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Navigating Brazil visa requirements for US citizens
If you want to visit Brazil - or even move there for work, volunteering or to study - you might be wondering: do US citizens need a visa for Brazil (2023)?
The Brazil visa requirements for US citizens are set to change for standard visit visas, during the course of 2023. It’s important to know what’s needed before you plan your trip so there are no last minute surprises - this guide has it all covered.
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Do US citizens need a visa for Brazil?
At the time of writing (July 2023), US citizens heading to Brazil for 90 days or less, for non-work purposes, can enter without a visa¹. However, this is set to change from 1st October 2023².
After this date, US citizens visiting Brazil for any purpose will need a visa, as the visa exemption which has been in place since 2019 will expire.
We’ll look in more detail at what the visit visa will cover, as well as the fees and eligibility, in a moment - but it’s helpful to know that short term visitors from October 2023 onwards need to apply for the VVIS visit visa³ through their local Brazilian Consulate.
Aside from short term visit visas, there are also many different types of visas covering other activities like working and volunteering in Brazil. We’ll look at these next.
Types of Brazilian visas for US citizens
The Brazilian Consulate (Washington) lists a large number of different visa types for US citizens, depending on the type of visit you’re planning on making.
Categories include⁴:
- Visitor visas (short term)
- Work visas
- Digital nomad visas
- Volunteer visas
- Investment visas
- Study visas
- Retirement visas
- Research or academic visas
- Family reunification visas
We’ll look at the details for a couple of the most popular Brazil visas for US citizens in more detail here, but you can also get all the relevant details from the website of the Brazilian Consulate wherever you live.
| Visa | Eligibility | How long does it last? |
|---|---|---|
| Visit Visa (VIVIS)³ | No paid activity in Brazil is allowed | Up to 90 day stay |
| Work visa (VITEM V)⁵ | You must have advance approval from the Ministry of Justice before applying - your employer initiates the application | Varied by circumstance (may be issued for 1 year initially) |
| Digital nomad visa (VITEM XIV)⁶ | Remote workers for a foreign company, earning at least 1,500 USD/month | Varied by circumstance (may be issued for 1 year initially, with the option to extend subject to police approval) |
| Volunteer visa (VITEM VIII)⁷ | Volunteers with NGOs or foreign government sponsored programmes, with an invitation letter | Over 90 days |
| Investment visa (VITEM IX)⁸ | You must have advance approval from the Ministry of Justice before applying | Varied by circumstance (may be indefinite) |
How to apply for a Brazil visa as a US citizen: step by step
You’ll need to apply for your Brazil visa via the local Brazilian consulate wherever you live.
Usually the options include application via a third party service, or a mail application process if you’d rather complete the paperwork in person yourself without paying agent fees.
In either case you’ll have to provide hard copy or uploaded versions of a completed application form and all the documents needed for your specific visa type. Some paperwork needs to be notarized, or may need to be translated depending on the situation.
Using an approved agent to apply for your visa can help as you’ll be guided through the process step by step. However, you’ll pay a fee for this service.
If you apply directly by mail yourself, your application should be reviewed by the consulate in 15 days, but if there are documents missing, incorrect or incomplete, you’ll need to resubmit, adding time to the overall processing.
Extending your Brazilian visa
Some Brazilian visas can be extended in the country, if you decide to prolong your trip. Extensions won’t be automatic and you’ll need to apply before your existing visa runs out.
Usually applications to extend will go via the Brazilian Federal Police - but you may find the process easier if you involve a local agent to support you.
Brazil visa requirements for US citizens
The exact requirements for a Brazil visa will vary a lot based on the visa type you need. It’s common to need to show proof of health insurance, an adequate amount of money to pay for things while you’re there, and an outward flight, for example.
| Let’s look in more detail at what you’ll need to have to apply for a visit visa (VIVIS) as a US citizen: |
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The affidavit requirement is simply to acknowledge that you’re applying for a visit visa before the visa waiver policy has expired. As of October 20203, this is no longer likely to be required.
How much does the Brazilian visa cost?
Brazilian visa fees depend on the visa type and your nationality. Visa fees in the US must be paid by USPS Postal Order.
Below are the costs for some popular visas if you apply via the Brazilian Consulate in Washington to give you an idea.
Don’t forget, agency fees cost extra if you choose to use one, and you may also need to have documents notarized which comes with costs, as well.
| Visa | Fee for US citizen¹⁰ |
|---|---|
| Visit Visa (VIVIS) | 160 USD |
| Work visa (VITEM V) | 290 USD |
| Digital nomad visa (VITEM XIV) | 290 USD |
| Volunteer visa (VITEM VIII) | 250 USD |
| Investment visa (VITEM IX) | 290 USD |
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Staying in Brazil: what Americans need to know
Let’s look at some common questions about Brazil visas for American citizens.
Can a US citizen work in Brazil with a tourist visa?
The VIVIS visit visa is valid for up to 90 days and allows certain business activities as long as you’re not earning money in Brazil.
You can use the visa for attending a conference for example, or for meeting clients or colleagues - but you can’t work for a Brazilian employer or earn money from a Brazilian source.
Check out the details before you apply to make sure you get the right visa for your specific needs.
What happens if a US citizen overstays their visa in Brazil?
Overstaying your visa in Brazil - or anywhere else for that matter - is not a good idea. You’re likely to incur a fine and may even be banned from entering Brazil again for a certain period of time, depending on the situation.
No matter why you’re heading to Brazil, you’re in for a good time. Use this Brazil visa guide to learn more about the paperwork to set up in advance to make sure your trip goes to plan.
And don’t forget to check out Wise as a smart way to pay for things in BRL - with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees - while you’re there.
Sources:
- US State Department - Brazil country information
- Brazilian Consulate (Washington) - update for US visa requirement
- Brazilian Consulate (Washington) - visit visas
- Brazilian Consulate (Washington) - visa types
- Work visas
- Digital nomad visas
- Volunteer visas
- Investment visas
- Affidavit for visa request
- Brazil Visa fees
Sources checked on 07.25.2023
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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