Increase in cocaine seizures in Brazil
read more
Effective 10 April 2025, holders of passports issued by Australia, Canada, and the United States will no longer need a visa to enter Brazil
Principle of reciprocity
Brazil discretionarily adopts the principle of reciprocity and equal treatment. Based on treaties and bilateral agreements, the country waives the visa requirement for non-immigrants from certain nationalities as a condition of entry. The length of stay for visa-exempt visitors varies from 30 to 90 days, depending on their nationality, and there are penalties for overstaying.
Previously, citizens of Australia, Canada, the United States and Japan did not need a visa to enter Brazil. These visitors could stay in Brazil for up to 90 days, renewable for an additional 90 days, limited to a maximum of 180 days per migratory year. Despite this, Brazilian citizens were still required to obtain a visa to travel to these four countries.
However, as explained in this news article, through Decree 11,515/2023, the federal government reconsidered the visa exemptions for travellers from these four countries. As a result, the unilateral visa exemption would be suspended starting on 10 April 2025, and the visitors would need to obtain an electronic tourist or business visa (referred to as “VIVIS”), which can be applied for online, without the need to come to a Brazilian consulate or embassy.
On 30 September 2023, Japan waived visa requirements for Brazilian travellers staying in the country for up to 90 days. In reciprocation, Brazil exempted Japanese visitors from VIVIS, with stays limited to 90 days each visit.
Reinstatement of visa exemptions
In a plenary session held on 19 March 2025, the Federal Senate approved Legislative Decree 206/2023, which suspended the application of Decree 11,515/2023 and reinstated the visa exemption for citizens of Australia, Canada, and the United States. While some senators in support of the government advocated for maintaining the visa requirements, the majority believed that there was no obligation under Brazilian immigration laws to adopt the principle of reciprocity when other criteria proved more appropriate and timely. They argued that reinstating visa requirements for these nationalities would reduce the flow of tourists and make travel to Brazil less convenient. The senators estimate that this requirement could result in a loss of as many as 190,000 tourists per year.
Regardless of the Senate’s decision, Brazilian citizens will still need a visa to travel to Australia, Canada and the United States.
Seafarers’ travel documents
Crewmembers arriving to join a ship or platform in Brazil, or disembarking at a Brazilian port for repatriation, are not required to hold a visa as long as they possess a valid seafarer’s identity document – SID issued in accordance with Convention C-185 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
A list of countries whose tourists –and seafarers without a valid SID in the C-185 format– need a visa can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, which is regularly updated.
Please read our disclaimer.
Related topics:
