To enter Brazil and stay for up to 90 days, a visa is not needed. However, if you need to stay longer, you must apply for a Brazilian visa at the embassy. Also, depending on the type of visit and length of stay, return tickets may be required for entry into Brazil.
Whether it is necessary to apply for a visa or not, a passport will be required, which must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry. When entering Brazil, you need to fill out an entry and exit card, which will be presented at border checkpoints.
Freelancer Visa
Since 2022, Brazil has been offering a visa program for digital nomads. This type of visa is a residence permit that allows foreigners to live in the country and work remotely for 1 year. A single extension for the same period is permitted.
The Brazilian digital nomad visa can be obtained by self-employed individuals and remote employees working for foreign companies. To get the right to obtain a Digital Nomad visa you need to comply with the following requirements:
- Confirm employment status.
- Prove a stable monthly income. The minimum amount is 1,500 euros.
- Prove sufficient funds to live in the country. At the time of application, there must be at least 17,000 euros in your account.
How Much Does a Visa Cost?
Visa fees vary depending on whether the application is submitted abroad or in Brazil. The visa fee abroad ranges from $100 to $300, depending on the country where the visa is issued. The visa fee for applications submitted in Brazil is currently less than $40.
The processing time for a visa application when submitted in person at the embassy is up to 3 days, and up to 5 days if documents are submitted by third parties.
Also It is necessary to take into account additional costs for translation of the document package and possible assistance for filling out applications and questionnaires.
Types of Visas
Currently, there are several types of visas:
- Tourist (guest) visa. Allows for short-term stays in the country for up to 90 days. This category also includes transit and business visas.
- Temporary visa. A long-term type. Grants the right to stay in the Republic for more than 90 days. When obtaining this type of visa, registration at the police station is required within 90 days of arrival. After that, a migration card and a residence permit (for a period ranging from 1 to 3 years) are issued. The migration card can be extended upon expiration. The temporary visa category also includes work visas, student visas, family reunification visas, retirement visas, and digital nomad visas.
In Brazil, there are many types of visas that allow for the precise selection of a permit based on the type of trip. Additional and detailed information can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs portal.
| Types of visas | The purpose of obtaining |
| VIVIS (up to 90 days) | Visiting for tourism, business, artistic, or sports activities |
| VITEM I (over 90 days) | Research activities, teaching |
| VITEM II (over 90 days) | For treatment |
| VITEM III | To obtain refugee status (for citizens of Haiti) |
| VITEM IV (over 90 days) | To study in the country |
| VITEM V | For employment |
| VITEM VI | Working during vacation (New Zealanders and French only) |
| VITEM VII (over 90 days) | Religious activities |
| VITEM VIII (over 90 days) | For volunteers |
| VITEM IX | For investors |
| VITEM X | For persons engaged in economic, scientific and cultural activities |
| VITEM XI | For family reunification |
| VITEM XII (over 90 days) | For persons engaged in artistic and sporting activities under contract |
| VITEM XIII | Based on international agreements |
| VITEM XIV | Retirement visa and Digital Nomad visa |
| VIDIP | Diplomatic type |
| VISOF | For government workers |
| VIPER | Permanent visa (for Uruguayans only) |
A long list of Brazilian visas can be confusing. At first glance, it's hard to determine which one to apply for. That's why we've broken down the most popular visas suitable for most visits to Brazil.
Student Visa
Foreign students wishing to study in Brazil must obtain a VITEM IV student visa (temporary visa IV). This visa is issued to students who wish to study at higher education institutions in the Republic. To obtain it, they must be enrolled in a university accredited by the Ministry of Education and Culture of Brazil. Prior approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country is required. The visa is valid for up to 12 months. Renewal is allowed only after receiving confirmation from the university that the student is attending classes, has passed exams, and is enrolled in the next semester.
Holders of a student visa must register with the Brazilian immigration authorities within 30 days of arrival in Brazil.
Tourist Visa
This visa is needed for travelers who plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days. Upon entry, you might need to provide proof of return or onward travel (tickets). Brazilian authorities classify the following activities under a tourist visit:
- Leisure and sightseeing
- Cultural and sports events
- Medical treatment
- Participation in seminars, conferences, and congresses
After arriving in the country and registering with the immigration department, tourists will receive a stamp in their passport indicating the period of legal stay, which is up to 90 days within any 6-month period. Extensions are not allowed. Once the visa expires, it is necessary to leave the country.
Business Visa (for business trips)
There are several types of business visas that fall under the category of temporary visas. The most common temporary visa is Vitem II, or Business Visa Type 2.
It is issued to foreigners visiting Brazil for business purposes. It does not apply to specialists whose services are paid for by Brazilian companies.
The validity of the business visa depends on the foreigner's nationality. Generally, it is valid for one year with a maximum stay of 90 days. Such guest visas can be extended through the Federal Police Department.
Work Visa (for legal employment in the country)
For employees looking to work in Brazil, there are three main types of visas: Permanent Work Visa, VITEM V Visa, and VITEM II Visa. A residence permit is also required (which is processed separately from the visa).
The Permanent Work Visa is for foreign workers who qualify for permanent residency. It is typically granted to professionals in education, science, innovation, and investors.
An alternative to obtaining a Permanent Work Visa is the VITEM V Visa (temporary work visa) – a work residency permit for those employed by Brazilian employers. After 2 years, you can apply for a Permanent Work Visa. The VITEM V Visa is the most commonly issued work visa, as it covers the majority of foreign workers in Brazil. It is valid for 2 years and can be extended once for the same duration.
Required Documents
When applying for the appropriate type of visa to Brazil, you need to gather a dossier confirming your eligibility for a residence permit. The document requirements may vary depending on the type of visa and the country from which the application is submitted. Standard requirements include:
- Passport: must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expiration of the visa and with at least 2 blank pages.
- Passport photo.
- Entry and exit tickets.
- Proof of financial means to support yourself while in the country.
- Proof of employment status: employment, self-employment/sole proprietorship, remote work, student.
- Proof of residence.
- Documents supporting the purpose of the trip.
- Receipts for visa fees.
- Additional documents requested by the consular section.
Recent Changes in the Visa Issue
The main change in Brazil's visa legislation in recent years has been the removal of visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan. The corresponding presidential decree came into effect in June 2019. However, in mid-2023, it was announced that this decree was repealed and that electronic visas are now required for citizens of these countries.
According to statements from the Brazilian government, negotiations are ongoing regarding an agreement to lift visa requirements between the USA, Canada, Australia, and Japan based on principles of reciprocity and equality among states. Therefore, there is a possibility that the new visa amendments will be canceled if the aforementioned countries, in turn, lift visa requirements for Brazilians.