William James Woodward

Hi Victoria, Funny you should mention that, because I found the same thing. I learned French in high school, but was terrible. When I put my kids into a French Immersion public school in Canada I became fluent through helping them. However once ... Read More

Well, that may be enough to get the visa denied. Work history is one of the key factors. They may have strong supspicions you're coming with the intention to find work and stay. You should expect that. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Even with a Letter of Invitation, if you can't clearly show sufficient funds to support yourself during your entire visit, and if you can't show substantial ties to your home country, such as stable employment, ongoing schooling, family ... Read More

The school year in Canada runs from the day following Labor Day (in most places), so this year the new school year would begin on/about Tuesday, September 6, depending on the school district. The end of the school year is usually in June. Children ... Read More

Regarding dress code, that depends totally on the location and the business sector one works in. For example in São Paulo (capital), business dress is much more formal than in the rest of the country. Suits and ties are common dress for men. ... Read More

Hello GOVARTHAN, Don't want to rain on your parade, but before you go making too many plans you should know that obtaining a visa that will allow you a visit long enough to get through the complicated marriage process (around 45 days) is going ... Read More

Hello malikaali, Well, when you think of what is going to happen if you don't leave the country, and do so as quickly as possible, I'm sure you'll find some way to come up with the money to pay the fine, or make some arrangement to pay ... Read More

The process (start to finish) may take a year or more depending on the case. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Hello Rizwan, It's impossible to say exactly what effect of living apart from your wife when you apply for naturalization. The distance between you, and the length of the physical separation will certainly raise eyebrows of the Federal Police. ... Read More

It goes without saying that there are many marriages between expats and Vietnamese that are just perfect. In most of the horror stories that have been posted here about expats marrying Vietnamese women there are two main themes that repeat over and ... Read More

Sounds like you'll be much better off in the future. Keep your chin up and remember that all women aren't the same. Once you get back to the USA you can file for an 'ex parte' divorce in the state where you reside, since you have ... Read More

Regardless of what happens any effects on the exchange rate or Brazilian stok market will be very short-lived. The truth of the matter is that ALL of Brazil's politicians are more crooked than the proverbial corkscrew, and no matter who ends ... Read More

According to the provisions of Lei n.º 37/81 de 3 de Outubro, Lei da Nacionalidade (Portuguesa) only the children of Portuguese citizen (mother or father) born in national territory, or abroad; or a child adopted by a Portuguese parent, are ... Read More

http://www.clesio.net/foto/clesio.net-eddd25f7ad0ba086949c949f3ee0d48f.jpg President Dilma Rousseff took a plane from the Brazilian Air Force and flew to Rio Grande do Sul. She left Brasilia to 9h20min this Saturday (2), arrived in Porto Alegre ... Read More

Hello Whos_your_Addy, Your cat is very likely reacting to the stress of the move to a new location. While the couch cover may be a partial solution and the cat is just going to continue to shred the cover anyway, you need to deal with your ... Read More

Hello malikaali, The first thing you need to do is IMMEDIATELY contact your country's Consulate or Embassy in Kuwait and advise them of your situation. You need to follow the advice that they give you. In your situation you face possible ... Read More

While there are many things much more pressing to deal with in this country, I must say that the arrogance of some people is impressive. The rubber duckie has been a childhood bath toy for decades, Dutch artist Florentjun Hofman is hardly the ... Read More

One has to ask the question... What does a nation do when it can no longer even have faith in the impartiality of the highest court in the land? Who does one turn to for justice when even the Judiciary is suspect? When a President of the Republic ... Read More

As far as I know all passport applications are by appointment only Read More

https://www.expat.com/images/v8-profile-assets/logo/header-logo.png Hello Stephen_T, As you know https://www.expat.com (and Expat-blog before it) has always been about SHARING your expat experiences. In keeping with that mission, if you have any special information ... Read More

https://www.expat.com/images/v8-profile-assets/logo/header-logo.png Members are reminded to not post private contact information such as telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc., on our public forums for security reasons. Also for your own security you should not ... Read More

Ajith Thomas, Call Mount Sinai Hospital through their main switchboard numbers 212-241-6500 or 212-590-3300 and ask for Human Resources. I'm convinced you are dealing with a scam because of the e-mail address which should be from the ... Read More

