By Danita Fausek
When planning your trip to Brazil, make sure you include timing of your visa application. Allowing enough time for you to complete the paperwork, submit your application and receive your passport back from the consulate may influence the date of your departure. A visa and passport processing agency can assist you in getting a visa, but there are a number of items you will need to complete.
Timing
Your visa application may take up to three weeks for processing. Once the consulate has received your application, it can not be returned to you until processing has been completed or declined. Once received, your visa must be used within 90 days or will be considered invalid and the application process must begin again.
Vacation Letter
If you are planning a vacation to Brazil, and are employed by a U.S. company, you must provide a letter from your employer that states you are traveling for personal reasons. This letter must also state the dates of your vacation, should have an original signature and be on company letterhead.
Travel information
You must supply a copy of your travel itinerary with your application. Your itinerary must include your flight information, hotel information and, in the case of cruises, note any destinations that you may visit between the date of your U.S. departure and arriving in Brazil. It must also state your name clearly on the itinerary.
On-line application
The on-line application for a Brazilian visa must be completed before sending your paperwork to the consulate. All fields in the on-line application must be filled in and you may enter "not applicable" in places where appropriate. Once submitted, a screen with the "protocol number" on it will show. This page must be printed and signed to be acceptable.
Other information required
In addition to the above, you must also provide a 2 x 2 inch color passport photo shot on a white background, a copy of your driver's license or picture i.d., and a valid passport that has at least one blank page and is good for six months or more past the date of your travel. Separate checks must also be included for payment of consulate fees and processing costs.
Considerations for business travel
Only travel for conferences or business meetings are allowed under the structures of a business visa. If you are traveling for business reasons, you must have a letter, again on company letterhead, that states who you will be meeting, the dates and what type of business you are conducting. The letter must state that the company is responsible for all costs incurred by you, as well as for your behavior. It must be signed and notarized.
About the Author:
Based in Wisconsin, Danita Fausek’s 30-year working career includes jobs in administration, construction, remodeling, teaching quality processes and art classes, and event planning. With a degree in photography, she ran her own business for more than 15 years. In addition, Dani has immersed herself in various hobbies including gardening, needlecraft and jewelry making. She brings all of this expertise to her writing.
