Do you need a visa to visit Brazil?

Brazil has a visa policy that’s based on a principle of reciprocity: if we Brazilians need a visa to enter your country, then you’ll also need one to visit us.

If you do require a visa to enter Brazil, you’ll need to apply for one in your country of origin. Our authorities do not issue visas in airports, ports of entry, or any other part of the Brazilian border. If you don’t have all of the necessary documents, the Federal Police will block your entry.

Take a look at the map below to see how your country fares.

Though the map shows the general visa policy for each country, there are a few specificities. Spanish nationals, for instance, must prove that they have enough money to spend at least BRL 170 per day; proof of accommodation (paid or guaranteed by credit card); or a notary-certified invitation letter from a resident. Spanish tourists must also provide documents proving when, and how, they will leave Brazil’s territory.

South American citizens, though, can enter Brazil with only their ID – no passport required.

Economic gain v. Diplomatic dignity

The question of Brazilian tourist visas is highly debated within the federal government. While the Ministry of Tourism sees loosening visa regulations as a convenient way to boost the economy, the Foreign Affairs Ministry stands by the reciprocity principle.

UPDATE (March 18, 2019): The Jair Bolsonaro administration has decided to unilaterally lift visa requirements from citizens of the U.S., Japan, Canada, and Australia. Currently, Brazilians need tourist visas to travel to all four of these countries. This idea obviously received praise from the countries mentioned. However, none of them discussed eliminating the visa requirements for their Brazilian visitors.

The move further loosens up visa requirements in Brazil, one year after the country created the so-called “electronic visa,” an online platform that makes applications simpler and faster. The measure reportedly increased applications by 42 percent—generating USD 1 billion in revenue.

UPDATE (March 9, 2023): The Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva administration wants to roll back Mr. Bolsonaro’s move and reinstate visa requirements for citizens from U.S., Japan, Canada, and Australia.