Visa policy of Brazil
Encyclopedia
The government of Brazil
allows citizens of specific countries and territories to travel to Brazil without a visa
.
or visa to visit Brazil for business or tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days (60 days for citizens of Venezuela). An identity document
is accepted instead of a passport.
Citizens of the following countries, territories and entities do not require a visa to visit Brazil for business or tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days.
Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Brazil for tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days.
Brazil and Serbia
signed a visa waiver agreement on June 20, 2010 and it is pending ratification.
Although Brazilian visa policy is based on reciprocity, and none of the countries of the European Union
require visas for Brazilian citizens, Brazil currently still requires visas to be held by citizens of Cyprus
, Estonia
, Latvia
and Malta
, which acceded to the European Union in 2004. A treaty abolishing these requirements and thus restoring full reciprocity was signed on November 8, 2010 and it is pending ratification by Brazil.
Brazilian nationals must enter and leave Brazil with their Brazilian passport
or Brazilian identity card
, even if they also hold a passport of another country.
Terms and Conditions
contact
s, attending trade fairs, speaking at conferences etc. are required to apply for a short-stay business
visa
, which is also valid for a stay of up to 90 days.
in Brazil will be required to apply for a temporary residence visa. To obtain a temporary visa for employment
purposes, you will need to secure a job offer from a Brazilian company or government department, or a foreign company based in Brazil, and they will be required to apply to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Labour
on your behalf. The criteria for approval of an employment visa include suitable educational qualifications or work experience, a secured employment contract in Brazil, provide proof of adequate means of subsistence in Brazil, police confirmation that you have no criminal record, and a satisfactory medical examination. All official documents must be translated into Portuguese. The application processing period is normally around 2-3 month
s. Employment visas are issued for a specific job, and are not transferable between employers in Brazil without permission. Visas are also issued to the employment-visa holder's spouse and children.
visa
to live and work
in Brazil. These include marriage
and family
unification categories, as well as categories covering business executives and entrepreneurs, high level specialists, investor
s and retired people.
and are moving to Brazil on intra-company transfer. There is a minimum requirement for the parent company to invest at least US$ 200,000 per visa in the Brazil-based subsidiary, and to provide evidence that they are bringing value to Brazil in the form of increased productivity, technology transfer or social benefits. Visas are also issued to administrators, managers or directors of start-up companies, who are not required to meet the minimum investment
or job creation criteria which apply to established companies. Researchers or other high-level specialists employed by Brazilian research institutions may also be granted a permanent visa.
investor
status may be granted to foreign nationals wishing to invest a minimum of US$ 50,000 in a Brazilian business or productive activity. There is a requirement to demonstrate a good knowledge of Portuguese. Investment funds must be submitted through the Central Bank of Brazil
. Investor visas are issued for an initial 5 years, renewable on approval of a satisfactory investment plan and on confirmation that the investor has created jobs for at least 10 Brazilian nationals. Resident investors can apply for Brazilian citizenship after 4 years; prior to this they have many of the rights
of citizens, except for voting rights.
Applicants for permanent residence visas are required to submit their passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and a police certificate of no criminal record
, issued within the last 90 days.
if they have lived in Brazil for a continuous period of at least four years, have no criminal record, and can read and write Portuguese
, among other requirements. The residency period can be reduced to only one, two or three years in some cases, and there are fewer requirements for those who have lived in Brazil for at least fifteen years.
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
allows citizens of specific countries and territories to travel to Brazil without a visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
.
Visa waivers
Citizens of the following countries do not need a passportPassport
A passport is a document, issued by a national government, which certifies, for the purpose of international travel, the identity and nationality of its holder. The elements of identity are name, date of birth, sex, and place of birth....
or visa to visit Brazil for business or tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days (60 days for citizens of Venezuela). An identity document
Identity document
An identity document is any document which may be used to verify aspects of a person's personal identity. If issued in the form of a small, mostly standard-sized card, it is usually called an identity card...
is accepted instead of a passport.
Citizens of the following countries, territories and entities do not require a visa to visit Brazil for business or tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days.
Citizens of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Brazil for tourism, if the trip does not exceed 90 days.
Brazil and Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
signed a visa waiver agreement on June 20, 2010 and it is pending ratification.
