Phone Number: |
U.S. Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro
Phone: +55 (21) 3823-2000 during Consulate's working hours (8am to 5pm)
Phone: +55 (21) 3823-2029 only call this number after working hours
Fax: +55 (21) 3823-2003
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E-Mail: |
E-mail: acsrio@state.gov
For questions regarding immigrant visa issues, e-mail: immigrationrio@state.gov
TIP: You may have better luck if you put your emails in Portuguese as sometimes the people checking the email seem to not be fluent in English.
For a comprehensive list of numbers and emails, go to: http://brazil.usembassy.gov/contact.html |
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Address: |
U.S. Consulate General Rio de Janeiro
Av. Presidente Wilson, 147 - Castelo
20030-020 - Rio de Janeiro, RJ
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Working Hours: |
Immigrant Visa Services
Hours: 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
Open to the public: 1:00 - 3:00 pm (Mondays and Fridays*)
Phone calls: 2:00 - 3:00 pm (Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays)
U.S. Citizen and Notary Services
Open to the public: 8:30 - 11:00am; 1:00 - 3:00 pm (Monday through Friday*)
* except for Brazilian and American holidays |
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Best Contact Method: |
For a comprehensive list of numbers and emails, go to: http://brazil.usembassy.gov/contact.html
phone: You'll be on hold for quite sometime. Best time to call is right after 1:30pm.
e-mail: They generally reply to e-mails within about 2 days. The immigration phone number doesn't work anymore.
If e-mail is written in English, they may reply in Portuguese. [added by nothel] |
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Approx Waiting Time for Interview After Consulate Recieves
NVC Package: |
50 + days |
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Issues Packet 3? |
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Packet 3 Contains: |
Rio does NOT send packet 3 anymore.
They will send you a letter containing the date of your interview and the list of documents you should bring the day of the interview. You can also check this list on their website.
If you do not receive a letter after one month of your NOA2 approval, send an e-mail to the consulate inquiring about your interview date.
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Issues Packet 4? |
Yes |
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Packet 4 Contents (if known): |
You should bring your packet 4 of documents to the Consulate in Rio on the day of the interview.
You can find all of the forms and instructions for every type of visa in this page:
http://brazil.usembassy.gov/ins-forms.html (english)
http://portuguese.brazil.usembassy.gov/pt/package.html (portuguese)
Instructions for Immigrant visas (including CR-1 / IR-1):
http://brazil.usembassy.gov/immigrant-visas.html (English)
Full set of instructions for NVC and Consulate:
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/brazil/571285/iv/NEW%20Instr%20Aplic%20IV-Ing.pdf (English)
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Instructions for Immigrant Visa (IV):
Applicants must bring all original documents to the interview, even where those documents were already sent to USCIS with the petition. There are no exceptions.
1. Valid passport (at least eight months validity remaining);
2. Birth certificate (even for married, divorced or widowed applicants) with a simple copy. For applicants born in Korea or Taiwan, a "Family Register" followed with an official translation into English is requested with a simple copy;
3. Marriage Certificate (if applicable) with a simple copy;
4. Divorce Decree (if applicable) with a simple copy;
5. Death Certificate from previous spouses (if applicable) with a simple copy;
6. Military Certificate with a simple copy;
7. Police Certificate(s) - In Brazil you need two: from the Federal Police and the State Police (Secretaria de Segurança Pública) with a simple copy;
8. Affidavit of Support (Form I‐864 or I‐134) or Job letter (whichever is applicable) including supporting documents. (If the Affidavit has not been previously sent to NVC along with the petitioner's last federal tax forms);
9. Sealed envelope of Medical Examination Report;
10. Two frontal photographs showing both ears (5 X 5cm or 5 X 7cm);
11. The barcode page of the online DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application. You should fill out the form completely and carefully at CEAC and print out only the barcode page. Before starting filling out the DS-260, enter the Invoice ID Number provided to you by the NVC. The information is located in the NVC instructions you received. If, for any reason you don’t have your Invoice ID Number, you should contact NVC (National Visa Center) at nvcinquiry@state.gov.
If your case was not handled by the NVC (because the petition was filed at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas), you will not have an NVC Invoice ID number. Enter the principal applicant’s date of birth in YYYYMMDD format instead.
