General Info

[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 They already approved your visa, why would they need this outdated bank statement.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 They already approved your visa, why would they need this outdated bank statement.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.

[Nounce]

Something strange happened with GOL. I was able to buy a ticket using my US credit card the first time I tried. I had problems in the past like the price kept going up while I was filling out form or some other issues that I forgot now.

I got a price for Brazil Airpass. Brazil Airpass maybe cheaper if you buy flight for next week but it's not cheaper if you buy your own domestic flights several weeks before.

[Dcrist0527]

I really find the level of paranoia around this to be astounding. Go to Thailand then people. All you were going to do is contribute to "price creep" anyway.

I truly hope you are right. But consider that petty crime is a constant in Brazil and other countries. They'll steal an iPhone and get $50. But yet we should blindly trust that our information, worth far more than $50, well, that's untouchable. As I said, I hope you are right.

[Dcrist0527]

It is the embassy or consulate, not immigration. They are forcing nobody to go, but I am sure they appreciate the grand announcements of why individuals are choosing not to. I am sure the country will miss those individuals.

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.

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. The truth is neither you nor I know how many hands those documents will pass through. To think it goes into some data fort knox in an embassy somewhere is just naive.

I mean no offense to you. And I'm done with this issue. I, like many others, sadly, will take our money elsewhere. So if that helps reset a market, good for the mongers. Nor do I blame anyone for getting the visa. My intent was just to call attention to the risk. If someone doesn't believe there is a risk here, they are just uninformed.

[Dcrist0527]

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.

Exactly! Why do they need to see $2,000? What purpose does it serve? Most people traveling from the US exceed that in airfare and lodging alone. A return flight confirmation makes perfect sense. But there is no real need for bank statements.

[Mr Enternational]

Here is a great article on different Brazilian scams.

https://oliveiralawyers.com/services...g-scam-brazil/

They wrote all that to say that? I could have said it in one line. Keep your money in your pocket and you will not be scammed.

[Dcrist0527]

https://www.travelersunited.org/a-ca...theft-problem/

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.

[The Cane]

https://www.travelersunited.org/a-ca...theft-problem/

I really find the level of paranoia around this to be astounding. Go to Thailand then people. All you were going to do is contribute to "price creep" anyway.