Visa policy of Brazil

Politics of Brazil
Executive President (list) Jair Messias Bolsonaro Vice President Antônio Hamilton Martins Mourão Cabinet Attorney General of the Union National Defense Council Federal institutions
Legislative Federal Senate Chamber of Deputies Court of Accounts of the Union
Judiciary Supreme Court Superior Court of Justice Superior Labor Court Superior Electoral Court Superior Military Court National Justice Council
Law Constitution (history) Anti-discrimination Human rights LGBT rights
Administrative divisions States State governors State Senators Municipalities
Recent elections General: 2010 2014 2018 Municipal: 2012 2016 2020 Referendums: 1993 2005 Political parties
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister: Carlos Alberto França Diplomatic missions of / in Brazil Nationality law Passports Visa requirements Visa policy
Brazil portal Other countries
v t

Visitors to Brazil must obtain a visa from one of the Brazilian diplomatic missions, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries.

Visa policy map[]

Visa exemption[]

Holders of ordinary passports of the following jurisdictions do not require a visa to visit Brazil for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted). An identity document is accepted instead of a passport in some cases.^[1][2]

All European Union citizens[a]
Albania[b]  Andorra  Antigua and Barbuda  Argentina[c]  Armenia  Australia  Bahamas  Barbados  Belarus  Belize  Bolivia[c]  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Canada  Chile[c]  Colombia[c]  Costa Rica  Dominica[b]  Dominican Republic[d]  Ecuador[c]	El Salvador  Fiji  Georgia[b]  Grenada  Guatemala  Guyana  Honduras  Hong Kong  Iceland  Indonesia[e]  Israel  Jamaica  Japan  Kazakhstan[e]  Liechtenstein  Macau  Malaysia  Mexico  Monaco	Mongolia  Montenegro[b]  Morocco  Namibia  New Zealand  Nicaragua  North Macedonia[b]  Norway  Panama  Paraguay[c]  Peru[c]  Philippines  Qatar  Russia  Saint Kitts and Nevis  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines  San Marino  Serbia	Seychelles[b]  Singapore[e]  South Africa  South Korea  Sovereign Military Order of Malta  Suriname   Switzerland[b]  Thailand  Trinidad and Tobago  Tunisia  Turkey  Ukraine[b]  United Arab Emirates  United Kingdom  United States  Uruguay[c]   Vatican City  Venezuela[c][d]

