Visas and Immigration
New changes to visa application submissions
Effective May 16, 2005, the visa section in São Paulo will implement new changes to temporary resident visa application submissions.
This office encourages you to submit your application for a temporary resident visa, study permit, or work permit, through a travel agent or third party courier. The decision to use the services of an agent is voluntary and at your discretion. No particular agent will receive preferential treatment. While we encourage clients to submit their applications via a travel agent or third party courier, the Canadian government assumes no responsibility for the competence or reliability of the travel agents or third party couriers. You may also submit an application in person if you wish, but you will first have to set up an appointment.
Clients who wish to use the services of a travel agent or third party courier to submit their applications may wish to enquire of the travel agents with whom they are dealing whether they provide this service. Also, you may search the internet using key words in Portuguese, such as ‘vistos consulares”, “despachante consular”.
Also, effective May 16, 2005, agents and third party couriers must forward the applications accompanied by a bar-coded sheet. This new technology will enable the visa section to continue to provide quality and fast service.
Applicants who wish to submit their visa application in person must first call to make an appointment. Please note that our capacity to receive applications in person is limited, and you may face a long appointment queue. We receive applications in person by appointment only, from 09:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m., Monday to Thursday. You will have to come on the day of your appointment in order to submit your application. We will not be able to accept applications from persons who do not have an appointment.
Submitting your application in person will not give you the right to an interview, or any other advantage over applications submitted through travel agents or third party couriers.
Our standard processing time for applications received by agents, third party couriers, or in-person, is two business days.
You are strongly encouraged to apply for a visa at least one month prior to your travel.
To schedule an appointment to submit an application in person, you must call +55 11 5509-4343 during our business hours and follow the instructions of the voice recorded message. Our business hours are Monday to Thursday from 08:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 01:30 p.m. to 05:00 p.m local time; and on Friday from 08:00 a.m. to 01:30 p.m local time, except on holidays.
To learn more, visit our Questions and Answers page.
Please be advised that the visa section in São Paulo does not accept cash for payment of processing fees. Local currency (Brazilian real) will only be accepted by bank deposit.
Visas and Immigration
Visa and immigration services are centralized at the Canadian Consulate General in Sao Paulo, which processes applications for permanent residence, permanent resident determinations or to visit Canada temporarily as tourists, students or workers. Non-refundable processing fees are charged for all applications.
Address:
Av. das Nações Unidas, 12901 - 16. andar - Brooklin
Centro Empresarial Nações Unidas - Torre Norte
04578-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
Tel.: (55-11) 5509-4343
Fax: (55-11) 5509-4262
E-mail: SaoPaulo-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca
For security reasons, effective immediately, cellular telephones, radios, cameras and other wireless communication and recording devices are not permitted in the Consulate General of Canada, including reception areas and interview booths. Visitors are requested to not bring such devices with them. Visitors with such devices will be expected to leave them with Consulate General security staff on arrival. The Consulate General further reserves the right to refuse entry to persons carrying large packages, suitcases, weapons or any other item which could potentially jeopardize the safety and security of our staff, clients and visitors. | 
