Right about now I should be leaving for the airport. In some 24 hours I’d be landing in Sao Paulo, picked up by my driver for the next two weeks and embarking on a jam-packed agenda, meeting with scores of South American startups and entrepreneurs.
This was to be the latest in my series of travels for my book-in-progress about entrepreneurship in emerging markets. Brazil was the one place that no one in the Valley was pushing me to visit. In fact, it was the one place my husband had asked me not to visit, having heard many reports of kidnapping and violence. But I was resolutely convinced there was a world of exciting companies and stories and had been looking forward to the trip for months. In fact, I’d spent about four months studying Portuguese and planning the trip.
I’m not on getting on that plane today though. Entrepreneurs who’d hoped to be written up on TechCrunch: Blame your government.
American citizens have to have visas to get into Brazil, and my visa was “guaranteed” to get to me by last Friday, the day before my original flight was supposed to leave. That didn’t happen and I was frustrated, but travel in emerging markets is never easy. So I agreed to push the trip back a week and absorb nearly $1,000 in extra costs associated with that, not to mention huge disruption to my schedule. (Bear in mind, this isn’t TechCrunch money. I am self-funding research for this book and have to closely watch every dime.) All I asked was when I would absolutely get the visa by so I wouldn’t have to reschedule things again. I was told yesterday, September 2. Guess what? No visa.
I’m now told that it is definitely getting here Friday. Unfortunately, I have no reason to actually believe that’s true at this point. I can’t push my schedule back any more and comply with existing trips in September, October and November and frankly, having now spent thousands of dollars on a trip that’s not happening, I wasn’t interested in throwing more good money after bad. As a result, my trip to Brazil is canceled. I have paid the fees to switch the plane ticket to one to China in October.
I paid an expediting service hundreds of dollars to ensure I’d be getting this visa, and clearly they’ve been getting an earful from me over the last week. If not for a phone call from the owner this morning finally agreeing to waive the fees I paid them, this post would largely be skewering them. But she assures me no one is getting into Brazil and her week has been even worse than mine. Apparently, the Brazilian government decided to switch to a new computer system for all of its consulate offices and only sent two computers to each office, and not the adequate software to process everything. So everyone has been in a holding pattern. Some consulates aren’t promising any visas before 25 days; others won’t even take an appointment with prospective travelers unless they show documents showing travel in the next 15 days. In fact my visa is the first one the processing firm will get back—that is, if they actually do get it today as promised. They’ve not only been screamed at by me, but loads of business travelers—and even a coach for a national soccer team who can’t get in the country.
It’s particularly ironic given that the Brazilian government has recently hired the PR firm Fleishman Hillard to go around talking up its commitment to IT and entrepreneurship. You want foreign investment and attention, Brazil? Here’s an idea: LET PEOPLE ENTER THE DAMN COUNTRY. You want to show your IT prowess? How about outfitting your consulates with computer systems that work? Or maybe rolling it out slowly so other offices could handle the overflow. Or training people on it first.
The country should be embarrassed, and its businesses should be furious. I’m going to aim to try this whole Brazil thing again in December or January. It’s not the entrepreneurs’ or our readers’ fault this happened, and I still believe there are great stories in Brazil that I want to report. But when you’re harder to get into than China, it doesn’t bode well for foreign investment, Brazil.
that’s why they’re called a “developing” market – they haven’t “developed” yet. you should know better – always sort your visa out before you make travel plans. duh.
That was all i was thinking when i read this, have something to do, get your shit together way ahead of time.
Every time I see one of your self centered vapid posts, I cringe. Why do you think anybody cares about how you failed to get into Brazil to write your failing book that nobody will read?
Actually, Anonboard, after all this hassle on Sarah’s part, I think the book will be worth a read.
;o))))))) Greatttttttt!!!!!!
http://news.bbc...cas/3366519.stm
Brazil implemented their policy in response to the USA making Brazilians, and just about all others, jump through hook you idiot.
No, the brazilian visa requirement predates the retaliatory we’ll-ink-your-fingers-to-make-a-fingerprint requirement that this article refers to.
Yes it does, but it is in answer to US policies… Brazil has laws that force the country to apply the same rules as are applied to Brazilians… Try to get a US VISA and see what its like. Just to get a Business Visa to attend a conference or go to sightseeing is a nightmate….
Writers should do more research before blurbling out a shit load of crap
That’s it, honey! Brazil is a country, is not your gaden! Try El Salvador or Cuba, they have nice beaches too!
))))
garden.
Really? Have you ever tried listening to people attempting to get a US visa?
Or those trying to come here in US to work? H1B visa anyone?
Sillicon Valley wants those workers…what is the US government doing about that?? Imposing limits and caps and making their life harder once they are here (it was an article about this in TC)…
I guess nobody is perfect, eh?
Please stop the whining and think about all the crap that people have to go through to get a US visa.
Maybe you should try looking in the mirror for a change.
Big difference. Many of the people who want to come to the US are smart and talented with valuable skills and end up staying here to work. Our regs are designed with this in mind.
Developing nations like Brazil and France are where we go to for vacations.
As a Brazillian, that’s horrible, to think that even foreign peoples have to suffer with Brazil’s bad government.
But hey to get to US it’s like 100 dollars just to schedule a Visa Interview, you have to wait for like at least 2 hours to enter the Consulate or Embassy, leave your cellphone or any electronic device at entrance. And after all that they can Deny your Visa for any reason that they not tell you.
I just got to the US on an E-2 visa, it took about 9 months of hard work and lots of capital to get here. Really wasn’t fun, but am glad to be here!
@Diego Not to mention you can get your US VISA only to go all the way up there and meet a badly slept customs officers telling you it won’t let you in… it has happen.
I don’t think Brazil should be ashamed
This shows the arrogance of some American citizens, thinking that they can walk into any country without a hitch. You don’t see the problem with your system because you are a citizen but for the rest of us who legally enter the country it is always a pain in the butt.
