I opened my bank account well over a month ago, but I still did not receive my debit card to actually be able to use the account.
On my first visit to Itaú, I was rejected to even create the account because I did not have a good enough copy of my passport, a permanent RNE (the real card takes six months, for now I just have a piece of paper that SHOULD be official enough, but nobody ever wants to accept as ID), or my CTPS.
On my second visit, I was able to open the account, but not able to put my correct (new) address on the account because I did not have a copy of my rental contract with me (silly me for not carrying my rental contract around all the time). The address on the letter from my company referenced a temporary aparthotel where I was staying until I found my own apartment. I told them how I wouldn't be living there anymore by the time the card would arrive in the mail, and they confirmed that they would send it to my work address instead then. Great.
My third visit was to ask where my card was, as well over 10 business days had gone by and my card did not arrive. I was informed that it was sent to the old temporary address in Botafogo. "But why?" I asked. "You said it would be sent to my work address. I said from the beginning that I would not be living in that place anymore." I was answered with that annoying shrug and smile and "Deus sabe!" excuse. Deus shouldn't know, you should know. Deus doesn't work at the bank.
The fourth visit was to officially change my address to Lapa, now that I had an official notarized rental contract. They changed my address in the system and confirmed that my card had been rejected from Botafogo (when I called Botafogo, they told me it wasn't there and that it was likely that one of the receptionists had done a return-to-sender) and was on its way back. The lady confirmed it would be delivered to the bank itself in another 10 business days.
That brought me to yesterday - the 11th business day (because I'm gracious like that). I asked if my card had arrived and they said no, it had not. They checked in the system, to see that it had been sent to my current address in Lapa. "But I didn't receive it there, I just checked my mail this morning." I was told that you have to sign for it, and since nobody was there to sign (why the doorman wouldn't sign for it for me, I have no idea - he knows I live there!), it was sent back again.
Now they will send it to my work address in another 5 business days (supposedly). I have taken all possible action to ensure that someone here at work signs for it, or calls me upon its arrival so that I can sign for it.
I know I'm not supposed to compare, but I have to. I remember opening any kind of account in the US, even opening my first bank account or ordering a new card for whatever reason. You just confirm some info about yourself, they mail you the card in 7 days (and it usually just takes 3 or 4), you activate it, and bang, you're in business. Over a month, and 5 visits to the bank later, I am still without my card.
My advice? As a foreigner, always carry with you:
- Colored and laminated copy of your passport
- Copy of your rental contract
- RNE
- CTPS
- Blood sample
- Medical and dental records
You know, just to be safe.
On my first visit to Itaú, I was rejected to even create the account because I did not have a good enough copy of my passport, a permanent RNE (the real card takes six months, for now I just have a piece of paper that SHOULD be official enough, but nobody ever wants to accept as ID), or my CTPS.
On my second visit, I was able to open the account, but not able to put my correct (new) address on the account because I did not have a copy of my rental contract with me (silly me for not carrying my rental contract around all the time). The address on the letter from my company referenced a temporary aparthotel where I was staying until I found my own apartment. I told them how I wouldn't be living there anymore by the time the card would arrive in the mail, and they confirmed that they would send it to my work address instead then. Great.
My third visit was to ask where my card was, as well over 10 business days had gone by and my card did not arrive. I was informed that it was sent to the old temporary address in Botafogo. "But why?" I asked. "You said it would be sent to my work address. I said from the beginning that I would not be living in that place anymore." I was answered with that annoying shrug and smile and "Deus sabe!" excuse. Deus shouldn't know, you should know. Deus doesn't work at the bank.
The fourth visit was to officially change my address to Lapa, now that I had an official notarized rental contract. They changed my address in the system and confirmed that my card had been rejected from Botafogo (when I called Botafogo, they told me it wasn't there and that it was likely that one of the receptionists had done a return-to-sender) and was on its way back. The lady confirmed it would be delivered to the bank itself in another 10 business days.
That brought me to yesterday - the 11th business day (because I'm gracious like that). I asked if my card had arrived and they said no, it had not. They checked in the system, to see that it had been sent to my current address in Lapa. "But I didn't receive it there, I just checked my mail this morning." I was told that you have to sign for it, and since nobody was there to sign (why the doorman wouldn't sign for it for me, I have no idea - he knows I live there!), it was sent back again.
Now they will send it to my work address in another 5 business days (supposedly). I have taken all possible action to ensure that someone here at work signs for it, or calls me upon its arrival so that I can sign for it.
I know I'm not supposed to compare, but I have to. I remember opening any kind of account in the US, even opening my first bank account or ordering a new card for whatever reason. You just confirm some info about yourself, they mail you the card in 7 days (and it usually just takes 3 or 4), you activate it, and bang, you're in business. Over a month, and 5 visits to the bank later, I am still without my card.
My advice? As a foreigner, always carry with you:
- Colored and laminated copy of your passport
- Copy of your rental contract
- RNE
- CTPS
- Blood sample
- Medical and dental records
You know, just to be safe.
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