Showing posts with label consulate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label consulate. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A quick visit to the USDA



This morning I made a very quick trip up to Gainesville to get Sebastian the cat's health certificate endorsed by the USDA. All I had to do was present the health certificate (4 pages) completed by the veterinarian along with the detailed rabies shot certificate to the woman at the USDA office, along with a $36 payment, and in about 5 minutes I was out of the office with a receipt. From a quick look at the paperwork that was returned to me, the health certificate was signed and stamped with the raised symbol of the USDA. Sebastian is now really officially ready to travel to Brazil. 


Again, for anyone planning on taking their pet to Brazil, according to the Brazilian consulate's website (Miami), the pet owner traveling to Brazil with a dog or a cat needs to do the following -


International Health Certificate for Pets (dogs and cats only) issued by veterinarians must be certified by the USDA (US Department of Agriculture). The International Health Certificate must show that the pet identified was examined by a veterinarian in the ten days prior to shipment, not showing any clinical sign of disease

US Department of Agriculture
6300 NW 36th Ave, Miami, 33147
Phone: (305) 526-2926 - FAX: (305) 526-2929

If Gainesville is closer to you then Miami, here is the address for the USDA in that area -

USDA, APHIS Services
8100 NW 15th Place
Gainesville, FL 32606
Phone: (352) 313-3060
Fax: (352) 313-3063



Friday, June 17, 2011

ANOTHER visit to the Brazilian consulate and *Miami*


I know I have mentioned our multiple visits to the Brazilian consulate again and again and again because before today I think we took three trips there between December and May. Without these accomplishments, we wouldn't be bound for Brasilia so they were all necessary. Oh yeah, and and it would have been more if we hadn't mailed the application to renew E's passport (versus driving down and dropping it off and picking it up). That's too many. And guess what? We still had to come back (I'm still here) today. But this is it. No more. I promise.


The thing is that I get really nervous before and during our time at the consulate. I worry that I'm missing a document, that something will go wrong (on their end), that even worse, that we'll be told that the consulate won't be able to give us back whatever it is we went there to do and that we'll have to return the following day. We've never had time for that. I live more than three hours north of Miami and I had to miss work twice to go to the consulate. I can't return the next day. Plus, that's a lot of gas, waking up early, missing work, driving, money for food and tolls. It adds up.


Today's visit to the consulate was to have a document legalized. A document that will save us lots of money. E had to complete a form (except I always do everything because I know what needs to be done, and maybe I'm a bit controlling? But he doesn't mind that I take charge) stating that he's lived outside of Brazil for at least one year; this way he - well, we - won't have to pay taxes on his personal belongings when he returns to Brazil. Easy enough. The form is called declaracao de residencia no exterior and it's short and to the point. The Brazilian citizen just needs to write a few examples of the proof that they have of living outside the country and then will need to present these upon arrival. They don't need to be presented to the consulate. For instance, a phone bill (or any other utility bill), a lease agreement, stamp in their passport, and/or proof of paid taxes in the country of residence will prove that the Brazilian has not been in Brazil for at least a year - whether legally or not, it doesn't matter. I thought that the letters/receipts from Homeland Security that are regarding residency and citizenship would do, but the woman who helped us wasn't convinced so we came up with a list of four kinds of "proof" and that's what we'll show. Now we just need to print out the last 13 months of our phone bill since they're in E's name. We've sold our printer so it's not as easy as it sounds, but we'll figure it out. If our phone company mails them to us then they'll charge us $5 a copy. How sweet.


We dropped off our form and were able to pick it up about two hours later. All that needed to be done to the form was to be legalized by the Brazilian consulate. That meant a couple stamps and a sticker. Nothing really. But it still cost us $20. We were also going to "regulate" E's CPF (like the American SSN) and change my surname on mine, but we were told that it'd be faster to do it in Brazil (versus the 3-month wait time here). That was only $5 a piece so I figured it'd be quicker and cheaper to take care of it here, but I was mistaken. I also wanted to do that now so we don't have to take care of it later, but oh well. So we're done with the consulate. At least before we leave. But we're not done with paperwork forever. There is still a lot to do once we arrive in Brasilia, like register with the federal police, register at the America consulate, get E an American passport, make sure our CPFs are in order, get my "work card"...and that's all I can remember off the top of my head.