I am in the US trying to help your society by bringing my knowledge and experience as a contribution. Despite that, it is not always easy to make it through customs.
Yes, your rules are as bureaucratic as the third world; try walking a mile on an US immigrant shoes before you judge.
That starts by calling themselves “americans” – they’re NORTH AMERICANS, right? While people form Brazil, Argentina or Chile, are SOUTH AMERICANS.
That’s just silly. Canadians are north americans, right? Mexicans are either north or central americans, depending on which geographer you care to ask. Americans go by that eptither because it’s the simplest way to create an adjective for their nationality (united-statean is not very smooth, is it)? The fact that some Americans are convinced of the 1:1 correlation between continent and country comes from the fact that a good chunk of their population (like in all countries, I’d wager) is ignorant and/or dumb. And those people you just ignore.
er, “epithet”, not “epither”. Sorry about that.
As an American citizen, I can say that I know it is common sense to prepare for what ever traveling credentials one may need when entering a foreign country. It’s unfortunate that someone who is quite frankly an arrogant, narcissistic nimrod with close to zero common sense can seem as the spokesperson for American travelers to foreign places.
Why does Arringoton have Lacey write on this website? Why do we have to keep seeing this person’s self-centered plugs passed on as news on this website?
Please, Arrington, for the respect of your readers, have Lacey go back to TMZ.
Perhaps Arrington allows Lacey’s self-interest serving blogs to be posted here because they are so idiotic, in the end, it is just laughable entertainment.
I second that, the US should be setting an example, and we’re clearly not. It can take people YEARS to get a visa to vist the US.
If you want to come down to this country, you’re welcome, but you must have on hand all requirements of our authorities the same way we must have ours before getting a US visiting permit.
Be patient and everything will come in due time.
Exactly! Only YOU should be embarrassed for your lack of preparation. When I immigrated to the States from France, I didn’t bitch about the 5-6 trips I had to take to the US embassy in France and all the money I had to put in this. It’s the way things go and you have to deal with it.
You say you studied Portuguese for 4 months prior to scheduled departure but you couldn’t work on getting your visas earlier than last minute???
Don’t blame Brazil for their rules. Blame yourself!
I agree with you!
Totally agree. It is Brazil’s duty to think about reciprocity and submit US visitors to visa procedures. Foreign policy is something far more serious than you can imagine; besides, don’t blame the system, blame your confusing agenda that did not remind you about applying earlier for a visa.
Um, Brazilians need to jump through the same hoops dipshit.
Brazil changed their policy after the USA made the whole process to enter the country expensive and arduous.
Sarah, please respect our flag and remove this bad comments. We respect Techcrunch and your country, and you should respect us.
I totally agree. Flying to “emerging markets” from USA is far easier.
As a Brazilian, I’m sad about this. Most Brazilians are very welcoming to foreign visitors, and when our government’s ridiculous bureaucracy and delays prevent an enthusiastic visitor from coming here, it makes us annoyed. Yes, for us getting a US visa is also an unpleasant process, but this doesn’t justify our inefficiency. I’d be much happier if the Brazilian visa process were easier and set an example for how other countries, including the US, should handle people who want to visit them.
Sarah has every right to complain about the bad experience she had, as should every traveler worldwide who has their travel plans affected by government inefficiency.
Head shot, Sebastien! Your words are my words.
Sarah blame yourself for your lack of education and preparation.
The process to get a VISA in the US is as convoluted and arbitrary as any third world or developing country. If not worse….
Brazil will survive very well without your presence and will continue to grow. And will continue to generate talent and progress.
Some other venue will capitalize this potential that Brazil and other developing countries have.
Its your loss, not Brazil’s….
Jason – American citizen ashamed by his compatriot’s ignorance and self centered pov
Many US citizens are just not used to getting a Visa for anything, and they act surprised when they need to.
If they knew what people from “the rest of the world” have to go through just to get a visa to visit the US – even if they simply have a connection on the country – they’d change their mind pretty quickly. I’m talking about MONTHS of wait, waiting in line 6 hours under humiliating conditions, etc.
Seriously, don’t blame brazil for your lack of prep.
loser. i definitely won’t be buy your book anytime soon.
that’s fine as long as you buy it later!
No, they are called an “emerging” market, not a “developing” market. Ever heard of BRIC? Educate thyself, otherwise it’s gonna fall on you like a ton of BRICs.
I hate to say that I agree. What’s more disturbing is that TechCrunch can be used as a platform to sound off on an inconvenience that in this case seems to be, at least partially, due to lack of preparedness… just sayin’…
Ha ha ha! You have to be kidding! Try to get a US Visa from Brazil.
This is the most ethnocentric article I’ve read.
Ridiculous!
You refer to a connection between ‘getting a visa to the USA from Brazil’ and ‘getting a visa to Brazil from USA.’ While this could be the case on a foreign relation basis, this does not change the fact that her visa was not delivered as promised.
People like proper timing. Entrepreneurs need proper timing. And if someone does not deliver – like the Brazilian officials by having improper infrastructure in place – then why would businesses prefer to be there as opposed to anywhere else?
It is the case that government can put a lot of problems in the way of travelers (and I refer to more than just one government), travel has to be able to proceed smoothly. Having knowledge of travel restrictions helps, but travels have to be smooth.
As for the article being ethnocentric – you are welcome to add an article about getting a visa to the USA. Bitching sometimes helps.
Dear Guilherme, americans are so stupid that can’t see their own stupidity! That’s classic!
Brazil only started with this visa policy after the US started treating Brazilians (and almost everyone else) travelling through or into the US like crap.
http://news.bbc...cas/3366519.stm
Totally Agree.
5 years ago I tried to go to Hersheys for a Automobile convention, and I got my VISA rejected because I didn’t have “strong roots with my country”.
