Brazil e-Visa Problems

[Mavica]

8 hours ago, Traveler365 said:

I got my e-visa. They recommend printing it out and taking with you . Do they actually check the printed copy?

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.

[Mavica]

9 hours ago, floridarob said:

Don't need those.

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.

[TheBossBabyback]

Wanted to share my experience. I was stressed about the visa photo and ended up taking about 20 selfies around my house to play with the lighting before using the photo assist tool on their website. Also, damn, do I feel like I look older then I am in my photos 🥲.

I couldn’t upload the photo from my phone because the website isn’t very mobile-friendly, especially on the section that requires you to select checkboxes for uploaded photos. So, I had to finish everything on my computer.

I was also confused about the “business” section since I’m traveling for leisure. I ended up filling it out with my employer’s details and noted that it’s a vacation.

They responded within a day, rejecting my passport photo and asking for a clearer version. I uploaded a new one yesterday morning, and by the time I woke up today, I had an approval letter waiting in my inbox.

My trip is in 20 days. I definitely wouldn’t recommend waiting until the last minute like I did, but I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly they processed it. USE THE PHOTO EDITING GUIDE!

[Mavica]

1 hour ago, TheBossBabyback said:

Wanted to share my experience.

Thank you!

[Axiom2020]

Can visas be obtained at the Consulates that are in the various cities? 

Earlier during the 2000s, I'd drive to San Francisco (two hours from where I live on the coast) to obtain my Brasilian visas; I always enjoyed the experience, for I never had to wait too long to be consulted.

Yes, I do know that this is the 21st century and that far too many businesses prefer doing business via the net, etc.  I would be unable to obtain my visa that way, for I am a novice when it comes to technology, and I don't particularly care to use a phone to do stuff.  But, in assessing the situation, I guess that I will have to adapt if I chose to obtain what I desire.

[TheBossBabyback]

15 hours ago, Axiom2020 said:

Can visas be obtained at the Consulates that are in the various cities? 

Earlier during the 2000s, I'd drive to San Francisco (two hours from where I live on the coast) to obtain my Brasilian visas; I always enjoyed the experience, for I never had to wait too long to be consulted.

Yes, I do know that this is the 21st century and that far too many businesses prefer doing business via the net, etc.  I would be unable to obtain my visa that way, for I am a novice when it comes to technology, and I don't particularly care to use a phone to do stuff.  But, in assessing the situation, I guess that I will have to adapt if I chose to obtain what I desire.

I would just check the consulates website. But the online process is super easy. Just use their photo guide website, take a selfie with your cellphone, upload it. It will generate a white background, then download that image to your phone. Email it and the scan of your passport to your computer, upload the docs, and fill out the details, pay. You can theoretically get this done in 30 mins, but I'd set aside an hour. 

But, let us know what you find out about the in-person route. The more information shared, the better. 

[Riobard]

These days you will still have to navigate the application online for the consular visa version and I think in-person steps are less available, if at all. If you search “Itamaraty San Francisco” you will see that the consular version (VIVIS) is about $100 more than the e-visa. The instructions also stipulate that your first upcoming trip must be definitively planned, in contrast to the e-visa format with entry open-ended. 

[kingsley88]

Just sharing my experience. I used the official brazil.vfsevisa.com site. I took a selfie of myself using my iPhone and then uploaded it to the site... then used the site's photo tool to fix it (make the background white and place my head and shoulders to the center. I had issues uploading the bio page of my passport. I scanned it to my laptop and then uploaded it but it wouldn't accept it. Size was 1.9MB. From reading on reddit, some people stated to make the size less than 600KB. I changed the size to roughly 550KB and miraculously the Brazil evisa site accepted my passport bio page! 

Two business days later, I received an email accepting the eVisa application and instructions on printing out 2 copies to bring with me to Brazil.

Note I didn't submit any bank account information and my visa application was still accepted. 

Total price was $80.90. If your eVisa cost more, then most likely you're using a visa service with an added fee. 

Overall I'm ok with this since I recall back in 2011 I had to physically go to the Brazil consulate in NYC to submit my paper application for a 10-year multientry tourist visa costing me around $250. It was for Rio Olympic games in 2016 when Brazil stopped requiring visas to US passport holders.