autumnquarantotto
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- Aug 12, 2011
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So perhaps this is already public knowledge and I appear to be a little foolish BUT just in case there is anyone out there finding themselves in the same position, I figured I would write a quick forewarning about traveling via Brazil, as to avoid the long and tiring situation I found myself in..
I had a layover in Brazil that was 10 hours and had researched, went to TAM airlines website, and even talked with a man who works with TAM airlines who is from Brazil, and they all told me the same thing: a visa is not required when having a layover in Brazil. However when I got there it was a whole different story. They were extremely not happy that I didn't have a visa or another passport and they had me sit with the Brazilian police while they debated what to do.
In the end they told me it was fine but that normally if you enter Brazil without a passport, they will send you back to the United States. A layover is only allowed if it is only a "couple" of hours. While waiting the whole ten hours I had to sit next to the gate while someone who works at the airport had to sit with me the whole time, I wasn't allowed to even get up to go to the bathroom by myself (not even kidding). Anyways, this isn't to complain about Brazil, visas, or put blame on anyone. Obviously it was up to me to take responsibility for my travel plans, however I thought speaking with someone who works with the airline would have been enough. I thought it would be a good heads up for anyone planning a layover in Brazil without a visa, I would honestly just suggest planning a layover somewhere else or just going ahead and getting your visa.
I had a layover in Brazil that was 10 hours and had researched, went to TAM airlines website, and even talked with a man who works with TAM airlines who is from Brazil, and they all told me the same thing: a visa is not required when having a layover in Brazil. However when I got there it was a whole different story. They were extremely not happy that I didn't have a visa or another passport and they had me sit with the Brazilian police while they debated what to do.
In the end they told me it was fine but that normally if you enter Brazil without a passport, they will send you back to the United States. A layover is only allowed if it is only a "couple" of hours. While waiting the whole ten hours I had to sit next to the gate while someone who works at the airport had to sit with me the whole time, I wasn't allowed to even get up to go to the bathroom by myself (not even kidding). Anyways, this isn't to complain about Brazil, visas, or put blame on anyone. Obviously it was up to me to take responsibility for my travel plans, however I thought speaking with someone who works with the airline would have been enough. I thought it would be a good heads up for anyone planning a layover in Brazil without a visa, I would honestly just suggest planning a layover somewhere else or just going ahead and getting your visa.