Shit happens!
Sarah, já que está aprendendo português, veja aqui quem começou essa merda toda e já vai praticando. Se não entendeu, google it! http://www.terr..._indocil_02.htm
É muita arrogância da tua parte fazer tais críticas ao Brasil. Aqui, para conseguirmos visto para os EUA, é somente em São Paulo, sendo que o Brasil é maior do que os EUA! Chegamos na embaixada e temos que aguentar os empregados com cara de bunda perguntando se vamos levar alguma bomba para lá (ridícula pergunta). Aqui você tem que se cuidar dos assaltos. Nos EUA vocês têm que se cuidar de loucos que entram com metralhadoras nos colégios e matam crianças. Se olhe no espelho, antes de criticar um País. Have a nice day.
Sarah,
First of all, respect our flag! It´s ashamed your attitude. You act like a spoilt child not satisfied about rules. Next time, plan your trip before and carefully. Also, don´t forget to treat countries and their people with a least a little respect. As a brazilian, I feel sorry about your arrogance.
how reliable is her blog if she cannot even make proper travel plans? Can she spell reciprocity?
how reliable is her blog if she cannot even make proper travel plans? Can she spell reciprocity?
Sarah,
once you are allowed to get into the “damn country”, you should visit the American Consulate in Rio. Everyday, at 6 am there is a big line around the building, and the line remains till 1 or 2 pm. So, i think your advices about upgrading the diplomatic service should be addressed to american authorities as well.
Hey Sarah “Palin”, please don’t come. Stay in your country.
Maybe we show up to buy one of your bankrupt companies…
Dont’talk about what you don’t know, that means : everything.
Try to develop your people intelectual capacities, and save the americans of the fame of “the most stupid people in the world”…
Who are you???? I really don’t know! i’ve never heard about you, what do you think??
Please, people like you Mrs. Sarah Lacy are not welcome here! I don’t care about you nor your thoughts Mrs. Perfect American!!!! Look, if your country is a perfect place, a dream like americans used to say, why are you so interesting to come here, i’m sure your country wants to explore more and more us! C’mon! I understand perfectly why Americans are so dumb! Please read more about foreign cultures before saying a lot of shit!
I don’t want to visit your country, coz your arrogant people don’t mean nothing to me!
Country that made history based on wars and exploration haven’t any dignity!
#####
Para os Brasileiros que estão postando aqui e dizendo que é vergonhosa a nossa política para os coitadinhos dos americanos! Fala sério né, vocês só podem estar brincando! Acorda galera!
###
Have you ever applied for a business U.S. Visa with all the required papers, including letters from both the company you work for and the company you were going to get a training, and it was denied for a stupid reason?
Do us a favor: shut up!
I have waited 3 MONTHS to have my American visa.
I had to stay 7 HOURS waiting for the interview on American Embassy. Definitely, your country is not an example.
I hope you don’t get this visa!
If you don’t like my country, just DON’T COME!
You know what? GO TO CHINA!!!!
There is negligence on your part Sarah. Stop playing the victim.
Will you be doing a make-up trip?
I am so disappointed to hear that you are not coming anymore. Bureocracy is hell.
At the same time, visa procedures from Brazil to the US can take up to 3 months to resolve.
It is great that you are publicly raising the issue so that people have more visibility.
I am Brazilian, I lived in the US in the last 4 years working for Microsoft in Seattle and New York and I totally relate to your frustration.
Hope you can have a great time in December and January here.
you spent 4 months studying portuguese, but couldn’t your stuff together to start the visa process that early?
My US Visa process is much longer then 25 days, and I have to actually go to the embassy and wait for 4 Hours in a line outside before even entering the place.
Build a bridge and get over it…
1. Brazil is a very interesting emerging market with a huge teen segment of internet users, especially online communities. Shouldnt VCs be interested in investing in South America where the competition is quite low and the potential enormous? Why dont we hear so much about VCs investing in South America?
2. Dont blame Brazil that you didnt get your Visa a few days before your travel. You should know that things work very differently in these kind of countries, Im currently in an IT startup in Brazil and alot of things doesnt make sense. If you would have done your research better you would know to keep a good margin to fix your Visa. Take it easy.
Uh, I don’t know if you couldn’t just do your work on tourist visa, but when I had a trip to Brazil I walked into the consulate here in NYC and walked out with a Visa $100 later. Wasn’t a big deal at all.
Oh and by the way — the only reason Brazil requires a visa from the US at all is that we charge $100 for visas for Brazilians.
If you think it’s bad for US citizens going to Brazil, imagine how bad it is trying to get an appointment with the US Consulate in Brazil.
+1
Agree … But still it´s the Brazil that I love and am proud, but at certain times embarrasses me ..
US embassies are charging $100 anywhere in the world.
Not to mention long lines and LOTS of visa refusals for people from those emerging markets (and this is not just for tourists but for business people as well). You have to schedule an embassy appointment with at least 30 days ahead of your departure intention.
The same thing we can say too: let us get into the damn country (USA)
…
I guess Americans are just spoiled because many countries are letting them get in without any kind of visa (mostly, they give visa for American citizes right at the entrance airport from those countries).
+1
To be fair, the US has a good reason for requiring visas from Brazilians. Just look at the number of illegal Brazilians in the US and you’ll understand. How many americans do you know of who are illegal immigrants in Brazil? That would be zero for me.
This comment is not to support the article though, I agree that you should usually sort out your visa before buying your ticket and not leave it to the last minute, especially when trading in unfamiliar territory.
Thomas, that number is not zero. Many U.S. people (I refuse to call them americans, as we are americans too) here also have problems getting official permission to live here. There’s many people who wants to live in Brazil, too.
And about reciprocity, is either that or submission. I prefer the first option, but not for “revenge”, but to show how extremist the U.S. rules are.
