Mavica

The Immigration form I brought was no longer in use. Immgration agent said I'd I was stopped at Customs I might need the other form I brough but I wasn't stopped. So, as you've said ... not needed. Thanks.

I arrived Rio this a.m.; traveled on COPA from Tampa > Panama > Rio. COPA check-in counter agent at airport read / recorded data in Visa and in conversation told me they've denied boarding to passengers w/o Visa. At Panama City COPA checked again at the jetway entry boarding for Rio; no Visa, no travel. Brazil Immigration checked upon arrival in Rio. I brought 2 copies with me and another one my mobile.

I answered my own questions. Found the Immigration and the Customs forms online and completed them to bring with me. 😁

Another question prior to leaving for Brazil tomorrow evening: is there a requirement to complete an online Customs form, or a paper form distributed by the airline? Thank you.

Yes. Thank you.

I'm recalling that when Brazil previously required a visa for USA citizens the fee may have been more, or about the same, and I had to go to the Consulate with paperwork and again to pick-up my passport with the visa stamped into it. The 10-year e-Visa is overall easier to obtain, particularly because I live 2 hours away from the closest Consulate and everything is done online. The difficulty I encountered may have been precipitated by something I did or didn't do during the online process.

If you don't understand, there's nothing more I can say explaining it to you.

Four days before I leave for Brazil, visa in hand, and I'm starting to think President Trump may ban travel to the country before I depart. Though, my flight into Rio doesn't depart from the USA. Instead, it's via Panama to/from.

Interesting. It hadn’t entered my mind to travel to Brazil for sex. 🫢

Thanks for the discussion topic. Yes, early detection can reduce the risk of cancer cells metastasizing. All too many men, particularly younger men don't monitor or get PSA testing. My prostate cancer was detected 16 years go when I was 59 and my prostate was removed at the time ... and, as of this writing, there's been no evidence of metastasis. 🙂 BTW, I'm visiting my brother this weekend, whose PC has returned after having had radiation treatments more than a decade ago.

Preparing for an upcoming trip to Rio de Janeiro, I've been reading various news sources to update myself. I came across the following, today: Source: Brazil’s Foreign Tourism Surge Is Real, but Scale Still Trails Rivals - The Rio Times

The answer is simple: Cash

IDK, I’m assuming I did something wrong at the beginning of the process that once done couldn’t be undone without some intervention. Because I didn’t wait until the last minute to apply it was resolved a week before I leave for Rio and other than my angst no harm / no foul. Lesson learned? Apply early.

Finally, I received my visa today. 🙂

Okay, finally ... I found an e-Mail address for the VSF Brazil desk, and someone read it. My document images have passed quality control. Now it's on to Consular or other approval.

Mutiple photo uploads were rejected, on the grounds of the pixels in the photo. I was instructed to send the Photo and other document copy via FedEx using a shipping label created by VSF. See below. There has been nobody to speak with at the VSF English language telephone number ... who speaks English when I've called.

I've had difficulty with the Brazil e-Visa process and wonder if others have had similar experiences. On September 2nd I applied online and paid for the visa. Several times the agency processing the visa requests has rejected the photo of myself that I took and the photo of the identification page of my passport (VFS Gobal). At the request of VSF Global I FedEx'ed the passport photo and passport page. I continue to receive e-mails stating my application will not be processed due to lack of photo / passport page. I've called the VSF Global telephone number provided for Brazil and a half-dozen times have been disconnected. This a.m. I finally got through and on and off the person on the line, who had difficulty with the VoIP connection and terminated the call - three times. I don't know how to resolve this before my application is rejected for being incomplete. Suggestions? Thank you.

Trip Advisor and other sites do or may have copies of Menu's uploaded as part of contributor reviews. But when confronted by that I walk up to the host/hostess station and ask to see a menu, which I read through .... before deciding to stay or eat someplace else.

The law didn't change. The interpretation by the U.S. Supreme Court has.

After which you call your Cardiologist.

Regulars here may have seen the article I'm linking below published in May 2025 - featuring Junior Barbosa of Point 202 - but I hadn't until now. I came across it as I'm catching up on gay-related events in Rio: Meet Júnior Barbosa - the king of Rio's gay sauna scene - Attitude

Interesting thought. BTW, I've ordered some Reais from my bank, for the sauna expenses and some minor incidentals. Yes, the exchange rate is not as favorable, but I'm comfortable doing it this way. I'll use a credit card for other things.

I've just read your Pointe v. 117 report following your recent visit in Rio. Helpful to me as I prepare for my upcoming visit. Thank you. Point 202 vs Clube 117: el superclásico de los saunas cariocas

Thank you for the comments. I'm seeing your suggestions / opinions confirmed here and in various other social media and will adjust my plan accordingly. ✔

The only things I pay for by using a credit card when traveling internationally are hotels and Uber, most everything else is paid for using cash. I walk about with what I think is enough cash for the day and if I happen to be robbed it'll not be a big deal, provided I'm not physically harmed.