As we were finished at the consulate at 1:15 p.m., we decided to head to Miami Beach to relax on the warm sand, sunbathe (at least I did), and swim in the salty water. VERY nice. After about two hours there we were ready for dinner and revisited the local Bolivian restaurant for some delicious food. We had to buy a hair brush and wait in the world's longest line at CVS since we somehow forgot mine this morning, and then we drove to the hotel. 


It's been a long day, it'll be a long one tomorrow, and I have a king-sized bed for the night....so...
Boa noite,

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Guess where I'm going this weekend?

I swear that our "errands" at the Brazilian consulate are endless. So off we go again to Miami to take care of some (please-God-let-it-be-the-last-time-we-go-there) business.

I know, I know, it's not so shabby.
Plus, it's not like I'm working, right?

And then the following day we need to be in Hollywood, Florida so E can attend the open tryouts hosted by Bellator Fighting Championships. Wish him luck!
Hard Rock Hotel - Hollywood

The Bellator Cage

I love not having a job


Ooooh, not having a job is sweet. S.W.E.E.T. It's relaxing, stressfree, and just plain enjoyable. I have all kinds of free time. I can stay up late. Sleep in. Go swimming. Watch TV. Order take out. I love not working. Love it. 


Now before I get too carried away; I'm not technically unemployed. Well, I guess. I mean, I have "retired" from the Orange County Public Schools and have turned in my letter of resignation stating that I will not be returning for work in the fall (the 2011-12 school year). So they're not expecting me back. On a side note, I'm grateful that I still have insurance through the county until August. That is a relief. I also have a job waiting for me in Brazil so I do have a job, I just haven't started yet, so I do feel like I don't have a job. Fun. Fun. Fun.


Speaking of work, I just found out that I'll be teaching 9th, 11th, and 12th grade next school year. At first it can seem overwhelming to have three preps (different grade levels to all of the nonteachers out there), but what it does give me is a challenge. And I am always up for a challenge. Anyway, I won't have to teach as many periods per week as I have had to do in the U.S. so even with the extra preps, and various novels that I'll be teaching, I shouldn't have more work to do in Brazil than I've had here. I mean, isn't that the point of switching jobs? I also enjoy teaching older students so teaching upperclassmen is something that I've been interested in for awhile. I am appreciative of the opportunity to teach 11th and 12th graders. Oh yeah, and I get to teach To Kill a Mockingbird again. What a powerful book!


Ok, enough with the digression.


Now back to my summer vacation.....I'd say one of the best parts of not having to work is that I can sleep in. No more 5:45 a.m. alarm clocks. I'm also not as exhausted as I was previously this month (or last month) and my eye doesn't twitch from lack of sleep and stress like it did before. I can stay up at late as I want (oh Lord, I sound like a teenager). I can also spend quality time with friends, like I did today (hopefully pictures will be posted later on) and can travel without worrying about taking days off of working (or how many sick/personal days I have left) or having to get back to town in order to work. We don't need to drive back and forth to Miami in one day; we can stay down south and stay in a hotel near the beach (like we're doing this weekend) and relax. And of course, we can visit my family and friends in New York any day of the week, for as long as we want (within reason of course).


I also have free time to read. On my Kindle for sure. I finished a (not so interesting) book yesterday and then read My Horizontal Life by Chelsea Handler in fewer than 24 hours. It was a great book! I couldn't put it down. AND it was on sale for only $1.99. So even if it wasn't as good as I thought, it was still a fabulous deal. (The price has since gone up). I wouldn't have time to read a book, especially that quickly, if I were working. I'm now the (proud?) owner of the book (on the Kindle) Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert - it's the sequel to Eat Pray Love. You can't be surprised that I'd want to find out exactly what happens to the American woman and her Brazilian lover, correct?


All of this is funny to me because I used to have such a strong work ethic. I started work as soon as I could - at the age of 15. I worked nonstop unless I was abroad. I've worked two jobs, and probably three if I worked hard to remember. I've worked summers even though I was still getting paid by the public school. Then again, maybe I haven't changed that much because I'm taking books and resources with me just in case I decide to give private English language classes.