Date of visa abolition

This list is incomplete; you can help by . (July 2017) uncertain dates before 15 February 2001: Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Vatican City; Andorra, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Namibia, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela (for tourism).[4] Agreements with some of these countries have been in force from the dates below, but visa waivers may have started earlier on previous agreements: 1 August 1931: Austria (replaced by another agreement from 21 October 1967)[5][6] 11 December 1948: Liechtenstein (for tourism)[7] 21 July 1953: Denmark[8] 11 October 1965: Spain[9] 1 April 1969: Finland[10] 26 August 1969: Colombia[11] 28 August 1969: Iceland[12] 7 April 1971: Trinidad and Tobago (for tourism)[13] 22 August 1972: Philippines (replaced by another agreement from 25 October 1973)[14][15] 12 July 1973: Ecuador[16] 1 March 1985: France (replaced by another agreement from 27 June 1996)[17][18] 15 November 1988: Suriname[19] 28 November 1992: Namibia (for tourism)[20] 28 December 1995: Bolivia (for tourism)[21] 30 August 1996: Slovenia[22] 6 December 1996: Costa Rica[23] 26 December 1996: South Africa[24] 25 January 1997: Portugal (replaced by other agreements from 5 September 2001 and 5 December 2007)[25][26][27] 2 July 1998: United Kingdom[28] 22 July 1999: Malaysia (for tourism)[29] 27 October 1999: Thailand[30] 22 April 2000: Poland[31] 29 August 2000: Israel[32] uncertain date before 3 June 2002: Macau[33] uncertain date before 8 December 2004: Sovereign Military Order of Malta; Trinidad and Tobago (for business)[34] 19 July 2001: Hungary[35] 7 January 2002: Panama (for tourism)[36] 20 May 2002: South Korea[37] 1 July 2004: Turkey[38] 6 August 2004: Tunisia[39] 21 October 2004: New Zealand[40] 6 August 2005: Slovakia[41] 16 September 2005: Bolivia (for business)[42] 3 October 2005: Czech Republic[43] 7 October 2005: Bulgaria[44] 3 November 2005: Guyana (for tourism)[45] 5 January 2006: Guatemala (for tourism)[46] 17 August 2006: Croatia[47] 11 November 2007: Romania[48] 22 October 2008: Hong Kong[49] 25 October 2008: Lithuania[50] 19 February 2010: El Salvador[51] 7 June 2010: Russia[52] 1 April 2011: Venezuela (for business)[53] 20 July 2011: Honduras (previously also from 31 March 2006 to 5 September 2009)[54][55][56] 30 October 2011: Ukraine[57] 1 October 2012: Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Malta[58] 4 April 2013: Bosnia and Herzegovina[59] 16 May 2013: Mexico (previously also from 5 May 1969 to 20 November 1990, and from 7 February 2004 to 23 October 2005)[60][61][62][63] 11 July 2013: Guyana (for business)[64] 17 August 2013: Serbia[65] 9 January 2014: Singapore[66] 9 July 2014: Grenada[67] 14 November 2014: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines[68] 29 November 2014: Albania[69] 20 December 2014: Antigua and Barbuda[70] 7 March 2015: Saint Kitts and Nevis[71] 10 April 2015: Georgia[72] 17 May 2015: Dominica[73] 27 June 2015: Jamaica[74] 13 September 2015: Belize[75] 21 October 2015: Mongolia[76] 25 November 2015: Armenia[77] 27 July 2016: Montenegro[78] 27 August 2016: North Macedonia[79] 6 September 2016: Kazakhstan[80] 23 October 2016: Seychelles[81] 25 November 2016: Belarus[82] 29 June 2017: Fiji[83] 20 November 2017: Andorra, Bahamas, Barbados, Guatemala, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, Namibia, Panama (for business)[84] 20 December 2017: Nicaragua[85] 2 June 2018: United Arab Emirates[86] 10 June 2018: Indonesia[87] 17 June 2019: Australia, Japan, Canada, United States[88] (previously also from 1 June to 18 September 2016 for tourism,[89] and electronic visa from 21 November 2017, 11, 18 and 25 January 2018, respectively[90]) 27 December 2019: Qatar[91] 21 October 2021: Dominican Republic[92][93]

Visits with the visa exemption are limited to the same purposes as those with a visit visa (tourism, business, transit, artistic and sport activities, without payment from Brazilian sources).^[94]

Visas are not required for airport transit, from any nationality, as long as the traveler does not leave the international transit area.^[94]

Nationals of Spain are specifically required to hold proof of sufficient funds of at least R$170 per day, proof of confirmed hotel accommodation (paid or guaranteed by credit card) or a notary certified invitation letter from a resident of Brazil, and documents required for their next destination. Those traveling on business are exempt from these requirements when holding an original letter from their company, stating the purpose of the visit.^[2]

Brazilian citizens who also have another nationality are allowed to enter and leave Brazil with the passport of the other country in combination with a Brazilian identity card. If they do not provide this Brazilian document, they may still enter Brazil as foreigners, subject to the regular requirements and limitations as such.^[95] However, usually this case is only possible if Brazil does not require a visa from the other nationality. Brazil only issues visas to dual citizens in exceptional circumstances, such as for those who work in foreign government jobs that prohibit the use of a Brazilian passport.^[96]

Diplomatic, official and service passports[]

Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of countries exempt from visit visas (listed above) also do not need a visa, except those of Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco and New Zealand, while those of Australia, Canada and the United States do not need a visa if traveling for tourism.^[1]

In addition, holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Saint Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Vietnam and Zambia and of diplomatic passports of Cuba, Iran, Pakistan and Uzbekistan do not need a visa.^[1]

Future changes[]

Brazil has signed visa waiver agreements with the following countries, but they are pending ratification or implementation:

•  Bahrain – 90 days within any 6-month period, or the entire period of a mission if accredited to Brazil, for holders of diplomatic, special or official passports^[97]
•  East Timor – 90 days, for holders of diplomatic, official, special or service passports^[98]
•  European Union – amendment of existing agreements, redefining the maximum visa-free stay as 90 days within any 180-day period, for holders of ordinary, diplomatic, service or official passports^[99][100]
•  Moldova – 90 days within any 6-month period, for holders of ordinary passports^[101]
•  Sierra Leone – 90 days, or the entire period of a mission if accredited to Brazil, for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports^[102]

