Obtain a valid passport issued by your country of citizenship that will not expire for at least six months. If you already have a passport, make sure that it contains enough blank pages.
Research the foreign country's rules. Most countries disclose visa requirements through a consulate or embassy Web site. For example, the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C., provides applications on its Web site and estimates processing times (like up to 10 days for a tourist visa).
Complete an application. You usually must describe the reason for your trip (business, adoption, or volunteer) and provide personal information, such as your residential address, date or birth, profession, and nationality. Many countries require two or four passport-style color photos of each applicant.
Submit all documents and include the correct application fee. Visa costs vary by country. A single-entry visa usually is cheaper than a multiple-entry visa. Some additional requirements might include health certificates to verify that you do not have a communicable disease, or invitation letters to confirm your enrollment in an educational program.
Receive your approved application or visa. If the consulate or embassy requested your passport, they will return the passport and attach the visa.