But for now, I'll gleefully enjoy my month long (or is it six-week? :) summer vacation, relaxing by the pool, hanging out with friends and family, and taking pictures of botanical gardens, Miami beaches, and Times Square in New York City.


Monday, June 13, 2011

What's on my mind?

As I have less than a month before my departure, I've been thinking about...

  • My crown breaking and although I had planned to have it fixed in Brazil (at a much cheaper price), looks like I may have to have at least a temporary crown put on by my dentist =(
  • Needing to sell textbooks from graduate school because I don't have room to take them
  • Glad I earned some money from selling my textbooks. Maybe I'll use it to pay the dentist.
  • How I have an excuse to go shopping =)
  • My new clothes
  • Sales at the malls and shopping centers
  • Donating clothes and household items to Goodwill
  • Packing four more suitcases 
  • What I'm going to do with my box full of books. Do I buy a duffle bag to put it in?
  • Laundry
  • Upcoming trip to Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. The consulate again? YES
  • Our imminent trip to New York state and seeing friends and family!
  • How I'll miss my friends in Orlando and where our goodbye should be because people keep asking me
  • Paying the rest of our bills, cancelling our utilities, cleaning up the apartment, and selling our bed and TV
  • How I'm glad I'm no longer working

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

My permanent residency visa is in my passport

I have been granted a permanent residency visa (which will become legal residency once I register with the federal police in the city where I'll be residing - Brasilia) and now have this visa stamped into my passport. As of yesterday.

We took the trip to Miami to pick up the visa since it had been almost a month since my request for residency was approved and my visa was sent to the States. We drove down to Ft. Lauderdale, I dropped E off at a gym to train, and then I headed to the consulate. The public can only pick up their visas between 3-4 p.m., regardless of the type of visa you're given. I arrived a bit after 2 p.m., but was seated inside the "visa room" in less than 30 minutes. Since I was one of the first to arrive, I had my visa in my hand (in my passport) only minutes after 3 p.m. and I was on my way....to pick up E, have dinner with one of my college roommates who lives in West Palm, and we were on our way home.

I have to say that it is a relief to have the visa stamped into my passport, and know that not only do I not have to ever pay for another tourist visa to Brazil again, but I have permission to live and work in the country. Yeah. Now we can travel back and forth between the U.S. and Brazil with little trouble (just have to keep our passports current).



As I said, the number of entries is not restricted. The duration of stay is indeterminate.

What I didn't expect was for the chamante (or petitioner) to have his name printed on the visa; I think that's interesting because it doesn't seem necessary. Then again, it is a "family reunion" visa. That is, a visa that was created to keep families together. So E's full name is printed at the bottome.

Along with my visa (and picture) stamped into my passport, I was given the original visa application form that I had filled out, along with the information that I completed when I made my request back in February. This also has my picture on it and all of my information - address, place of employment, my contact in Brazil, information about my trips to Brazil, etc. That was stapled into my passport because I'll need to present these two pages to the federal police when I register.

Now I'm ready (at least as far as my documents are concerned) to settle down in Brazil.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Paixão de Cristo


I just thought I'd put it out there that the Miami consulate is closed for holidays - even on days that you may not expect because YOU have to work. This I found out two days ago. We had planned to take a trip to Miami today to pick up my visa (finally), and after speaking with a friend, I had the idea to check out whether or not the consulate was open to business on Good Friday (Paixão de Cristo). And, it wasn't.

I'm glad I figured this out BEFORE I took off the day off from work to travel a few hours (there and back). I had to "reschedule" which was not a problem; I'm just nervously anxious to have the visa in my passport. I mean, the school can get my ticket once I have the visa. Once I have the plane ticket I can make arrangements for my cat as well as shipping my personal belongings.

So, here are the dates that the Consulate-General of Brazil in Miami are closed during the year (2011):


01/17/11                - Monday - Martin Luther King Jr.

