Brazilian Visa service....

[Kween Karen]

It is time for me to send for my Brazilian visa. I am surprised at how high the fees are. The company recommended is Zierer. by the time I add up all the fees and recommendations and insurance and shipping it is over $270. Is this the service everyone uses? Am looking for experiences people have had in getting their visas.

I guess I just need to get it sent off.......at least I am 15 days in Brazil with 13 different port stops so the visa will be well used!!

[greatam]

It is time for me to send for my Brazilian visa. I am surprised at how high the fees are. The company recommended is Zierer. by the time I add up all the fees and recommendations and insurance and shipping it is over $270. Is this the service everyone uses? Am looking for experiences people have had in getting their visas.

I guess I just need to get it sent off.......at least I am 15 days in Brazil with 13 different port stops so the visa will be well used!!

 

 

IMHO, Zierer SUCKS. They totally screwed me out of a cruise-their incompetence failed to get my MULTIPLE (3 entry Chinese visa) even though they repeatedly told me they could get the visa for me (it required a letter from a local Chinese-like the Princess Port Agent-to get the MULTIPLE entry visa at that time). They let me know 6 weeks BEFORE the cruise when there were no alternatives and AFTER the cruise was entirely paid for. I lost all my money due to "improper" boarding documents.

 

Are you any place close to a Brazilian Embassy/Consulate? You CAN do it yourself. If not, just do a Google search for your area for Brazilian visa companies. There are cheaper ones out there and certainly those that are more competent.

[Kween Karen]

Wow! That is rather scary to hear. I wonder why it is the company recommended by the cruiseline and my travel agent.

[fendbass]

I want to say we got our Visas through Passport Visa Express

http://www.passportvisasexpress.com/

 

We went to Walgreens, got a new passport size photo, it is required. Filled out forms on line, and printed them out and signed them, and paid with a credit card that was not charged until the Passports were returned

 

I sent out the passports, and only 10 nervous days later, our passports showed up with Visa stamps. Pretty good service, I would say

 

I think that they charged $39 per visa, plus the Brazilian consultant fee. They have a schedule of rates depending on how fast you need it. I ordered ours 45 days before our trip (it has to be ordered inside of 60 days, I think), but, all together, we spent about $200-240, I don't remember exaxctly how much

 

I was extremely satisfied, and happy to have gotten that out of the way

 

If you are going inland, don't forget to get a Yellow Fever shot. We went to Iguazu Falls, which is on the edge of Yellow Fever territory, the CDC provides a map. Better safe than sorry. We also took some tablets for Malaria protection. We went to an INfectious disease specialist to get the shots, but, I believe the CDC has a site where you can look up someone local

[marilynfaye]

fendbass: Thank you for this information. I was looking for another recommended company. We used Zierer almost 10 years ago for Russia and we were satisfied with the service, but they are expensive and I knew there had to be more economical options out there. However, I didn't want to just pull someone off the internet. Sending your passports to parties unknown is scary.

 

greatam: I am still whirling from your horrible experience. I am so, so sorry.

[SandKinWa]

We just returned from China and used Travisa, in San Francisco, for our visas. Thought you might be interested since you are also in WA. We called several visa services recommended by CC'ers before choosing Travisa. Their service was excellent and they kept us informed with the progress of our visas via email. www.travisa.com

[emtorg]

I have used Zierer in the past and been very satisfied, this time, in response to a pending Brazil visa, I received a request for my bank statements which I found odd. I don't remember having been asked to supply this for previous visas. Has anyone else had this experience? I suspected a scam but ZVS customer service said it was legitimate.:confused:

[hillslife]

Wow - never heard of needing a bank statement to get a visa???? I would question that also.

 

We have used ZVS (Zieres sp??) when we did the World Cruise last year and needed 2 from different embassy's. It was very fast and efficient, but very $$$$. They were recommened by Princess, so we just sucked it up. but it was over $650 for 2 China and India visas when you added in their fees:rolleyes:

[Kween Karen]

I have all my paperwork ready to send in to ZVS today. My TA sent me the forms and there was paperwork from HAL to give a discount.

There is NO request for information about any banking. I would REALLY question that.

ZVS might be more expensive with their fees....but I checked out a couple of others and they are even MORE expensive.

