Tourist Visa for Brazil

Brazil generally operates a reciprocal system for visitors to the country, and their visa requirements. If your own country requires that Brazilian citizens apply for a tourist visa in advance of travel (including USA, Canada, Australia, India & Singapore), then Brazil also requires citizens of your country to apply at your nearest Brazilian Consulate for a Brazil Tourist Visa. Cost varies due to this of course – with some present example costs at present for attending personally being US$140; C$81.25 AU$49; R1,200; S$40. This is usually for a 90-day Tourist Visa.

Citizens of Mercosul countries (Argentina, Uruguay, & Paraguay) and all other countries in South America (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, Guyana and French Guiana) also receive tourist visas on arrival in Brazil, although Venezuelan citizens only receive 60 days.

Brazil tourist visa

Most citizens of European Union countries (including United Kingdom, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and most Mediterranean countries) also receive 90 days on arrival at the airport/border in Brazil, with no prior organisation necessary.

Other countries whose citizens receive 90 day Tourist Visas on arrival in Brazil include: New Zealand; South Africa; Namibia; Hong Kong; Macau; South Korea; The Philippines; Thailand; Malaysia; Israel; Morocco; Tunisia; Costa Rica; Honduras; Guatemala; Panama; Bahamas; Barbados; and last but definitely not least Trinidad & Tobago.

Citizens of Taiwan, Bhutan and the Central African Republic receive a ‘Laissez-Passer’ visa for 90 days, as Brazil has no diplomatic relations with these three countries at present.

Citizens of all other countries may require a little more organisation still, and prices vary. The full list can be seen below. Always check with your nearest Brazil Embassy or Consulate for up-to-date information though.


The Brazil Tourist Visa requirement rules generally differ from consulate to consulate, some being stricter than others. In any case it is wise to contact your nearest Brazil Consulate directly, although many do not reply to emails or answer their own published telephone numbers – and if they do, they may just tell you to check the information on their website!

It is important to have everything included in your application from the start. In general, tourist visa applications must be submitted in person or by an authorised Visa Agency. An authorised third person – family member, colleague or friend may also do this for you. Usually the requirements include: your passport, which must have at least 6 months validity from the day you will enter Brazil; a Visa Application Form; A passport photograph – be sure to have a white background, to face the front and not to cover your face or head with hats, caps or any head gear; a copy of your Brazil Tour Schedule – which can be your flight etickets, plus a statement of your itinerary from a travel agency with dates of entry and departure clearly stated and also contains your own personal/passport details (a reputable tour agency that really does know Brazil should send you this without needing to be asked); the fee.

The processing times also differ from consulate to consulate but you can count on around 10 working days if applying personally. Beginning the process as early as possible is recommended, because this way if anything goes wrong with the process and your Brazil Tourist Visa application is refused, at least you should have time to start the process again and second time you have more chance of doing it correctly...

Last minute trips to Brazil are still possible for those who require a visa, although the expedition services of a visa agency might be necessary to ensure the quickest possible processing time. You can also apply for visas in a consulate outside your own country, with Buenos Aires being an obvious example. Again, you will need to plan for a week or so in Buenos Aires to be sure of having enough time.

Brazil Tourist Visa applications can usually only be made within 90 days of your arrival in Brazil, but exceptions can be made and visas applied for earlier – if you are travelling around the world, or working abroad for a long period and not near a Brazilian Consulate for example.

In most cases this 90 day Brazil Tourist Visa may be extended for a further 90 days once inside Brazil. This involves a visit to the local Policia Federal to complete the prorrogação. You will also have to visit a Banco do Brasil branch to make a payment for this, so make sure to leave enough time to arrive during banking hours. An early start is definitely recommended as you may need to queue in the Policia Federal, queue in the bank, then queue again in the Policia Federal on your return there. Expect a long day.

In all cases, Brazil has a maximum stay of 180 days/year for tourists. This means that you can stay in the country as a tourist for up to 180 days, but then you must leave for at least 180 days before being legally allowed to enter as a tourist once more. Over-staying your tourist visa results in a fine to pay, which is around R$8 per extra day up to a maximum of 100 days. This fine can be paid immediately or paid on your next entry into Brazil. If you have overstayed your visa, you may be advised to visit the Policia Federal to advise them of this before you make your onward journey. The police will provide the necessary papers and give you up to 8 days to leave the country. Without this multa (fine) having already been organised, although not necessarily paid, you may be refused entry to your bus or flight.