Ryan Rowlands is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. He joined the State Department in 2000 and served overseas in Mexico, Guatemala, Macedonia, Serbia and Panama. Ryan completed domestic assignments in the State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research as Director of the Office for Southern Europe and as Director of Public Diplomacy for the Western Hemisphere. He also earned a Masters in National Security Resource Strategy from the Eisenhower School at National Defense University in Washington D.C. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ryan studied biology at Whittier College and received his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law. He is a member of the California Bar and speaks Portuguese, Spanish, Macedonian, and Serbian. He arrived in Rio de Janeiro in June 2024. His wife, Stephanie, is an English as a Second Language (ESL) and special education teacher and their two adult children are fulltime college students.
Ryan Rowlands’ journey is a testament to the power of education, adaptability, and a commitment to global engagement. He began his path with a foundation in science, studying biology at Whittier College, and then went on to earn a Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law. This blend of scientific and legal expertise showcases a versatile mind and a drive to master diverse fields.
Since joining the State Department in 2000, his career has been a masterclass in diplomacy. He has served with distinction in a variety of key posts around the world, from Mexico and Guatemala to Macedonia, Serbia, and Panama. Each assignment has built upon the last, culminating in domestic roles as Director of Public Diplomacy for the Western Hemisphere and Director of the Office for Southern Europe. His arrival as the U.S. Consul General in Rio de Janeiro in June 2024 is the latest chapter in a career dedicated to forging connections and building understanding across nations. His ability to speak Portuguese, Spanish, Macedonian, and Serbian is a powerful example of his dedication to truly connect with people and cultures on a deeper level.
The mission of the U.S. Consul General in Rio de Janeiro is to serve as the principal representative of the United States government in the state of Rio de Janeiro and to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives.1 This mission is multi-faceted and focuses on several key areas.
1. Protecting U.S. Citizens: The most fundamental mission is to provide emergency and routine services to American citizens living in or visiting the consulate’s district. This includes assisting with passports, visas, and notarial services, as well as providing support during emergencies, natural disasters, or times of crisis.
2. Strengthening U.S.-Brazil Relations: The Consul General works to deepen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Brazil at the state level. This involves promoting cooperation on a wide range of issues, including trade and investment, security, education, science, and cultural exchange.
3. Economic and Commercial Interests: A key part of the mission is to promote U.S. economic interests by assisting American companies with business opportunities and helping Brazilian companies invest in the U.S. The goal is to create a stronger commercial partnership that benefits both countries.
4. Public Diplomacy and Cultural Exchange: The Consul General engages with local communities to explain U.S. policies and values. This includes organizing cultural and educational exchange programs, such as student exchange programs and speaker series, to foster mutual understanding and goodwill.
5. Visa Services: The mission includes overseeing the processing of visa applications for Brazilians wishing to travel to the United States for tourism, business, or education. The goal is to facilitate legitimate travel while ensuring U.S. security is maintained.
In essence, the Consul General acts as the lead diplomat and manager of the U.S. government’s operations in Rio de Janeiro, dedicated to protecting Americans and promoting the shared interests of the United States and Brazil.4
The Consulate General of the United States of America in Rio de Janeiro was established in November, 1971, when the Embassy was transferred to Brasília. Headed by a Consul General, the office is responsible for a broad range of consular and commercial functions and for coordination of United States Government activities in its Consular District, which covers the states of Rio de Janeiro, Espírito Santo and Bahia. The Consular Section has also consular jurisdiction over this region in Brazil. However, most applicants can now apply for a non-immigrant visa at any Consulate or the Embassy in Brazil, regardless of where they live in the Country.
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