In most countries unless you are a member of the deceased's immediate family, or legal next of kin you aren't going to have any authority to repatriate the body. Obtaining official documents like Death Certificate, official permission to ... Read More

Traditionally Brazilians include far too much information on their CVs. Certainly much more than laws in most other countries permit employers to know until you are actually hired. For personal information it is common for them to include their RG ... Read More

This country will never be truly open to Enterpreneurship until it changes its sadly outdated Decreto/Lei No. 6.815 Estatuto de Estrangeiro, which for the most part doesn't even conform to the Constitution. It's a hold-over from the military ... Read More

And OUR Nero continues playing her fiddle while watching Rome burn... some people just never learn. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Hello Kiiwiineil, Brazil, a new country in formation? Really, I wonder what gives you that idea. Brazil was colonized and governed by the Portuguese more than five and a half centuries ago. and became fully independent in 1822 and proclaimed a ... Read More

I was biting my tongue earlier because I too am deeply offended by INSTRUCTORS who insist on calling themselves teachers, after having shelled out a few bucks and taken a one month course that is even available online in most cases. Now that ... Read More

The public school system is reserved solely for Brazilian teachers. You need to be a citizen. Private schools (international schools) may sponsor teachers, but usually don't because they have a ready supply of native teachers that live here ... Read More

Please remember that for security reasons our members should not post private contact information (telephone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.) on the public forums. If you wish to share that information only do so in our private message system for ... Read More

Nothing in Brazil ever has anything to do with ethics, here it's all about saving your own hide. They'll start eathing each other alive any day now. Every one of them will be pointing fingers and naming names trying to swing a deal to save ... Read More

If you are unable to find whiteboards in the size you require then a viable solution that I've seen and even used myself is a framed sheet of glass, roller coated on the back side with pure white latex paint. (several coats, allowed to dry in ... Read More

Unless you've already been granted permanency you're kind of jumping the gun, don't you think? Even after being granted permanency (based on marriage or a Brazilian child) you still must wait one year before you can even apply for ... Read More

Hi Benjamin, You certainly can pay the overstay fine on return to Brazil, but if your flight will be arriving outside of normal banking ours then be prepared to be held at the airport until the bank does open. The Federal Police issue a GRU (Guia ... Read More

Hi Tracy, Hopefully the Federal Police will be able to trace the payment of the fine through their computer system, but I can't guarantee that. Did your friend by any chance make a copy of the GRU? If so, I'd suggest scanning it and sending ... Read More

You would have no problem re-entering after 270 days, provided the overstay fine has been paid. You would only be entitled to a 90 day stay however. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Six months will only put you back to ZERO. The Federal Police officer was correct, you'll need to wait one year from departure to be able to come back for a 90 day stay that you can extend by a further 90, or 270 days for just the initial 90 day ... Read More

This is the beginning of the end for all of them, Dilma, Lula, Cunha, Calheiros, and the whole crew. Heads are going to roll in Brasília and there aren't going to be enough baskets to catch them all. Today, in almost unanimity the ... Read More

Hello Yoya, According to the interactive map of world migration published by the International Organization For Migration (IOM), there are 3720 Egyptians in all of Brazil. https://www.iom.int/world-migration A quick search of the expat.com ... Read More

You only got married because you wanted a child... Have you considered the very real possibility that she could be taking contraceptives, or has had a tubal ligation? How long have you been married already? She hasn't even had a close call yet? ... Read More

So let's put this video into it's proper perspective and it will confirm what I've been saying all along. They now are stating conclusively that only 1 in 100 pregnant women who are infected with Zika virus will have babies that are ... Read More

http://imguol.com/c/noticias/0c/2015/12/04/4dez2015---linha-sucessoria-da-presidencia-dilma-temer-cunha-renan-e-lewandowski-1449236484518_615x300.png Just to make it clear what happens if and when President Dilma Rousseff is impeached the photo ... Read More

Don't know who told you that, but they're obviously a true cheapskate. My ex-wife owns a salon in São Paulo (bairro Pirituba) and all of her clients tip. Even here in Brazil tipping is commonplace when you receive good service. In ... Read More

Well your first posting made it quite clear that your mother-in-law is not one of those people who needs help since she owns her own home and appears to be quite comfortable. You further stated that she isn't using that money, but rather it goes ... Read More