12. Complete Court Records, judicial situation, including processes in Brazil and in the U.S. (if applicable) with a simple copy;
13. USCIS/DHS processes/records (e.g. deportation proceedings, voluntarily removal, change of visa category processes, petitions or hearings before immigration judges, etc.) with a simple copy;
14. Proof of scholarship (DV visas only) with a simple copy.
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Instructions for the K-1 visa:
http://brazil.usembassy.gov/interview/forms-for-fiancee-visas.html (english)
http://portuguese.brazil.usembassy.gov/pt/fiancee2.html (portuguese)
PDF document with detailed information for the K-1 visa:
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/brazil/571295/pdfs/Inst%20_amp_%20Interv%20letter%20Fiancee%20K1K2-%20Eng%20Oct13.pdf (english)
http://photos.state.gov/libraries/brazil/571295/pdfs/Instr%20_amp_%20Carta%20Entrev%20Noiva%20K1K2-%20Port%20Oct13.pdf (portuguese)
List of documents for the K-1 Fiance(e) Visa:
1. Two frontal photograph showing both ears (5 X 5cm or 5 X 7cm);
2. Valid passport (at least eight months validity remaining);
3. Visa fee that should be paid at the Consulate's cashier on the day of the visa interview;
4. Form DS-160 filled online. Please print and bring only the barcode confirmation page;
5. Application for Immigrant Visa‐form DS 230‐I (only first page should be completed and signed);
6. Sworn statement (for fiancées only);
7. Birth Certificate (even if previously married);
8. Termination of previous marriages (if applicable) with a simple copy;
9. Police Certificate(s) - In Brazil you need two: from the Federal Police and the State Police (Secretaria de Segurança Pública) with a simple copy;
10. Financial Support - E.g.: Affidavit of Support (I‐134 Form) including supporting documents. (see form instructions for attachments);
11. Sealed envelope of Medical Examination Report;
12. Complete Court Records, judicial situation, including processes in Brazil and in the U.S. (if applicable) with a simple copy;
13. USCIS/DHS processes/records (e.g. deportation proceedings, voluntarily removal, change of visa category processes, petitions or hearings before immigration judges, asylum papers, etc.) with a simple copy.
UPDATED 10/2014 |
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Forms to Consulate? |
NONE |
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Other Forms (if any)? |
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Direct Consular Filing Offered? |
No |
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If DCF Allowed: For all or only US citizen lawfully resident in country?
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Residents_Only |
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Can fiance(e)/spouse attend interview? |
Yes |
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Visa fee payment "same day" or "in advance"? |
Same_Day |
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Did embassy schedule interview or could you walk-in? |
Embassy Scheduled |
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Visa issued same day? |
No |
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If not what's the waiting period? |
1-7 days. The service used is Correios Sedex. You can choose Sedex or Sedex 10. Sedex 10 insures that you will receive before 10AM the day after the Consulate issues it to Correios. After you approval, you will go to the Correios office next to the consulate and pay your fee. The cost of Sedex 10 was 57 Real in December of 2012. Correios will provide a tracking number that allows you to track your package on their website. |
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Is the Medical exam same day as interview? |
Prior to Interview |
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Cost of Medical Exam? |
October 2014 update:
Dr Aurelio Garrido (Rio)
Appointment: R$432
Sedex: R$38
AR: R$10
Motoboy: R$10
TOTAL: R$ 490,00 (plus Xray, R$120, and blood test, R$58)
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US$150 - this is an estimate that includes JUST the medical appointment itself.
There is an additional cost for blood tests and x-rays. These vary a great deal according to the city/state the beneficiary attends the appointment.
Check with your doctor if you can use your health insurance plan for the the exams.
Prices for Dr. Joao Jorge Leite (Sao Paulo) AUG 2013:
Appointment: USD 150 (it can be payed in Brazilian currency money with the exchanged currency for the day), R$ 30,00 for X-ray and Blood test, and R$ 30,00 for the mail (SEDEX 10) for to US Consulate at Rio.