Thomas, that number is not zero. Many U.S. people (I refuse to call them americans, as we are americans too) here also have problems getting official permission to live here. There’s many people who wants to live in Brazil, too.
And about reciprocity, is either that or submission. I prefer the first option, but not for “revenge”, but to show how extremist the U.S. rules are.
Visas and reciprocity things are 2 different things.
“Visas and reciprocity things are 2 different things.”
Well, uh, not sure what you’re getting at there… Clearly a visa and reciprocity are different things, but in this case the latter causes the requirement for the former.
I don’t think she’s complaining about the cost of the reciprocity fee. She is just complaining about the efficiency of the visa process in general. Even if she wasn’t forced to pay a reciprocity fee she would still be whining about the hassle.
In either case, the fact that we’re even debating this on a tech blog shows how off-topic tech crunch has gotten. I really don’t follow this blog to get their opinions on the state of international travel.
Oh, I know she’s not talking about that, I was merely responding to some of the other comments. I’m definitely not agreeing with her complaints, just not agreeing with some of the arguments others have brought up either.
Definitely +1
Brazil only started with this visa policy after the US started treating Brazilians (and almost everyone else) travelling through or into the US like crap.
http://news.bbc...cas/3366519.stm and http://percepti...e-avoid-the-us/
Three words for Sarah: quid pro quo
Sometimes you must wait more than six months to just get your appointment at US consulate and them wait anoter month or two to get the visa.
All this and you can allways be sent home by a bad-mood frontier officer in USA.
+1
I had the worst experience ever in my life when we applied for the US Visa. We also got denied for no good reason.
US Visa Fail
Ditto, and also the 100 US$ (150 in Paraguay and Argentina) is NOT refundable, nevermind if they give you the VISA or NOT.
You should probably just teleport..problem solved
Couldn’t agree more. That being said, the situation is the same in the US. My latest best story I heard from a founder who recently moved to the US: you can’t get a social security number. And as all of you know, without an SSN, in the US you can’t do anything (no credit card, no shopping, no bank account…).
Why? The social security administration is ok with issuing the SSN. It’s just that homeland security has not yet told them by computer that he entered the country. Even though he is standing in person, in front of the SS agent, with passport, entry stamps, full documentation.
“Come back in a few weeks” was the answer.
+1
Before looking at other countries why not look at our country first
?
Just so you know, after 9/11 the US started requiring Brazillians to get visas to visit here. In response, Brazil started forcing Americans to get visas to go there. What goes around….
Second, your husband is pretty weak to be frightened of Brazil. The country is amazing and as long as you are not walking around with expensive clothes / jewelry, you will be just fine. Foreign crime is always exaggerated in the US media. Don’t ever be afraid of non-war-torn countries. Just go and be smart, and you will find the Brazilian people are incredibly friendly and welcoming.
I have an American friend who traveled and and lives in Brazil now…and he has the same opinion: friendly and welcoming people (of course, what forest doesn’t have rotten trees?)
Be frightened by Irak (if you travel there)…not by Brazil.
Please tell me that “irak” was a typo…
… Actually; “Irak” is how its spelled in quite a lot of countries, Much like Brazil is actually, Brasil.
Case in point: http://www.goog...lient=firefox-a
/mp
“Just so you know, after 9/11 the US started requiring Brazillians to get visas to visit here. In response, Brazil started forcing Americans to get visas to go there. What goes around….”
This is the most important point of all and I’m surprised I had to dig so low in the comments section before I see that someone mentioned this. Blame the previous administration for high handed visa policies (not to mention security policies) that international travellers now have to suffer through.
dear Sarah: please do not blame Brazilians. They are 100% not guilty. It is USA that is guilty: USA is imposing visa regime on Brazilians. Brazil is just reciprocating.
Brazil rocks.
+1
+1
+1
+1
I’m so enjoying this. I gloat myself over your misfortune, madame.
Forgetting to get a visa early, priceless.
Blaming Brazil as a dangerous place just to fill more words on this weak post, priceless mistake.
+1 to Brazil, It’s one of the countries I’m really starting to admire.
Hi Sarah,
I have visited Brasil a number of times over the past few years as my parents lived there for almost 5 years. It is frustrating to deal with their government, yes, but don’t forget that they also live in a different culture and work on different rules. I would recommend being prepared to have a number of people be significantly late while you are in Brasil, a reflection of what you are seeing here. It is a very relaxed culture, and indeed a very deep and rich culture, and you will love the people there as they are the most kind, patient, and caring as they come. The downside is what you are seeing; sometimes things don’t go to schedule.
If you need any tips on travel feel free to contact me. You definitely need to be careful in Brasil, especially in Rio and Sao Paolo, as the level of poverty there is something that you most likely have never seen, barring Africa and a handful of other countries. I love the country and the people though, and I envy you going there as I miss my travels there. I would be more than happy to lend some recommendations on your safety while there, as if you are smart about things, you will have no problems.
Best of luck on getting the visa, and let me know if you want any tips on where to go/not go or how to get there.
Bom dia.
Tom
Could you expantiate “barring Africa” I hope you realise “Africa” is a continent of almost a Billion people and 57 countries.
http://www.wolf...input/?i=africa
can you name a few of the porverty stricken countries you have been to?
It is a pity you have NO RESPECT for Africans. I am utterly offended.
You know, I agree with you.
But….”I am utterly offended”? *Rolls eyes*…you get offended by things on the internet?
Also…”expantiate” isn’t a word.
Well, I couldn’t agree more with several comments about how tough is to get a visa from Brazil to USA. It’s funny to see how some Americans think that things should be easier to them, when their government don’t do that to us. And using excuses like illegal immigration is weak. Actually I heard some horrible stories from people traveling to USA, but any search can show it.
