How to Apply for a Visa to Visit Brazil in Chicago

While the Consulate General Brazil Chicago website supposedly has “all the information you need,” it’s fairly confusing and unorganized. So as of today, the below information outlines what you really need to know. However, should you be traveling in the future you should probably also check the consulate list to ensure nothing has changed with the process.

1. Visit this page to verify that you live in an area within the jurisdiction of the Chicago consulate office.
2. Go to Walgreens to have a passport photo taken – DO NOT ATTEMPT to take one yourself. Many Google reviews talk about the hassle of repeat denials. Worth the $13 to just get it right the first time.
3. Visit a U.S. Postal Office and get two things:
   1. A pre-paid priority mail envelope (currently $6.45) with tracking; address this to yourself as your materials will be returned to you in it.
   2. A money order for $160.00
4. Book your travel – all flight itineraries and hotel bookings must be confirmed before you can apply for a visa. Once they’re confirmed, print all confirmations.
5. Make a photo copy of your drivers license or a utility bill that shows proof of residence within the jurisdiction area.
6. Fill out this online form to begin your application:
   1. Scan a copy of the identification page of your passport
   2. Save a PDF copy of all of your flight and hotel itineraries
   3. Upload a digital copy of your passport photo; use picmonkey to crop or resize to required specs
   4. Sign a blank piece of paper; use picmonkey to crop or resize to required specs
   5. Submit form and print confirmation: it took me 4 times of filling out the form until I was finally passed on to the next page to print the confirmation form.

Compile all of the above documentation and your passport into one folder; and visit the Consulate General Brazil at 401 N. Michigan Avenue between 9-11 a.m. Monday through Friday. There are no exceptions; no other times. The lines are long – I was there at 8:45 and had 9 people in front of me waiting before they opened. Your only alternative is to manage the process via US Mail – but it will take longer to process.