Prices for Dr. Joaquim Durate Silva as of July 2011:
Appointment: R$220.00
X-Ray: R$20.00
Vaccines:
- MMR: R$70.00
- Varicella: R$150.00
Gynecological exam (at other office): R$60.00
Blood Test: R$27,83 - Laboratório Lâmina
Price of Dr. Celso Rodrigues Fava, Sao Paulo (April 2011): 350 reais total for entire exam. The testing takes place right across the street from the main office and then the exam/questions in his office. Exams are scheduled for the afternoon only. |
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List of doctors? |
MEDICAL EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS:
This list of doctors may be out-dated, for up-to-date list of doctors, visit the Rio Consulate website and go click on List of Doctors or try to copy and paste the following link in your address bar:
http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/index.php?action=materia&id=2415&submenu=rio.php&itemmenu=58
In order to be eligible for an immigrant visa, you and your accompanying relatives included in the process must undergo a medical examination. It is necessary to conduct blood tests, a chest x-ray, vaccinations and a physical exam (including basic gynecological and breast examination).
The applicants must present their passport to the doctor and to the lab as proof of identity. If the passport is not available, the Brazilian ID or the equivalent for non-Brazilian citizens can be used.
Applicants should present 10 (ten) 3x4cm pictures to the doctor at the moment of the clinical examination and inform the case number. Please bring your appointment letter to the medical examination, if available.
The doctor's fee is paid directly by the applicant. It cannot exceed the amount listed in our schedule of fees. Laboratory fees are also paid by the applicant.
The medical examination is generally valid for 6 (six) months. In some cases the validity is only 3 (three) months. This generally occurs when the applicant has some specific medical issue.
Note: Medical Examination Confidentiality Statement
See below the certified doctors' addresses, listed by city:
Belo Horizonte:
Dra. Juliana Barbosa Cançado
Rua dos Otoni, 927/ 602 – Bairro Sta Efigênia
Tel: (31)3292-3938/ 3224-2335
Rio de Janeiro
Dr. Aurélio Garrido
Av. Ataúlfo de Paiva, 135/904 - Leblon
Cep: 22440-010
Tel: (21) 2274-8641
E-mail: garrido@pobox.com
São Paulo
Dr. João Jorge Leite
R. Sergipe, 441 / 111A - Higienópolis
Cep: 01243-001
Tel: (11) 3663-0404/ (11) 3661-9522
http://joaojl.sites.uol.com.br/ |
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How many Passport Photo's Required for the medical? |
1 |
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How many Passport Photo's Required at the interview? |
2 |
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Estimated waiting time at the consulate on the day of interview? |
1-4 hours |
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Vaccination requirements? |
The doctor will instruct the beneficiary as to which vaccines to take based on their medical history and age.
HELPFUL TIP: Gather all your vaccination records in advance and take it with you to the medical interview, so it'll save you time and money, it's faster for the doctor to figure out which one you need or not.
Go to a "posto de saúde" near you and ask them to update your vaccination book. Most of the vaccines required are offered for free by SUS. |
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Cheap and good hotels near the Consulate? |
A good choice for about $160 US per night is the Novotel Hotel. It is within walking distance to the US Emabassy and the Santos Dumont Airport. They will hold your bags in a secure room for you if you want to check out before your interview.
We highly recommend the Formule 1 Centro hotel (next to Ibis-Centro). Rooms are new and clean, with shower and toilet in the room, air conditioning, for R$99/night. All you can eat Breakfast is R$6 per person (simple breakfast), parking is R$15 per day. Wireless Internet access in the room is R$12 per day. We walked to the consulate, it took us about 15mn. It's in a nice location, at the corner of Praca Tiradentes, and walking distance to many attractions in the center of Rio.
