Consulate in Atlanta requires FBI clearance

IMPACT – LOW

What is the change? The Brazilian consulate in Atlanta, Ga. requires FBI clearance for all visas longer than 90 days.

• Implementation timeframe: Jan. 1, 2014.
• Visas/permits affected: All visas for stays longer than 90 days. This includes VIPER and VITEM V work visas, with the exception of VITEM V (RN-100/13), also known as the 90-day technical permit.
• Who is affected: Applicants for stays longer than 90 days.
• Impact on processing times: The FBI clearance adds several weeks to overall processing times.
• Business impact: None.
• Next steps: Employers should plan for the additional time it takes to get FBI clearance.

Background: As of Jan. 1, the General Consulate of Brazil in Atlanta began requiring FBI clearance instead of police reports for all visas longer than 90 days. All work visas, with the exception of the 90-day VITEM V work visa, will require FBI clearance. The clearance must be obtained directly from the FBI, and FBI clearances through “channelers” are not likely to be accepted.

This is the third Brazilian consulate to require FBI clearance. The consulates in Houston and San Francisco began to require FBI clearance this month.

BAL Analysis: Employers should plan for an additional six to 13 weeks to obtain an FBI clearance.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@bal.com.

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