BootsnAll Travel Community

Has anyone gotten a Brazilian visa in Paraguay lately. Lonely Planet says there is a consulate in Ciudad del Este, Asuncion and Encarnacion and I might try there. I'm having trouble getting a visa because I am going overland in/out of Brazil (not just a day trip to the falls) and I was wondering if it was easier to get the visa in Paraguay then here in the US or in B.A. or Montevideo.

Also in Argentina, it looks like Puerto Iguazu is an easier place to get a Brazilian visa. Has anyone gotten a Brazilan visa at Puerto Iguazu lately. In LoPla it talked about possibly getting a visa at Paso de los Libres, Argentina but in other travel books they said it was a bit dodgy and seemed to indicate to get the visa elsewhere.

Note that the "normal" Brazilian visa for Americans at the Brazilian Consulate in a U.S. city has been a 5- year multi-entry visa. (Then, at the border, you get an entry of 90 days, renewable for 90 more at the Policia Federal in Brazil if you want to stay longer, up to 180 days per year.)
I have read from posters on various forums that some of the Brazilian consulates in the U.S. are now giving 90 day visas if the person doesn't specifically request the 5-year. (The price of the visa is the same.)
At the border in Iguacu, I have read from forum posters that the visa given is for 90 days only.
If that does not conflict with your plans, then OK, but if you are planning to stay longer than 90 days, you should perhaps make more inquiries.

Absolutely go to Pto Iguazu. Just did it. 3 hours - $130. In the US, it is 5 business days and $260. It is on the main drag just past the Shell Station, opposite side of the street in a little house. 08´00 to 11´00 is the best time to go. If you get lost, ask the taxi stand - Embajada o Consulada do Brasil does the trick. I am not sure since my Portuguese is sketchy, but I believe I get 90 days total over a 5-year period. My passport will die before then, but you initially get 30-days on a multiple entry and update for more days at a Federal police station.

Cristi--
I got my visa within the hour (this depends on which Brazilian Consulate your U.S address is under the jurisdiction of)in the U.S. The price has gone up to reciprocate what the U.S. charges Brazilians and is currently US$130.
If your Consulate takes a few days to process the visa and mails your passport back to you, they charge US$20.

You've had some good tips previously here, but....
Please don't generalize from you read somewhere (I can only imagine that's how you got the info you're quoting) of what happens at your Consulate in the U.S. Perhaps your location takes longer and perhaps this price is using a visa service that charges extra for their service or having your passport shipped.
And your understanding of the validity is almost certainly incorrect. As stated, you get 180 days total per year on a 5-year multiple entry visa--90 days initially and 90 more at the PF.
If you got 30 , it may be because you got it when you entered at Iguazu and not in the U.S., as I mentioned above was happening to some people.

I was in Los Angeles when I spoke to the BR Consulate. It's $130 for the visa, $130 for the processing fee ($260). I am aware it's all for reciprocity but if it were up to me, I wouldn't charge that much. Since I found out the visas were faster in Iguazu than Los Angeles [The Consulate General of Brazil in Los Angeles does not process same-day visas (no rush fee!). Processing time: at least 10 working days.], I chose Argentina who does not assess the $130 processing fee. Los Angeles' Consulate also will not mail the visa or accept applications by mail.

As for the visa from Iguazu, it's multiple entry and I get 90 days total. I have to "renew" the visa at a Federal police station every 30 days. This much is true.

http://www.brazilian-consulate.org/files.php?id=142#fees

"Holders of the following passports are exempt from the visa fee, but must pay a processing fee:
U.S.A. - US$130.00 (for reciprocity purposes);
.....
An additional absent fee of US$10.00 will be charged for any application not submitted in person by the applicant or by his/her immediate family. "


What $130 am I missing seeing?

quote:

Originally posted by Bahiana77:
http://www.brazilian-consulate.org/files.php?id=142#fees



What $130 am I missing seeing?

Your not. It's only $130 total. Cristi, you were either given false information, or misinterpreted it.

So the point is that in the U.S., you will spend $130 and receive a visa that is good for 5 years of multiple entries (total of 180 days per year). Be sure to specifically request 5 years at the Consulate.
At the border at Iguacu, you will spend $130 and receive a "multiple entry" visa good for 90 days total.

factors to consider:
So if you are thinking you might ever want to travel to Brazil more than once in 5 years (you might get as hooked as some of the rest of us), do it at the Consulate in the U.S.
But bear in mind that you have to use the visa to enter Brazil for the first time within 90 days of receiving it. So if your trip prior to entering Brazil is going to be more than 90 days, get the visa at the border.

Boa viajem.

The problem I'm having is the Chicago consulate told me I shouldn't even bother sending in the visa app. without airline tickets in or out of Brazil and that I should try to get the visa from a consulate in South America. So Iguacu might be more limiting, but it looks like it's faster and I wouldn't need to show the airline tickets in and out that I don't have as I will be going overland. Thanks all for the advice.

If you do need a visit to the Brasilian authorities in Asuncion (P/guay) its very easy to get to. Arriving in Asuncion by air the no. 30 bus from outside the airport passes the door. Arriving by bus no.31 right outside the Bus Terminal building.
It's on Avda Mariscal Lopez.