Visa questions

DavidMn · #1 08-06-2010, 01:15 AM

Hello all. I am planning a trip to Rio Di Janeiro in March, and in the process of booking this trip I made the most unpleasant discovery that my simple passport wasnt going to cut it. I would need a visa. I have read online and gotten some literature about the process of obtaining a visa and its looks like a MAJOR headache!

Now I'll have to get one so I've decided to get over my initial irritation. So how many of you have been to a country that requires a Visa in addition to your passport? how was the process for you? I would be interested to hear. Thank you!

HejiraNYC · #2 08-06-2010, 02:37 AM

How did you get to Australia? To my utter shock and horror, as I was checking into the airline, I was informed that I needed a Visa to gain entry into Australia (I was previously under the belief that, as a U.S. citizen, I didn't need to do this). Fortunately they handled it all at the ticketing desk. You just fill out a short form, present your passport, and they take care of the rest. The whole process took about five minutes and cost $35. But we're talking about Australia here, where they seem to have the infrastructure to handle these things electronically. Perhaps Brazil uses a different system?

I would check your airline to see what kind of services they offer at their ticketing desks.

Good luck with Rio! There are two reasons I probably would not ever visit- the lack of decent vegetarian fare and watching the movie City of God, which was based on a true story. I'm sure it's nothing like the movie and that Rio is a great, modern city, but I still would be more than a little cautious about crime. If I had my druthers, I would visit Buenos Aires instead. Yeah, the food is still a bit of an issue, but it seems like such a beautiful, interesting city.

Zombie · #3 08-06-2010, 02:53 AM

It's my understanding that the US has a list of countries where their citizens can come here for vacations on something called a "tourist visa." For instance, a British national ex-boyfriend of mine could come here for 90 days at a time without needing a more complicated visa. I am not sure if Brazil is on that list, or if it swings both ways for US citizens visiting those countries, but it's worth looking into.

DavidMn · #4 08-06-2010, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

How did you get to Australia? To my utter shock and horror, as I was checking into the airline, I was informed that I needed a Visa to gain entry into Australia (I was previously under the belief that, as a U.S. citizen, I didn't need to do this). Fortunately they handled it all at the ticketing desk. You just fill out a short form, present your passport, and they take care of the rest. The whole process took about five minutes and cost $35. But we're talking about Australia here, where they seem to have the infrastructure to handle these things electronically. Perhaps Brazil uses a different system?

I would check your airline to see what kind of services they offer at their ticketing desks.

Good luck with Rio! There are two reasons I probably would not ever visit- the lack of decent vegetarian fare and watching the movie City of God, which was based on a true story. I'm sure it's nothing like the movie and that Rio is a great, modern city, but I still would be more than a little cautious about crime. If I had my druthers, I would visit Buenos Aires instead. Yeah, the food is still a bit of an issue, but it seems like such a beautiful, interesting city.

IF I remember right, my travel agent at the time was able to process my visa needs internally and there was no need to send everything out to a consulate, as there is with Brazil. I also considered Buenos Aires, especially since all I thought you needed t o enter was your passport. However at the end of last year Argentina initiated an "entrance fee" payable upon arrival in the country of $140 for americans. That, and the face that from the pictures Ive seen, Rio seems to be much more of a visually stunning city, led me to make that choice.

**mylittledemon** · #5 08-06-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

How did you get to Australia? To my utter shock and horror, as I was checking into the airline, I was informed that I needed a Visa to gain entry into Australia (I was previously under the belief that, as a U.S. citizen, I didn't need to do this).

*gasp!* how dare they!

Many places will let you stay for 90 days on your passport, without the need of a visa. I guess Rio is different.

Richard B · #6 08-06-2010, 06:47 PM

It's not a big deal to acquire a visa for Brazil, it's similar to a passport application. Just be sure your passport is valid thru your vacation dates or you will be denied.
Just pay the fee, fill out the simple application and get going to enjoy Brazil...which is fun, but can be dangerous...like anyplace.

And why does Brazil require this? Brazil requires it since Brazilian citizens are required to have visas to visit the US. The cost is around $140 for a tourism visa.

JWS · #7 08-06-2010, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

It's not a big deal to acquire a visa for Brazil, it's similar to a passport application. Just be sure your passport is valid thru your vacation dates or you will be denied.
Just pay the fee, fill out the simple application and get going to enjoy Brazil...which is fun, but can be dangerous...like anyplace.

And why does Brazil require this? Brazil requires it since Brazilian citizens are required to have visas to visit the US. The cost is around $140 for a tourism visa.

That's right. Tit for Tat. If the US requires it of another country, they return the favor. For a long time we needed a visa for France.

I've been to Rio and as I recall the booking agent took care of all the paperwork. I may have had to go to the embassy in LA to pick it up though.