As you may know, Brazil is one of the most popular destinations for travellers coming from Canada. Number 2, in fact, is just behind India and ahead of the United States. That being said, it has been a while since I wrote an article on Brazil. I received a review request from Touriago.com recently, so I thought maybe it was time to tackle this country again!
If travel is a passion of yours, then you can relate to all the frustrations of having to deal with visa requirements. Not only do you have to think about your health and safety, but also ensuring that you get a visa can be a challenge as well. While we live in the world of virtual reality where everything is available online and digitization isn’t far away, there are still some countries that operate under strict visa policies and regulations when it comes to travellers coming from other countries.
Touriago.com is a travel visa for Brazil service for Canadian travellers. We offer expedited travel visa for Brazil services to all Canadian citizens and residents.
Our company has been in business for over 10 years, and our staff is comprised of highly trained professionals with years of experience in the field. When you work with Touriago.com, you can expect to receive quality service at an affordable price.
We offer fast processing times, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on your dream vacation! Our staff will be happy to answer any questions you may have about our services or your application process.
If you are Canadian and wish to travel to Brazil, you will need a visa.
The good news is that the process is simple, and all you need is a passport and some documentation.
You can apply for your Brazilian visa through the Brazilian Consulate in Canada or at any other Brazilian consulate abroad. You should consult the Brazilian Embassy’s website for more information on how to get your visa.
Who Needs a Brazil Visa?
Nationals of the countries not listed on the table below have to apply for a Brazil visa. Nationals of countries listed below, on the other hand, are exempt from applying for a visa for Brazil for stays of up to 90 days (unless stated otherwise):
| European Union | Albania (90 days during a 180-day period) | Andorra |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Argentina* | Armenia |
| Australia | Bahamas | Barbados |
| Belarus | Belize | Bolivia* |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Canada | Chile* |
| Colombia* | Costa Rica | Dominica (90 days during a 180-day period) |
| Ecuador* | El Salvador | Fiji |
| Georgia (90 days during a 180-day period) | Grenada | Guatemala |
| Guyana | Honduras | Hong Kong |
| Iceland | Indonesia (up to 30 days) | Israel |
| Jamaica | Japan | Kazakhstan (up to 30 days) |
| Liechtenstein | Macau | Malaysia |
| Mexico | Monaco | Mongolia |
| Montenegro (90 days during a 180-day period) | Morocco | Namibia |
| New Zealand | Nicaragua | North Macedonia (90 days during a 180-day period) |
| Norway | Panama | Paraguay* |
| Peru* | Philippines | Qatar |
| Russia | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| San Marino | Serbia | Seychelles (90 days during a 180-day period) |
| Singapore (up to 30 days) | South Africa | South Korea |
| Sovereign Military Order of Malta | Suriname | Switzerland (90 days during a 180-day period) |
| Thailand | Trinidad and Tobago | Tunisia |
| Turkey | Ukraine (90 days during a 180-day period) | United Arab Emirates |
| United Kingdom | United States | Uruguay* |
| Vatican City | Venezuela* (up to 60 days) |
*Citizens of these countries may enter with only their ID cards.
Is There a Brazil eVisa Available?
No, the Brazilian government no longer issues eVisas to foreign nationals. Previously, citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan were able to apply for a visa through an online process, and receive the Brazil visa via email. The Brazil eVisa was introduced in January 2018 and was discontinued on June 17, 2019.
Instead, citizens of these countries can now travel to Brazil visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. For longer stays, they have to apply for a Brazil visa at a Brazilian Consulate.
What Are the Types of Brazil Visas?
There are two main types of visas for Brazil:
- Brazil Visit Visa (VIVIS), also referred to as a Tourist Visa. These types of visas are issued for short-term stays, no longer than 90 days. The types of the visit visa for Brazil are:
- Brazil Tourist Visa.
- Brazil Business Visa.
