There has been a marked slowdown in visa processing at Brazil's Los Angeles consulate which could cause problems for thousands of cruisers heading to South America in coming months.
Brazil's Los Angeles consulate handles visa applications from California, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming -- states that represent a significant percentage of cruisers nationwide.
The slowdown is ‘severe and it hit at the worst time," the head of the National Association of Passport and Visa Services adding that in the worst case if passengers are unable to get visas lines may have to bypass Brazil this winter. "We're not at the point of no return, but we’re getting close."
The news outlet says the backup comes in the wake of the implementation of a new online visa processing system at the Brazilian consulate earlier this year.
