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Brazil Visa Requirement

Christy_24

We have booked the Essence of South America trip beginning Jan 14, 2024. We have been attempting to secure a visa from VSF.Global for 18 days without any success. The VSF site state the application is pending. At this point we are so stressed we are considering canceling the trip and trying to get a voucher for the air fare. We have called Tauck several times for assistance. They report that others are having the same issue. Can anyone tell us their experience or solutions? Thank you.

Comments

Smiling Sam

I'm thankful that Brazil delayed the visa requirement past the start of our mid-October 2023 tour. Originally it was scheduled to start October 1st.

What does Tauck suggest w/r to cancelling or not based on the visa situation. Would airlines even allow you to board a flight to Brazil without first inspecting your passport and visa?

Perhaps Tauck can work something out with Brazil to provide an easy option to obtain the visa at the airport upon arrival and then they could put someone in place to assist you at the airport so you didn't feel like you were on an island.

If multiple Tauck travelers are in the same situation, then I'm sure they will provide some sort of solution, even if the solution is to cancel.

Sure hope it works out for you

British

I’m not sure what. VSF global stands for, but the info I have read says the online application says it takes five days…but of course it is not Janiary yet, so it may not be live. If you can’t get the visa, then I would cancel and as Sam says, they may not even let you on the plane never mind when you get to Brazil.
Have you checked out the Brazil embassy information?

BKMD

You mean other countries don't let people in who just show up at the border?

British

There is a link for even more info in this. I’m going to check that now too.
https://br.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-new-visa-requirement-for-u-s-citizens/

Ah. Ok you are locked in the system I guess They are probably overwhelmed especially in this holiday season
What about Visa Central, could you call to see if they can expedite a service?

British

If you have questions contact a VisaCentral specialist on 877-535-0688.

Here is another statements from Brazil. ‘ If you do not print and present your eVisa at the airport, you will not be allowed to board the plane.’

SnJ

It's a mess! Apparently Brazil contacted their Visa services out to a 3rd party, and the requirements and website are so byzantine that numerous people have been unable to get Visas. There are multiple threads on CruiseCritic about this--passport pic requirements that require ears showing and exact head size and format (which doesn't seem to be consistent), proof of flights in and out (and not accepting it when one is flying to Brazil but leaving on a cruise), and even requiring a bank statement with 30 days of transactions showing a minimum balance of $2000 (and people rejected because the statement doesn't go to the end of the month)! People have tried to upload documents numerous times, only to be rejected for one reason or another. If you don't respond within 12 hours to a request for revision, you apparently have to start over and pay another visa fee. The "help" contact phone number and email goes into a black hole, with no responses. Even when documents are accepted, there is no information on when the Visa will actually be issued.

A number of people are canceling their cruises because of this, and many others may not be able to fly into or board the ship in Brazil if the visa doesn't arrive in time. I have to think the Brazilian government, under pressure from cruise companies and airlines, are going to have to announce a further delay in the visa requirement so that they can get their act together and make the process do-able for the average traveler.

SnJ

Also, apparently Regent is providing a letter stating that the cruise has been paid for in full in order to avoid passengers having to upload a bank statement (which many are balking at). We will see if this is actually accepted.

Finally, if you google "the inside cabin" there is a CC poster who has uploaded detailed step-by-step instructions for successfully obtaining the visa. Since I don't leave until March, I'm holding off to see if they fix the process or delay it altogether.

Christy_24

Smiling Sam, Tauck did confirm that we could arrive prior to Jan 9 without a Visa. That is what we are currently sorting out. It will depend on how American Airlines can adjust our flight. They are checking to see if any rooms remain at the hotel in their reserved block. No, you cannot board the plane destined to land on Jan 10 without a visa. We can cancel our trip reimbursed in full except for the insurance. However, the air fair is exorbitant and we have yet to be able to speak to anyone at American Airlines to check on a voucher or refund.

British, Brazil will only allow applications via VSF. Tauck has a contact in Brazil that said there is disagreement within the government about the initializing of the requirement and may even resend it. We just don't want to gamble on that. Visa Central will not start an application unless we cancel with VSF.

SJN. Everything you stated is true. 12 hours to upload documents again. Bank statements and rejections with no reason given in order to rectify issues. Help and contact are a black hole.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Christy

British

Best wishes to you Christy.
When Brazil last required visas, you had to send your passport and it could take 3 months. Way too long for people like me who like to travel quite a bit. During that time, we had considered the previous version of the Essence of South America but was put off by the long visa wait. We chose Patagonia instead which turned out to be one of our favorites tours. The Essence tour replicates too much and we would rather just go back to Argentina and Chile which we are doing in 2025. I highly recommend Patagonia as an alternative. I’d happily miss Rio just for that. I have an option to go to Iguazu Falls, but it will now depend on if I can see it from the Argentinian side. If not, unless the Visa fiasco improves, no way!
Others booked on the Essence tour, if Tauck has a solution, please let forum people know.
The visa free entry into Brazil only lasted a few years. Such a shame.