If you’re planning a trip to Brazil, visas are required again starting January 10, 2024. The initial date was Oct 1, 2023, but delayed as Brazil set up a new e-visa system. As of January 10, 2024 Brazil has resumed entry visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Australia and Canada. Japan citizens are exempt as Brazil as Japan came to an agreement on mutual visa exemption travel for their citizens. Under principles of reciprocity and equality, United States, Australia and Canada citizens will be forced to jump through hoops and pay a travel tax as Brazil own citizens must.
Former President Jair Bolsonaro eliminated the Brazilian Visa requirement in June 2019 in a push to increase tourism and business. The plan initially worked. The number of Americans booking flights to Brazil jumped 39% in the first six months after the government of Brazil waived visa requirements for U.S. citizens and other nations. Now post Covid-19, travel is down to Brazil from all four countries with visa waivers. Tourism numbers are still below 2018 levels, even with the visa waiver in place.
Although Tourism has decreased, part of this is in part to blame by the airlines. There are far fewer flight options and prices have remained high. My partner is from Brazil and several routes have been cut between the US and Brazil. Airlines heavily cut routes during Covid lockdowns and have been slow to bring them back post covid. With fewer flights, it is more difficult to visit Brazil. This too could be a contributing factor. I honestly do not believe that demand is the only thing to blame. Every time I fly to Brazil to see my in-laws, every seat on the plane is full.
Apply For Brazil Visa
The process for Brazil Visas for US Citizens is fairly easy. Processing time for a visa is typically 5 business days or less. The new visa process is easy as it’s online and you no longer have to visit your assigned Brazilian embassy or consulate. Instead you can apply online via the Brazilian ministry website or the consulate general. via the new e-visa website here.
The electronic visa will allow multiple entries and will have the same validity period as conventional visas. Each entry is for a maximum of 90 days. For Americans the validity is for 10 years, Canadians and Australians visas are good for five years each.
Travelers will have to input their personal information and enter their confirmation of a flight reservation to the Evisa system. The process fee is $80 to secure the visa—all of which is done online.
Once approved, a PDF file containing your eVisa will be emailed to travelers. Be sure download and print this eVisa for presentation during boarding and upon landing in Brazil.
The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends keeping a copy of the digital eVisa file on your cellphone, just in case you loose the paper version. It also recommends registering for a visa if you’re traveling within a few days prior to January 10 in the event that your flight or other travels are delayed. As all travelers who enter on January 10 or later must have a valid visa.
When applying online, be prepared to upload the following items
- Proof of residence in the U.S. / Photo of passport
- Passport-style photo (2” x 2”, white background)
- Flight Confirmation (purchased ticket showing entrance into and exit from Brazil)
- Printed bank statements from the last three months showing adequate funds for travel. $2,000 Minimum in the account
Previously Brazilian Visa reciprocity fees were $160 for US Citizens and $80 for most other countries. I have an old Visa from a trip to Rio De Janeiro in 2014. Yet with that quickly expiring I will be completing the visa application online very shortly.
Bottom Line
Brazil is reinstating visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Australia and Canada after failing to come to visa waiver agreements with the three countries. As of January 10, 2024 all US citizens will need a visa if traveling to Brazil for business or leisure. Brazilian citizens are required visas to travel to the three countries, therefore Brazil feels as though it’s fair to require these same citizens to face the same hurdles to visit their country.
If you have a trip planned to Brazil, keep a close eye on the country’s entry and exit requirements, although I don’t expect them to change. These are updated in near real time by the US State Department.
