Having a bit of a difficulty visualizing the process of acquiring visas.
My travel plans are loose and I'd like to keep them that way but don't want to end up in a dead-end. I plan on traversing South America starting in Mexico, through Central America. I plan to travel mostly by land. I understand that as an American citizen I would only need visas for Brazil and Uruguay. So, should I get these now: even though I don't know the dates I will be in these countries? Or should I wait to get them on the road? In that case do I just go to respective embassies in capital cities of any countries along the way. Some detail around this question would be highly appreciated.
So let's say I'm in Mexico City or Lima. I got to the Embassy of Brazil, leave my passport with them for processing come back in a few days (or weeks?). And it's simple as that? Or do I need to mail the passport? I know the answer will be depends but can you give me some best/worst case scenarios..
What about these requirements to have a return ticket that I keep hearing about? Can I just wing it? Or do I need to make a commitment prior to entering a country?
Thanks in advance!
Reply to this Hello Sabir 😊
I would let how easy or complicated getting the visa is and whether is starts at the date of issue or when you specify decide when you get the visas. Some will involve producing a bunch of paperwork and then a waiting period while it is processed. Others you can get at borders and airports, which are issued within a few minutes.
Check the websites for the consulates of the various countries to find out what you need for the different visas.
I know the answer will be depends but can you give me some best/worst case scenarios..
If it is the same for US citizens as it is for Canadian citizens, then Brazil will be a bad case for you. Complicated and expensive.
What about these requirements to have a return ticket that I keep hearing about? Can I just wing it? Or do I need to make a commitment prior to entering a country?
In my experience the immigration of countries rarely ask to see your exit ticket. The airlines often make a fuss about it, and about the visas. Sometimes they wont want to let you on the flight without showing exit ticket and visa(if you need to have the visa in advance).
Mel
Reply to this Getting visa involve producing a bunch of paperwork and then a waiting period while it is processed. It is a complicated task for getting visas for Brazil and Uruguay. Good Luck!!! It is not hassel free.
Reply to this Any special documentation that I need to carry with me? I understand there is a Yellow Fever vaccination proof but anything else I need to grab before leaving? Again, I don't want to be stuck at the border not being able to enter the country. Time is less of a priority.
Reply to this Take your vaccination card that the travel clinic give you with you. If you get any vaccinations while you are travelling the doctor can fill them in on that, so you have a record.
As far as I know you will be able to get a Yellow Fever vaccination at borders to Brazil and international airports in Brazil. But whether you need to have had it, depends on which countries you have recently been to.
Reply to this A friend I was travelling with just got his Brazil visa in Bogota... fairly straightforward process, some paperwork to do, a fee to pay and 6 days to wait! He was expecting to get it in two days max but for some reason the Brazilian visas seem to take longer than anyone elses! I guess just factor that time into your plans. I've nearly always just gotten my visas on the road, usually a country or two before the one that needs it, and I've never had a problem doing it that way so far.
Another guy a met was travelling on a one way ticket - he flew into Rio and got down to Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and then flew up to Colombia without a problem. He then bought another ticket to get from Bogota back to the UK so in theory it should be hassle free. I've not been asked by immigration to show my return ticket before (at least not in Asia, South America or Africa.... don't get me started on New Zealand immigration) and as Mell says, its usually more the airlines that make a fuss about it.
Reply to this 