- Brazil Transit Visa
- Brazil Temporary Visa (VITEM). These types of visas are long-term visas – they allow the holder to stay in Brazil for longer than 90 days. If you receive a temporary visa, once you arrive in Brazil, you have to register with the local office of the Brazilian Federal Police (DPF) within 90 days. You will get your migration registration card (CRNM) and receive residency for a certain period (usually one to three years). Before it expires, the registration card can be renewed. The types of temporary visas for Brazil are:
- Brazil Work Visa
- Brazil Student Visa
- Brazil Family Reunion Visa
- Brazil Digital Nomad Visa
What Are the Brazil Visa Requirements?
When you apply for a Brazil visa, you have to submit documents that will support your visa application. The documents change based on the specific visa as well as the country from which
you are applying, but they include:
- Your passport. It must be valid for at least another six months and with at least two blank visa pages.
- The Brazil Visa Application Form Receipt.
- Passport-size picture.
- A return-flight ticket.
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration of your stay. For example, bank statements from the past three months.
- Proof of employment status:
- If employed: Letter from your employer, stating your name, position, salary, how long you have worked there, etc.
- If self-employed: Notarized affidavit, tax assessment.
- If you are a student: Letter from your school or university, confirming your enrollment.
- Proof of accommodation in Brazil, such as a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation (if you are staying with friends/family).
- Any documents related to your purpose of travel. For example:
- For Brazil business visa:
- Letter of invitation from the company in Brazil
- Letter from your employer explaining the reason behind your visit
- For Brazil work visa:
- Approval from the Ministry of Labour
- Certificate of good conduct from police authorities in your country
- Work contract, the hiring company’s registration documents, etc.
- For Brazil family reunion visa:
- Proof of family relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc)
- Certificate of good conduct from police authorities in your country
- For Brazil student visa:
- Letter of enrollment in the educational institution
- Certificate of good conduct from police authorities in your country
- Proof of financial means to cover your stay
- Proof of having paid the Brazil visa fee
- Pre-paid return envelope
- Any additional documents that the Consular staff requests
Note: The documents that you submit must be Apostilled or legalized by the Brazilian Embassy in your country before you submit them.
Brazil Visa Photo Requirements
The visa photo that you have to attach with your Brazil visa application must follow these specifications:
- Dimensions: 4cm x 5cm (or 2 inch x 2 inch)
- Taken within the last six months
- Taken in front of a white and plain background
- You must be centred in the picture and staring straight at the camera
- Your face must be fully visible
- You must have a neutral facial expression
- There must not be any reflections, shadows or glares in the picture
- You cannot wear any head-gear unless it is for religious purposes. Even so, make sure it does not cover your face.
- You cannot wear eyeglasses with thick rims, that are tinted, too large, or not prescribed.
- For young children/babies: They must be alone in the picture (no one should be holding them and there can be no toys)
How to Apply for a Visa for Brazil?
You have to apply for a Brazil visa from one of the Embassies or Consulates of Brazil in your country. The process changes slightly depending on where you live and where you have to submit the Brazil visa application, but it can be surmised as follows:
- Find the nearest Brazil Embassy/Consulate. It can be in your country or a neighbouring country.
- Contact them to learn about their requirements and what documents you need.
- Make a visa appointment.
- Some Embassies/Consulates allow you to do this online.
- Collect the required documents for the Brazil visa application.
- Complete the online Brazil Visa Application Form. Answer all the questions and attach electronic copies of the required documents and your visa photo.
- You will also receive a confirmation number.
- Print the “Receipt” of the Brazil Visa Application Form and attach the visa photo to the designated spot.
- Show up on the date of your appointment and hand in your application form and the original documents to the Consular staff. Alternatively, you may be able to send the documents to them through the mail.
- Pay the Brazil visa fee. Again, the preferred method of payment changes depending on the country and specific Embassy/Consulate.
- Wait for the visa application to process. Once that happens, the Consular staff will notify you about the outcome of your application, and you have to go back and receive your visa. If you applied by mail, you will receive the Brazil visa by mail as well.
Things to keep in mind when applying for a Brazil visa: Some Brazil Embassies/Consulates allow you to submit the application through a visa or travel agency, but not all. Similarly, they may allow you to submit the application via mail, while others strictly require you to hand in the application in person.