In October 2019, the Brazilian government announced its intention to unilaterally waive the visitor visa requirement for nationals of China and India.^[103] In November 2021, the Brazilian government announced plans to open a tourism office in China and to formalize the visa exemption for Chinese tourists.^[104]

The Mexican government decided to suspend its visa waiver agreement with Brazil from 11 December 2021, requiring a visa or electronic authorization for nationals of Brazil to travel to Mexico. The Brazilian government announced that it would consider a reciprocal requirement for nationals of Mexico to travel to Brazil.^[105]

Visa types and requirements[]

Visit visa[]

The visit visa (VIVIS) allows stays of up to 90 days, for the following purposes:^[94]

• Tourism, including cultural and recreational activities, family visits, attending conferences, volunteer work, research, study and teaching;
• Business, including meetings, events, reporting, filming, surveying, signing contracts, audits, consulting, airplane and ship crew;
• Transit;
• Artistic and sport activities.

Holders of visit visas are not allowed to receive payment from Brazilian sources for the activities during their stay, except for daily allowances for living expenses, payments for entertainment performances, compensation for management of their own business, reimbursement of travel expenses, and competition prizes.^[94]

The visit visa is usually valid for multiple entries during the visa validity period, which is generally one year but may be longer for some nationalities. Each stay is initially limited to 90 days, but an extension may be requested from the Federal Police after arrival. The combined stays must not exceed 180 days per any one-year period.^[94]

Temporary visa[]

Many types of temporary visas (VITEM) are available, for stays longer than 90 days. Certain types of visas allow employment in Brazil. For some visas based on work or investment, the applicant must obtain authorization from the General Coordination of Immigration (CGIG) before requesting the visa.^[94]

All holders of temporary visas intending to stay for more than 90 days are required to register with the Federal Police within 90 days after arrival. After registration, they receive a national migration registration card (CRNM) and are granted residency for a certain period. In some cases this period may be "indeterminate" (permanent residency). Temporary residents may later apply to renew their residency period or convert it to permanent residency in some cases. Only the time spent as a permanent resident qualifies for naturalization.^[94]

In addition to registration, a taxpayer number (CPF) is required for various transactions, and a work card (CTPS) is required for those who will be employed in Brazil.^[106] These documents may be obtained in digital format online, free of charge.^[107][108]

Summary of temporary visas^{[109][110][111][112]}

VITEM	Purpose		Employment in Brazil[113]	CGIG authorization	Nationality	Residency
I	Research, teaching or academic		yes	required	any	2 years, then permanent[a]
			no	not required		2 years
II	Health care		not allowed	not required	any	1 year, renewable
III	Humanitarian		allowed	not required		2 years, then permanent
IV	Study		allowed[b]	not required	any	1 year, renewable
V	Paid work		yes	required	any	2 years, then permanent[c]
			no	in some cases		1 or 2 years[a]
VI	Working holiday		allowed	not required		1 year
VII	Religious		not allowed	not required	any	2 years, then permanent
VIII	Volunteer work		not allowed	not required	any	1 year
IX	Investment	business	not allowed	required	any	permanent from the start
		real estate				2 years, then permanent
X	Economic, scientific, technological or cultural		not implemented
XI	Family reunification		allowed	not required	any	same as family member, or permanent after 4 years
XII	Artistic and sport		not allowed	required[d]	any	1 year
XIII	International agreement		allowed	not required		permanent from the start
						2 years, then permanent
XIV	Retirement		not allowed	not required	any	2 years, then permanent
XV	Medical training		not allowed[e]	not required	any	3 years, renewable

Humanitarian[]

VITEM III is a humanitarian visa granted to nationals or stateless residents of countries experiencing serious instability, armed conflict, disaster or violations of human rights.^[94] Brazil has designated Afghanistan, Haiti and Syria for this type of visa. Residency is granted initially for two years, after which the applicant may request permanent residency.^{[114][115][116]}

Working holiday[]

VITEM VI is a working holiday visa, whose primary purpose must be tourism but paid work is also allowed. This visa is available only by international agreement with the country of nationality.^[94] Such agreements are in effect with France,^[117] Germany^[118] and New Zealand.^[119] These agreements require that the applicant be between 18 and 30 years of age, and allow a stay of up to one year.