02/21/11                 - Monday - Washington's Birthday

04/22/11                 - Friday - Good Friday

05/30/11                 - Monday - Memorial Day 

07/04/11                 - Monday - Independence Day 

09/05/11                 - Monday - Labor Day

09/07/11                 - Wednesday - Independence of Brazil

10/10/11                 - Monday - Columbus Day 

11/11/11                 - Friday - Veterans Day 

11/24 -25/11           - Thursday/Friday - Thanksgiving

12/26/11                 - Monday - Christmas

01/02/12                 - Monday - New Year



I hope that no one makes the mistake of "visiting" the consulate on a date or time that they are closed from business.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

U.S. Citizen Services - Brazil




As I prepare to move abroad, I've been searching for information that will be helpful to us as American citizens living in Brazil. E doesn't have an American passport yet, and although it'd probably be more convenient to get one before we leave, it's not necessary. The American embassy in Brazil explains on their website the process how to get a U.S. passport from the embassy/consulate closest to you. In our case, that'd be Brasilia. This actually makes me wonder if I'll have students whose parents are diplomats; I say it's highly likely.

The U.S. embassy's website also provides advice for Americans who plan to reside in (or travel to) Brazil. It is suggested that we register with the embassy once we arrive so that they know who we are and where we're living. This should facilitate the process of proving that we are American citizens should we ever need their assistance. In addition, if there is ever an emergency then they know who to contact and how to get a hold of us.

The following information was taken from the U.S. embassy's website (encouraging Americans to sign up with the embassy's/consular's Consular Section). The embassy does not provide information only about passports and registration, but there is an abundance of valuable information for expatriates, students, tourists, etc.

Travel Information

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

The U.S. Mission Brazil encourages all U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Brazil to sign up with the Embassy's or Consulate's Consular Section.
Signing-up with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate allows us to contact you in the event of an emergency or send you the latest information about living or visiting Brazil and other important notices, including Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts (where appropriate). Enrollment can be also useful to help verify U.S. citizenship after the loss or theft of a passport.
The information submitted is covered by privacy laws, accessed only by cleared personnel in Embassies, Consulates, and the department of State and no information submitted will be released without your express consent.
Signing up On-line
U.S. citizens around the world who travel or reside abroad can sign-up on-line at the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP) directly at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui.  We invite you to enroll yourself and your family and get acquainted with STEP. You only need to sign-up once.
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for American citizens allows you to sign up and update your contact information on the Internet at any time, making it easier for you to keep your information current.
Signing up in Person
Those citizens without Internet access may sign up directly with the Embassy or Consulate. Each post has consular jurisdiction over an area in Brazil. Please check the Contact Information and Working Hours to find out the appropriate address and working hours.
If you choose to come to enroll in person, please bring your U.S. passport (or other proof of your citizenship and identification document) and if possible one photograph of each member of your family. You should fill out and sign the enrollment form bellow, one per family, and bring to the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy/ Consulate.
The following form is a PDF file that can be viewed and printed using Adobe® Reader®. If you don't have this software in your computer, please download it free of charge by clicking the box at your right.  Sign up Form      
Am I required to sign up with STEP?
It’s not mandatory, but highly recommended.
For updated Consular Specific Information on Brazil, please access the link: 
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1072.html

Source: United States of America Embassy: United States Diplomatic Mission to Brazil

Thursday, March 31, 2011

I was approved!



A woman from the Brazilian consulate in Miami called me this afternoon, to my surprise, to notify me that my permanent visa has been approved and is back from Brasilia, ready for pick up. I know that I had just made a comment about how it'd only been a month since I applied and I was prepared to wait, but my visa is here - and it only took 37 days from when I dropped it off until it was ready for pick up. Record time, I'd say.

Even after all that mess I had to go through to even apply for the permanent visa, it all worked out quickly in the end. I can't say painlessly, but it was fast. It almost seems pointless that they would send my paperwork from Miami to Brasilia for it to come back so quickly. Why not just do it here? Had we been married for a year longer, it would have been approved here anyway.

Not only do I now feel a sense of relief (vs. having to worry that my visa won't be here before it's time to leave), I think that the school can now purchase our plane tickets. That's exciting! I was sure to send them an e-mail immediately so we can take the next step towards us moving to Brasilia.