But Tom, what you are saying is a bit too much. I have been living in São Paulo all my life, more than 30 years and I never being robbed or stole. Maybe I’m too luck, but the violence here isn’t higher than other big cities, including New York for sure. And saying that poverty is the cause of violence is an easy and prejudiced explanation. And unfortunately nowadays, it’s in everywhere, I bet you know that.
If you don’t go to the desert places and walk paying attention, there is no problem. But I can’t say the same about Rio. The violence there is higher, and I’m saying this because I have many friends that live or lived there that told me.
Anyway, she should had tried to get her visa before. Better luck to her next time.
Anyone from the EU can get into Brazil without a visa, so there’s plenty of opportunity for Brazilian entrepreneurship to be “discovered” or reported on.
Don’t worry about kidnapping, Ms. Lacy.
They only kidnap rich or important people.
@Comic: Amen.
I bet it would take much more time to get a USA visa.
Also, I’d like to hear less rants in TC involving personal negligences.
+ 1
Pot meet kettle
This is the Brazil that I love and am proud, but at certain times embarrasses me ..
But, like the old old law : an eye for eye, tooth for tooth … Maybe if was more easy to get a visa to usa, the americans get faster a visa to brasil too !!
Do you know how long it takes to get a visa to the USA? Do you know how hard it is? How much people got screwed already?
It is called reciprocity….
Enjoy.
I’ m sorry to hear your story Sarah, but you are experiencing what us, southamericans, have to go through to visit the US.
Eventhough when americans set a date for a visa, you can bet on it, prior to that you have to prove that you ‘re not a terrorist and that you have a good job and money enough not to even think of staying illegaly in the States. Nevertheless, the whole thing is degrading, because the US make us feel second class humans.
Don’t blame Brazil. The rest of the world can get into the country without visa. It is just reciprocity with the US, with a touch of southamerican informality.
(Sorry for my english, it is not my native tongue, as you guessed)
Sarah,
I understand your frustration, but to be fair the hassle is do to reciprocity. The USA does not make it any easier for Brazilian citizens to enter America. In response to US policies, Brazil requires US citizens entering Brazil to jump through the same hoops that a Brazilian must go through in order to enter the US.
Thus, there is negligence on your part and your comments are largely out of ignorance. I suggest TechCrunch stick to what it covers best, namely technology, and leave politics to more qualified publications.
–Ric
You should take a look at how hard it is for a brazilian to obtain a visa to enter us.
That said, I wish you didn’t have all this problem.
Sorry, but gotta agree with other commenters, visas are a fact of life, especially for Americans (since the US will allow VERY few countries to travel without visas).
It isn’t Brazil’s fault you didn’t leave enough time (the Canadian consulate is currently recommending 3 months lead time).
Sure, it’s their fault about computer systems and all, but that’s really 10% of the blame.
I am a Brazilian , Internet Marketing Professional, living in the US for 8 years and I must tell that countries use the reciprocity rule when it comes to Visa.
If the US requires a visa from Brazilians, Brazil requires a visa from US citizens.
Getting a visa to US in Brazil is a harder task then it is to get a visa to Brazil here.
Most visa applications in Brazil are declined. There are hundreds of family with trips paid to visit Disney, for example, and they get the visa declined.
To even apply for a US tourist visa, Brazilians need to pay a fee that will allow them to use a computer system to book the day when they can go to the consulate. Usually people need to book that day 3 months in advance before a trip. There is no urgency or expedite fee there.
So, believe me when I tell you, it’s much easier to get a visa to visit Brazil, then to get a visa to visit the US
You just experienced firsthand the problems non western Europeans face when trying to travel to the US.
People plan months ahead, schedule visa interviews considerably ahead of travel dates so that there is enough of a buffer just-in-case.
But that doesn’t stop people from traveling to the US, does it?
North America has its fair share of visa woes, notwithstanding the draconian rules that accompany those visas at times.
It sucks you didn’t get in, but don’t frame this problem as being “exclusively Brazilian”.
Rant Fail.
LOL!
+1
kakakaka +1 indeed!
Funny, I read this on my RSS google and clicked the link, thinking “Ok, I’ll try to explain Miss America about reciprocity and probably will have to endure a lot of backslash myself from other people that don’t understand it”. It was a very pleasant sensation to see everybody was already saying what I was going to say.
Rant Fail indeed.
Too bad about the Visa. It takes a long time under normal circumstances. And the government in many ways keeps the country from progressing faster. Time for the Brasilados and Paulistas is a very different concept than for the “developed” world, but once you get there, you will love the people and be amazed with the technology. I recommend a visit to the new Technology center at Mahle in Jundiai- amazing automotive technology and a beautifully designed new green building. Brazil is a wonderful country.
brazil’s motto “Ordem e Progresso”
USA’s motto: “land of the free”…
yeah, right.
Being a Brazilian myself, I have couple of points to make:
1) Why didn’t you request your VISA with enough time in advance, leaving it for the last minute? In my view you’re the one to blame.
2) All Brazilians go through the exact same process and frustrations as you. I had the exact same problem when travelling to the U.S. 10 years ago, and in fact, the only reason why the Brazilian government now request visas from Americans is because you do the same to us.
Next time I suggest you plan your trips better.
Pretty ignorant article alltogether.
HAHA too bad you are a US citizen, Brazil is just firing back at you. You want to go to Brazil ? then LET PEOPLE ENTER YOUR DAMN COUNTRY first, then we’ll see.
I dont know why you are acting up on this.. is totally normal and fine. Brasil is only doing what the US does to Brasilian citizens. they ask for a VISA. Its hell I know and its on purpose, they got tired of Brasilian citizens being treated so bad at US airports and embassies and now they are doing the same to US travelers. Its a sad story derived from sep 11
I am from Argentina, I work for an American company, and I have a US VISA, valid for 10 years, and EVERY TIME I go to the states, they treat me like a terrorist. Argentina is not asking for a VISA to US citizens and I believe they should. I am not saying that ppl should be treated in a wrong manner but just the same manner.