No Gary that's not what I said. There are two ways about it. 1. VWP entry study (but not at a university or college) for up to 90 day. There is a possibility because of the separate VWP agreemente with BR/UK that you could extend to get 180 ... Read More

So you're saying essentially that you went into this with your eyes wide open. I'm sure then that you also must have known that your mother-in-law was in no real need of your "contribution" anyway. So you bought yourself a bride ... Read More

It can, but the cure may be even worse than the disease. Read More

If you can't get private healthcare coverage here then you're stuck with SUS and you'll take months from the time you get a referral from a doctor to see a cardiologist. Surgery waiting lists can be 6 months to a year, sometimes longer. ... Read More

If you are already in Brazil you should apply for a SUS (Sistema Única de Saúde) card which will entitle you to free emergency care at Emergency Hospitals and UPAs and consultations in the neighborhood health clinics (Posto de Saúde / ... Read More

Hi tatyfederal. You should also copy and paste this into our EVENTS section. Mouse over "COMMUNITY" in the toolbar at the top of this page and click on "EVENTS". Paste your text there too. You can actually select a target ... Read More

Hi Shahbaz, You should place your (free) ad in our JOBS section. Just click on that tab in the toolbar at the top of the page and follow the instructions. Also, I have requested our administrators remove your e-mail address from your posting here ... Read More

Fortunately I live in Macaé, about 4 hours drive north of Rio. I'm so glad for that because even on a Sunday it would certainly cause absolute chaos in a city. More than a million in Rio, 1.4 million in São Paulo... the real miracle is ... Read More

This is nothing at all new... they've been asking for military intervention since she was re-elected. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Well, restaurants are a very competative and risky business in Brazil, since Brazilians are not famous for experimenting with exotic foods. Italian restaurants are very common here so unless you've got some 'catch' on the menu that will ... Read More

http://s2.glbimg.com/m_80LgEQYQklncr5iFAutBfNfQ4=/620x465/s.glbimg.com/jo/g1/f/original/2015/08/16/brazil-rousseff-_paulo_whitaker_reuters_3.jpg Today millions of Brazilians took to the streets all over the country to protest against the current ... Read More

Shahbaz, I'm curious as to why you'd want to invest your money in opening a Currency Exchange or Casino in Brazil, ventures that are so tightly regulated and steeped in mountains of bureaucracy??? If your intention is solely to obtain a ... Read More

Yes, that's the declaration you need. The other one will be available from the Federal Police. Attend the delegacy, all police stations including the Federal Police, are called delegacies. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Currently such things as casinos, bingos and even video slot machines in bars are completely illegal. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Hi TLL, The original rant posted by maz249 made it all quite clear. She and her hubby (Brits) know better than the doctors, based on internet research and anecdotal information from others. Or should we say, they have both received medical degrees ... Read More

You can apply for the CTPS immediately upon having your application for permanency accepted. In fact, the Federal Police should issue you a statement that you have the right to apply for the CTPS when processing your application. You need to apply ... Read More

Hi Phil, The (fill in the blanks) forms for "Declaração que não se encontra separados" and "Declaração de Não Condenação" are available from the Federal Police. You should attend the ... Read More

I have found errors in textbook material produced by Cambridge, Trinity, Longman, MacMillan, and all the others during my 28 years of teaching. All these books are compiled by a team, they're not the work of one individual. We're all human, ... Read More

There is a very old quote from Alexander Pope - "A little bit of knowledge is a dangerours thing." That's the big problem in the world today. Because of the internet anyone can access information about any topic they wish. Patients ... Read More

Amazing the number of people who are willing to risk the numerous dangers of carrying large sums of cash when they travel, all to save a couple of dollars in banking fees or taxes. Don't forget that Customs and Immigrations officers worldwide ... Read More

Hello Chad, I'm going to chime in here with a few observations from the perspective of an ESL English teacher with a career spanning over 28 years. My qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (English) and a Bachelor of Education (English) ... Read More

Good luck with that!!! Brazilians will take great offense at the statement, no matter how true it clearly is. Go figure? Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Hi Gary, No, it would depend solely upon the institution, and the course. If you're looking at a university then you should check their website. You can find all of them with a quick Google search by state or city... example "universities ... Read More

https://www.expat.com/images/v8-profile-assets/logo/header-logo.png Hello Matt, Expat.com forums are not intended for adverstising of any kind, including job offers or searches. You are invited to place your (free) ad in our JOBS section, which you can access by ... Read More

https://www.expat.com/images/v8-profile-assets/logo/header-logo.png Hello Sharon suete, Your posting has been removed for the following reason(s): 1. Posting private contact information is not permitted on our forums for obvious security reasons. 2. This is ... Read More

