Every country has specific rules and regulations for international visitors arriving for vacation, business, or any other reasons. Brazil, which is the fifth-largest country in the world, is one of the most diverse and fascinating nations. The country boasts of rich history, culture, and incredible landscapes and wildlife. It is no wonder to see the country as one of the most popular destinations among tourists and travelers.
You will certainly need a Brazil visa if you want to visit Brazil. You should know about the types of Brazil visas, the application process, and the requirements. However, some country nationals are exempt from applying for a visa for Brazil and can enter the country with a visa and stay for 90 days. Americans can learn more here about the visa application for Brazil.
Types of Brazil Visas
There are two main visas for Brazil, the Brazil Visit Visa and Brazil Temporary Visa.
- Brazil Visit Visa (VIVIS) – Popular as a Tourist Visa, Business Visa, and Transit Visa, VIVIS are issued for short-term stays that do not exceed three months.
- Brazil Temporary Visa (VITEM) – VITEM is a long-term visa that allows the visitors to stay for more than 90 days and can be Work Visa, Student Visa, and Family Reunion Visa. One has to register with the Brazilian Federal Police (PDF) to get their migration registration card (CRNM) that allows them residency in Brazil for a certain period.
Typically, when you apply for Brazil Visas, you will be asked to submit your application under specific categories such as tourist visa, business visa, transit visa, and work visa. As an applicant, you should know which kind of visa to apply for, based on the purpose of your visit to Brazil.
- Brazil Tourist Visa – Required for short-term purposes and issued for tourists who come here for recreational purposes and travel.
- Brazil Business Visa – As the name suggests, the visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit the country for business-associated objectives such as meetings, events, and signing contracts.
- Brazil Transit Visa – All those who change planes in a Brazil airport will need a Brazil transit visa to make their way to another destination through the country.However, those with a connecting flight booked on the same plane ticket do not need a transit visa, but this does not apply for Porto Alegre (POA), Curitiba (CWB), Porto Seguro (BPS), Florianopolis (FLN), and Salvador (SSA) airports.
- Brazil Work Visa – If you want to work in Brazil and have found a job there, you need to apply for a work visa. Get approval from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor to work in the company through your new employer.
The Tourist Brazil eVisa, an electronic visa, was introduced in 2017 to facilitate citizens of eligible countries to visit the country. The multiple-entry visa was valid for two years and allowed the visitors to stay for 90 days per year. Verify your eligibility as the Tourist online eVisa for Brazil is no longer needed for the eligible countries as of June 2019. The Brazilian government plans to introduce a new electronic visa in the coming months.
Brazil Visa Requirements
Brazil’s visa requirements can vary based on the type of visa one is applying for. Irrespective of the kind of visa you are applying for, you will need the following basic documents:
- a valid passport for at least another six months
- two blank visa pages
- visa application form receipt
- passport-size photo
- return-flight ticket
- proof of adequate financing to cover the costs of your stay
You should also show a letter of invitation from your friends or family or a hotel reservation as proof of accommodation in Brazil.
If you are self-employed, submit a tax assessment and notarized affidavit with your documents. Those who are employed should get a letter from their employer as proof of their employment, and if one is a student, they should get a letter from their school or university that confirms their enrollment.
Brazil Business Visa
- Letter from your company stating the explanation for the visit
- Letter of invitation from Brazilian office or company
Brazil work visa
- Approval letter from the Ministry of Labor
- Police clearance certificate from your country
- Company’s work contract and registration documents
Brazil family reunion visa
- Proof of family relationship
- Police clearance certificate from your country
- Certificate of birth or marriage
Brazil student visa
- Enrollment letter of the educational institution or university
- Police clearance certificate from your country
- Financial proof that covers your stay
- pre-paid return envelope
Brazilian Consular staff may request any other additional documents if required.
Visa Photo Requirements
You need to follow certain specifications when submitting visa photos with a Brazil visa application.
- Size: 2-inch x 2 inch or 4cm x 5cm
- Recent within six months and with a plain white background
- The face must be fully visible and carry a neutral expression
- The face should be in the center and looking straight at the camera
- There should be no glares or shadows in the picture
- No use of any headgear unless it is for religious purposes
- No use of any eyeglasses that are tinted, too large, and with thick rims
The visa photos of babies and children should show them alone in the picture and follow the above basic requirements for photos needed for Brazil visa application. They should not be holding any toys or wearing any caps.
Always get the photo clicked by a professional photographer and follow all the above-listed specifications, or the Consulate will not accept the photo.
For U.S. citizens
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to enter Brazil for tourism, artistic, or sports activities. However, for any other type of travel, U.S. citizens need to apply for a Brazilian visa and can do so online or visit the Brazilian Consulate that is nearest to them in their country. In addition, they must declare 10,000 BR for entry and exit.