All of this is perfect timing because E just passed his citizenship test and will have his naturalization oath ceremony tomorrow. Two of the obstacles in our ways to move to Brazil without a "legal headache" have been surpassed. Obviously E didn't need U.S. citizenship to move home, but it makes me feel better knowing that my husband has the same citizenship as me. I'm sure it's a relief to my mother, too, who expresssed concern years ago that she didn't want my husband to not be able to enter into the U.S. She has heard too many horror stories, so I knew that with U.S. citizenship, her mind should be at ease, as is ours. Plus, now we don't have to worry about him having to travel back and forth to the U.S. repeatedly just to maintain his residency AND citizenship is less expensive in the long run. 

We can now move to Brasilia knowing that I already have permission to live and work there while E will be able to easily travel back and forth between countries without a hassle. I guess he's got one up on me because I do not have Brazilian citizenship.

I know that my transition into Brazilian society will be smoother because I will enter the country as a resident (vs. a tourist). It should be easier for me to settle down, update/renew my CPF, open a bank account, and do anything else that any resident in any country will need to do. One of the best parts about having a permanent visa is that I won't need any more tourist visas. That'll save me money (especially since the school paid for my residency).

I also think, though maybe only on a superficial kind of way, that I will feel more like a Brazilian (-American) much like E must have once he obtained his residency in the U.S. It feels good to be "legal".

I just have to go to Miami (with my passport) to pick up my visa; but as I was told, there's no real rush. With that being said, E is able to get my visa for me (since he makes more trips to Miami than me) as long as he has my passport and the receipt. Just a tip for anyone going through the same process.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Four weeks and counting...



It's been 4 weeks since I applied for my permanent visa to Brazil. 28 days. I don't expect my visa to be ready, permission granted and mailed back from Brasilia to let the consulate know that I'm ready to have Brazilian residency, that'd be too fast. I'm just keeping track as I count the days since I've applied.

I did say it before that I'm not a very patient person, but I have so much to take care of before we leave, that it's not imperative that my visa be approved too quickly (it's not like I have extra personal days at work to take off to go to Miami).

Besides, I was told that the permanent visa can take 4 weeks to 6 months, so I'll just wait. In the meantime, I have plenty of work to keep me busy.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

What a freakin' headache!

.....AKA the Brazilian consulate of Miami.

I mentioned just the other day that I felt like something wasn't right with what the consulate was telling me vs what I was reading about the permanent visa. Turns out I was right. Big surprise. Big headache.

I felt nervous when I first arrived at the consulate today, but I always do since we have to drive all the way there and I want everything to go like it should so I don't feel like our trip was in vain. Unlike our last visit to the consulate though, there was a huge line for people wanting a visa (probably due to Carnaval), but we did eventually make it to the window to be waited on. That's when my fear was confirmed. I was told that I needed to fill out an application and have my husband complete an affidavit of support for me in order to get my permanent visa. I was told that everything that I believed about getting my visa was wrong. That made me nervous and pissed because I don't have time to take off of work and drive to Miami to be told that I'm missing a lot of paperwork. I stress out about these things and that's why I got mad.

Now that I look back on this morning I do realize that I probably overreacted a bit. But that's not the point. The issue is that the website AND the consulate's confusing e-mails were wrong. I had been told that we only needed to take a few documents to request the visa (the first step), and then complete the second step, listed on the consulate's website, once the authorization came back from Brazil. It's at that time, the second step, that we pay and complete the application. Of course this was wrong. I tried to tell the girl that, too, but she wouldn't have any of it. Of course the consulate's website was not wrong. Imagine that! And then the e-mails. No way. Ooooh, I was so mad. And of course you can't call. There is no way to contact the visa department by phone.

The thing is that I have to take off of work to drive to Miami to take care of this stuff and it stresses me out. I don't need some chic telling me something else, especially when I can tell that she doesn't know how to do her job right. And the affidavit? Not mentioned at all on the website. Now completing that form was a piece of cake, but that's not the point, is it?

