As you all know, getting a visa for Brazil can be a challenging and frustrating online process even for citizens of US and Europe. But what if you are an Indian passport holder? Do you need visa to go to Brazil or not? This guide will answer all your questions and also provide you with a step by step process of how to apply for a Brazilian visa. If you are planning on traveling to Brazil, I would highly recommend reading this article as it may help you save time and money!

Everyone wants to know if they need a visa before they travel abroad. The answer heavily depends on the passport you hold and country you’re traveling to. Here, we will discuss Indian Passport Holders and Brazil Visa rules to help make your decision clearer

Do Indian Passport Holders Need Visa For Brazil

Each year the number of people traveling abroad increases. According to immigration authorities, in 2015, there were 24 million visitors who entered and left Brazil. Getting a visa is essential because it declares whether you will be able to have access to a country, more so if the country is known for its strict immigration policies. Fortunately for Indians, there are only few consulates in India, including Consulate General in Mumbai and Consulate in Chennai and Kolkata. The good news is that Indians do not need visa and they do not need to present anything other than their valid passport while going to Brazil.

Until now, Indian citizens have required a visa to enter Brazil. Tourists and business people alike could choose to apply for an entry visa in person at the Brazilian embassy.

Citizens of certain other countries could opt for the easier method of getting an electronic visa (e-Visa) online.

However, this is all changing. Following the elimination of visa requirements for several other countries earlier this year, Brazil’s head of state President Jair Bolsonaro has announced that this policy will also be implemented for citizens of China and India.

What Is Needed to Enter Brazil?

A valid visa and passport were needed by all travelers entering Brazil, at least, until recently. Some nationalities were eligible for an eVisa. In 2019, this policy began to change.

There are now 4 countries whose citizens can travel to Brazil visa-free, with more to join them.

Here is how Brazilian visa policy has evolved over recent years.

Is There a Brazil eVisa for Indian Citizens?

In 2018, Brazil began to modernize its approach to visas, introducing the Brazil eVisa. Indian citizens, however, were not eligible. In fact, only nationals of 4 countries were ever able to apply for an electronic visa for Brazil:

• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• United States

Citizens of these 4 countries had to meet certain requirements for the Brazil visa in order for their application to be successful.

Visa Waiver to Travel to Brazil

On June 17th 2019, the eVisa program was discontinued in favor of waiving visas for travelers from these 4 countries. Now, tourists and business people from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the US can visit Brazil visa-free.

This visa waiver means that no visa is required for a visit of up to 90 days, which is then extendable for another 90 days.

This move has led to a 25% increase in tourism from visitors from these 4 countries compared with the previous year, according to a Government fo Brazil website.

This success has led to similar plans for visa waivers for other countries.

Until such plans are implemented, people from other countries must obtain their visa in person from a Brazilian embassy. The same is true of Australians, Canadians, Japanese and Americans traveling for reasons other than tourism or business, unless some specific exemption applies.

Indian Citizens Will No Longer Need Brazil Visa, Says President

For now, visitors to Brazil with an Indian passport need a visa to enter the country. However, it has recently been announced that India and China will soon join the list of countries whose citizens can visit Brazil visa-free.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has said that the decision was made to allow India and China a visa waiver, following a meeting with business leaders. The visa waiver will apply to Indian citizens traveling for tourism or business.

The decision is believed to be part of an effort by Brazilian authorities to boost tourism and increase foreign investment in the country.

According to a spokesperson for the Embassy of Brazil, this move will make it easier for Indian tourists and business people to enter Brazil.

Why Should Indians Visit Brazil?

Regardless of visa requirements, Brazil is a country worth visiting. Its blend of cultures means there is something for every kind of traveler.

The possibility to travel from India to Brazil visa-free is just an added bonus that will make the trip all the easier.

Sunbathe on Brazil’s Beaches

Rio de Janeiro is famous for its beaches, but it is far from the only Brazilian beach destination. The country has over 2000 beaches along its vast coastline. With a hot, sunny climate, a beach trip is a must.

Brazil’s Nature and Wildlife

The largest part of the Amazon Rainforest is found in Brazil, making it the country with the most rainforest cover on the planet. There are 62 national parks, hundreds of conservation areas, and an incredible amount of biodiversity.

Visitors to Brazil can take boat trips on the Amazon River, witness the raw natural power of the Iguaçu Falls, and perhaps get a glimpse of a jaguar roaming its jungle home.

Is Brazilian Food Good?

In terms of food, Brazil is most famous for its barbecues, with large amounts of meat. Visitors to Southern Brazil can enjoy the genuine thing — open fire pits in the “churrasqueira” style.

Brazilian cuisine has far more to offer than this, however. The cultural mix of European, African, and Indigenous peoples has given rise to dishes as varied as bean stews, rice dishes, fried fish balls, and tropical fruit. Dishes to try include:

Feijoada — a beef, pork, and bean stew, considered the national dish of Brazil
Moqueca — a fish or shrimp-based dish, cooked with coconut milk, tomatoes, , and herbs. Influenced by Native Brazilian and Portuguese cuisine.
Acarajé — an Afro-Brazilian dish made with mashed beans formed into a ball and fried.
Caruru — okra, onion, shrimp, and nuts make up this specialty of the State of Bahia, where it is often eaten as a condiment with acarajé.

Learn more about traditional Brazilian food.