How to Apply for a Brazil Visa in Charlotte
Charlotte is the 23rd-most populous city in the United States and is the most populous city in the state of North Carolina. The Charlotte metropolitan area is a sixteen-county region that stretches into the state of South Carolina and includes the towns of Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville, Kannapolis, Indian Trail, Mooresville, Monroe, Salisbury, Matthews, Statesville, Rock Hill (SC), and Fort Mill (SC). Known as the Queen City, this metropolis of 2.6 million people has been one of the country’s fastest-growing cities the past two decades. Charlotte’s youthful population, low cost of living, and geographic location in America’s Sun Belt, have made it an attractive destination for companies relocating or expanding from other parts of the United States. Charlotte has also seen an influx of international investment from industrial companies seeking to establish manufacturing and distribution capabilities in the United States. While most of these firms come from Europe, there are now Brazilian companies making investments in the Charlotte area and the state of North Carolina. There are a few thousand Brazilian immigrants in the Charlotte area, and there are even a few Brazilian restaurants and bakeries where locals can try homemade style foods along with more elaborate churrasco restaurants.
Brazil is a huge country of 215 million people and a land area of 3,287,956 square miles, making it the largest country in South America. Brazil is one of the largest economies in the world and has a robust mining and agricultural sector, underpinned by its abundance of natural resources. Manufacturing is also an important part of Brazil’s economy, and the country is one of the world’s giants when it comes to producing automobiles, machinery, aircraft, chemicals, foods, and paper products. Although their tourism sector is not as well developed compared to other countries, Brazil has seen an increase in visitors from the United States ever since relaxing their visa policy in November 2017. Charlotte tourists love Brazilian culture and are attracted to the country’s free-spirited and fun-loving people. Brazil has many festivals such as Festa Junina, Bauernfest, Boi-Bumba, Festival de Cachaça, and the world-famous Carnival, which is known for its extravagant parades in cities like Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Recife. Sports are popular in Brazil and Americans travel to the country to enjoy international competitions in soccer, volleyball, mixed martial arts, dance, and motorsports. Many visitors from Charlotte are also traveling to the country to share their Protestant faith with the Brazilian people.
Obtaining a Brazil Visa from Charlotte
Visas for Brazil are issued by the Brazilian government in the United States. The government of Brazil is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C. along with nine consulates located in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Boston, Hartford, New York, Atlanta, and Miami. To apply for a Brazil visa from Charlotte, you will fill out the visa application and bring your original passport and supporting documents (by appointment only) to the embassy’s consular section in Washington, D.C. (their office is located in Washington, D.C.’s Embassy Row neighborhood). Here is their address:
Consulate General of Brazil
1030 15th Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Brazil consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate. Here is the link to the consulate website with detailed information: Consulate General of Brazil in Washington (itamaraty.gov.br)
You should include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope (please make note of the tracking number) so the consulate can return your passport and visa to your home or office.
The government fee for the visa varies depending on the applicant’s country of origin and type of visa required. Please review the visa fees using the same link above. The consulate only accepts payment by money order from the United States Postal Service and does not accept cash, cards and non-USPS money orders (it is not possible to buy money orders at the consulate—they must be purchased from the post office).
If you cannot appear in person at the consulate to submit your visa application, please contact our company and we can submit your documents to the consulate as a third-party agency.
Other things to consider:
- Citizens of the United States no longer require a visa if traveling to Brazil for tourism or business purposes and can stay in the country for 90 days. The stay in Brazil can be extended for an additional 90 days at any federal police station.
- If you are a U.S. citizen and are traveling to Brazil for work (i.e., you will be getting paid in Brazil or providing technical assistance) or for any purpose other than tourism or business, you must obtain the appropriate visa before starting your journey.
- When completing the visa application form online, please make sure to upload all the necessary supporting documents and write your signature inside the rectangular box after printing out the application receipt.
- Applicants under the age of 18 must provide a consent form that will be signed by both parents and notarized. They will also provide a copy of both parents’ IDs, their birth certificate, and the affidavit of support form. Both the consent form and affidavit of support form can be found on the Brazil consulate website provided above.
- It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies. We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.
Emergency Assistance for Brazil Citizens in Charlotte
If you are a citizen of Brazil living in the Charlotte area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the consular section of the embassy in Washington, D.C. by calling 202-461-3000. If you need to renew your Brazil passport, you can appear in person at their office (by appointment only) or renew by mail following the instructions on this link: Consulate General of Brazil in Washington (itamaraty.gov.br). Here is the link for the full list of contact information, including various email addresses: Consulate General of Brazil in Washington (itamaraty.gov.br)
We Can Help if You Need Assistance
If you live in the Charlotte area or anywhere in the state of North Carolina and have difficulty applying for a Brazil visa, or require assistance with this process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company. We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Brazil visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Brazilian government. Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans.
We provide the following Brazil visa services for our customers:
- Brazil Tourist Visa (VIVIS)
- Brazil Business Visa (VIVIS)
- Brazil Temporary Work Visa (VITEM V)
- Brazil Permanent (Retirement) Visa (VIPER)
- Brazil Diplomatic and Official Visa
- Brazil Study (Student) Visa
- Brazil Religious Activity Visa
- Brazil Volunteering Visa
- Brazil Family Reunification Visa
- Brazil Artistic or Sports Activities Visa
- Brazil Hotel Accommodations