[greatam]

I have used Zierer in the past and been very satisfied, this time, in response to a pending Brazil visa, I received a request for my bank statements which I found odd. I don't remember having been asked to supply this for previous visas. Has anyone else had this experience? I suspected a scam but ZVS customer service said it was legitimate.:confused:

 

CALL Zierer to verify this is a legitimate request and not a "phishing" request. But yes, there are certain countries that REQUIRE financial info and/or hotel info PLUS RT airline itineraries, etc., etc.

 

I just applied for a Russian visa early this spring for a totally independent train trip on the Trans Siberian. Since DH and I were flying to different parts of the world AFTER we got off the train in Moscow and the plane reservations were in his name and the name on my passport (maiden name), but the train reservations were Mr/MS, they asked for financial information. Didn't want to be responsible for either of us if we didn't have enough money for hotels, medical, food, etc. CLEARLY posted on various Russian visa websites that you should be prepared to provide financial info.

 

And I am ALWAYS asked in Kuwait (visa on arrival). I book one way tickets into Kuwait because I never know how long the US Military will require my services (I am a US government contractor). Even though I have all the military ID needed to get me in any base in Kuwait, I am still asked for financial info BECAUSE I don't have a return airline ticket. Again, the Kuwaitis DO NOT want to take care of me.

 

 

There are other countries that ask for the same information (mostly Asian and Middle Eastern). NO country wants to be responsible for someone who does not have the financial resources to get themselves out of a country (not meaning you).

[Tucson54]

Got our Brazilian Visas from A Briggs last week - very efficient & reasonably priced. Never asked for a bank statement - I suspect asking for a bank statement is a scam - run - do not walk away from this!!!!!!!

[marilynfaye]

Sadly, I do not think it is a scam. From Travisa.com's website:

 

"Atlanta and Chicago Jurisdiction: Evidence of sufficient funds to support stay in destination such as pay stubs, traveler's cheques, and/or most recent bank statement.

 

Washington DC jurisdictions: Consulates may in some circumstances request evidence of sufficient funds to support stay in destination such as pay stubs, traveler's cheques, and/or most recent bank statement. In Washington DC this is required for applicants who are entering and departing Brazil by land."

 

emtorg: Coming from South Carolina I assume you fall under the jurisdiction of the Atlanta Consulate. I find the inconsistency here rather strange. This is one of those times it's good to be a transplanted Texan.

 

Marilyn

[Kween Karen]

So I just got back from the post office and sent my documents off too ZVS. They will arrive there in 2 days (I live in small town so couldn't get them there overnight though the cost was the same). Now I wait.......

It took me a long time yesterday getting all the paperwork in order and checking and double checking my forms to be sure they were correct.

Whew!!

[hillslife]

Kween Karen - anything mentioned about the 90 days from entry requirement changing? Seems to be conflicting info on CC and the websites....just want to do the right thing.

 

Thanks

[Kween Karen]

Kween Karen - anything mentioned about the 90 days from entry requirement changing? Seems to be conflicting info on CC and the websites....just want to do the right thing.

 

Thanks

 

Rules just said could not be ordered more than 120 days prior to arrival.

[wcflats]

We just completed our visa requirements and used A. Briggs. Received our documents in two weeks. I made numerous phone calls with questions and they were very helpful. They have offices all over the states. It was worth every penny and I did not find their prices excessive at all. It was nice in that I could pay everything with a credit card and leave all the rest to the company. I would certainly use them.

[wcflats]

This no longer applies. We just received our visas and there are no restrictions about having to travel within 90 days.

[auntiedodo]

We just got back from doing transatlantic and leave in a week for Mexico on the Mariner. Then, In January, we do both legs around the horn and only JUST found out we needed visas for Brazil. CITB was recommended. We drove the paperwork to LA and they wanted bank statements which I had printed off! Now we are just anxiously awaiting the visas...

[sea lover]

I went to the NYC office of ZVS to give them the paper work for my visa to Brazil.. I received my passport with the visa in it 10 days later. No problem.

[hillslife]

Auntidodo - if you were driving to LA to take your visa stuff to a company, you could have gone to the Brazil Embassy there.

 

We went this week; made an appt on line, took our docs, pic, etc and no bank statement required. Just itineary; flights, etc.

 

Will be able to pick up our passports on the 16th....was pretty easy but there was a line and you had to have an appt. But no extra fees charged, just the $140 visa fee.