General Information
| The application form is the same
for all kinds of visas. The Consulate's visa department is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to non-Brazilian citizens residing in the states of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont who, for reasons of reciprocity, require consular visas to be admitted to Brazil. Visas can be applied for in person, by mail or through travel agencies and delivery services.
Information can be obtained from the Consulate's answering system (617-542-4000), or by reaching extension 3130. The kind of visa to be applied for depends on the purpose of the applicant's trip to Brazil. Permanent visas are for immigration purposes, while temporary visas are for non-Brazilian citizens envisaging shorter stays in Brazil. Temporary visas have a validity in time depending on the category of the visa and on governmental agreements, if any, between Brazil and the country of the applicant's nationality. All visas are good for multiple entries unless otherwise stated. The applicant has a ninety-day period, from the date of issuance of the visa, to enter Brazil. An unused visa expires after ninety days and must be reapplied for. The validity of a temporary visa does not guarantee any particular duration of stay in Brazil. The precise length of stay is a decision of the immigration authorities at the port of entry in Brazil. Information and supporting documents, as well as consular fees, vary according to type of visa and fees mutually agreed between Brazil and the country of the applicant's nationality. In addition to the visa-related consular fees there is a handling fee of US$10.00 per visa when visas are applied for by post, through travel agencies, delivery services, or by a third party. If instructions from Brazilian immigration authorities are needed, consultation fees run at a minimum of US$25.00 per cable. US passport holders are charged an additional, non-refundable, processing fee of $130.00 in reciprocity for a similar fee levied on Brazilian passport holders applying for entry visas to the US. Consular fees are payable ONLY in money order or Bank Checks to the order of the Consulate General of Brazil. Personal and company checks and credit cards are NOT accepted. CASH will no longer be accepted. When applying by ordinary or express mail, aself addressed prepaid envelope for return of the passport must be enclosed. The Consulate cannot accept responsibility for the loss of documents in any kind of mail. An application on behalf of a minor under the age of 18 can be accepted from a parent or a legal guardian able to identify him/herself as such with a photo ID. In all cases, applications for or by a minor under the age of 18 are subject to the following additional requirements:
When all requirements are met, a visa can be issued in three working days from the date the application is accepted by the Consulate. However, for business or urgent affairs, the Consulate will endeavor to process a visa in 24 hours. Within thirty days of their arrival in Brazil, applicants granted visas for durations of stay longer than ninety days are required to register at a regional office of the Ministry of Justice and to apply for a foreigners identification card with, inter alia, the following supporting documents:
A change of visa category or an extension of stay can only be applied for in Brazil, at a regional office of the Ministry of Justice, thirty days before the normal date of expiration. Further information on requirements for entry visas is set out in the following pages per category of visa. Notwithstanding, the Consulate reserves the right to request additional information and supporting documents. Consulate General of BrazilAttn: Visa Department 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1420 Boston, MA 02116 |
