Visas and visa renewal...

Visa...
If you are from Australia, USA and Canada then you will need a tourist visa to enter Brasil which will be valid for 90 days from entry. Don't forget that some months have 1 extra day so it's best to count it as 90 days and not 3 months or when you go to reapply you might realise that you've already overstayed for a few days.

Process...

I'm not sure on the other countries but if you're like me and from Australia then you can apply for a visa at www.brazilsydney.org if you're from the NT, NSW, QLD and some islands. All other states have to apply through www.brazil.org.au.

It's quite easy and straight forward. You can download the appropriate application form from the website and fill it in. Then you send it to the embassy/consulate with a money mail/postal order from the post office and return envelope.

Make sure to do it at least a month or two before you leave. The process should only take 5 days BUT when I applied I waited almost a month before I double checked with them. They'd received the package but it hadn't been processed yet for some reason? So also make sure to keep tabs on them.

Once you get your visa approved you have 90 days to enter Brasil. Upon arrival in Brasil your 90 days starts.

Visa renewal...

For visa renewal you have to go to the international airport here in Brasil. Before I read that you could reapply for them through the Federal Police but they've changed that now apparently.

You will need your:

- Passport

- Departure card (you get this piece of paper upon arrival into the country)

- DPF Receipt from Banco do Brasil

You might need:

- Bank statement/Credit card (as proof of sufficient funds for your intended length of stay)

- Airline ticket

Make sure you keep your departure card otherwise it will cost you R$160 for a new one!

DPF form:

Also you have to fill out a form online at www.dpf.gov.br and print it out. You take the print out to a Banco do Brasil (they have one in the airport) and take the receipt with printout attached to the Federal Police.

Make sure:

- the Banco do Brasil has a Caixa (kai-sha) so you can pay the thing

- you select the right Unidade Arrecadadora and Código da Receita STN; otherwise you could end up having to pay another R$60+ for the correct one. Which is what I had to do!

The DPF form you'll have to fill out. Select: GRU -Funapol (emissão da guia para pessoas e entidades estrangeiras) from the main page.

The DPF receipt:

Transport to the aiport...

You can catch the Real Autobus from Zona Sul and Barra da Tijuca to the Airport and it costs only R$7, compared to a R$60+ cab fare which could be wayyy more depending on the traffic. And traffic here can get pretty bad.

The buses are airconditioned and have very comfy recliner seats. So even though the ride takes about 1hr+ from Barra da Tijuca you can do it in comfort and have a nap on the way and back.