Although Brazilian visa policy is based on reciprocity, and none of the countries of the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
require visas for Brazilian citizens, Brazil currently still requires visas to be held by citizens of Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, Estonia
Estonia
Estonia , officially the Republic of Estonia , is a state in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by the Gulf of Finland, to the west by the Baltic Sea, to the south by Latvia , and to the east by Lake Peipsi and the Russian Federation . Across the Baltic Sea lies...
, Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
and Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
, which acceded to the European Union in 2004. A treaty abolishing these requirements and thus restoring full reciprocity was signed on November 8, 2010 and it is pending ratification by Brazil.
Brazilian nationals must enter and leave Brazil with their Brazilian passport
Brazilian passport
The Brazilian passport is the official document for foreign travel issued by the Brazilian government, through the Brazilian Federal Police.A new model was officially introduced in December 2006 that complies with both Mercosul and ICAO standards....
or Brazilian identity card
Brazilian Identity Card
The identity card — diversely named in Portuguese cédula de identidade cartão/carteira de identidade or "RG" , depending on the state — is the national official identity document in Brazil...
, even if they also hold a passport of another country.
Tourist visa
Eligibility- Tourists
- People visiting relatives or friends
- Unpaid participation in athleticSportA Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
or artistic eventHappeningA happening is a performance, event or situation meant to be considered art, usually as performance art. Happenings take place anywhere , are often multi-disciplinary, with a nonlinear narrative and the active participation of the audience...
or competitionCompetitionCompetition is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources. It arises whenever two and only two strive for a goal which cannot be shared. Competition occurs naturally between living organisms which co-exist in the same environment. For...
. An invitation letter from the sponsoring organization in Brazil is required. - Unpaid participation in a scientific/academic seminarSeminarSeminar is, generally, a form of academic instruction, either at an academic institution or offered by a commercial or professional organization. It has the function of bringing together small groups for recurring meetings, focusing each time on some particular subject, in which everyone present is...
or conferenceAcademic conferenceAn academic conference or symposium is a conference for researchers to present and discuss their work. Together with academic or scientific journals, conferences provide an important channel for exchange of information between researchers.-Overview:Conferences are usually composed of various...
sponsored by a research or academic institution. An invitation letter from the sponsoring organization in Brazil is required.
Terms and Conditions
- Tourist visa holders are prohibited to engage in business, work, or academic activities in Brazil.
- For citizens of some countries, the first arrival in Brazil must take place within 90 days from the date the visa was issued.
- This visa is good for multiple entries within the visa's duration. Please note that even when the validity of the visa exceeds 90 days, authorized stays are for a maximum of a 90 day period per visit. If necessary, an extension may be submitted to the Federal Police in Brazil, if requested prior to the expiration of the authorized stay (special requirements apply). Tourist visa holders are allowed to stay in the Brazilian territory a maximum of 180 days over a 12-month period.
- For citizens of countries without diplomatic relations with Brazil, such as KosovoRepublic of KosovoKosovo , officially the Republic of Kosovo is a partially recognised state and a disputed territory in the Balkans...
and TaiwanRepublic of ChinaThe Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
, a visa is issued on a laissez-passer.
Short-stay business visa
People wishing to visit Brazil for a short period for the purpose of making or meeting with businessBusiness
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
contact
Customer
A customer is usually used to refer to a current or potential buyer or user of the products of an individual or organization, called the supplier, seller, or vendor. This is typically through purchasing or renting goods or services...
s, attending trade fairs, speaking at conferences etc. are required to apply for a short-stay business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
, which is also valid for a stay of up to 90 days.
Temporary residence visa/work visa
Anyone wishing to live and workEmployment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
in Brazil will be required to apply for a temporary residence visa. To obtain a temporary visa for employment
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
purposes, you will need to secure a job offer from a Brazilian company or government department, or a foreign company based in Brazil, and they will be required to apply to the Immigration Division of the Ministry of Labour
Ministry of Labour
The Ministry of Labour was a British civil service department established by the New Ministries and Secretaries Act 1916. It was renamed the Employment Department in 1988, and finally abolished in 1995...
on your behalf. The criteria for approval of an employment visa include suitable educational qualifications or work experience, a secured employment contract in Brazil, provide proof of adequate means of subsistence in Brazil, police confirmation that you have no criminal record, and a satisfactory medical examination. All official documents must be translated into Portuguese. The application processing period is normally around 2-3 month
Month
A month is a unit of time, used with calendars, which was first used and invented in Mesopotamia, as a natural period related to the motion of the Moon; month and Moon are cognates. The traditional concept arose with the cycle of moon phases; such months are synodic months and last approximately...
s. Employment visas are issued for a specific job, and are not transferable between employers in Brazil without permission. Visas are also issued to the employment-visa holder's spouse and children.
