2006 General Reports

[Off Road]

Speaking of visas: How long is the turnaround time if you mail it in on average? I've got a flight in January and I'm hoping to avoid a crunch in time.

It depends on the consulate. Los Angeles does not accept direct mail in, but you can use an agency. Then I think it was like a week for my son's visa.

[RxHammer]

C,

I have always used TraVisa in San Fran, Ca. and they usually get it done in a week, 10 days at the most. Of course it all depends on the Brazilians and how much of a request load they are working on....

I always used FedEx for mailing....

Hope this helps,

Hammer

[Exec Talent]

What is the difference between the ISG and WSG? They appear to have the same format.

For the most part, posters here respect women. Many of us who regularly post here no longer post on WSG because of frequent disparaging comments made about women by a small group of posters. Based upon the moderator's failure to deal with this issue, it was assumed that he endorses or at least condones these posters attitude toward women.

[Cappadona]

Speaking of visas: How long is the turnaround time if you mail it in on average? I've got a flight in January and I'm hoping to avoid a crunch in time.

[The Watcher]

What is the difference between the ISG and WSG? They appear to have the same format.

[Monger 3]

90% Pay Raise for Brazil Congress

This is precisely why the developing world will not become the developed world anytime soon. Just when people think corruption and fiscal irresponsibility have turned a corner in places like Latin America, we read this and realize that when the global economic growth party is over in 2007-2008, people better hold on to their hats...if people think the US is in for a period of slower growth or recession...you aint seen nothin yet given what will happen in places like Brazil...especially with sh*t like this going on!

[Delecti]

I live in the U.S. and I got my Brazilian visa last month. Inside my passport there was inserted a typewritten note stating that the visa must be used within 90 days. This was the first I had seen or heard of this stipulation. Is this so? I am unsure if I can go that soon now and wonder how early things get too crazy with carnival as I'd just as soon avoid crowds.

Thanks

Yes, the 90 day entry requirement does exist. If you fail to enter Brazil within 90 days, your visa is void and you will have to reapply when you want to go. I have never heard of the 90 day period being extended. I'm surprised that you weren't aware of it. It is included in the application materials and you normally have to submit an airline ticket showing itinerary to get your visa.

As for Canrival, just stay away the 10 days before and a week after and it won't be that crazy.

Delecti

[Kenn]

90% Pay Raise for Brazil Congress
By Jonathan Wheatleyin São Paulo
Published: December 16 2006 02:00 | Last updated: December 16 2006 02:00


Members of Brazil's national congress have awarded themselves a 90.7 per cent pay rise, in a move that will undermine efforts to bring public spending under control.
In a closed meeting on Thursday evening, leaders of the lower house and senate agreed to increase their monthly wage from R$12,847 ($6,000) to R$24,500. The move is binding, requires no further vote in congress and will come into effect when legislators return from their year-end recess on February 1. Including expenses, staff salaries and extra payments, the minimum average monthly package for members of congress will rise to R$116,254.
The pay rise will be the last significant act of a legislature that has been marred by a series of corruption scandals involving senior ministers and close advisers to the president. One in five members of congress is under investigation by federal police or being prosecuted by the supreme court.
Brazil's president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has said the aim of his second four-year term, which begins on January 1, will be to "unlock" Brazil's economy and produce growth of at least 5 per cent a year - double the average over the past 15 years - although he recently said this would not be achievable in 2007.
Most economists say a prerequisite for growth will be to cut current expenditure - on pensions, salaries and other running costs of government - to release capital for investment in infrastructure and other drivers of growth.
Next week, ministers and union leaders are expected to agree an increase in the national monthly minimum wage from R$350 to about R$367, a nominal increase of 4.86 per cent, or about 1.7 per cent after inflation.
If state and municipal legislators follow the congressional pay rise as expected, the additional annual cost to taxpayers will be R$2bn.

[Member #4147]

I live in the U.S. and I got my Brazilian visa last month. Inside my passport there was inserted a typewritten note stating that the visa must be used within 90 days. This was the first I had seen or heard of this stipulation. Is this so? I am unsure if I can go that soon now and wonder how early things get too crazy with carnival as I'd just as soon avoid crowds.

Thanks

[Urcarioca]

You can definitely get a bank account in Brasil with only a tourist visa. If you go into any branch the likely response is that they will not open an account for you because the law prohibits this, but this is only part of the story and like most things in Brasil one can get around it.

Sure, if you plan to open a bank account with your US$ 100K to buy a real estate.

Try to do this with US$ 1000,00 in your Leblon branch.

I do agree that "really" wealthy people all around the world can easily turn out the brazilian law. Infelizmente eu não faço parte deles.

[Sprite13]

Bubba,
Would you mind sharing which branch of which bank in Leblon is it? I'd be interested in visiting that branch to get an account myself there!

Thanks.

[Bubba Boy]

You can definitely get a bank account in Brasil with only a tourist visa. If you go into any branch the likely response is that they will not open an account for you because the law prohibits this, but this is only part of the story and like most things in Brasil one can get around it.

A good friend of mine who deals with a lot of well off foreigners and actually had a manager of a local bank dismissed because she refused to open an account for a foriegner. She called the head office in Sampa and spoke at length to a very high up manager. She explained how a lot of her customers were buying million dollar plus apartments in Rio and had difficulties in getting the funds into Brasil to complete the purchases. The Sampa dude agreed with her that foreigners can actually open accounts. Now, she goes into her favourite branch in Leblom with the foreigner and opens accounts for them, they love the wealthy clients............

I haven't opened an account in Brasil because I don't need one, I use my credit/debit cards and this is sufficient for me.

[Urcarioca]

3. RNE card "registro national estrangeiros"-- foreigners regis. card, obtainable at the federal police in centro OR some banks will accept a permanent visa (resident) stamp in your passport.

You can't get a RNE without a regular work visa.

Banco Central do Brasil law is clear : no tourist can get a bank account in Brazil. Period.

Don't even think do the paperwork to open a bank account in Brazil before get a REGULAR visa in Brazil, and i mean NOTHING like a tourist visa.

Cheers,

U.

[Sperto]

Do you recall which Bank?

Banco do Brasil, the office at Praça Nossa Senhora da Paz in Ipanema.
I asked a friend yesterday about this matter. He said they changed the rules 2004, so now you´ll need a permanent visa. I got my CPF and was offered a bank account in March 2004, propably just before they changed the rules.

[Truant]

As I understand it after trying to open a bank account at 4 different banks, the things you need are:
1. CPF -- a must
2. proof of address, such as a light bill or telephone bill with your name and address on it, or even a lease in your name.
3. RNE card "registro national estrangeiros"-- foreigners regis. card, obtainable at the federal police in centro OR some banks will accept a permanent visa (resident) stamp in your passport.

the banks that accept the RNE in place of the permanent visa are Unibanco, HSBC, and Bradesco, I think. Bank of Brasil and Itau need the residency.

FWIW,

Truant

...some of the girls who open new accounts are pretty hot in these banks...