Brazil e-Visa for US Citizens

A Brazil e-Visa for US Citizens is a requirement from April 10, 2024 to enter the country. The new requirement underlines that all eligible travelers must possess a valid US passport to obtain a valid Brazilian tourist e-Visa. 

Read on to learn more about the electronic visa requirements for visitors from the United States.

Background

As reported by the Brazilian tourist board, visitors from the United States have been key contributors to Brazil’s tourism boom in the past year.

Around 483,000 US tourists visited Brazil from January to September last year, ranking just behind Argentina. Hence, the introduction of the Brazil e-Visa is expected to significantly enhance tourism, given the high frequency of visits by American travelers.

Do US Citizens Need the Brazil e-Visa?

Yes, Americans will need the e-Visa starting early 2024. Canadians and Australians will also require the electronic visa.

Pro Tip

"Make sure your passport photo for your Brazil e-Visa application is high in quality and all details are visible."

-Natvisa Specialist

New Restrictions for Dual Nationals

Brazilian citizens who also hold US citizenship will no longer be able to enter Brazil using their foreign passports, impacting their previously flexible travel options.

Purpose of Visit

US passport holders can obtain the e-Visa for the following purposes:

• Tourism
• Transit
• Business

Key Features of Brazilian e-Visa for American Travelers

The key features of the electronic visa are mentioned below:

• Stays up to 90 days: The e-Visa allows American visitors to stay in the country for up to 90 days per visit.
• Five-year validity with multiple entries: The electronic visa remains valid for five years, during which multiple trips to Brazil can be made. However, each visit must not exceed 90 days.
• Annual stay limitation: Despite the possibility of multiple entries, the total time spent in the country cannot surpass 180 days within any calendar year.
• Visa purpose: It is intended for temporary visits, including tourism, transit, and business purposes. However, it is not for establishing permanent residency (work/employment) in the country.
• Visa extensions: Travelers from the USA have the option to apply for an extension of their e-Visa once in Brazil. However, the approval of such extensions is subject to the discretion of Brazilian immigration authorities.
• Validity: According to the news reports and travel forums, the validity of the Brazilian e-Visa for US nationals is 10 years.

Note:  

The government authorized e-Visa website states that the validity of the Brazilian e-Visa is 5 years for eligible travelers. The Natvisa team will update the website as soon as there are any changes. 

Additionally, it is recommended to regularly check the government website for the latest information on entry requirements.

Brazil e-Visa Currency Restrictions for US Citizens

The citizens of the United States must pay attention to the following:

1. For entry purposes: Any amount exceeding 10,000 Brazilian Reais (BR) must be declared to customs
2. For exit purposes: The same declaration rule applies when exiting Brazil with more than 10,000 Brazilian Reais

Brazil e-Visa Requirements for US. Travelers with Minor Children

The Brazilian law mandates that minors who are Brazilian citizens (including dual U.S.-Brazilian citizens) must have permission from each parent for domestic travel within the nation or for exiting the country.

Requirements

• Traveling with both parents: No written authorization is needed

• Traveling with one parent or without parents:

1. Two original written authorization letters from each absent parent
2. A copy of the child’s birth certificate or an annotation in their Brazilian passport authorizing travel alone or with only one parent

Consequences of Non-Compliance

• Minors lacking the required authorization letters and a birth certificate or an annotated Brazilian passport may be denied passage through immigration or boarding on flights departing Brazil.

Role of the US Embassy and Consulates

• Limitation: The US Embassy and consulates cannot intervene in Brazilian immigration matters
• No exemptions: US nationals cannot request waivers of these requirements

Business e-Visa Application Process

US citizens traveling to the country for business-related activities must provide specific documents along with their Brazilian e-Visa application.

Required Business Letter

A detailed letter from the US applicant’s company is necessary, outlining several key points:

• Company details: The business or activities of the company in the country
• Applicant’s role: Job title, description, and monthly salary
• Business activities: Description of the work to be conducted in the country
• Brazilian business contacts:

1. Names and addresses of the Brazilian companies involved
2. Contact information for Brazilian counterparts (names, phone numbers, positions)

• Travel information

1. Financial support: Confirmation of the company’s financial backing for the applicant during the stay
2. Restrictions: Assurance that the US applicant will not engage in technical assistance or paid work in Brazil (activities that require a different type of visa)

Format of the Business Letter 

• Presentation: The letter should be on the company’s official letterhead
• Authorization: The US applicant must get it signed by a high-level executive, such as a manager, director, or supervisor

Challenges Faced by US Citizens Using the Government e-Visa Portal

Many US citizens have encountered various issues while applying for an e-Visa to Brazil through the government-authorized portal.

The common problems reported are as follows:

• Government authorized website malfunctions: Users often experience errors and malfunctions on the government site. Specific issues include unresponsive pages and "Unprocessable Entry" errors.
• Lengthy loading times: The website frequently exhibits slow response and long loading times.
• Repeated submission attempts: Numerous applicants have had to resubmit applications multiple times due to various errors.
• Document upload difficulties: Applicants from the United States have reportedly faced challenges in uploading financial documents and other required files. Reports of the government authorized e-Visa system not recognizing uploaded documents.
• Language barriers: Some prompts appear in Portuguese, causing confusion for non-Portuguese speakers.
• Account access issues: Problems with accessing accounts, including accounts being locked or labeled as invalid.
• Poor system performance: General complaints about the government website system’s inefficiency and lack of testing prior to launch.

