General Info

[Dcrist0527]

You really think a multi-billion dollar cartel is worried about the $2000 on your bank statement? Man please. If you are that worried then it only takes 5 minutes to open a bank account online and deposit $2,000. You can close it right after they give you a visa. You are making something out of nothing.

With all due respect, you've missed the point. It's not the $2,000 that is the issue. It's the information. Do you have any idea how much an identity is worth to an organized crime network? I do. I know how it works because I see it it every single day in my job.

But that's only one of the risks. Some tourists will turn over their normal bank statements, with far more than $2,000. You don't think that elevates their risk? Extortion happens every day. Now arm the bad guys with your net worth? Yeah, no risk there. Smh.

Clearly, you doubt the risk or think I'm full of shit. Either way, I respect your opinion. I don't have a dog in that fight.

[Dcrist0527]

It seems he has never been through immigration. They simply look at your passport, ask how long you are staying, then stamp your passport and write how many days you are allowed and on to the next person. They are not analyzing documents and asking you for all kind of other proof of whatever. I think they are actually contractors now. They are definitely not the federal police how they used to be. How the hell are they going to send in a request that they need to see the person's bank statement, visa application, or small pictures they had to submit before they stamp the passport. Ridiculous. Can you imagine how long the lines would be? They are not the top scammers that he is suspecting them to be. Definitely overthinking it.

I hesitate to respond to this because, Mr E, I think you add value in many ways to this board. But if you think that you don't have a profile built up in a database that is at the fingertips of the person stamping your passport, then I feel safe in saying that I am not the ridiculous one here. Maybe it's not me that's never been through immigration. I suppose they scan your passport for shits and giggles while they play solitare on their 1985 Macintosh?

[Dcrist0527]

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of which its embassies and consulates are a part, is and will remain responsible for the visa process. You really should educate yourself on how things work before declaring that one's security will be unduly put at risk because of the announced requirements to get a Brazilian e-visa. You proclaim the danger without even understanding the machinations of the process! Best for you to just go somewhere else since your repeated warnings aren't making any inroads here with seasoned world travelers who have had to manage visa requirements for various countries many, many, many times before. I do believe you protest too much.

First, my intent is not to "make inroads" with anyone. Certainly not with people who cannot accept facts. I don't care if the immigration officer reports to Lula himself. The risk is the same. You have government employees earning pennies a day that are susceptible to being bought out. That's not a slam on Brazil; it happens all over the world. So then it comes down to what are you comfortable handing over and putting at risk. As I've said many times now, I don't fault anyone for doing it. I do fault people who think that handing over very personal information comes with no risk. That's just foolish.

Cute how you lump all visa processes in the same bucket. They aren't. But "seasoned world travelers" would already know that. (For what it's worth, I would put good money that I have had many more international trips over the last 10 years than you. I really don't care but your sad excuse for a backhand failed.) Your problem is a common issue on this board and others. Too many posters think their experience, their preferences, their issues, etc. Are the only experience. Whether it's physical appearance, desired services, where to find girls, or risk profiles, we all have different experiences. THAT was my intent. To let people know of the risk. I'm not going to go into my personal job but this is a topic I know very well. My intent is to highlight the risk and let others decide what they are comfortable with. To claim to know it all. Well, I'll leave that to the blowhards.

[Nounce]

...That said, I'm not convinced this is a net positive revenue decision....

I think the motivation is not money.

[Fewdie]

That is way too early to be buying flight tickets and reserving hotels.

. Unfortunately, I paid for my flight and hotel 6 months ago, so I don't think I can get a refund. .

[Fewdie]

All of us combined won't make a dent in their economy.

I agree with all of your points. And you're correct, the Visa would already be approved. With my data at a minimum stored somewhere, and likely a click away from thousands of government officials.

Yes, I'm overthinking this. And talking about it far more than I want. LOL But this type of theft happens in the US. CBP officials have been bought off by cartels. US bank employees have been bought off by cartels and other organized crime syndicates. So no, I do not believe Brazil officials are less susceptible. As I said earlier, your personal information is far more valuable to the criminals than an iPhone. So be it data security or extortion, I don't see it as far fetched. I don't fault anyone for taking that risk. In a perverted way, there is safety in numbers. The more bank statements, the less chance your number is chosen.

As for why they do it, you are correct. Their land, their rules. I do think Colombia has a slightly better political relationship with the US. But, yes, both leaders are unabashed communists with similar interests. But I do not complain about the visa requirement. It's simply the bank statement. That said, I'm not convinced this is a net positive revenue decision. I've canceled my plans to visit Brazil in a couple months. I am not even a drop in the bucket. But I'd have probably infused $3,000+ into the economy, between lodging, food, drinks and chicas. (Yes, chicas count. LOL) That's a $2,900 loss. That means Lula needs 36 visas to make up for one cancellation. Who knows; maybe the cancellations will be minimal I suspect not, but that's little more than speculation on my part. But my point is that this isn't necessarily the revenue boost to the economy some think it is. It's really just a pissing match between Brazil and the US.

[Mr Enternational]

With my data at a minimum stored somewhere, and likely a click away from thousands of government officials. Yes, I'm overthinking this. And talking about it far more than I want. LOL But this type of theft happens in the US. CBP officials have been bought off by cartels. US bank employees have been bought off by cartels and other organized crime syndicates. So no, I do not believe Brazil officials are less susceptible. But I'd have probably infused $3,000+ into the economy,

You really think a multi-billion dollar cartel is worried about the $2000 on your bank statement? Man please. If you are that worried then it only takes 5 minutes to open a bank account online and deposit $2,000. You can close it right after they give you a visa. You are making something out of nothing.