Make sure to learn the requirements of the specific Embassy/Consulate that will handle your Brazil visa, because the outcome of your application will depend on them.
Brazil Visa Fees
The fees for a Brazil visa are as follows:
- Visit/tourist visa fee: US$ 80,00 (for all countries, except the ones below)
- Angola: US$ 180,00
- Algeria: US$ 85,00
- Australia: US$ 120,00
- China: US$ 115,00
- United States of America: US$ 160,00
- Temporary visa fee: US$ 100,00*
- Diplomatic, official, and courtesy visa: Free
*In some countries, such as the UK, US, UAE, or certain EU States, the fees may be different.
How Long Does It Take to Process a Brazil Visa?
The processing time for a Brazil visa changes depending on the specific Embassy/Consulate handling your application. However, you can expect to wait for 10 to 15 workdays from the time you submit your completed application. It can take longer for long-term visas. However, make sure to apply well in advance from the time you intend to travel.
Brazil Tourist Visa
The tourist visa for Brazil is issued for foreigners who want to visit Brazil for short-term purposes. It is issued for a maximum duration of 90 days. As the name suggests, you apply for the Brazil tourist visa if you want to visit Brazil as a tourist or for recreational purposes, including sports activities.
Brazil Business Visa
The Brazil business visa is a type of visa is issued to foreigners who are travelling for business-related purposes. This includes attending meetings, negotiations, reporting (for journalists), signing contracts, as well as for the crew of an airplane or ship.
Brazil Transit Visa
You need a Brazil transit visa if you will change planes in a Brazil airport, or you will transit through the territory of Brazil on your way to another destination.
If you have a connecting flight in a Brazil airport that’s booked on the same plane ticket, you do not need a transit visa. This does not apply for the following airports Curitiba (CWB), Florianopolis (FLN), Porto Alegre (POA), Porto Seguro (BPS), and Salvador (SSA).
You also do not need a transit visa if you don’t intend to leave the international area of the airport or clear immigration.
Brazil Work Visa
You can apply for a Brazil work visa if you have found a job in Brazil. Your new employer has to get approval for you to work in their company from the Brazilian Ministry of Labor. Once the Ministry of Labour approves the request, they will notify the Brazilian Consulate where you will apply for the work visa.
Then, the Consulate authorities will stamp the visa on your passport and you can travel to Brazil, where you must register with the Federal Police within 90 days.
What Is the Duration of a Brazil Visa?
The duration of a Brazil tourist visa is maximum of 90 days. However, it can be issued for less than that, depending on the choice of the Brazilian Consular services. The duration of temporary visas ranges from one to three years, depending on the visa type. It can be renewed before it expires.
Can You Extend a Brazil Visa?
Yes, you can apply to extend almost any type of Brazil visa. You have to submit the application for a visa extension at the local office of the Brazilian Federal Police (DPF). You must submit the application at least two weeks before your visa expires, but no earlier than one month.
The decision for visa extension depends on the Federal Police department.
Brazil Visa for US Citizens
As of 2019, citizens of the USA do not need a Brazil visa if they are travelling for tourism or other short-term purposes. If you have a US passport, you can stay in Brazil without a visa for up to 90 days.
If you intend to stay longer than that, you have to apply for the relevant visa from one of the Consulates of Brazil in the US.
| Consulate | Jurisdiction |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta | Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Boston | Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Chicago | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Hartford | Connecticut and Rhode Island |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Houston | Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Los Angeles | Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. The following counties in California: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Miami | Florida, Puerto Rico, US. Virgin Islands. |
| Consulate General of Brazil in New York | Bermuda Islands, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania |
| Consulate General of Brazil in San Francisco | Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. The following counties in California: Alameda, Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Inyo, Kings, Lake, Lassen, Ladera, Marin, Mariposa, Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, San Benedito, San Francisco, San Joaquim, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo, Yuba |
| Consulate General of Brazil in Washington, D.C. | District of Columbia, North Carolina, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, the military bases (excluding Guam) |
Conclusion
A travel visa for Brazil can be difficult to get, but thankfully, you do not need to travel to the consulate. We will guide you through the process and ensure your application is successful.