Brazil Postpones Implementation of New Visa Requirement for U.S. Travelers

The Brazilian government has once again delayed the introduction of visa requirements for tourists.

For the last five years, Brazil has exempted certain travelers, including those from the United States, from visa requirements to encourage tourism. However, in mid-2023, the South American country announced it would soon require e-visas for citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia to enter Brazil.

Initially, the reinstated visa requirement was set to start on October 1, 2023, but has been postponed to January 10, 2024, then to April 10, 2024, and now to April 10, 2025.

The Brazilian Tourist Board stated that the delay was necessary to allow more time to finalize the e-visa requirement system and to ensure that the transition does not disrupt the influx of tourists from these nations during the peak season.

Once implemented, the e-visa will cost $81 per individual and can be obtained online at brazil.vfsevisa.com. This electronic visa will be valid for 10 years for U.S. citizens and 5 years for visitors from Canada and Australia, allowing multiple entries during that period.

Brazilian officials state that the processing time for the new e-visa may take up to five business days. However, they strongly recommend applying for the e-visa at least two months prior to your travel date to Brazil, as indicated in the FAQ section of the e-visa website. This allows sufficient time to complete and, if necessary, correct your application.

To apply for the e-visa, simply visit the website and register. You'll need to provide the necessary personal and passport information. For children, one or both parents must complete the e-visa application. After entering the required information, you will be prompted to pay the fee. Following this, an email will inform you whether your application has been approved, rejected, or if additional documentation is needed. If approved, a PDF of your e-visa will be sent to you via email. Travelers should download and print their Brazil e-visa to show to authorities when boarding and upon arrival in Brazil.

Brazilian authorities recommend printing two copies of your e-visa and also saving a screenshot on your mobile device.

Unlike traditional consular visas that necessitate an in-person visit to an embassy or consulate, the e-visa process will be completely online, eliminating the need for any in-person appointments.

In a press release, the government explained that the new visa requirement is being implemented because the United States, Canada, and Australia do not currently provide reciprocity. This means that Brazilian citizens must apply for and pay for visas to enter these three nations. Specifically, in the United States, Brazilian travelers must schedule an appointment at their nearest embassy, demonstrate they have the financial means for their trip, and pay a fee of $185 for a U.S. visa, even if they are merely transiting through the country.

Since 2019, citizens of these three countries, along with those from Japan, have been permitted to visit Brazil for business or leisure without a visa, as long as their stay is under 90 days, with a potential extension of up to 180 days. (In 2016, Brazil temporarily lifted visa requirements to encourage tourism during the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.) From November 2017 to June 2019, travelers from these nations were required to apply online for a tourist visa, which cost $40 plus a $4 service fee. (Before November 2017, the fee was $160 and necessitated a visit to a Brazilian consulate or visa center.)

In a statement, the Brazilian government indicated that it would keep “negotiating visa exemption agreements with these three countries, founded on the principles of reciprocity and equality among nations,” suggesting that the new visa requirement could be lifted if the United States, Australia, and Canada eliminated their visa requirements for Brazilian nationals.

Brazil and Japan have already established an agreement: Japanese tourists can continue to visit Brazil without a visa, and Brazilian travelers will be allowed to enter Japan visa-free.

Last year, the European Union also decided to postpone its pretravel registration initiative, known as the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), due to various challenges. It is now expected to launch in the first half of 2025, at which point any U.S. citizen wishing to travel to the 27 member countries of Europe’s Schengen Area will need to register with ETIAS in advance or face the possibility of being denied entry at the border.

This article was initially published in September 2023 and was revised on April 23, 2024, to incorporate the latest information.