In the end, what we had to do was complete the affidavit of support, which I filled out while E went downstairs to the ATM to get cash to pay for the visa + legalization fees. He signed it later. I then had to complete the visa application on the computer, print out my protocol number, AND get a passport picture taken. Luckily for me, a girl who was at the consulate to get her visa gave me a business card of a Brazilian company only 6 floors below us who'd take instant pictures.

This didn't take us too long to get, but I was still mad and then worried because it was almost noon and the visa department is only open 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. So we were rushing around to get everything done and even though we finished after noon, we were allowed to finish our process since we started at 10:30 a.m. But I didn't know that when the girl told me that all the information that I had was wrong and that I was missing a lot. I also didn't know that I could get my picture taken in that building and that the affidavit was easy to complete. I freaked out because she was telling me all that we needed to complete and I didn't imagine that we could get it all done that day.

Once we had everything completed and paid our visa fees, we handed in everything to a different woman (thank God). She seemed very competent and organized. She was polite, too. She went over all of our documents and was very thorough (and gawked in confusion at E's birth certificate, even showing it to her co-worker, since she'd never seen one like his before), she made copies, and then returned all of the originals to us. That didn't take anymore than 10 minutes, tops.

Finally, I was told that the permanent visa could take up to 6 months to be approved (which I was aware of), but once it is, the consulate will call me and I can pick it up. They have to collect all of the paperwork from us - copies of our passports, our marriage certificate, the marriage registration from the consulate, proof of my residency in Florida, E's passport, the application, the affidavit, and of course the money - and then send it to Brasilia to be approved (or denied). The weird thing is that if we had been married 14 months longer than we have been, my permanent visa would be approved in 5 business days right there at the consulate.  

Now all I can do is wait....and hope that it is approved in much less time (which I think it will be). I was told it can take a little as 4 weeks. Let's hope that's the case.

------------

On the bright side, I have successfully applied for my permanent visa and there is nothing else I need to do, legally, about moving to Brazil. In addition, since we're in Miami we decided to take a trip to the beach, relax, eat at a Bolivian restaurant, and now E is training at a jiu jitsu academy while I write and study. All in all, it was a worthwhile trip, even with the headache.

Biscayne Bay






Bolivian Food - Pique Macho

In Little Havanna


Friday, February 18, 2011

Passports, and Visas, and the Consulate...oh my!

I'm frustrated because I think I was given false information by the consulate. Before we registered our marriage back in December, I had sent the consulate a number of e-mails asking about marriage registration and the permanent visa. I wanted to know if my husband needed to renew his passport before I could apply for MY visa since he has to prove his nationality (even though he has his birth certificate?). I was told "YES". That is what I think was misleading/false information.

I've recently been over obsessing about my visa and the more I REread, again and again and again, the more I'm convinced that the people who respond to e-mails at the Miami consulate just don't know English well. Even the website doesn't explain well the steps to getting the permanent visa; it lists what we need but not how to go about doing it. On top of that, the consulate won't accept visa-related phone calls. You have to send e-mails (to people who have not quite mastered the English language).

All of this is confusing and a bit frustrating. So, after conversing back and forth with the consulate, via e-mail of course, I have come to the conclusion that I don't need to wait any longer to apply for the visa. And frankly, should not have waited this long. But, just in case they were right about needing to renew my husband's passport.....it came in the mail today....

Now we both have blue passports

I have decided then to take a trip to Miami this week to apply for my visa. I will take everything, and more, that they require and hope for the best. We have probably 4 1/2 months before we move so I don't want to wait any longer (although the visa shouldn't *crosses fingers* take that long). I'm also taking my husband along because I don't want any issues about applying on the basis of marriage and then not being with my husband when I apply in person (because you can't do it in the mail - go figure).

Apparently if you've been married for 5+ years to a Brazilian then you only need to wait 5 business days to get the permanent visa; otherwise they have to wait on authorization from Brazil. The person who responded to my last e-mail told me that and their English was the best. I'd read this on a forum recently as well so it was nice to hear it from the consulate.

Maybe I'm just overwhelmed with work and graduate school and years of the U.S. immigration process as my husband went through it all here. I know I'm nervous about doing everything right and making sure we follow the steps and all that this entails....I guess it's just taking it's toll on me. I'm tired and can't wait until this is over. On a good note, however, I must have done a stellar job when I sent off for my husband's new passport because it took less than 2 weeks to get it back.