Brazilian e-Visa Walkthrough

Below is a practical walkthrough for American travelers on how to successfully apply for a Brazilian e-Visa. 

However, if the applicant wants to skip the hassle, they can always contact the Natvisa team to apply for them to save themselves from the stress and worry.

Passport and Visa Form

• Valid passport: Ensure the passport is signed and valid until the end of the stay in Brazil. There must be at least 2 free visa pages
• Visa application form: Complete the form online
• Photograph requirements: A 2" x 2" passport-style photo with a white background. A neutral facial expression (no smile)

Financial Proof

• Bank statement: A printed bank statement showing transactions for the last 30 days with at least USD 2,000 available for travel
• Highlighting details: Mark important information (name, date, balance) in yellow to enhance clarity, especially for non-English speakers.

Flight Information

• Confirmation numbers: Keep records of confirmation numbers if flights are booked separately
• Documentation: Convert flight confirmation emails into PDFs and merge them chronologically into a single PDF. Highlight key details like names, dates, flight numbers, and ticket numbers

Additional Information (Optional)

• Employment details: Adding employment information could be helpful
• Local contact: US applicants can include the details of a known friend in Brazil
• Highlight key information: Highlight crucial details in yellow on the documents

Payment for e-Visa

• Fee: The e-visa fee is USD 80.90 (additional service fee will also be included on the e-Visa portal)
• Credit card issues: Be prepared to use a different credit card if the initial payment doesn’t process, and consider using a card with no foreign transaction fees as the payment is processed in the UK/EU.

Points to Remember

• Be patient: The application process on the government website can have delays. Customer service might be slow to respond and ask repetitive questions.
• Customer service number: In case of issues, the number is listed on the government authorized visa portal but be aware of potential charges after the first 5 minutes.
• Highlight important points: Emphasizing key information in the documents can prevent misunderstandings.

Natvisa Suggests: If applying through the government authorized portal, stay patient and be thorough with the e-Visa application. However, if the US applicant’s e-Visa to Brazil is rejected on the government-authorized website, they will have to get a consular visa.

To avoid stress and worry, it’s best to apply through Natvisa. Our team provides 24/7 support and offers expedited visa processing options.

Some items needed for a Brazil e-Visa

Passport image

Personal details (name, dob, etc)

Valid email address

Popular FAQ

Is the cost of the e-Visa for a diplomatic passport the same as for a regular passport?

Ans. Yes, the e-Visa fee is uniform across all types of passports, including diplomatic and regular passports.

Instructions for the US Visitors on the Brazilian e-Visa Approval Email

 The approved e-Visa to Brazil received by applicants has the following information:

• The Brazilian e-Visa will be sent as a PDF
• The email confirms the successful processing of the Brazil e-Visa and includes the electronic visa granting access to the country

Required Actions After Receiving the Electronic Visa

• Printing e-Visa Copies: Travelers are advised to print two copies of the e-Visa document
• Necessity at airports and immigration: The printed copies are essential and required upon arrival at the airport and at immigration control in Brazil.
• Safekeeping during travel: It’s important to keep the printed copies of the electronic visa in a secure yet easily accessible place during the journey
• Validity: It is valid for a duration of ten years for US citizens

Tips for US Tourists Applying for an e-Visa for Brazil

The following are some tips to keep in mind when traveling to Brazil

• Time Zone: Brasilia, Brazil (Federal District) is two hours ahead of Washington, DC, USA. For example, when it is 8:32 am in Washington, DC, it is 10:32 am in Brasilia. Both the United States and Brazil have multiple time zones.
• Telephone Code: 55
• Emergency Phone Numbers:

1. Ambulance: 192 or 193
2. Fire: 193
3. Police: 190

Health and Vaccinations

• Recommended Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required for entry. As such requirements may change, it’s best to check with the Brazilian embassy before making plans.

General Conditions in Brazil

• Climate: Mostly tropical, temperate in the south
• Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
• Electricity: 220 V, 60 Hz, Plug Types C and N
• Languages: Portuguese
• Religions: Predominantly Roman Catholic, Evangelical, various Afro-Brazilian religions
• Drinking water: Prefer bottled water
• Driving: An international driving permit is suggested; drive on the right side
• More: Explore guide

Tourism Essentials

• Major attractions: Rio Carnival, Iguazu Falls, Lencois Maranhenses National Park, Christ the Redeemer Statue, Amazon Rain Forest, and more
• Popular sports: Soccer, volleyball, basketball, capoeira
• Cultural practices: Common greetings include kisses, hugs, and physical touch during conversations
• Tipping: 10-15% in restaurants and bars, round up taxi fares, leave loose change for housekeeping
• Souvenirs: Woven hammocks carved wooden items, jewelry, handmade lace, feather headdresses

Conclusion

 For US citizens planning a short-term trip for tourism, transit, or business, the e-Visa is relatively straightforward. The fully online process grants the electronic visa via email, eliminating the need for a consulate visit. Moreover, the Brazil e-Visa for US citizens holds the same validity and multiple entry benefits as the consular visa.

However, if the Brazilian goals extend beyond short-term ventures, the consular visa might be the better bet. The embassy visa offers diverse subcategories for research, work, or extended stays, catering to a wider range of travel purposes. Both visas/e-Visas allow multiple entries and boast the same validity period, but remember, the e-Visa caps the individual stay within Brazil at 90 days.