In Part 1 of my discussion about proof of onward travel I discussed possible ways to go about obtaining "proof," which can be a bit tricky for those of you like myself who want to go overland the whole way without a desired return date.
I have been in correspondence with a Brazilian embassy as well as the airline that I would likely be taking when entering Brazil, British Airways, to see what they suggest having. The problem with Brazil is that I would like to visit the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls before crossing in to Argentina. Since it is literally on the border there are many buses that run across each that do not require booking. The best I would be able to get to satisfy the proof of onward travel requirements is a bus from Sao Paulo to the Argentinian side and try to take a day trip back over to the Brazilian side, but that would be the worst case scenario.
I first emailed the airline since they enforce the proof of onward travel requirement more than the immigration officers. My email was fairly lengthy but the summary is what I mentioned above, and why I am having difficulties getting ideas for booking a bus that crosses the border. Here is British Airways response:
"Dear Mr Jones
Country entry and transit requirements around the world are subject to change and you are advised to check the requirements with the Consulate or Embassy of all countries on your itinerary.
I am sorry I was not of much help to you.
Regards
Sonia
British Airways"
Ok, so no help. I sent a similar email to the Brazilian embassy in the United States asking them about entry requirements for US citizens. Again, it was rather lengthy but the content was the same. Here is their response:
"Dear Sir/Madam,
You can enclose a copy of your updated bank account statement. Still, we recommend your contact the Brazilian Consulate in India previously for a final answer.
Regards,
Brazilian Consulate/Washington,DC"
February 7, 2009
Proof of Onward Travel: Part 2
So the embassy in the United States could not give me a clear answer either. From what it sounds like for US citizens they will accept proof of sufficient funds as an alternative to a booked ticket. I think with that in mind I will have to just ask the embassy in Delhi what they recommend, and get a letter on an official letter head confirming for me so the airlines do not refuse me entry.
Further investigation on the Brazilian embassy's website has the following in regards to visa applications:
"4) a photocopy of a round-trip ticket in one's name; or a signed letter on travel agency stationary, with confirmed round trip bookings; or, if traveling by land, a notarized bank letter concerning the balances in one's bank accounts, signed by the bank's manager, as proof of financial capacity to pay for one's stay in Brazil;"
This satisfies my requirements well enough. If I get hassle for it I can still try and book a ticket from Sao Paulo to Iguassu in Argentina and then do the day trip back over, but I would like to not be tied down as so much. For others in such a predicament I recommend contacting both sources and scouring their embassy's website in your country to see what the final verdict is on what is necessary.
I will put an update to this post once I am on the road to see where I am actually asked for proof of onward travel.
2 comments:
I have heard the Brazil visa process can be a pain. It wasn't too much of hassle for me since I was just going for a week and coming home, but I had to have all of the crazy documentation they suggested as proof that I would not be staying.
That is good to know you had no problem with it! I think the people who go open ended are going to have a harder time. When we go on our next big trip, we're still going to encounter this problem, and it is still my biggest visa concern of them all. Do you remember what all you had to show?
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