Btw, whoever thinks that Brasil is a country in “Development” is pretty wrong and some how ignorant, ppl should get their facts straight, study more and then make an opinion.
btw, its too bad that you are not going to South America.. its a great place
Actually, this policy was in place before 9/11. I had to get my visa for Brazil back in August of 2001.
+1 on Martin’s comment.
100% your FAULT. Next time plan your trip.
I love TechCrunch and this is my first comment here and I am brazillian and I agree with you when you wrote that Brazil is disorganized in some points.
But you were a bit dramatic with the situation… as Bernie said: stop playing the victim. You had bad luck… it happens…
Your mistake. You’re an amateur traveler
Having visited and worked and lived in China, Taiwan and India I can tell you the process is no different. The visa is one of the first things you line up.
Really? you blaming Brazil?
Shame on you!
1) I got my visa overnight in NYC … do your own work. You got scammed by that expediter!
2) The US is the problem.
3) Suck it up!!!
Guess why Brazil started requiring visas for Americans… –Ricardo
Yeah, I’m sorry, but I have no sympathy for an alleged “world traveler” who doesn’t know that you need to sort out visa and passport issues months in advance of anything–a basic passport can easily take two months to get, so why weren’t you doing this four months ago, when you started learning Portuguese?
Visas and passports are ALWAYS a pain–search on Ask Metafilter for similar stories of people who thought expedition would work and ended up blowing their trips. I understand that you’re frustrated, but unless you began the process 4-5 months ago, it’s really nobody’s fault but yours.
Wow, article fail.
Drawing some sweeping statements about entrepreneurism and international politics sure makes for fun, fictional reading, but next time just sort out your travel plans in advance like the rest of us.
Suffering succotash, Sarah…a few things:
One: Brazil’s an “emerging market”? Talk about falling off the turnip truck. You MUST be kidding. If you’d bother to do even the slightest research, you’d know that it’s the eighth largest economy in the world. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but you made an appallingly ignorant statement.
Second: It’s quite easy to get a visa – why you needed to pay the king’s fortune you claim is beyond me. Just do a minor bit of advance planning.
By the way, the reason the Brazilian gov’t. slaps a tariff on US visas is in retaliation for the same fees the US slaps on Brazilian tourists traveling to this country.
C’mon, you can do better.
Visas aren’t just a developing countries problem, it’s a problem for developed countries as well.
Over the past 6 months, I have had to obtain visas for academic programs in France and the UK and both experiences have been confusing, costly, and difficult (got rejected the first time by France, still waiting on UK). As a college student, I didn’t have the option of paying someone to expedite the process because I’m REALLY watching every dime.
Let me start by saying that I speak Portuguese and love Brazil. But, the reciprocity argument for visas is a bit silly, like cutting off your nose to spite your face. So the US wants to limit the number of Brazilians who come into the country. I’m not sure I agree with the policy, but its a fact of life. So to show them you do the same. Thus losing money from tourism and incurring the cost of the necessary bureaucracy.
Brazil is a great country, but making US Citizens get visas is stupid. It isn’t going to change the US policy, and it negatively affects Brazil. (Unless you happen to work in the consulate, that is probably a pretty plumb gig.)
So, you think US wouldn’t benefit from hordes of tourists wanted to come and visit the country without a hassle?
Or from foreign LEGAL workers who are getting into the country, work and pay taxes??
Or maybe you think US citizens are/should be the most privileged travelers of the world?
You don’t understand… Bad foreign people want to enter the US to steal American jobs.
On the other hand, “developing countries” (i.e. scum) should be grateful, bow and kiss turist’s feets which mean no harm and only bring money.
After all, what kind of illegal activity coul an american perform in brazil? (hint: think about child sex tourism)
I don’t think we should be requiring Visas, no country should be doing it. But as long as USA keeps treating all foreigners as potential criminals, the rest of the world will do the same to them.
the biggest drug consumer country: USA
the biggest porn economy: USA
the biggest producer of any kind of weapons: USA
guess why we ask a visa from you….
Bear in mind Brazil has a policy of reciprocity for quite some time.It’s a simple policy, we’ll treat you like you treat us. they knew it in advance.
Brazil treat all other countries equally. Or are you suggesting we should grant an exception for US? reciprocity policy may have it’s flaws, but it’s abrazilian law, a sovereign nation, and it should be respected.
It’s funny to hear americans outraged by being fingerprinted, when they never bothered to realize US forces visitors to be fingerprinted too.
your argument reeks of elitism.
Hi Sarah,
It is a pity that the South American startups could not get to meet you. Your post clearly shows you are annoyed. They must be dissappointed too. i am actually suprised that you need a visa to enter Brasil.
For the sake of the startups you were to meet, you could organize a conference call and meet them online (although never the same as being there).
I cannot go into the issues of Visas now
I have tried severally to come to the US for several startup events (one of which i will be a blog post soon) but no show. Even as a full time postgrad, they believed i’ll “run away”.
Meanwhile, I will definitely be inviting you to Nigeria soon
you are assured that such will not happen.
You must be a Nigerian 419er
You want Brazil to drop its visa requirement for Americans? Then ask your government to drop its visa requirements for Brazilians. Brazil is simply exercising its reciprocity right under international law.
It’s your fault for not preparing yourself sufficiently. No sympathy here. Brazil will still prosper without you.
As Americans have never applied for US visas themselves, they are unaware that their country has the most stringent visa rules on this planet and that everybody is treated like a criminal until they prove otherwise. Also, it seems that Sarah has done this via a company and was not dealing directly with the consulate, so, it’s not clear if its Brazil’s fault or that company’s fault.
The entire “article” (or better yet – “ranticle”) is highly unprofessional – that’s not the type of article that a 3.5M readers’ blog should be publishing.
