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Brasília welcomes SCB's 2005 meeting

The 2005 annual meeting of the Society for Conservation Biology, Conservation Capacity Building and Practice in a Globalized World, will be an outstanding opportunity not only to exchange information and ideas with conservation professionals from around the world but also to learn and experience the vibrant culture of Brazil. We strongly encourage all members to attend the meeting and, if possible, to extend their stay in the Austral and Neotropical American region.

The political realities of a globalized world may require attendees from outside Brazil to plan thoughtfully and well in advance of their anticipated travel. The visa and vaccination information here provides an overview for planning. Please consult the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate General in your home country for complete, authoritative information.

As in previous years, World Travel Service has worked with SCB to offer reduced airline fares and service fees. Booking with World Travel enables SCB to earn vouchers that will be used to support travel by members from developing countries. World Travel offers international expertise and 24-hour access to a call center that can answer questions or change itineraries. To take advantage of these services contact Matthew Strausbaugh, 1200 18th St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036, USA, (202) 293-9278 or (800) 633-8822, FAX (202) 466-2884, www.worldtravelservice.com, matthews@worldtravelservice.com.

Visa Requirements

Citizens of many countries, including the United States, require visas for entry into Brazil. The visa must be issued before you travel--in other words, you cannot expect to obtain a visa at the airport. Brazil has adopted a reciprocity policy: foreigners entering Brazil are treated in the same manner as Brazilians traveling abroad. The policy is implemented on a country-by-country basis. To check whether you will require a visa, see www.scb2005.unb.br/tabela.htm. If you will require a visa, please contact the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate General in your home country. A comprehensive list of consulates is available at www.mre.gov.br/ingles/endereco/consulados.asp. If your country does not have Brazilian diplomatic representation, contact the Consulate General in New York (www.brazilny.org, consulado@brazilny.org) to find out best way to apply for a visa.

Applications for visas must be submitted in person, not by mail. If necessary, you may use the services of a visa agency. You must enter Brazil within 90 days of issuance of the visa. Brazil recommends that you do not apply for a visa earlier than 60 days before travel. The processing time for most visas is 48 hours.

The requirements for business visas and tourist visas are different. If the primary purpose of your travel is to attend the annual meeting--even if you also will be traveling for enjoyment--you probably will need to apply for a business visa. Nevertheless, it is possible to tour Brazil with a business visa. Please contact the Consulate General for more information.

Requirements for a business visa include the following (for complete information, contact the Consulate General).
1. A passport valid for a minimum of six months from the date of intended arrival in Brazil.
2. A Visa Application Form signed by the passport holder.
3. One passport-type photograph (not a snapshot).
4. Letter (on letterhead) from the applicant's employer stating the employee's name and title, tenure of employment, the activities to be performed in Brazil, and the duration of stay.
5. If the applicant is self-employed, an additional letter, containing financial references, from his or her bank.
6. Visa fee of US$60 in cash or by money order.
7. For United States citizens, a processing fee of US$100.

Additional requirements for a tourist visa include a copy of a round trip ticket / itinerary or a statement from a travel agency containing the confirmed itinerary.

Vaccinations

Brazil recommends immunization against yellow fever when traveling to Acre, Amazonas, Amapá, Federal District (Brasília DF), Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, and Tocantins. Yellow fever vaccinations are required for travelers who have visited Brazil during the past 90 days or who will visit any of the following countries before entering Brazil: Angola, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan, and Venezuela.

Children between 3 months and 6 years are required to present certification that they have been immunized against polio.

To find out more about recommended immunizations and medications, especially for field trips, visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site, www.cdc.gov/.

See you in Brasília!

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