Brazilian Consulate of Miami

I was in and out in 15 minutes. The staff was friendly. Their official website lists very specifically everything that is required to apply for a tourist visa. If you can follow directions, it’s a pretty simple process.
FYI travel between June 1^st and September 18^th, 2016 will not require a visa.

Had a great experience at the new consulate, but I’ve had bad experiences before so I went PREPARED.
I was renewing my passport, so I took the day before to get everything I needed– copies, pictures, money order, envelopes. It’s very bureaucratic as many things in Brazil are.
Was greeted by a gentlemen who’s been working there forever, kind guy and has helped me out before.
They show numbers on the screen with the ticket you’re assigned and what area you need help in so you know how things are moving along. Didn’t even wait 10 minutes and I was called on the window.
Super kind lady. I had an issue as I was missing a document I needed to order with them and then apply for renewal and it could’ve been an issue but she found me in the system and worked it out.
Was in and out in less than 30. Super happy and pleased!

I went this morning to apply for a visa to visit Brazil. I read so many negative reviews about this place so I came expecting the worst which actually it turned out well.
We arrived at 9:55am and was given number 15. The embassy visa section only opens Mon-​Fri from 10am to noon. (though I heard they stopped accepting people at 1145am). Considering I came in few minutes before they open, it was already 11:30am when I finished. So be prepared to wait and they don’t take appointments!
If you’re given a number, they are going to process you regardless if its past noon. When I left at 11:30am, the room was packed so I can only imagine what time those people will be out of there. So please, come early before they even open! We were able to park on the street (metered) but spaces are limited. They do have valet parking available for a fee. Rest room is available next door (at the passport section) as well as copy machine for 25 cents a page. The embassy is located across from a Metrorail station if you’re coming from downtown or the airport.
I can’t stress this enough… Make sure you have everything ready or you will lose your place in line and must wait for your turn again and that is if they’re still giving out numbers. For example, make sure you bought your money order at a USPS location. They will not accept any other money order and definitely no personal check, no credit card and no cash! My visa costs $ 20 since I have Indonesian passport but I know if you have American passport it’s $ 160. Yikes! (reciprocity fee)
Follow the step by step instructions closely on their website. For examples: They need you to type up a letter addressed to the Consulate with reason why you want to visit Brazil including every details of your visit. (Where you’re staying, their info, flights and times info, what are you visiting, etc) and don’t forget to sign it. Bring the itinerary (flights and lodging info) with you. Also, bring bank statements or copy of paychecks for the past 3 months. A 2×2 passport photo with white background. Your passport must have 2 blank visa pages and valid for at least 6 months. I brought my greencard with me to show them and also made a copy of my passport for safekeeping.
If you read the instructions on website, you’ll see that you must upload the documents to their system called SCEDV in advance of your appointment. When I did mine, I uploaded my itinerary and then I clicked Print Receipt and given Application Number. You need to show this receipt at the embassy, with your passport photo glued on it. I was unable to upload the rest of the documents online for some reason and I mentioned this to the staff at the embassy. He said that’s fine as long as I have the original there with me. So even though you uploaded the documents online, make sure you bring the originals with you because they still need to see them.
In the end, I was given the option to leave a Self Addressed Stamped Return Express Mail (not priority) and they’ll mail the passport back when it’s ready. I told them I would pick it up in person and was given a pick-​up date 3 ½ weeks later. (Or 17 business days) So if you’re in a time-​crunch, make sure you apply for visa right at the 2-​months mark prior to your trip since they won’t accept anything more than 2 months. Oh yeah, pick-​up times are Monday-​Friday from 2pm-​3pm.
Ok, I read that people are complaining that the staff are rude. I noticed that their complaints are usually followed by admittance that they did something wrong. For example, the security guard won’t let me in because I showed up late. There was one instance where she arrived at 11:50 and still not allowed in. Well, considering I showed up there before 10 and left at 11:30, I see why they stop accepting people so that they can go home ontime lol. So yeah, come early!
The security guard though firm and sarcastic at times, he was actually nice and willing to answer few questions you may have. And the embassy staff who processed my application did not smile but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t nice. Actually, he was patience with me throughout while I asked him numerous questions about the visa process. I think he even cracked a smile in the end so no complaint there. Like another reviewer said, it’s all on how you present yourself. Try to be nice to everyone you meet because you don’t know what burden that person has at the moment.
Enjoy Brazil!

The staff was amazingly positive and kind. They have a ton of regulations to follow. From the security guard that greets you to the final pick up of your visa you will have a positive experience. As it has been shared previously, you MUST allow time to obtain your visa. 15 working days is the minimum. You don’t have to use the valet parking as there is limited metered parking around the area. But, I found a structure down the block. It’s covered and secure and $ 3.

Today I had the privilege of having to pick up an already processed Visa for my Girlfriend/​Secretary. Upon arriving in the brand new building, where the Brazilian Embassy is now locate I am greeted with apparently no parking except for a Valet. I was left with a tough choice of valeting my car, or parking several blocks away, and walking in Miami’s amazingly hot and humid environment. I decided on valeting my car and give Jean a recently migrated young man from Haiti the privilege of driving my brand new 2015 State of the art Volkswagen Tiguan (The Ultimate German driving machine). I then walked in the front door of the building and ask what floor was the Brazilian Consulate on, they inform me It wasn’t on any, and I must exit the building and walk along what seemed to be a ledge all the way to the side of the building to a secret door with some sort of hyroglifics written on it that I assume said Brazilian Consulate. Upon entering the doors I see what seems to be cattle sitting waiting to be slaughtered for meat. I was then greeted by the non-​English non-​Portuguese speaking officer that hands me a small piece of paper with a number on it, then informs me through hand gestures that I need to wait in line until I see my number is called on their flat screen TV (a 7inch Vizio they must have splurged on with all the passport and visa money they have have acquired throughout the years) to be called up to the Window. I then waited a short period of 53mins to be called up. After a short wait with the cattle. They finally called me up, I have to say they were so nice and help full at the Window, I felt as if I was checking into a Motel 6 to have sexual relations with a Woman of the night. After picking up my Girlfriend/Secretarie’s Visa, I walked passed the heard of people waiting to be called up. They just looked at me with envy, In a way one would look at another inmate with the same sentence time as you, but is being released early for good behavior. Upon leaving I felt a tightness I had in my chest and a shortness of breath instantly disappear, as the sun glazed of my head I thanked a higher power for this experienced as it was now over. I highly recommend people to go to the Brazilian Consulate, its a humbling experience.

Make sure you request your visa with lots of time before your trip… as they take their sweet time. They do not update the status page so don’t waste your time logging on and looking for your visa status as they probably won’t update it until hours before you pick up your visa. But at least once the date arrived for me to pick up my visa it was ready and I’m good for 10 years :) side note they are not the friendliest.