Quick answer: U.S. citizens need an approved visa before traveling to Brazil. For most short trips for tourism, transit, family visits, or unpaid business, U.S. passport holders can use Brazil's online Visitor Visa (VIVIS), commonly called the e-Visa.
For U.S. citizens, the government e-Visa fee is $80.90. The visa is valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries, while each visit is normally limited to 90 days.
Already know you need the e-Visa? Use our Brazil e-Visa application guide for photo and document rules, processing time, status tracking, and help with common application problems.
Want someone to check the application before you submit it?
Once you know the e-Visa is the right visa, the application itself can still take some care. Photo requirements are strict, uploads can fail, and VFS may ask for a corrected or additional document.
iVisa offers paid application help and reviews the form and uploaded files before submission. That extra check can be useful if you would rather catch a problem early instead of troubleshooting it later.
U.S. Passport Service Guide is not a government agency. We may earn a commission if you use a sponsored service.
On This Page
- Brazil visa requirements at a glance
- Brazil e-Visa or consular visa?
- Which Brazil visa do you need?
- If you need the Brazil e-Visa
- What happens when you arrive in Brazil
- When an e-Visa is not the right document
- Frequently asked questions
Brazil Visa Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | What U.S. Travelers Need |
|---|---|
| Visa | An approved Brazilian visa before departure. Eligible U.S. travelers can apply online for an e-Visa. |
| E-Visa fee | $80.90. The fee is non-refundable. |
| E-Visa validity | Up to 10 years for U.S. passport holders, with multiple entries. |
| Length of stay | Normally up to 90 days. Extensions, when allowed, are handled by Brazil's Federal Police and the total visitor stay is subject to Brazil's limits. |
| Passport validity | Plan on having at least 1 month of passport validity after arrival. The current VFS e-Visa FAQ uses this requirement, and airlines may apply their own boarding rules. |
| Blank page | At least 1 blank passport page is recommended for Brazil's entry and exit stamps. |
| E-Visa eligibility | The Brazil e-Visa program is available to eligible passport holders from the United States, Canada, and Australia. |
| Paid work | The Visitor Visa does not authorize employment or payment from a Brazilian source. |
Brazil E-Visa or Consular Visa?
| Application | How It Works | When It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| E-Visa | Apply online, upload the required files, pay electronically, and receive the approved visa by email. | Most eligible U.S. travelers visiting for tourism, transit, family visits, or short unpaid business activities. |
| Consular visa | Apply through Brazil's consular system and follow the instructions for the consulate responsible for your case. | Travelers who are not eligible for the e-Visa, are directed to a consulate, or need a visa category that cannot be issued electronically. |
The e-Visa and physical Visitor Visa cover the same general visitor purposes. The difference is mainly how you apply and receive the visa. If you will use the e-Visa, our Brazil e-Visa application guide covers the online process in detail.
Which Brazil Visa Do You Need?
- Vacation or a family visit: Most eligible U.S. travelers can use the e-Visa.
- Transit through Brazil: Eligible U.S. travelers can use the e-Visa for visitor transit.
- Business meetings or conferences: The Visitor Visa can cover permitted short, unpaid business activities.
- Paid work or payment from a Brazilian source: A Visitor Visa is not enough. You need the appropriate work or residence authorization.
- Longer study, a paid internship, or residence: Check the appropriate Brazilian visa category before you apply.
- Brazilian or dual U.S.-Brazilian citizenship: Brazilian citizens are not eligible for a Brazilian visa and should follow Brazil's rules for the travel documents they must use.
Not just a visa question? For passport validity, entry documents, minors, health, and other arrival rules, see our Brazil entry requirements for U.S. citizens.
If You Need the Brazil E-Visa
Once you have confirmed that the e-Visa is right for your trip, the application is completed online. You will need a clear copy of your passport bio page and a photo that meets Brazil's specifications. VFS can also ask for additional documents.
Use an email address you check regularly and leave enough time for corrections or follow-up requests. Do not count on traveling until the visa has been approved.
Our Brazil e-Visa application guide has the portal link, exact photo rules, processing time, status tracker, common upload problems, and the assisted-application option.
What Happens When You Arrive in Brazil?
Carry the passport used for the application and a printed copy of the approved e-Visa. Airline staff may check your visa before boarding, and Brazilian authorities verify your documents when you arrive.
An approved visa lets you travel to a Brazilian port of entry, but it does not guarantee admission. Brazilian immigration authorities make the final decision when you arrive.
If You Replaced Your Passport
VFS says an e-Visa can remain valid through its printed expiration date even if the passport used for the application has expired. Travel with both the old passport linked to the e-Visa and the new valid passport. If the old passport was lost, follow the VFS instructions for carrying proof of the old passport and the loss.
When an E-Visa Is Not the Right Document
Brazilian and Dual Citizens
Brazilian citizens cannot receive a Brazilian e-Visa. A dual U.S.-Brazilian citizen should check Brazil's rules for the travel document required to enter and leave the country.
Paid Work
The Visitor Visa does not authorize employment or payment from a Brazilian source. Travelers taking a job, performing paid work, or receiving Brazilian compensation need the appropriate authorization.
Longer Study or Internships
Some short unpaid activities are allowed under visitor rules. Longer study, paid internships, and activities that create an employment relationship require another visa category.
E-Visa Denial
The e-Visa fee is non-refundable. VFS currently states that a denied applicant may submit a new e-Visa application after 24 hours, although some applicants may need the consular route instead.
Brazil Visa Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. U.S. citizens must obtain an approved visa before traveling to Brazil. Most eligible short-term visitors can apply online for the Brazil e-Visa.
The government e-Visa fee is $80.90. A private application service charges its own service fee in addition to the government fee.
Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the e-Visa is valid for 10 years for U.S. citizens and permits multiple entries.
VIVIS is Brazil's Visitor Visa classification. Eligible travelers can receive that visitor visa electronically as an e-Visa instead of having a physical visa placed in the passport.
No. It can cover approved short unpaid business activities, but it does not authorize employment or payment from a Brazilian source.
No. A valid Brazilian visa can continue to be used until it expires, provided it covers the purpose of your trip.
Prefer help before you submit?
iVisa reviews the form and uploaded files before submission. If you would rather not sort out photo, upload, or family-document problems on your own, that extra review may be useful. Brazilian authorities still make the decision on the visa.
Last reviewed: September 17, 2026.
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