Applying for a visa.

Shortly after finalizing all terms and conditions for my Fulbright grant, I applied for a visa to stay in Brazil as a researcher. Since it was my first time applying for one, the whole process seemed quite novel to me. It should come as no surprise, then, to all of you who have dealt with any sort of bureaucracy, that the tasks and hoops that Consulates put you through is worthy of Oscar-acclaim. First were the passport-sized photos that needed to be attached to my application forms. No smiling! No harsh colors! The examples that were posted on the Brazilian Consulate website made me re-question whether or not I actually was heading to a country filled with such joy and love—the photos looked like prisoner mug shots.

Then came trying to understand what exactly the Consulate wanted. Some places told me I needed to attach my original visa application. Others told me to attach my “RER”, a sort-of receipt that the Consulate could use to check your file. I wasn’t going to take any chances, so I attached both, along with a lengthy cover letter professing my love of the country and hope that they would accept me (Really, it was just a bullet-point list of everything the packet included and why). And off it went.

Never mind that prior to even stepping foot in Brazil I was already spending hundreds of dollars—I was willing to do whatever was required to get that sacrilegious piece of paper stating that I could stay in Rio for the entirety of my grant.

The whole process seemed to be going quite smoothly. Within a week my self-address, stamped envelope was returned to me, and inside was my passport and visa. All was fine, right? Wrong. In order to register with the Federal Police once I arrive in Rio (to evade the fines that they place on you after 30 days without registering), I needed to receive my “Pedido do Visto,” a copy of the visa application form I had to send to them. At first I was angry—I envisioned those Consulate employees, sitting around their offices in bright bikinis and Speedos, sipping on capirihnas, thinking how funny it would be to not send the documents I needed.

After a couple days of being forwarded to some pretty wonderful sounding voicemails at the Brazilian Consulate (my lack of Portuguese made the voicemails the best nursery rhyme for a 21-year old), I finally got a hold of Sandro--- my savior. He said in his wonderful little accent that he would take care of me (buy me flowers, serenade me with some bossa nova…. ok, no.). I “just” send another pre-paid envelope to the Consulate, attention in his name, and I would receive my “Pedido do Visto” paper.

So yesterday morning, I reconnected with my boo at the USPS Post Office, and sent out another application packet, cover letter, an extra set of passport-sized photos (inspiration for Sandro when he writes his songs). I’m hoping that I will finally get everything I need from the Consulate, but I’m trying not to get my hopes up.

So what’s my total price on this endeavor? I haven’t kept track, but let’s just say that my yellow-fever vaccination probably equates it.

Here’s what you need to apply for a VITEM-I visa:

One visa application form per applicant, properly and completely filled in, available at:

https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/frscedv/index.jsp and Visa Request;

Passport with at least two blank pages available;

Two recent 2" x 2" passport-type photos. Please read carefully the photograph specifications under Form Instructions;

Proof of residence (a copy of any utility bill, driver’s license or bank statement);

If staying in Brazil more than 90 days: Criminal record issued by the local police department/authority in the last 90 days.

Copy of your marriage license and your child’s birth certificate if applying for a visa for your immediate family members;

Self-addressed, stamped return envelope (Express Mail only, see below for additional details).