It’s like slapping a whole country’s face because one didn’t get the visa in a “timely manner” (aka, when she wanted)…
Sarah can write very good articles (and I read her book also)…but this one is, like you said, totally un-professional (especially, when she addresses this rant to an entire country of over 100 million people).
oops. nearly 200 million.
You’ll need more than just 4 months of trully portuguese to came to Brazil, and it’s difficult to us brasilians to go to USA as well.
And what about the freedom?
Rant fail, indeed.
Any Brazilian wishing to visit the US must apply with at least four months notice. The interview lasts maybe ten minutes, but you spend your whole day at the embassy/consulate, waiting in line.
So really, quit whining. It is your fault. You have not
prepared properly for this trip. It’s simply that.
I agree. TC has degenerated into whiny crap lately. I think this writer should get her own blog if she wants to vent about something entirely non-technical on a tech blog.
Then she can talk about what her cats are doing and how frustrated she is on mondays and not bore the crap out of us.
She already has her own blog
: http://www.sarahlacy.com
WOW< and she is smokin too!
maybe TC is being influenced by the guaranteed torrent of whiny crap comments that accompany almost every article that is posted.
Ouch!
Well, one of the benefits of being based in North Carolina?
http://www.braz...g/eng/visas.php
Next time you plan for going to Brazil just stay in South Beach when you go to get for your Visa processed. At least you’ll be able to enjoy yourself and get some work done.
Shoe, meet the other foot.
People who consider a trip to the US from Latin America and the Caribbean often spend a boatload of money just traveling to the closest US consulate for an interview that is scheduled 6 months to 1 year in advance. And they may still be denied, thus sending ridiculous sums of money down the drain.
Or worse, approved, just to find out that someone in the US consulate couldn’t spell their name right, so they have to go back through the entire process.
The moment you decided to learn Portuguese, you should have gone to the consulate.
That said, I hope you get to visit Brazil in January. I’d love some insight into that country’s entrepreneurial climate.
You hire a company to bribe the government officials and now you are ranting because you did not get your visa on time? Wow. Just wow.
It’s called reciprocity. US treat us like shit. We treat US citizens like shit too. Yeah, whatever.
I Agree…
seems fair. a bit childish, but fair.
Sarah-
Thanks for taking the time to vent your frustrations. Being married to a Brazilian national and travelling there many times in the past 15 years, I feel your pain. It is true, that you need a decent amount of lead time to get visas to Brazil.
That said, I think some of the comments here are harsh and unfair at best. While yellow tape and paperwork is the norm when it comes to getting any government travel docs., your situation sounds especially difficult.
Brazil operates on this principle they call “reciprocity” basically charging US citizens whatever the US charges Brazilians to enter their country (reactionary). Brazil and US relations have been weak, and while there are certainly great stories there which you should tell, the truth is, that reciprocity mindset is why there is little investment there. Outside (Intl) investor profit is quickly gobbled up in export tax, and so investors go elsewhere. Unfortunately, there is no sign this is changing anytime soon. As one who has been married to a Brazilian and had children, it is difficult for me to get much more than a tourist visa (I’m the only one in the family without dual citizenship).
That said, it is an incredible country and culture, and is worth whatever red tape is required to get there. I look forward to what stories you’ll come back with, and trust it’ll be well worth the wait!
You say reciprocity like it’s a bad thing! What about all of the red tape put in place for foreigners to travel to the U.S.? I suppose you think that’s fair.
who cares about fair. startups in brazil lost today, which is all that matters.
@Arrington you never stops to amuse us…
Well, at least startups in Brazil are saving 10k to get a visit.
No, Sarah Lacy lost today.
You’re right….fairness lost its meaning these days….if this can also be applied to foreign workers/entrepreneurs who are coming to Sillicon Valley to work…Sillicon Valley losses too…
Come on, if this was a print media, I can understand the author not being able to respond.
For a blog, I think it is fair to expect the author (Sarah) to respond to at least some of the comments. Its not like the comments are nasty like it is in a typical TC post.
Sericously, Arrington..
What is happening to TechCrunch? The article quality is getting lower and lower… Do something there…
Brazil didn’t lose anything. It’s not the end of the world. It’s just a TechCrunch ‘reporter’ who’s ranting about basics of international travel and being reminded by everyone in the comments that she’s basically clueless. Is she paid by the post?
considering that techcrunch trashes everyone (except twitter) it was probably better…
have your people prepare better is the real lesson here.
No TC and Sarah Lacy lost today because you can’t even manage to get a VC ahead of time for an event. You look like arrogant tards.
Arrington, Brazil is moving ahead much faster than your ability to adjust your provincial vision about the world outside US.
Frankly, we don’t need techcrunch’s help to succeed in internet business or to launch our startups.
Just ask Tony Hsieh and Chad Hurley. They visit Brazil last week, in person, and they both know sufficient about international travel to request their visas on time.
Sara Lacy and Techcrunch are the losers here.
I agree with Silvia. These guys from Techcrunch are pathetic. Arrington, you and Sara don’t know our country. Please stay in US writhing your mediocre blog. a lot of startups in Brazil are making much more money than you will make on your entire life.
Mandou muito bem, Silvia!
Trying to learn a language in four months is akin to ask for a visa a fortnight before departure. Still, I trust Sarah will be able to understand what I said to Silvia.
Very sorry you didn’t get your visa. This is what happens when you don’t know how to plan for a trip. Take it in good stride, and learn the lesson: passports and visas are the very first itens in the checklist.
Chill out, use the extra time you’ve got till the next trip to do some decent research and please make certain your husband is extra careful whenever he goes to the bathroom. Bathrooms are extremely dangerous places where you can slip, fall down and hit your head.
That said, I can guarantee there is no worse travel experience nowadays than visiting the US from any “emerging market”. I speak out of experience.
Better luck next time.
