Thread: Visa requirements

My cruise line just notified me that becasue we stop in Brazil, that all passengers need a Brazilian Visa (in addition to my passport), so this adds another $130 per person to the cost of my cruise. Do I really need a visa, if I don't intend to get off the ship while in that port?

I'm not a TA, but I have heard that yes, you must have it.

I remember the mess back in January when the Mariner was sailing around the horn to LA and the number of people that didn't have the Brazilian visa and had to be left behind. I believe some had to stay behind for visas and then fly to catch the ship.

Whether you intend to get off the ship or not, you still need to have a Brazilian visa if your ship calls there.

Did you not know that you were going to Brazil? If so, didn't your TA advise you of this requirement?

Sorry you had to find about the extra expense this way, but it is a neseccity.

From the US Dept of State website:

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Brazil for any purpose. Brazilian visas must be obtained in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to the traveler's place of residence. There are no "airport visas" and immigration authorities will refuse entry to Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa. All Brazilian visas, regardless of the length of validity, must initially be used within 90 days of the issuance date or will no longer be valid. Americans reentering Brazil must be able to show an entry stamp in their passport proving that the visa was issued within 90 days; otherwise they will not be allowed reentry. Immigration authorities will not allow entry into Brazil without a valid visa. The U.S. Government cannot assist travelers who arrive in Brazil without proper documentation.
Travelers under 18 years of age and their parents should carefully review the visa application requirements for the consular post at which they are applying. The adjudicating official may require a birth certificate and notarized travel authorization.
Travelers are reminded that they are subject to local law. Showing contempt to a Brazilian government official at the port of entry, or elsewhere, is a serious offense. (Fines for such offenses are based on the offender’s claimed income.)

Additionally, travelers who have recently visited certain countries, including most other Latin American countries (check Brazilian Embassy website linked below), may be required to present an inoculation card indicating they had a yellow fever inoculation or they may not be allowed to board the plane or enter the country. Minors (under 18) traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party, must present written authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. The authorization (in Portuguese) must be notarized and then authenticated by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate.

Visit the web site of the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. for the most current visa information.

For current entry and customs requirements for Brazil, travelers may contact the Brazilian Embassy at 3009 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone 1-202-238-2828. Travelers may also contact the Brazilian consulates in Boston, Houston, Miami, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. Addresses, phone numbers, web and e-mail addresses, and jurisdictions of these consulates may be found at the Brazilian Embassy web site.

U.S. citizens also possessing Brazilian nationality cannot be issued Brazilian visas and must obtain a Brazilian passport (from the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate nearest to their place of residence) to enter and depart Brazil. Airport officials will check for Brazilian visas upon arrival and departure. In addition to being subject to all Brazilian laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Brazilian citizens.

Brazilian minors age 17 years and under, including minors who have both Brazilian and American citizenship, are subject to strict exit requirements. Brazilian minors departing Brazil, if not accompanied by both parents, must prove that both parents authorize the departure. If accompanied by only one parent, the minor must have a notarized letter from the other parent indicating permission to depart the country, a court order proving that the accompanying parent has sole custody, or a Brazilian court order authorizing the child’s departure. If accompanied by neither parent, the minor must have a notarized letter from the parents authorizing departure or a Brazilian court order authorizing the same.

There are no exceptions, even in cases where one parent expected the child to remain in Brazil only a short time. The authorization must be notarized by a Brazilian notary to be considered valid by the Brazilian authorities. In the U.S., this can be done at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, DC or at any Brazilian consulate. Note that children adopted from Brazil are still considered Brazilian citizens and must be documented as such should they return to Brazil.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.

For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

Originally Posted by canarymoon

From the US Dept of State website:

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa are required for U.S. citizens traveling to Brazil for any purpose. Brazilian visas must be obtained in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to the traveler's place of residence. There are no "airport visas" and immigration authorities will refuse entry to Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa. All Brazilian visas, regardless of the length of validity, must initially be used within 90 days of the issuance date or will no longer be valid. Americans reentering Brazil must be able to show an entry stamp in their passport proving that the visa was issued within 90 days; otherwise they will not be allowed reentry. Immigration authorities will not allow entry into Brazil without a valid visa. The U.S. Government cannot assist travelers who arrive in Brazil without proper documentation.
Travelers under 18 years of age and their parents should carefully review the visa application requirements for the consular post at which they are applying. The adjudicating official may require a birth certificate and notarized travel authorization.
Travelers are reminded that they are subject to local law. Showing contempt to a Brazilian government official at the port of entry, or elsewhere, is a serious offense. (Fines for such offenses are based on the offender’s claimed income.)

Additionally, travelers who have recently visited certain countries, including most other Latin American countries (check Brazilian Embassy website linked below), may be required to present an inoculation card indicating they had a yellow fever inoculation or they may not be allowed to board the plane or enter the country. Minors (under 18) traveling alone, with one parent or with a third party, must present written authorization by the absent parent(s) or legal guardian specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent, or with a third party. The authorization (in Portuguese) must be notarized and then authenticated by the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate.

Visit the web site of the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. for the most current visa information.

For current entry and customs requirements for Brazil, travelers may contact the Brazilian Embassy at 3009 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone 1-202-238-2828. Travelers may also contact the Brazilian consulates in Boston, Houston, Miami, New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. Addresses, phone numbers, web and e-mail addresses, and jurisdictions of these consulates may be found at the Brazilian Embassy web site.

U.S. citizens also possessing Brazilian nationality cannot be issued Brazilian visas and must obtain a Brazilian passport (from the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate nearest to their place of residence) to enter and depart Brazil. Airport officials will check for Brazilian visas upon arrival and departure. In addition to being subject to all Brazilian laws affecting U.S. citizens, dual nationals may also be subject to other laws that impose special obligations on Brazilian citizens.

Brazilian minors age 17 years and under, including minors who have both Brazilian and American citizenship, are subject to strict exit requirements. Brazilian minors departing Brazil, if not accompanied by both parents, must prove that both parents authorize the departure. If accompanied by only one parent, the minor must have a notarized letter from the other parent indicating permission to depart the country, a court order proving that the accompanying parent has sole custody, or a Brazilian court order authorizing the child’s departure. If accompanied by neither parent, the minor must have a notarized letter from the parents authorizing departure or a Brazilian court order authorizing the same.

There are no exceptions, even in cases where one parent expected the child to remain in Brazil only a short time. The authorization must be notarized by a Brazilian notary to be considered valid by the Brazilian authorities. In the U.S., this can be done at the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, DC or at any Brazilian consulate. Note that children adopted from Brazil are still considered Brazilian citizens and must be documented as such should they return to Brazil.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.

For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information Sheet.

Taking Good Care of our Friends here at CLF

Depending on the time that you have remaining before your cruise, you might consider a visa service. It does cost a bit more, but they take care of just about everything. Brazil is one of the harder visas to obtain. Visa service that I normally is Zierer Visa Service. They have a website, it is zvs.com . I hope this helps.

Some lines offer the visa for purchase - is this an option?

Originally Posted by cruiserlovr

I remember the mess back in January when the Mariner was sailing around the horn to LA and the number of people that didn't have the Brazilian visa and had to be left behind. I believe some had to stay behind for visas and then fly to catch the ship.

I remember that. Several people weren't allowed to board the ship in Florida. I told my hubby that if (when) we finally do the SA cruise, we'll have to get the visa.

I agree that a good TA would have told the clients about this requirement.