Visa policy of Brazil
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. An identity document is accepted instead of a passport in some cases.| Date of visa abolition |
Visa exemption
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Visas are not required for airport transit, from any nationality, as long as the traveler does not leave the international transit area.
Nationals of Spain are specifically required to hold proof of sufficient funds of at least R$170 per day, proof of confirmed hotel accommodation 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.
Brazilian citizens who also have another nationality are allowed to enter and leave Brazil with the passport of the other country in combination with any document attesting Brazilian nationality such as a Brazilian identity card or an expired Brazilian passport. If they do not provide such document, they may still enter Brazil as foreigners, subject to the regular requirements and limitations as such. 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.
Diplomatic and service passports
Holders of diplomatic or service passports of countries exempt from visit visas 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.In addition, holders of diplomatic or service passports of Algeria, Angola, Azerbaijan, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Dominican Republic, 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.
Future changes
Brazil has signed visa waiver agreements with the following countries, but they are pending ratification or implementation:- – 60 days, renewable for up to 120 days per 12-month period, for ordinary passports
- – 90 days within any 6-month period for ordinary passports
- – 90 days, or the entire period of a mission if accredited to Brazil, for holders of diplomatic, official or service passports
Visa types and requirements
Visit visa
The visit visa allows stays of up to 90 days, for the following purposes:- 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.
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.
Temporary visa
Many types of temporary visas 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 before requesting the visa.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 migration registration card and are granted residency for a certain period. In some cases this period may be "indeterminate". 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.
Those who will be employed in Brazil must also obtain a Labor and Social Security Booklet from a Regional Superintendency of Labor. A taxpayer number, obtained from the Department of Federal Revenue, is also required for various transactions.
Humanitarian
VITEM III is granted to nationals or stateless residents of countries experiencing serious instability, armed conflict, disaster or violations of human rights. Brazil has designated Haiti and Syria for this type of visa. Residency is granted initially for two years, after which the applicant may request permanent residency.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. Such agreements are in effect with France, Germany and New Zealand. 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. 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. 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.
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.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 and Uruguay. 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.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.Medical training
VITEM XV 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.Requests for residency while already in Brazil
Requests for residency with the same purposes and conditions as temporary visas 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:- Former Brazilian nationals
- Refugees, asylum seekers and stateless people
- Unaccompanied minors
- Victims of human trafficking, slavery or other criminal abuses of migrants
- Individuals serving a criminal sentence or probation in Brazil
- Nationals of neighboring countries that have not ratified the Mercosur residency agreement
- Nationals of Cuba who have participated in the Mais Médicos medical training program
- Nationals of the Dominican Republic and Senegal who have an application for refugee status under review
Diplomatic, official and courtesy visas
Accepted travel documents
For issuing visit and temporary visas, Brazil accepts passports of all entities that have diplomatic relations with it, as well as Kosovo and Taiwan. If the applicant does not hold any of these passports, the visa is issued on a laissez-passer.For issuing diplomatic and official visas, Brazil only accepts passports of entities that have diplomatic relations with it.
Visitor statistics
Most visitors arriving in Brazil for tourism purposes were from the following countries of nationality:| Country | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
| 2,498,483 | 2,622,327 | 2,294,900 | 2,079,823 | 1,743,931 | 1,711,491 | |
| 538,532 | 475,232 | 570,350 | 575,796 | 656,801 | 592,827 | |
| 387,470 | 342,143 | 311,813 | 306,331 | 336,950 | 268,203 | |
| 356,897 | 336,646 | 316,714 | 301,831 | 293,841 | 268,932 | |
| 348,336 | 328,098 | 284,113 | 267,321 | 223,508 | 262,512 | |
| 238,345 | 254,153 | 263,774 | 261,075 | 282,375 | 224,078 | |
| 209,039 | 203,045 | 221,513 | 224,549 | 265,498 | 236,505 | |
| 154,586 | 185,858 | 202,671 | 189,269 | 217,003 | 169,732 | |
| 175,763 | 171,654 | 181,493 | 202,015 | 228,734 | 233,243 | |
| 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 |