LOL How is economy going? We are going real fine down here. don’t call us, we call you… collect
“who cares about fair. startups in brazil lost today, which is all that matters”
lets rephrase that!
“who cares about fair. Techcrunch lost a revenue opportunity in brazil today, which is all that matters!”
Brasil did not loose anything, Do you thing that Sequoia or Goldman Sachs have issues going to or investing in Brasil??
Yes it is bad for everyone; but the real issue is that there is not a tech culture in Brasil by that I mean the quantity of people willing to work 18hrs a day for their dream… That goes for all South America.
They have smart hard working people but they are not enough of them
Yeah, I do business in Brazil all the time, as do others I know. It seems like Techcrunch who can barely bring itself to write about anything out of the bay area has any issues actually traveling outside of the US. The fact is, Brazil is an economic powerhouse, whereas most of the companies TC writes about will never make a dime in profit. So maybe Brazil is better off without TC.
I liked TC a lot more during Arrington’s absence after whatever nervous breakdown he had when someone said something mean to him.
I think Sarah should go back to being a Starbuck’s Barrista and get out of blogging, and certainly out of traveling anywhere but the bay area.
I only come here to make fun of the retarded bloggers that TC increasingly employs so I love posts like this from amateurs who seem to have rarely traveled to an non-western country. And no, Brazil is not “third world”. They just don’t have a completely porous border the way the US does which is maybe a good thing because in this case it kept out Sarah Lacy. Mission accomplished Brazil. You’ll probably have more successful companies as a result.
and who cares about techcrunch? you are just a blog and you are been very arrogant. remember that you are not the NY Times. you are just a company with 3 employees… loosers.
‘who cares about fair. startups in brazil lost today, which is all that matters’
And whose fault is this?
I had no opinion of you until now, thanks for giving some guidance.
TechCrunch is no charity for startups, you are an informing agent of a sector, act like an informed professional, and have your employees do the same.
I would have expected this type of behavior from Gawker…
I would not allow my blog to be a personal rant journal, do you pay for people to steam off, how many of the 375 comments thought she had the right to do such a thing?
I think you lost more than anyone here. The big boys are all there already. Sarah good luck now in Brazil.
Think about goodwill, you know how far that took some startups, like yours.
I CARE ABOUT FAIR – and you should too,
Just get out of silicon valley for a month and then ask yourself – who in the real world cares about tech startups ?
If Sarah really cared about Brazilian start-ups, she’d spend less time complaining about an admittedly lame VISA screw up and try her best to interview at least some of them from the comfort of her home & office. Aren’t these all virtual start-ups anyways? Why are tech-journalists like Sarah (she’s certainly not alone) constantly traveling everywhere? Good insightful commentary on a country’s VC scene does not always require field trips. Hire local journalism students or others to help you out with pictures, video, etc.
Of course virtual-conferencing isn’t the same, but it’s still a freaking amazing alternative given the circumstances. Make do with what life deals to you … and quit blaming an entire country for a bureaucratic frackup. It sucks, we’ve all experienced something similar; deal.
Didn’t you know that US citizens are the privileged of the world
?
We, the rest, don’t count…
are you not a US citizen?
Who Cares if thats the way it might be. All that matters is that.
WE have the Money, We want to invest. Your only hurting yourself by telling them to F off because of our government.
The US should be thinking the same with educated workers who want to come here, but they are not. Lets see who comes out on top
nah, you don’t have the money, China does (remember the defict, punk)
@Travis, I’m glad someone pointed out the reciprocity here, because that is the real issue – US/Brazil government relations – not the “developing country” categorization. I’m a US citizen and once lived in Brazil for a year when I was 18 (study abroad). Simply put, Brazil rocks, and is definitely an awesome country worth visiting once you’re able to get past the BS with visas, etc.
you are married to a brazilian and can’t get a permanent visa? I am married to a brazilian and got mine in two weeks. Permanent. I’m german though, and german-brazilian relations are probably quite a bit better.
@jilliancyork Reciprocity isn’t bad or good. It is a policy of government (which was in place well before 9/11/2001). It is also a mindset many find limits the sharing of ideas, and growth. As for red tape, it is a necessity and far from perfect. While many are legal, there is a greater percentage of Brazilians in the US illegally than US Citizens in Brazil illegally.
@Claus – Indeed. GruB Gott! I met a Brazilian/German couple when I was in Recife last fall, and they said the same thing as you. I think it has to do with being an EU member country (if I recall correctly, no visa required to visit Brazil).
Dear Claus, I kindly ask you to don’t compare the german education and intelectual lever with americans. German people is far up above the american stupidity. I’m brazilian, and the great German country and culture are far ahead from the US. Congratulations.
little investment there. lol. may be true for VC-backed internet bubbly start-ups, which are mostly stupid business ideas anyway.
our economy is currently in a way better position than yours or most of the world. We went through your “crisis” nearly unharmed. We’ve just LENDED money to the IMF.
All that matters is already said, the reciprocity policy explains the hard time you’re experiencing.
However Junior, take it easy on your nacionalist euphoria, the Brazilian economy is not even close to face the U.S. That’s pretty obvious and I don’t mean to deny that Brazil is turnning into a more solid Country.
BTW, change the above picture and stop insulting our Flag.
Right on!
Respect our flag!! losers!
Unbock this **** to brazillian viewers…
Please stop disrespecting our flag. Remove this image. I’m brazilian and i’m quite a lot disappointed by this ranting no-content post.
Indeed, you shoud’ve planned you trip better. It gets us about four months of waiting, US$ 100 (plus mail fees) and a lot of truculent behavior during a whole day of lines just for us to show that we have no plans on abandoning our country.
I couldn’t agree more. If this trashy posting is the best thing you can write, cope with your limitated intelligence and refrain from insulting countries, people and culture that you, in your EPIC ignorance, don’t know.
And we don’t care if you’re coming here or not, the best place for you is a toilet, not Brazil.