***Be sure to check the prices for the Formule 1 hotel, as the price has increased to about $92 US Dollars per night (as of at least July 2011). Another good hotel option where me and my fiance stayed was the Hotel Atlantico Business Centro. The rate was cheaper on www.hotels.com so we stayed for $107 USD per night (+tax and service fee). Breakfast was included with the room and was awesome! Also, the hotel is only about 5 blocks from the embassy or less. Even closer to Citibank, where you have to pay the fee for the K1 Visa. Definitely recommend this hotel!***
http://www.accorhotels.com.br/guiahoteis/formule1/hotel_main.asp?cd_hotel=200
Note: the map on the hotel web site is incorrect, it does not show the right location. Do a search on Google Maps with this location:
R. Silva Jardim, 32 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 20050-060, Brazil
(added by Paul on 10/21/08)
We stayed at the Ambassador Hotel but did not like it because of the quality of the room. The plus side is the cost was only R$90/night and a 5 minute walk to the consulate. The website is www.ambassadorhotel.com.br
The Ambassador is cheap, but terrible! Smells like mold from the minute you walk in the lobby, stains on carpet, bathroom was disgusting.(added by SLOGeoff)
Another hotel is "Hotel OK" (www.hotelok.com.br). They're actually just across the street from the Ambassador Hotel. The quality was adequate, nothing fancy but clean. We asked for a non-smoking room but found an ash tray nonetheless. Fortunately, it didn't smell like smoke. They also have Internet access (wired) in the rooms and it worked quite well and was used to share the good news with everyone back home! [added by nothel]
You can also stay at any hostel throughout the city. We stayed at one in Botafogo - a few blocks from the Botafogo metro station. We arrived at the consulate in about 15 minutes. [added by bora bora]
Hotel Othon Aeroporto. It's close to the consulate (a 5-7 minute walk) and it's very reliable and fairly confortable. |
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Additional Info? |
The comment below applies to US Citizens who got their citizenship through naturalization.
There was a copy of my Naturalization Certificate in the package and the first officer who reviews all documents prior to the interview asked for my ORIGINAL (which I had).
When we went to the interview, the Consular Officier asked me why I brought my original certificate! Morale of the story: better be safe than sorry, bring your original.
(added by Paul on 10/21/08)
My fiancee asked if I could join in the interview and the CO was like "please, bring him in". The CO was very nice and she only asked 2 questions both of which were directed at me and NOT to my fiancee. However, later we found out from several other interviewees that the CO did not allow the other USCs to attend the interview, and several couples were not approved. My advice: DO NOT GO UNPREPARED!
Laptops, cell phones and cameras are to be left in lockers when you get into the consulate. They'll write your name on a piece of paper and what exactly you've left there so you can get everything back later.
GENERAL INFORMATION - According to information gotten from the consulate:
- copy of the USC's birth certificate or passport is enough. There's no need to have the original.
- even though the form used is the I-864 for CR-1 / IR-1 or I-134 for K-1, the petitioner has to be *125%* above the poverty guidelines, and not 100%.
- AOS and supporting documents discussed here: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=31660
- copies of e-filed tax returns are okay (if you have them, you don't need to get transcripts)
- the medical and the I-864/I-134 (and supporting documents) are good for 1 year. The police certificates are also good for year (even if the certificates bring another expiration date)
- there's no need to bring copies of I-129F, G-325As; also no need to bring NOA1, NOA2 or any RFE received.
- federal police offices: http://www.dpf.gov.br/web/unidad.htm (copy of RG (Brazilian's ID and a form filled out needed to get the federal police certificate - at least in SP)
List of Secretaria de Segurança Pública (to obtain state police certificate): http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/fiance/SecSegPub_0728.pdf
in SP, it can be obtained online, if RG was issued in SP: www.ssp.sp.gov.br
- for further info on police certificates in SP: http://domino.sp.gov.br/ug960162.nsf/webframepai?opennavigator
in RJ, a special request is needed: http://www.embaixada-americana.org.br/fiance/CertVidPriv.pdf
For the medical: The beneficiary can attend a first medical appointment even if they don't have the NVC number case (starting with RDJ), and before getting packet 4 in the mail. The beneficiary would then attend the first appointment, get the vaccine shots and other exams needed and return to the doctor to complete the medical after getting the NVC number case.
Useful info also to be found here (in Portuguese): http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=27856
The beneficiary can get some of the vaccine shots required for free at "postos de saúde".
****Note about POLICE CERTIFICATES and validity****
Consul replied:
"Although the certificate is only valid for 3 months, we can accept it
until one year after it was issued, for immigrant visas purpose.
Regards,
Consular Communications Office"
The original email sent out by the Consulate stated that the visa fee is $240. However, that is incorrect - the visa fee is $265 - make sure you go by what their website says and not the interview email as that is wrong!
****Note about DCF on Visto Temporario V****
Consul replied: it is possible DCF on that visa. In this case, the petitioner and the beneficiary are on a visto temporario V since the non-us fiance is from Argentina. |
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