Permanent visas
There are seven categories of application for a permanentPermanent
The permanent of a square matrix in linear algebra, is a function of the matrix similar to the determinant. The permanent, as well as the determinant, is a polynomial in the entries of the matrix...
visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
to live and work
Employment
Employment is a contract between two parties, one being the employer and the other being the employee. An employee may be defined as:- Employee :...
in Brazil. These include marriage
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
and family
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
unification categories, as well as categories covering business executives and entrepreneurs, high level specialists, investor
Investor
An investor is a party that makes an investment into one or more categories of assets --- equity, debt securities, real estate, currency, commodity, derivatives such as put and call options, etc...
s and retired people.
Business people and professionals
Permanent visas are issued to administrators, managers and directors of professional or business corporations, who are already employed by the companyCompany
A company is a form of business organization. It is an association or collection of individual real persons and/or other companies, who each provide some form of capital. This group has a common purpose or focus and an aim of gaining profits. This collection, group or association of persons can be...
and are moving to Brazil on intra-company transfer. There is a minimum requirement for the parent company to invest at least US$ 200,000 per visa in the Brazil-based subsidiary, and to provide evidence that they are bringing value to Brazil in the form of increased productivity, technology transfer or social benefits. Visas are also issued to administrators, managers or directors of start-up companies, who are not required to meet the minimum investment
Investment
Investment has different meanings in finance and economics. Finance investment is putting money into something with the expectation of gain, that upon thorough analysis, has a high degree of security for the principal amount, as well as security of return, within an expected period of time...
or job creation criteria which apply to established companies. Researchers or other high-level specialists employed by Brazilian research institutions may also be granted a permanent visa.
Investors
ResidentPermanent residency
Permanent residency refers to a person's visa status: the person is allowed to reside indefinitely within a country of which he or she is not a citizen. A person with such status is known as a permanent resident....
investor
Investor
An investor is a party that makes an investment into one or more categories of assets --- equity, debt securities, real estate, currency, commodity, derivatives such as put and call options, etc...
status may be granted to foreign nationals wishing to invest a minimum of US$ 50,000 in a Brazilian business or productive activity. There is a requirement to demonstrate a good knowledge of Portuguese. Investment funds must be submitted through the Central Bank of Brazil
Central Bank of Brazil
The Central Bank of Brazil is Brazil's monetary authority. It was established on December 31, 1964.The Central Bank is linked with the Ministry of Finance. Like other central banks, the Brazilian central bank is the principal monetary authority of the country...
. Investor visas are issued for an initial 5 years, renewable on approval of a satisfactory investment plan and on confirmation that the investor has created jobs for at least 10 Brazilian nationals. Resident investors can apply for Brazilian citizenship after 4 years; prior to this they have many of the rights
Rights
Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people, according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory...
of citizens, except for voting rights.
Retired people
Foreign nationals aged over 50 can apply for a permanent visa if they will be transferring the equivalent of at least US$ 2,000 to Brazil every month. Visas are also issued to up to two dependants, but there is a requirement to transfer an additional US$1,000 per dependant per month. Documentary proof of income and a bank declaration authorizing the monthly transfer are required.Applicants for permanent residence visas are required to submit their passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable) and a police certificate of no criminal record
Criminal record
A criminal record is a record of a person's criminal history, generally used by potential employers, lenders etc. to assess his or her trustworthiness. The information included in a criminal record varies between countries and even between jurisdictions within a country...
, issued within the last 90 days.
Registration
On arrival in Brazil, any holders of visas for more than 90 days duration are required to register with the Federal Police, and obtain an identity card. Those intending to work in Brazil must obtain a work card from the Labor Department and a tax identification card from the Ministry of Finance.Citizenship
Foreign nationals can apply for Brazilian nationality by naturalizationNaturalization
Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
if they have lived in Brazil for a continuous period of at least four years, have no criminal record, and can read and write Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
, among other requirements. The residency period can be reduced to only one, two or three years in some cases, and there are fewer requirements for those who have lived in Brazil for at least fifteen years.