Visas and immigrations rules for citizens of India and Pakistan

As Brazil Expert I get a great many private messages from expats wanting information on visas and other immigration issues, which thank goodness I am able to provide them with. Always I try to help them resolve problems and give them common sense advice on the situations they find themselves in.

Recently I have had a number of communications with a man from India who wants to come to Brazil in order to marry his Brazilian girlfriend and not too long ago with another man in Pakistan needing information about the rules for obtaining a Tourist Visa. In researching the websites for the Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Mumbai and Consulado-Geral do Brasil em Islamabad (which is responsible for Pakistan) it is painfully clear that the Brazilian government has set the bar exceedingly high for citizens of these countries who wish to obtain visas when compared to other countries. All one need do is have a quick look at the consular websites (Google them) to see what I mean.

No, it is not just or fair. But, it is a fact of life and the Brazilian government has every right legally to set the standards however they wish for each country. I did want to share with all members from India and Pakistan my recent reply to Sharis who is upset, and rightly so. Sadly there is nothing that I or anyone else can do about it. That's just the way things are! So if you're coming from either of those countries - don't expect it to be easy. It will be harder than for most other countries.

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Hi Sharis,

I can't speak for the Brazilian government because I am not part of the government, just another foreigner who lives here permanently. However it does really appear that they view anyone (rich or poor) coming from India and Pakistan as 'economic refugees' who pose a risk of remaining in the country after their visas expire should the be allowed in. I must agree that the government has really set the standards very high for citizens of India and Pakistan when compared to the requirements for citizens of most other countries.

Sad to say the situation is sort of like the old question...Why can't an elephant pass through the eye of a needle? The answer is... That's just the way it is!!! While you have every right to the indignation you feel about the situation, the only thing you can do is accept it as a brutal fact of life and try to obtain the documents and meet all the requirements that they ask for. The best way to beat them, the one that will give most satisfaction, is to beat them at their own game. Provide everything they ask for and come here and be happy no matter how difficult they have made it.

Cheers,
James      Expat-blog Experts Team