I just hope that my visa process goes as smoothly. I only have so many personal days that I can use at work so I can't miss a day unless it's for something productive that cannot be done via the phone, the Internet, or through the mail.


Sunday, February 13, 2011

Permanent Visa for Brazil

UPDATED: The information provided here is to inform those persons interested in obtaining the permanent visa (permanent residency) to live in Brazil.

I will be applying for the visa based on my marriage to a Brazilian citizen, but I do have a job offer as well.

KEEP in mind that although most of the information provided here is correct, it is NOT written in a logical, clear way, nor does it explain what you will really need the day you go to the consulate to apply for the visa. It is also from Miami and answers may vary depending on which consulate you visit.


TO REQUEST THE AUTHORIZATION FOR A PERMANENT VISA THE APPLICANT MUST COME IN PERSON.

 This visa may be issued to: 
  • those who have previous authorization from the Ministry of External Relations, requested by the employer, presenting contract of work approved by the Ministry of Labor in Brazil;
     
  • Those who are professors, scientists, high level researchers who intend to work in public or private entities related to high studies, scientific and technological research. This visa is issued for those who intend to stay longer than 2 years. If you are not staying in Brazil for more than 2 years, you may qualify for a Temporary Visa V. Attention: Your Company must apply for your visa directly with the Ministry of Labor in Brazil. As soon as we receive the formal letter from Brazil, you will have to come in person to get your visa;
     
  • Those who have had Permanent residency in Brazil but stayed abroad for a period of 2 or more years uninterruptedly for the following reasons: complete studies of graduation or higher, professional training or research activities accredited by the Ministry of Science and Technology. You may submit your petition directly to the Consulate;

  • Those who are traveling to Brazil as investor, administrator or Director of a Company located in the Zona de Processamento de Exportação – ZPE. This visa must be requested by the Company directly with the Ministry of Labor in Brazil. As soon as we receive the formal letter from the Brazilian Government, you will have to come in person to get your visa;
     
  • Those who show proof of financial means to promote a direct investment in Brazil for an approximately amount of R$ 150.000,00 – Brazilian Reais. The exact amount is determined by the Ministry of Labor/National Immigration Council. The petition must be submitted by the Brazilian Company directly to the Ministry of Labor in Brazil;
     
  • Those who are retired persons whose pension (minimum of US $2,000.00 per month for the principal applicant and two dependants) can be regularly transferred to Brazil. In case of more than two dependants, it is mandatory to transfer to Brazil the extra amount of US$ 1,000.00 per person;
     
  • Those who are members of the clergy and belong to a religious order or congregation established in Brazil;
     
  • Those who are  relatives of a Brazilian citizen or alien permanent resident in Brazil;
     
  • Those who are married to a Brazilian citizen or a Permanent Resident;
     
  • Those who voluntarily intend to travel to Brazil to held position as director, manager or administrator of religious, social assistance or non governmental organizations. This visa may be issued for a period up to 5 years.

If the information above matches the purpose of your trip to Brazil, you may qualify for a Permanent Visa. Please continue for more information.

INTERNATIONAL VACCINATION
 Yellow fever vaccination is recommended if applicant intends to visit one of the following regions in Brazil: Acre, Amapá, Amazonas, Federal District, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins. 