[Mr Enternational]

I think you overthink it in this case. They already approved your visa, why would they need this outdated bank statement.

It seems he has never been through immigration. They simply look at your passport, ask how long you are staying, then stamp your passport and write how many days you are allowed and on to the next person. They are not analyzing documents and asking you for all kind of other proof of whatever. I think they are actually contractors now. They are definitely not the federal police how they used to be. How the hell are they going to send in a request that they need to see the person's bank statement, visa application, or small pictures they had to submit before they stamp the passport. Ridiculous. Can you imagine how long the lines would be? They are not the top scammers that he is suspecting them to be. Definitely overthinking it.

[HumpyDumpty11]

Thanks for sharing. Highlights many of my concerns.

The lunacy of it all: what does Brazil gain by validating $2,000 "for travel"? There's no legitimate assurance they receive. Having $2,000 in an account at a point in time? Wtf does that mean? LOL The whole visa requirement is punitive. That's not to say it's not deserved retribution! But making me pay to jump through hoops and assuming the risk of someone making $200 USD a month being bribed is "far fetched"? No thanks.

Everyone is only focusing on the $2000 bank statement. But according the Brazilian visa office there are 2 other options that no one is talking about. Here is the document requirement from off the site:

"Printed bank statement showing transactions for the last 30 days and showing balance of US $ 2,000.00 or proof of income or credit card statement".

So you can use proof of income (not sure how that would like) or a credit card statement. I just don't know things, like for the proof of income, what is that? A letter I right that says how much I make? A tax form? Letter from my boss? Then there's the how much do I need to make in order to get the visa? With the CC, it's how much is needed on the CC in order to get the visa? What if I don't take that CC to Brazil with me?

[Dcrist0527]

I think you overthink it in this case. They already approved your visa, why would they need this outdated bank statement.

The new president in Colombia is doing the same thing. The presidents of both countries have the same political leaning. They don't need any reason to do what they want to do. If they are in the same position as US, they would behave the same. US citizens are already lucky when compared to some other countries. The requirements for some other countries are even more stringent that one has to provide employment and must apply in person.

I agree with all of your points. And you're correct, the Visa would already be approved. With my data at a minimum stored somewhere, and likely a click away from thousands of government officials.

Yes, I'm overthinking this. And talking about it far more than I want. LOL But this type of theft happens in the US. CBP officials have been bought off by cartels. US bank employees have been bought off by cartels and other organized crime syndicates. So no, I do not believe Brazil officials are less susceptible. As I said earlier, your personal information is far more valuable to the criminals than an iPhone. So be it data security or extortion, I don't see it as far fetched. I don't fault anyone for taking that risk. In a perverted way, there is safety in numbers. The more bank statements, the less chance your number is chosen.

As for why they do it, you are correct. Their land, their rules. I do think Colombia has a slightly better political relationship with the US. But, yes, both leaders are unabashed communists with similar interests. But I do not complain about the visa requirement. It's simply the bank statement. That said, I'm not convinced this is a net positive revenue decision. I've canceled my plans to visit Brazil in a couple months. I am not even a drop in the bucket. But I'd have probably infused $3,000+ into the economy, between lodging, food, drinks and chicas. (Yes, chicas count. LOL) That's a $2,900 loss. That means Lula needs 36 visas to make up for one cancellation. Who knows; maybe the cancellations will be minimal I suspect not, but that's little more than speculation on my part. But my point is that this isn't necessarily the revenue boost to the economy some think it is. It's really just a pissing match between Brazil and the US.

[Nounce]

...Do you really believe that those documents would not be available to the immigration officer that actually admits you into Brazil? It would be even more ludicrous if they didn't have access to it. ....

I think you overthink it in this case. They already approved your visa, why would they need this outdated bank statement.

The new president in Colombia is doing the same thing. The presidents of both countries have the same political leaning. They don't need any reason to do what they want to do. If they are in the same position as US, they would behave the same. US citizens are already lucky when compared to some other countries. The requirements for some other countries are even more stringent that one has to provide employment and must apply in person.

[Hargow20]

Photoacompantes fakes?

I am thinking of visiting Brazil and was wondering how big of a problem fakes are on Photocompantes?

[The Cane]

What? The embassy? Which embassy? It's electronic. It goes to some Brazilian bureacracy. I dare say the Brazillian embassy in Miami or New York is not involved.

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of which its embassies and consulates are a part, is and will remain responsible for the visa process. You really should educate yourself on how things work before declaring that one's security will be unduly put at risk because of the announced requirements to get a Brazilian e-visa. You proclaim the danger without even understanding the machinations of the process! Best for you to just go somewhere else since your repeated warnings aren't making any inroads here with seasoned world travelers who have had to manage visa requirements for various countries many, many, many times before. I do believe you protest too much.

[Sperto]

I, like many others, sadly, will take our money elsewhere. So if that helps reset a market, good for the mongers.

Nobody is forcing you to go to Brazil. Embratur won't miss you. Less gringos is always good news from a mongers point of view.

[Vagabundo1]

Can You redact / black out your account number and other sensitive data?

I don't have a problem with Brazil using the visa as a money grab, but the fact I need to send them my bank info too because they think Americans are going there to become homeless is laughable. Homeless people get everything in America, first class healthcare in the ER, food stamps, food banks. I've been to Brazil so many times and only see Brazilian homeless, not American homeless. Unfortunately, I paid for my flight and hotel 6 months ago, so I don't think I can get a refund. Bottom line is this government proves time and time again how incompetent and dumb they are and always will be. Brazilians have to have a visa to come here because they are known for overstaying their visa like the Philippines. I guarantee they will see a drop in tourism with this and eventually get rid of some of these requirements.