Investment[]

VITEM IX is available for three types of investment. One type is for managers and executives whose companies invest at least 600,000 BRL in a Brazilian company, or at least 150,000 BRL and also generate at least 10 new jobs within two years.^[120] Another type is for applicants who personally invest at least 500,000 BRL in a Brazilian company, or at least 150,000 BRL in research activities.^[121] In both cases, the applicant is granted permanent residency from the start.

The other type of investment requires the personal purchase of urban real estate, for at least 700,000 BRL if located in the North or Northeast region, or at least 1 million BRL if located in another region. In this case, residency is granted initially for two years, after which the applicant may request permanent residency.^[122]

Family reunification[]

VITEM XI is available for spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and dependent siblings of a Brazilian citizen, or of a person holding or applying for Brazilian residency not also based on family reunification, and for legal guardians of a Brazilian citizen. For this visa, residency is granted initially for the same period as the family member. Applicants may request permanent residency when the family member acquires it or after four years of residency.^[123][124]

International agreement[]

VITEM XIII is available for nationals of countries with residency agreements. Agreements providing permanent residency from the start are in effect with Argentina^[125] and Uruguay.^[126] A Mercosur agreement is also in effect with Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru, providing residency initially for two years, after which the applicant may request permanent residency.^[127]

Retirement[]

VITEM XIV is available for retirees and beneficiaries of survivor pensions who have a monthly income of at least 2,000 USD and can transfer it to Brazil. Residency is granted initially for two years, after which the applicant may request permanent residency.^[128][129]

Medical training[]

VITEM XV (VICAM) is available for medical doctors licensed in countries with more than 1.8 doctors per 1,000 people. They are assigned to work in locations with low numbers of doctors in Brazil. The visa allows a stay of up to three years, renewable for three more years.^[130]

Requests for residency while already in Brazil[]

Requests for residency with the same purposes and conditions as temporary visas (except VITEM XII and XV) may also be made while the individual is already in Brazil, having entered with a certain visa or waiver but later qualifying for a different or more desirable category. In addition, individuals in various circumstances may also request residency while already in Brazil:^[94]

• Former Brazilian nationals^[a][131]
• Refugees, asylum seekers and stateless people^[a][124]
• Unaccompanied minors^[b][132]
• Victims of human trafficking, slavery or other criminal abuses of migrants^[a][133]
• Individuals serving a criminal sentence or probation in Brazil^[c][124]
• Nationals of neighboring countries that have not ratified the Mercosur residency agreement (Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela)^[d][134]
• Nationals of Cuba who have participated in the Mais Médicos medical training program^[d][135]
• Nationals of the Dominican Republic^[136] and Senegal^[137] who have an application for refugee status under review (requires withdrawing the application)^[d]

Diplomatic, official and courtesy visas[]

Brazil issues diplomatic visas (VIDIP) to representatives of foreign governments or international organizations, as well as official visas (VISOF) to their staff. It also issues courtesy visas (VICOR) to notable people for unofficial trips, to family members and domestic workers of holders of diplomatic or official visas, and to artists and athletes for free cultural events.^[94]

Accepted travel documents[]

For issuing visit and temporary visas, Brazil accepts passports of all entities that have diplomatic relations with it (all member states and observer states of the United Nations, and the Order of Malta), as well as Kosovo and Taiwan. If the applicant does not hold any of these passports, the visa is issued on a laissez-passer.^[1]

For issuing diplomatic and official visas, Brazil only accepts passports of entities that have diplomatic relations with it.^[1]

Visitor statistics[]

Most visitors arriving in Brazil for tourism purposes were from the following countries of nationality:^[138]

Country	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013
Argentina	2,498,483	2,622,327	2,294,900	2,079,823	1,743,931	1,711,491
United States	538,532	475,232	570,350	575,796	656,801	592,827
Chile	387,470	342,143	311,813	306,331	336,950	268,203
Paraguay	356,897	336,646	316,714	301,831	293,841	268,932
Uruguay	348,336	328,098	284,113	267,321	223,508	262,512
France	238,345	254,153	263,774	261,075	282,375	224,078
Germany	209,039	203,045	221,513	224,549	265,498	236,505
United Kingdom	154,586	185,858	202,671	189,269	217,003	169,732
Italy	175,763	171,654	181,493	202,015	228,734	233,243
Portugal	145,816	144,095	149,968	162,305	170,066	168,250
Total	6,621,376	6,588,770	6,578,074	6,305,838	6,429,852	5,813,342

See also[]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Brazil.

• Visa requirements for Brazilian citizens

References[]