $110.00 dollars I paid. Do I need to take the receipt with me or is the stamp in the passport enough?

The stamp says the vias is valid for five years and must be used within 90 days. It says multiple visits can last up to 90 days and that employment in Brazil is strictly prohibited.

I sent this application off in early June so it took about a month to get it processed and get it back to me.

You only need the passport.

OH

Make sure they stamp your passport on airport arrival as you're supposed to travel within 90 days. Next trips it does not matter.

One month, outch! I live in Houston and there is a consulate here so I went in person. $100 and 4 hours later, I had my visa! I was really worried about getting it in time, they say on the website it can take up to 2 weeks if you mail it. I also saved $10 by coming in person as a bonus!!

MitchC once waited until the day of his flight. He drove like a madman to Miami (3 hour drive). Left his passport. Then on the frantic ride back home he arranged for a courier to pick up his passport and deliver it to the airport. He then talked his way on to a plane in his home city...ticketed to brazil with NO PASSPORT is a trick. but he did it. THen he boarded, and started his journey. In true MitchC fashion, the passport and visa were there in Miami.

Anyone had experience getting their Brazilian visa without having an onward ticket? I'd like to leave my trip open-ended, and fly back on a cheap ticket purchased in Rio. Might even consider going by land into Uruguay or Argentina.

i just got my flight booked to rio and i am filling out my tourist application-it says that i need to put down where i am staying, but i am not ready to book my hotel stay yet--do i just put the name and phone # of a hotel that i might stay at? or will they call the hotel and check to see if i am booked there and if i am not booked there-will they reject my tourist visa application? what should i do?

They have never and will never check. However, if you're paranoid, make an on-line reservation with Sheraton or Marriott or something, print out the confirmation information, then cancel the reservation. You can just submit the confirmation page with your visa application.

In general, we have to pay the $100 fee and jump through hopes primarily for payback because of the new restrictions and fees the US Dept. of State has put on Brasilians trying to get tourist visas to come to the US. They don't spend a lot of time looking at the paperwork that we submit. I doubt if many US citizens have ever been denied a visa.

Bendejo,

You might want to reconsider this. Tickets to the US (I'm assuming US) originating in Brazil are considerably more expensive then the other way around. I've done considerable research on this. None of the carriers offer better fares or consolidator fares.

Just to check it out, go ahead and check prices on Expedia, Orbits, Travelocity, etc.. originating in Brazil. You'll be shocked.

Dood

How about them Yellow Fever shots? Anyone know where in SoCal I can get a shot and a certificate of immunization?