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Update: As of June 16, 2019, U.S. passport holders do not need a Visa to visit Brazil for up to 90 days. Here is the U.S. Department of State information for Brazil.
This post answers some common questions about travel to Brazil for U.S. citizens.
A new website is up and running to issue electronic visas for visiting Brazil. This new service is open to citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, and Australia. An issued eVisa is valid for two years from the date of issue and entitles you to up to 90 days stay(s) in Brazil per year. The application process is straightforward and can be done on the VFS global website. Your visa should be processed and approved within five working days.
In addition to speeding up the process, the cost is about 1/4 of the $160 fee, which is what a US citizen would have paid for a visa prior to this program.
How To Apply
You will need to supply the following documents:
- Completed application form
- Standard Passport photo – head and shoulders, neutral face, no glare or shadows on the image
- Your passport’s biographical data, age, gender, date of birth, as well as full name
Minors applying for an eVisa may also be required to supply additional information, such as birth certificate, as well as their parents’ details. They may also be required to provide a justification letter.
The new service will cost you $44.24, which is divided into a visa fee of $40 and a service fee of $4.24. If you have not received, your visa within five working days then you will need to contact VFS global.
Our Take
Any service that makes getting a tourist visa quicker/easier is fantastic. Saving almost $120 takes a significant sting out of the cost of visiting Brazil.
Online visas remove the hassle of going to an embassy or sending your passport in with an application. All of which can cause disruption and wreak havoc with your plans especially if you are already traveling. Hopefully, we'll see this service extended to citizens of other countries as well.
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Remember that this month has carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
I have been wanting to go back to Brazil for many years since some family friends moved there. The process to obtain a Visa was so onerous that I never followed through on their offer to visit. With this new online application, I think they’ll be having a houseguest soon!
I didn’t know Americans needed all these hassle to get a visa! And many countries probably still do… I wonder how Brazil managed to get so many tourists before! (I’m glad I’m Portuguese and don’t need a visa at all 🙂 )
This is a great step to help increase tourism.
It sounds like Brazil may finally ease up on the difficult paperwork needed for the visa.
That is very encouraging.
This is a good step. I have no need of it but I hope that all countries will have this. Would make things a lot easier and encourage tourism. Now if we could just get no visa needed then imagine the benefits :O)
The best place to live and the best place to visit!
I remember living in the rural midwest and having to drive 6 hours to the nearest consulate in Chicago to get a visa. It was a difficult process. This will make visiting much easier (my Brazilian visa just expired).
Oh man. Thank you for this.
This is super useful! I’m glad this is up and running.
Good move of Brasil to increase tourism.
interesting idea.
I dont go to Brazil enough for this to be worth it for me, but I know people who would love this!
Note that you will also need a (properly sized) jpg scan of your passport bio page.