PCR and antigen tests for COVID-19 are reliably available in Brazil for U.S. citizens, but there is no guarantee if the tests or results will meet the departure timing requirements. These tests cost between $20 and $100 and the turnaround time can vary based on the location. Follow all recommendations for the pandemic and wear proper masks, especially in crowded outdoor settings and wash your hands frequently.
U.S. citizens should be aware of the Consulate and embassies of their country in Brazil. The U.S. Consulate and embassies are currently located in Quadra, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Sao Paulo. Brazil Travel Advisory from the U.S. Consulates advises their citizens to avoid areas within100 miles of land borders of Brazil with Colombia, Peru, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, Bolivia, French Guiana, and Paraguay due to safety issues.
U.S. citizens with a passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, can still apply to get a visa, but there can be exceptions. It is best to schedule an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Brazil to renew the passport.
How to apply for a Brazil Visa
You have to apply for a Brazil visa from one of the Embassies or Consulates of Brazil in your country. If you have little clue as to how to apply for a Brazil Visa, it is best to find the nearest Brazil Embassy to your location and contact them to learn about the visa requirements. The process can vary based on where you live. You can get a visa appointment or contact them online as the Brazilian Visa application form can be easily filled out online.
The Visa application form will carry certain questions regarding details such as your name, age, passport information, and purpose of visit. In addition, there are some questions related to security and health matters. The application takes only a few minutes to complete and can be submitted online along with electronic copies of the required documents. Once the online application is filled, print the document and sign and date the application.
You will get a confirmation number and the date of your appointment with the Consular staff, or the documents will be sent through the mail. Based on the specific Embassy and depending on the country, one can choose the preferred method of payment to pay the Brazil visa fee.
The Consular staff will notify you regarding the visa application status and the outcome. Brazil tourist visa is electronically linked to the applicant’s passport once it is approved by the government. You may have to visit the Consulate to receive your visa or can get it via mail. Keep in mind that in some countries, Brazil Embassies submit the application through a visa or travel agency and may or may not allow you to submit the application via mail. In some cases, they strictly require the applicant to appear in person.
The processing time for a Brazil Visa depends on the specific Embassy and how it handles the application. Nevertheless, one can expect the whole process to be over within two weeks. However, it may take a bit longer for those applying for long-term visas. Thus, it is always better to apply well ahead and in advance to avoid any delays.
Brazil Visa Fees
Currently, the Brazil visa fee is US$ 80,00 for all countries, with a few exceptions. For instance, it is US$ 120 for Australia, US$ 115 for China, US$ 85 for Algeria, and 180 for Angola.
Us citizens need to pay US$ 160 for a regular visa and US$ 100 for a temporary visa. There is no visa fee for Diplomatic, official, and courtesy visas.
Applicants under 18 years of age
As there are special requirements for minors applying for the Brazilin visa, it is essential to learn about the essential documents needed. Applicants who are 18 years of age will be allowed to apply for a visa and travel only if they carry a notarized letter by the absent parent or guardian, apart from that, a valid passport, passport size photo, and all other essential documents based on the type of visa needed for the minor need to be submitted. Those requirements are stricter for children with a Brazilian parent.
COVID Restrictions
As of today, vaccinations are not required, but one must look for the latest updates on Brazil tourist information. Before you travel, it is a must to go through the requirements section for entry into the country on its government website to learn about the current restrictions and requirements. Stay in touch with your travel provider and follow the advice or suggestions as the situation can change with little warning.
The Brazilian government allows international travel with certain measures in place to limit the spread of the pandemic. Any unvaccinated travelers without proof of vaccination will not be allowed entry unless they meet certain criteria set out by the Brazilian authorities. There are some exclusions for children under 12, but it is important to check with the Brazilian authorities before planning any trip. Brazil travelers currently require a Travelers Health Declaration form to be filled in online within 24 hours of boarding their flight.
Latest updates
The Brazilian government had suspended counting the length of stay of the visitors due to the pandemic. However, it has resumed the counting from November 2020, and those with 90 days expiry deadline between16 March 2020 to November 2, 2020, will not be fined. However, others can be fined for overstaying. Contact the Policia Federal for the latest information.
One can extend their Brazil visa easily and have to submit an application with the local Brazilian Federal Police office for visa extension. Just bear in mind that the application should be submitted at least two weeks before the visa’s expiry date and no earlier than one month. The final decision will rely on the Federal Police department, and you may or may not get the extension.
Make good use of the information listed on this page regarding Brazilian visa applications. If your documents are complete and authentic and if the Brazilian immigration authority is satisfied regarding the intended purpose of the visit, you will have no issue getting the visa for Brazil.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
