From 10 April, travellers from Australia, Canada and the United States will once again have to apply for a visa when visiting Brazil.
In March 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro’s government unilaterally decided to waive visa requirements for citizens from Australia, Canada, the United States and Japan. Brazilians entering those countries thus still needed a visa to do so. In May 2023, part of that decision had already been revoked. Due to a bilateral agreement with Japan, the country was scrapped from the original list and people from both Brazil and Japan could now benefit from a new set of rules.
Almost a year after the first alteration, a second one now comes into effect. Initially scheduled for 10 January and then postponed to 10 April due to some practical details that needed to be figured out, the agreement officially comes to an end. Citizens from Australia, Canada and the USA will now once again need a visa when visiting Brazil., setting travellers back on the same foot.
However, the procedure has been made as user-friendly as possible. Applying for a visa can be done online, through an official portal. The procedure will cost 80.9 dollars (74.5 euros). Applicants will be able to submit all required documentation online, including a recent photo, and will receive the visa electronically via email. Their passport and a printed version of that mail visa are enough to then enter the country, making it unnecessary to visit a Brazilian embassy.
Just like normal visas, the e-visa will have a validity period of ten years for American citizens and five years for Australian and Canadian passport-holders. Once the visa has been acquired, travellers will be able to stay in Brazil for up to 90 days on end, extendable to 180. However, the visa doesn’t allow people to stay in the country for more than 180 days over a 12 month period.
Other visa options are available as well. According to the Department for Immigration and Legal Cooperation, short-term visitors can enjoy a 14-day exemption, extendable to 90 days annually. There are also Brazilian Business and Citizenship Visa Waiver options. Dependent children under 16 don’t need a visa, whereas children between 16 and 18 can apply for a 2-year version.
