Cellphones and purses at the Consulate - Rio

[MayaQuirino 0]

I was reading on the consulate website about the interview day and it was saying that I can't get there with my cellphone and only a small personal purse and that they don't have a place to keep it, what is the best way to deal with it? Can I rent a locker at the Santos Dumont Airport? Thanks you all!

[kris&me 572]

Are you able to take a family member or a friend to not only care for your belongings for interview but to give you emotional support

[p-ana 933]

Family members are not always welcome to enter the consulate with you, since there's limited seating and occupancy.

In Rio you're not allowed to bring in cellphones. If you do really need to carry yours, go prepared and have cash with you, there are people outside that hold your phone for an amount of money. I'm not sure how much but I'd say 10 reais or so. I believe they take bags as well there.

I had a hotel room til 12pm so I left all my belongs at my room and just went to the consulate with a folder with all my interview documents, ID and cash for my taxi ride back to the hotel.

Edit: just checked the airport website and there's supposed to be lockers there to rent, só better to leave your things there. There are taxis close by the consulate, you won't have any trouble getting one back to the airport. You can also buy a ticket for both ways from and to the airport with a single payment if I'm not mistaken

Edited October 20, 2016 by p-ana

[fabalis1 5]

There booths right outside the consulate where you can check your phone for a small fee while you're in the building. I'm not sure if they will take a purse. It's best to only bring your paperwork and ID and check your phone at the booth outside. The rest of your belongings can stay at your hotel.