Regardless of whether one enters on a VITUR Tourist Visa or through the Visa Waiver Program, a tourist is only allowed a maximum of 180 days in any one year (rolling) period in Brazil. You would be far better off to enroll in a course that would ... Read More

Forget the idea completely. Currency Exchanges are all regulated by the Central Bank and subject to all the same rules as banks. You'd be looking at years and years of bureaucracy and red tape, plus an capitalization of millions of dollars. I ... Read More

Yes, you are correct. If you have a UK passport and provided that you don't enroll in a university or private college program, you can study at any other learning institution for up to 90 days while your Visa Waiver Program (VWP) entry is valid. ... Read More

If you're not sure whether a job offer is a scam or not the following topic thread will help you find out, and to protect yourself. https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=380447 It really isn't too difficult to find out, most of it ... Read More

Yes, UNICAMP has a Português para Estrangeiros course. See the link below: http://www.cel.unicamp.br/ Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Hi Margot, As someone who has lived in Brazil for 14+ years now, and as an ESL English teacher with a career spanning 28 years, and Portuguese for expats 14 years, I can tell you that none of the commercial (for profit) language schools will offer ... Read More

terwill57, https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5741/22954952894_f5b2cf46a0_z.jpg You are reminded that posting of personal contact information is not permitted on our open forums for obvious reasons of personal security. Cheers, James expat.com ... Read More

http://hahaquotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Rest-in-peace-mummy-I-love-you-always-and-forever-1.jpg It was with the deepest sadness I received the news of Olivier's passing. He will truly be missed by me and everyone else on the Experts ... Read More

While Brazil has taken steps toward stopping the deforestation of the Amazon Rainforest and Atlantic Rainforest, they have done little in terms of stopping pollution of the country's waterways. Some of the most polluted rivers in the world are ... Read More

I think even the offer of a Ministry within the government would be off the table now that he has been formally charged. Certainly now, if it were to happen and not be held to be unconstitutional (and possibly a crime), it would cause such an uproar ... Read More

The roaches in tropical and sub-tropical countries can be as large as an LAPD detective's badge, and may even look larger than that if one lands on your chest!!! Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Hi ellieengle, The question hanging in the air that begs to be asked is... Exactly how do you plan on getting along on your own if you manage to get back to London? From the fact that you moved to the Dominican Republic with your mother in the ... Read More

As a fellow Canadian take my advice, if you're not keen on cockroaches then you had better cross Central and South America off your to see list altogether. The cockroaches in all of these countries are like you've never seen before in your ... Read More

I don't believe that a 4 hour a week Portuguese course is going to qualify you for a VITEM-IV Student Visa, besides that would only be issued for a max, of one year and only for as long as you are in the course. I'm sure you'd need at ... Read More

You don't need an Immigration Lawyer or Immigration Consultant, unless you're completely incapable of dealing with bureaucratic processes. In fact, Citizenship and Immigration Canada warns on their website to beware of fraudulent consultants ... Read More

ndfansince53, These were not campaign contributions, they were kickbacks and bribes on government contracts that were way overbid. As far as I understand that's still conduct which is considered a crime in the USA too. Cheers, James expat.com ... Read More

Baz, Unfortunately, unless the couple is together you can't apply for permanency based on marriage. You have to declare that you are not divorced, separated or de facto separated. Cheers, James expat.com Experts Team Read More

Hi Baz, It would just be a matter of registering the foreign marriage to your Brazilian wife at the Consulado-Geral do Brasil in London. It must be done by the Brazilian spouse, then the marriage would also need to be registered afterward in the ... Read More

Sorry, I couldn't even bear to finish watching it... it was so full of BS and misinformation that it was like watching one of the many FEMA coffins or New World Order conspiracy videos. It was all statements with ZERO facts or evidence. The ... Read More

One thing that I find extremely ironic about all this hullabaloo about Zika Virus is that Brazil has had a very high incidence of microcephaly for decades; long before Zika Virus was ever discovered. Now they're ignoring all of the numerous ... Read More