Global entry users - starting to expand to other countries!

[danielboldea]

Thanks D...Is biometric the same as the one with the chip?

Yes, they are one and the same.

[bonniejoy03]

Great....I have the chip! Thanks D! Get to use the new passport in South America! I hate when it looks so empty!!

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I am on my 3rd passport and have to start filling it up. I have never managed to fill all the pages before they expire - that would be a goal to achieve! One thing I did notice - the 1st stamp in each new passport has been Mexico - what a weird coincidence!

[kyshel]

Haha, DHD--maybe you lived there in a previous life?
I can't even count how many I have renewed without going upstairs. I saved every one from age 19 to fifty-mumblemumblemumble. I found out way late that I could get extra pages for no charge (before they started charging!) Some of my recent ones were really FAT.

Mine is off to the Chinese Embassy--sent today--for another visa (a 2-pager) That leaves me with a spare 14 blank pages and a few open spots here and there. Luckily, I'm only going to Honolulu for Thanksgiving, so I can part with it for about 10 days.

[bonniejoy03]

For years, I would send my unexpired passport back for additional pages. Years ago, you used to get stamps into each European country that you would visit. So, my passport would always run out of pages! Now, I opt for the extra pages when I renew. So, right now, I have a big fat hard covered passport with nothing in it!!!

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K - you have to hand your passport over to the Chinese to get a visa? Any other countries make you hand it over? I don't know how comfortable I would be handing over my passport to a foreign embassy to get a visa stamp especially China

[kyshel]

K - you have to hand your passport over to the Chinese to get a visa? Any other countries make you hand it over? I don't know how comfortable I would be handing over my passport to a foreign embassy to get a visa stamp especially China

It isn't a visa "stamp"---some countries issue a visa for extended periods. China requires 2 facing pages for a mulitple entry visa for a year.
I have always had to hand over my US passport to a foreign consulate that does not issue a visa on arrival (VOA). Otherwise, it's required if you want to enter their country. My husband had to get a second (provisionary) passport to travel to Russia as airline crew. Since it required weeksto get the Russian visa, he had to keep his regular passport for work, then get the provisional one only for that visa.
I actually have to take our passports to DC for our Brasilian ones--they can start the process same day and mail them to us in a fw days with expedited service. we're considering staying a few days at one of the LL properties to enjoy the city and do the visas.
This stuff is not simple!

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Now I know why I we have not traveled to a country that requires us to get visas - do want to go to Brazil, Vietnam, Cambodia - I know they all require US citizens to get visas.

I heard the Brazilian visa is expensive - around $400 for US citizens - is this true?

[danielboldea]

Now I know why I we have not traveled to a country that requires us to get visas - do want to go to Brazil, Vietnam, Cambodia - I know they all require US citizens to get visas.

I heard the Brazilian visa is expensive - around $400 for US citizens - is this true?

Brazilian tourist visa fees vary according to the nationality of the passport holder:

• United States: USD 160.00, charged in reciprocity for an identical fee paid by Brazilian citizens who apply for a tourist visa to the U.S.

Please note that if someone applies on you behalf at the consulate, there will be an extra $20 fee.

[danielboldea]

Dhd,
Check out this link for more information: Visas
It seems that you or someone acting on your behalf, must be physically present at the consulate to petition for the visa as well as to pick up the passport.

"If you cannot come to the Consulate in person, the application can be submitted by a third party, such as a friend, a relative or a visa agency. An additional absentee fee is charged if you do not bring your application in person (more information in the links below). Such fee is waived if you are applying on behalf of your father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister.

No visa will be processed by any kind of mail including USPS, Federal Express, DHL, etc. The Consulate cannot be held responsible for mailed passports or visa applications and will not mail applications or visas back."