PROCESSING TIME
             In person only: 5 business days after approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS 
          FIRST STEP: 
    1)      Proof of residence (income tax, utility bill, Driver’s License etc).  
    2)      Original passport; 
    3)      Certificate of birth.  
    4)      Certificate of marriage (if applicable).  
    5)     Police certificate of no criminal record issued within 90 days, for applicants over 16 years old.  
    6)      There will be Legalization fees which will be determined at the interview with the Consular Authority.  
    In case of petition based on family reunion, the Brazilian party or resident of Brazil must submit: 
    1)      “Carteira de Identidade”, passport or RNE if resident; 
    2)      Affidavit of financial support (available at the Consulate); 
    3)      Judicial authorization and proof of custody (in case of minor son or daughter of divorced parents) 
    Petition based on management of religious, social assistance or non governmental organizations must be submitted with: 
    1)      Letter of invitation from the Brazilian entity inviting applicant to perform volunteer work in the country; 
    2)      Letter from the entity specifying the place and condition of the volunteer work to be performed by the applicant; 
    3)      Letter from the Brazilian entity assuming responsibility for all maintenance expenses associated with applicant's stay in Brazil as well as his repatriation to his/her country of origin upon the termination of his work/mission in Brazil; 
    4)      Letter from the Brazilian entity assuming full responsibility for all expenses associated with applicant's medical treatment and/or hospitalization in Brazil;
    5)      Recent non-criminal record certificate issued by applicant’s local Police Department;
    6)      An official document from sponsoring entity in Brazil (such as statute, founding charter, etc.) as well as proof of the entity’s registration with the competent regulatory body (Conselho de Assistência Social Nacional, Estadual, do Distrito Federal ou Municipal); 
    7)      Proof that the inviting entity in Brazil is in business and functioning (CNPJ); 
    8)      Curriculum Vitae and others documents which proves applicant’s qualification for the position offered; 
    9)      Constitutive Act or Social Statute dully registered with the competent regulatory body; 
    10)  Prove of registration with the Conselho de Assistência Social, whenever possible, or certificate issued by the Ministry of Justice attesting that the entity qualifies as civil society organization for public service (Organização de Sociedade Civil de Interesse Público). 
    Petition based on retirement:
     1)      Certificate issued by official institution attesting to applicant's retirement;  
    2)      Documented proof issued by pension provider of monthly pension income of at least US $2,000.00. In case of a third dependent and over, an additional US $1,000.00 per dependent must be accounted for;  
    3)      Statement issued by an official organization certifying that pension funds can be transferred to Brazil on a monthly basis.
     SECOND STEP: 
    After authorization is received, applicant must present the following documentation: 
    1)      Original passport (valid for at least 6 (six) months prior to its expiration date). The passport must have at least 2 (two) blank visa pages; 
    2)      One recent individual passport photo, full-frontal, white background; 
    3)      One electronic visa application form - click here. Please, make sure to provide full information, even those supposedly not required. If you leave any field blank, we may request you to provide that information what could cause your application to be delayed or even refused. Glue your picture (DO NOT STAPLE IT!) and sign on the appropriate field.
FEE 
  • The fee has to be paid by US Postal Money Order OR receipt provided by the ATM machine located at the Consulate's main lobby. The ATM only accepts cash and charges US$ 1.00 for the service.
     
  • We do not accept cash, personal check or any other form of payment not listed above.
     

COUNTRY
IN PERSON ONLY
USA
US$ 340.00
All others
US$ 200.00

 Attention: The application must be submitted in person. The US$ 80.00 for legalization of the required documents is not included in the processing visa fee indicated above.

VISA INQUIRIES/INFORMATION
 Email: visa@brazilmiami.org
 We do not provide assistance by phone. 

ADDRESS
 Send your application to: 
                        CONSULATE-GENERAL OF BRAZIL
                        VISA DEPARTMENT
                        80 SW 8TH STREET, SUITE 2600
                        MIAMI – FL - 33130


Source: Consulate General of Brazil - Miami

Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Waiting Game

I don't like waiting because I'm a relatively impatient person, yet here I am playing the waiting game. I guess it's not the worst thing in the world, but it's no fun either.

I feel like I'm waiting for a lot right now. I'm waiting for the Brazilian consulate to send my husband's new passport so that I can apply for my permanent visa. In other words, I'm also waiting to apply for my visa.

I'm waiting to take my comprehensive exams at the university so that I can graduate. Then again, this is not a bad wait because I don't want to take them now. 

I'm waiting for this school year to come to an end. I don't mean because I dislike my job, but because school + work = exhaustion and so I'd be happy if the school year was in the end of February vs the beginning of June. This would also give me more time to focus just on packing and moving.

And more than anything, I'm waiting for July to come so I can move to Brazil and start off on my adventure.

My Ping in TotalPing.com