Securing a stable union visa in the COVID age.

Bpm917
04/26/21
Hi,

I can't understand how it could not be acceptable to use an Approved Channeler, because they give you exactly the same document that the FBI does,  on FBI letterhead.   Can you point me at a consulate site that says that this is unacceptable?   It's hard to imagine how they would even know.

Many use channelers and we recommend them to many. Once presented to PF or Consulate, how are they going to know?

One thought.   Channelers offer the choice of receiving a hard copy, a digital copy,  or both; naturally, the "both" option costs more.  Nevertheless, that's the option you want, because the Brazilian authorities will require the hard copy.  If you get it apostilled using a service, the service can work with the digital copy, and will return a second hard copy to you, with apostille.

Oddly enough, I decided to just bite the bullet and go with fingerprinting at USPS and after submitting the application it showed three locations in NYC which when searching the list of locations prior to applying didn't appear as offering the service.

Of course now I'm having difficulties finding the consulate site that says they do not accept channelers. I will go through my history and try to find you a link tonight. Thanks for the help, I'm rushing to finish all of this today!

Still do not understand:
From BR Consulate in NYC
C. FBI Background Check issued within the last 3 months (request may be submitted to an FBI-approved channeler);

http://novayork.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/ … cation.xml

Bpm917
04/28/21
Good news!  I hope it goes well for you.

On your other question, the Federal Police may accept an affidavit from your partner affirming your relationship;  that's at their option.  They'll definitely accept a utility bill in your name.  If you have a CPF (a Brazilian taxpayer ID, which you can get easily and quickly at the Receita Federal, and should get ASAP, if you don't have one), you can just change the electric bill over to your name from your partner's, or even open an account for broadband in your name at that address.

WRT to the consulates and FBI Approved Channelers, by all means, wait until you have your documents together to research  it.     If true, it would be an important change that we'd want to inform people about here.  But several consulates have refused to accept visa applications from agents during the pandemic, and it's possible that you just misread that announcement.